Online dating in the UK: The top sites and how to use them

Dating websites are experiencing something of a revival. After the pandemic, tired and determined to make up for lost time, many more people than ever before are seeking love. Recent research from one of the most popular dating websites (and applications!) Match, shows that 67% of users feel they are at peace in their thinking about dating today, with an additional 17% believing that 2021 is the year they discover love. Nothing like a contagious, potentially fatal respiratory illness to boost the desire of the nation to find love..! For anyone struggling to find someone to chat with post-pandemic, signing up on any of these dating Sites UK might be the answer.

Many people think dating online is a tangled mess, believing that a website can’t contain the kind of profiles to pique their interest. There they may be wrong: there are many benefits of signing up to a top dating website (eHarmony and Match are great examples) that apps don’t provide. Those who’ve suffered repetitive strain injuries from all the swiping on Tinder, and for whom the same old responses on Hinge are nausea-inducing might find it’s time to join a popular UK dating website.

The advantages from using a dating site

There are a lot! Dating websites don’t have a bad success rate, and in 2020 there were more than 1,400 websites for relationship-finders in Britain offering help with the goal of meeting a soulmate. The Match’s dating specialist, Hayley Quinn, says: “Online dating has provided singles with a lifeline in the midst of the pandemic. Although an online date might not be as exciting as meeting people at a bar, it certainly has its advantages. It allows people to experience slow-paced dating. It allows people to concentrate on maintaining a high level of communication and truly becoming acquainted with one another.” She added: “Dating sites are great for putting up an impressive profile. If you’re looking to make connections with people who want to form a serious partnership and relationships, then using a website which is focused on compatibility is an absolute win.”

The most reliable sites

eHarmony’s comprehensive relationship questionnaire provides the team with the capability to match users with people who are truly compatible on the same page. They take the whole idea of “love” very seriously, with their exclusive EHarmony Compatibility Matching System offering peak algorithms that have been 35 years in the making. Once lovehunters have joined they’ll find that there are more than five million users in Britain (of their 60 million plus members worldwide). The result? Well, the numbers are clear. One person finds love every 14 minutes on eHarmony, according to the statistics.

The top options for the millennial generation

Match is among the most popular dating sites because it it specifically focuses on giving people the chance to make lasting connections. A staggering 1.6 million users from the UK have already found a match on Match! Users can join for as little as £9.99 per month. and since it’s such a well-known service it has a wide range of users. This means that the chances of meeting interesting people are greater. After joining, matches are selected using sophisticated algorithms and users can even enter “zen mode”, meaning that they can only be contacted by people who match their criteria. Match also hosts periodic singles parties (when Coronavirus isn’t on the rampage) specifically for their members.

How to make a profile on a dating website stand out

According to dating experts, it’s very easy to write a profile that’s too generic, which is why users should concentrate on writing something that’s filled with personality and gives a genuine idea of the person it introduces.

“An easy rule to follow is to swap generic phrases, such as ‘I enjoy travel’, with specific things that you enjoy, for example, ‘My favourite holidays always include sandy beaches and piña coladas,'” Quinn explains. “This will instantly help your profile appear more casual and also provides potential partners with something to refer to when they first contact you.”

Suggestions for first dates during the pandemic

“One of the best features of Match is that you can contact anyone using the application,” Hayley says. “This means that you are able to have the all-important first video date without needing to give out your personal contact information. Video dates are inexpensive as well as quick and secure, which makes them a top choice for dating in lockdown. As with all dating sites, even though the majority of users are decent eggs, it is important to make sure you meet for the very first time in public spaces.”

The best online dating sites at a glance:

• eHarmony

• Match

• Our Time

• Parship

• okCupid

• Single Solution

• Zoosk

• Elite Singles

• Christian Connection

• Tastebuds

The editorial unit