As the popularity of online dating continues to rise, more and more people are turning to this form of communication as a means to meet potential dates. The convenience of being able to search through thousands of profiles in just seconds is enticing for many.

The downside, though, is that it can be difficult to determine whether you’re making an intelligent match with someone who could potentially be your future spouse or not. It’s very easy to fall victim to the “online-friendliness” of the internet and start to believe that anyone who has ever used the word “lazy” in their profile is automatically undesirable. And while there is nothing wrong with taking things slowly when meeting a new person offline, if you’re looking to use online dating as a serious method of finding love, then you need to take some precautions.

You have plenty of options when trying to find love on the web, but they all come with risks. So which one should you choose?

What about free sites like Match.com and eHarmony?

While these free dating websites are certainly convenient and cost-effective, they aren’t without their own set of problems. For starters, you will almost always have to pay for additional features or upgrades. Even paying members of these services often end up feeling ripped off because most users don’t realize that they can access certain features by upgrading to premium membership (which can range between $20-$50 per month).

Another problem with these types of sites is that they tend to focus primarily on compatibility rather than personality. While this is a valid approach for some people, it can also result in a lot of missed opportunities, since the main purpose of using these types of sites is to find compatible matches.

This can be especially true if you’re looking for a long-term relationship. If you don’t want to settle down too quickly and are willing to wait until you find the right person to spend your life with, then these types of sites might not be the best option for you.

Why pay for something online when you can do it yourself?

For many people, the idea of spending money every month to find love seems completely out of place. But if you think about it, why would you bother doing anything at all if there was no reward attached? You wouldn’t waste your time going to work if there weren’t any perks waiting for you at the end of the day. That’s how we behave in real life, so why would we expect different results from our virtual lives?

Online dating is no different. When you pay for something, you get what you pay for — and that’s exactly what you’ll receive when you pay for online dating services. So if you’d prefer to save money instead of spending it on an online dating service, why not do it yourself?

There are plenty of ways to do this, including the following:

1. Use Your Smartphone

If you’ve got an Android phone, then you already know how to use your smartphone to find love. With the right apps, you can use your device to scan through countless profiles and swipe left or right on profiles that appeal to you. This type of app-based online dating will give you instant access to thousands of members and allow you to keep track of everyone you’ve met — which means you won’t forget about them once you’ve moved onto another website!

2. Create Your Own Dating Site

If you’re really intent on not spending any money on dating services, then you can create your own site that allows you to browse through hundreds of members and send messages to those who catch your eye. You can even go so far as to offer paid subscription levels depending on how much you want to pay each month. This will give you greater control over what you see and will encourage you to make sure that you’re choosing only those members who truly appeal to you.

3. Join A Community Online

A great way to meet other singles in your area is to join a community or forum that hosts regular events. These events usually consist of various activities such as speed dating, group dinners, etc., where you’ll be able to mingle with other singles and possibly find love along the way.

4. Try Casual Dates

Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the office and enjoy some quality time with friends or family. In order to do this, you may want to try casual dates — short weekend getaways where you’ll have the opportunity to hang out with your loved ones and maybe even find love along the way.

5. Meet People Through Friends

If you’re single, there’s a good chance that a friend of yours is either engaged, married, or in a committed relationship. By using this information to help you connect with others, you can easily expand your social circle and increase your chances of finding love. And, if you’re feeling bold, you can ask your current partner or significant other if they mind introducing you to their friends.