Zeroing in on a Dating Niche within Matchmaking Sites
The question is: do you use mainstream matchmaking sites or niche sites? Do you look for success among millions of potential matches with a wide variety of interests or a smaller pool of potential matches with more targeted interests? These are the questions many singles looking for love online must answer. Each type of site, mainstream or niche, has its advantages and disadvantages and many users are choosing to post a profile on both. This ups the ante and gives them more opportunities to meet someone.
Do big Bucks Equal big Results?
Many first time users choose to sign up with one of the well known large matchmaking sites. These sites are well advertised and fully developed. They have lots of dollars because of their high membership numbers and can afford to offer users great features such as filters and mobile phone capabilities.
Click Here to Try Match.com - 3 Days Free!
At the other end of the spectrum are niche sites. A niche site is a smaller online dating site that focuses on a specific interest. There are new niche sites going live every day for interest groups such as equestrians and accountants.
Unfortunately, some of these smaller sites do not have the dollars to offer everything the larger sites can. But, many niche site users say they are willing to give up the bells and whistles in order to find a match who shares their interests.
The Numbers
A typical mainstream site will have upwards of 15 million active members from around the globe. These sites are not interest focused but they do offer their members filters to streamline the process of choosing potential matches. A member may choose to search for singles in his area or college educated women among many other options.
A niche site is, as expected, much smaller. Some sites that cater to a specific interest group have around 500,000 members but this is rare. More likely you will find niche matchmaking sites with 100,000 members or less.
Click Here to Try Match.com - 3 Days Free!
Many first time users might avoid niche sites because it looks like they will have fewer choices for potential matches. A closer look might give you a different opinion. While the larger sites do have millions more members this number drastically dwindles once you begin to employ filters.
Filters on mega matchmaking sites allow users to narrow down their choices according to pre-set criteria. A member may choose to search specifically for blonde men or women who attend church every Sunday.
Do They Work?
The big question asked by many users is "Will a smaller site be effective in finding a match for me?" Yes, say online dating experts. If you are looking for Jewish men, Catholic women or Asian ladies; athletic, intellectual or nerdy you will find a group of other people with the same background or interests on a niche site. The first niche sites were religious in nature and they continue to be popular. One of the highest ranked niche sites is geared to young Jewish singles and has over 750,000 members.
Niche sites become more popular all the time as more singles turn to online dating. That's because the niche sites can focus on a targeted membership which can make it much easier and quicker to meet people. The larger dating sites can be a bit overwhelming at times for some people.
Niche site members love the smaller pool from which to choose. It helps them steer clear of unpleasant surprises and wasted time. The potential connections may be less than on the larger matchmaking sites but the ability to single in on a specific interest group is both entertaining and rewarding.
If you are interested in specific niche dating sites like Jewish dating services or Asian matchmaking sites then continue to browse our articles, you are sure to find what you need.