However, free actually has its own price. That of commitment. The very thing that women accuse men of being shy of. Well, totally lacking if we are being frank. Free means that you can join an online dating community at a whim. Dip your toe in the digital water and then jump to another, warmer, 'pool' if the mood takes us.
While dating is supposed to be fun, many of us have the serious intent of finding that special 'someone' somewhere on our agenda. That 'somewhere' is normally pretty much near the top.
Putting your money down to join a paid site is a form of commitment. It displays positive intent. A step in the right direction. It also gives both the site owners, and us, the users, the additional safety-net of accountability, should a 'bad element' appear on the site. Safety is important. We want redress should there be a serious problem such as stalking or abusive behavior.
Online activities can be likened to driving a car. We feel enclosed in the environment. Safe. That environment gives us a false sense of anonymity, and security. Whereas, in truth, everything online is traceable eventually. As many software virus writers have eventually found to their cost.
Free sites can lead to poor quality content. If you are a regular user of online dating sites, you may start to recognize regurgitated profiles appearing from other dating sites you have already visited. Sites that are new may cheat by 'borrowing' content (profiles) from other sites. After all, nobody likes to walk into an empty room when the notice on the door promised a thriving party inside.
The need to pay for the facilities of a free site can lead to excessive advertising. Making the site cluttered and hard to navigate. Security can be an issue too. Secure server certification costs can be high. So free sites often dispense with this added feature, which helps to protect our personal data when signing up, or signing in. Inappropriate online behavior from idiots can go unchecked, as there is no moderator to censor and terminate such unpleasantness. The lack of membership cash can cause the site owners to establish the site and then effectively abandon it. Hoping that they will raise revenue to cover their running costs via advertising on autopilot, without further intervention. Responsibility is diluted.
But free sites can also work in our favor. If the actual content of the site does not meet the claims made on the home page, or within the advertising which initially directed us to the site, we can simply walk away without financial loss. No monthly ongoing charges. You can recommend a site you prefer to friends, knowing that you have not inflicted a financial burden upon them. A point, which otherwise, they may hold against you. Distrusting your future judgment.
Online dating sites, like any internet platform, come in three flavors: the good, the bad and the ugly. If you are looking for someone special, you first need to find a site whose standards reflect your own expectations. This may take some time.
They are out there - don't lose hope! I wish you all happy dating.
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