As you might have already guessed, I’m no stranger to dating sites. 

In fact, I became quite familiar with them during my 100-date experiment in 2011 and 2012. Back then, online dating was becoming massively popular, and there were many new sites to explore–all of which promised the best possible romantic outcome for everyone. I checked out a lot of these sites, making sure to highlight the best dating sites for men in my research.

According to a 2016 study by the Pew Research Center, 15% of Americans admit to using an online method to find dates, up from 12% in 2013. With so many people searching for romance on the internet, online dating has lost the old stigma that used to characterize it as desperate, crazy and dangerous. Today, most of us spend a fair amount of time online, and meeting people over the internet seems to go hand-in-hand with our modern day lifestyles.

The familiar phrase, “they met online” has exploded in popularity over the last two decades. The number of dating sites, hook-up apps, and digital tools designed to help people search, locate and meet online can be overwhelming. Options range from classy to sleazy, expensive to free, and beyond. It’s up to you to decide which one works best for you.

To help, I have compiled a list of what I think are the four best online dating sites for relationships (and here’s a link to a more recent article where I’ve compiled a larger list of free dating sites and apps.) The following recommendations are derived from extensive research conducted during my 100 date experiment as well as summarized feedback from my clients’ greatest successes throughout the years. 

Truth be told, the following top 4 dating sites for relationships are not what you think! Read on to find out how to get the most out of your online dating experience with the best dating sites for men.

#4: eHarmony

eHarmony is an award-winning, internationally-recognized dating website that has been around since 2000. The site’s founder, Neil Clark Warren, is a clinical psychologist, marriage therapist and best-selling author. He has written self-help books ranging from love and marriage to emotional health. His site, eHarmony, claims that 4% of all marriages in the United States met through their service. That’s 438 eHarmony marriages per day!

The beauty of eHarmony lies in its sophisticated compatibility matching technology, and paid membership plans, which helps to weed out the serious people from the not-so-serious ones.

Also, learn how to get a free eHarmony trial.

#3: Niche Dating Sites

Are you looking for someone specific? Perhaps, someone who shares your religious beliefs, creative interests, or lifestyle choices? If so, you may be in luck. There are plenty of excellent niche dating sites designed for people seeking very specific compatibility attributes.

Jewish dating sites like  J-Date, Bubby, or Jewcier match singles who share similar religious beliefs. Having trouble finding a partner who doesn’t eat meat? No problem, try Green Singles, an online dating site for vegetarians seeking like-minded partners. There’s even an online dating site for farmers looking to meet other farmers, check it out at FarmersOnly. When all else fails, Google it. There is likely a niche online dating site out there for you and if not today, then check back tomorrow because they are creeping up like wildfire!

Choosing a site that is geared towards a certain interest, culture, career or religion can dramatically increase the compatibility you feel on your dates, which could potentially speed up the rate at which you could find a relationship.

After selecting your ideal niche site, make sure you’re set up for success with my Top 10 Online Dating Tips for Men. 

#2: MeetUp.com

Have you ever wanted to meet a lot of people at once that are interested in the same hobbies, sports, events or life goals that you are? If you’re an extrovert, social butterfly, or an introvert interested in becoming more social, Meetup.com might be one of the best online dating sites–and social networking sites–for you.

Meetup.com unites thousands of people in cities and towns all over the country, every single day, for a variety of reasons–often resulting in romantic chemistry between members at meet-ups. When it comes to getting to know people in person through technology, this is one of the most natural ways to do it–especially if the idea of using one of the other best online dating sites for relationships isn’t particularly appealing to you.

The likelihood that you’ll run into someone in the crowd that sparks your interest is high–especially when the occasion revolves around something that allows you to share your passion with other like-minded people.

#1: Facebook

Chances are, you’re already using one of the world’s best online dating sites for relationships–and you may not even realize it! Facebook is one of the greatest ways to meet an attractive girlfriend for your next relationship. Chances are you already have a full profile and friends list too–convenient! Facebook’s relationship status feature helps you easily navigate the women who are available versus the the women who are “off limits.” It also allows you to connect with friends from the past as well as friends of friends. The more people you meet and date from your immediate and extended social circles, the higher the compatibility rate is likely to be.

You can also join special interest groups to meet people that are interested in the same things that you are. Find out about events in your area and other activities that will expand your sphere of influence even more. If you’ve just met someone, you can easily add them to your friend list. Get to know them through Messenger before making plans to meet each other for a date.

If you want to make the most out of eHarmony, Facebook, or any of the best dating sites for men, for that matter–you’ll need to make sure your profile is on-point. Check out my article “How to Write an Attractive Dating Profile” for great tips on writing the best online dating sites profiles that women will want to click on!

Are you all set up on a dating site and having trouble getting responses from the women you’re trying to contact? For serious help on crafting a message that will get women to respond to you, make sure to check out my article, “How to Get Women to Message You Back on Online Dating Sites”, and stop wasting your valuable time!

Are You Serious About Dating? Kick Your Love Life into High Gear

Dating can be a struggle no matter where you look for love–whether it’s offline or on one of the world’s best dating sites and apps. If you need help finding a girlfriend or long term partner, I can help you!

Go over to my calendar and book a new client one-on-one coaching session with me. We’ll go over your current dating issues in detail and come up with a quick action plan. We can also discuss these relationship oriented dating sites & my coaching programs, which will definitely speed up the rate at which you find your next girlfriend, wife, or long term partner.  

Keep up the good work, and remember–never give up in your search for the perfect woman. You deserve to have the best relationship, and I am here to help you achieve your goals!