| > | | | | become a member, they will have very few users |
| With the ever increasing number of websites within | | | | who register, then stay away or don't bother to |
| the online dating community, and the decreasing cost | | | | complete a profile. Once a user has been tempted to |
| of php scripting it's not surprising that we see more | | | | usehis or her credit card, they will be much more |
| and more 'free membership' niche dating sites, who | | | | inclined to take their membership seriously enough to |
| seem to rely on their income from advertising such | | | | create a decent profile and visit it several times a |
| as Google Adwords or Yahoo Search Marketing. But | | | | day to monitor interest from other members. |
| is offering free memberships the way forward? | | | | The 'fee charging' sites will find it much tougher to |
| The main difference between online dating websites | | | | get sign ups, but whats the point in having a couple |
| and other membership sites is that on joining a dating | | | | of thousand members in your database if fifteen |
| website, you are required to make an attractive | | | | hundred of them are dormant and don't even |
| profile, which is used almost as a marketing tool to | | | | respond to your emails? Much better for all |
| present yourself to other members in the best | | | | concerned to just have five hundred interested |
| possible light. Without a completed profile you haven't | | | | members who pay regular visits to the website and |
| a chance of attracting other genuine members who | | | | use the facilities to the full. |
| are seeking a partner. | | | | So what about the fee charging dating sites that |
| Completing a profile of one's self is regarded by | | | | offer a free period as a trial membership? Well that |
| many as the most boring, time consuming chore you | | | | word "free" continues to cause complacency, but to |
| could ever be asked to perform by any website. And | | | | a lesser degree. Whilst a free period may attract |
| a large percentage of surfers will "put it off till later | | | | prospective members to a trial period, there are still a |
| today or tomorrow" which in most cases means it | | | | large percentage of these free users, who do not |
| will never be done. And in fact, oftentimes will never | | | | return to the website after subscribing. |
| even return to the website. | | | | Many dating sites offering a free trial period, require |
| Many researchers will agree that members who join a | | | | the user to complete a profile before they are |
| website community solely because its free, will rarely | | | | accepted as a free member. Some users however, |
| return to the site or sustain an interest longer than a | | | | will want to explore the member database before |
| few days. And it's not because they are forgetful | | | | joining, and if required to join before they are allowed |
| and can't remember registering, because the website | | | | to search, a large percentage of these users will |
| administrator will almost certainly send out email | | | | simply move on, and prospective members will be |
| reminders on a daily basis. The online membership | | | | lost.. maybe to a competitor website. |
| communities which includes dating sites would not | | | | The highest number of long term signups per 1000 |
| exist if it weren't for the members in their databases | | | | site visitors is enjoyed by those dating sites offering |
| and it's important that all members who bother to | | | | a free trial period, along with a script that will auto |
| sign up, take an active part in the community and the | | | | delete profiles not completed within a given period of |
| services it offers. Otherwise it is a waste of not only | | | | say seven days. The lowest number of long term |
| the indolent member's time, but also the time of the | | | | signups per 1000 site visitors reflects the success |
| website administrator and other genuine members. | | | | rates of the 'absolutely freel' membership websites, |
| Whereas, on the other hand, in the case of those | | | | dating or otherwise. |
| membership sites that charge a monthly fee to | | | | |