
Online Dating Resources
October 20, 2017
So, use to your own benefit or risk. These links will direct you to resources that contain valuable content and advice, but it’s your responsibility to employ sound judgment concerning the materials they provide.
Online Dating Services
Listed in alphabetical order, the Internet dating sites included here are those covered in Discovering Love Online. For a look-in-brief of the online dating services below, please refer to Discovering Love Online: Love May Be Closer Than You Think summary of each to help you choose wisely.
Online Dating Advice
When the discussion turns to dating and relationships, sound advice can be hard to come by whether online or off. So, take what you find at the following sites with a grain of salt and when interpreting the results use a good dose of common sense. You’ll find a blend of both quintessential and questionable advice in the mix.
- Boundless Dating Podcasts
- eHarmony Dating Advice & Relationship Advice
- EliteSingles Magazine
- Christian Mingle Believe on Dating
- Crosswalk.com Singles
- Match Dating Advice
- Plenty of Fish Blog
- Zoosk’s The Date Mix
Personality Tests
Options abound for discovering more about your personality type in addition to the tests available via online dating services. Five good alternatives are listed below. The 16 Personalities assessment is a free tool that takes less than 12 minutes to complete. Truity’s Big Five Personality Test, a Five-Factor Model analysis, is a cost-free option, as well. They offer a short and more extensive version of the test, as well as evaluations to specifically assess agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness. The Keirsey Temperament Sorter provides a free synopsis of your personality type with more extensive reports starting at $7.95. Finally, the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a $49.95 paid assessment.
- 16 Personalities
- Big Five Personality Test (Five-Factor Model)
- Color Code Personality Test
- Keirsey Temperament Sorter
- Myers-Briggs Type Indicator
Studies for Dating Couples
If you’re so inclined, reading a book with your intended is a great opportunity to learn more about each other. Some offerings, such as those below, will guide you into heart-felt talks on subjects that you may have neglected to discuss, ones that could negatively impact your relationship if not dealt with in advance. It’s well worth the time invested to make sure you have a match that’s destined for success.
- Before You Save the Date: 21 Questions to Help You Marry With Confidence
- Devotions for Dating Couples: Building a Foundation for Spiritual Intimacy
- Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married
Personal Safety Products
Unfortunately, in our society, you need to take preventive measures when it comes to personal safety. Women should always carry a means of self-defense, a pocketable defense spray at the very least. Mace offers a great pocketable a triple-action product. Get one for yourself and those you love. Just be aware that, like medication, these products have a shelf life and should be replaced once they reach the expiration date. Taking a course in self-defense wouldn’t be a bad idea either (whether you’re dating or not). Of course, more men and women are opting to conceal carry a handgun. If you decide to follow this route, get proper training on its use.
Photo Posing Guides
If you’re inclined to take your own photos and have a family member or friend serve as a photographer, helpful resources are just a click away. Online posing guides are available to assist as are mobile apps.
- Digital Photography School Posing Guide for Women: Part I
- Digital Photography School Posing Guide for Women: Part II
- Digital Photography School Posing Guide for Men
- Posing App
Text Expansion Apps
A great way to save time when responding to potential matches, as well as those with no potential, is to use a text expansion app. Simply create some boilerplate notes in advance, assign abbreviations to them and use the appropriate one when needed. For example, you could use the abbreviation “nomatch” to expand into the reply “Thanks, but I don’t think we’re a match.” I use a text expansion app every day for text replacement, to correct common typing errors and to speed up my overall writing of emails, online posts, books and articles.
Verification & Safety Tools
Google is your go-to tool for performing your own background check on potential matches. Facebook and LinkedIn profiles can also provide helpful information if they exist. Instagram is becoming more popular, as well. Beyond that, you can employ the following tools to aid in your “investigation” of your potential intended. Drag and drop their profile photos into Google’s reverse image search tool or TinEye’s equivalent to make sure those images are not of some celebrity or stock-image model. Use Intelius’ people search and a reverse phone number search options. And, if you uncover a romance scam, report it to The U.S. Federal Trade Commission.
- Google Reverse Image Search Tool
- TinEye Reverse Image Search
- Intelius People Search Tool
- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Are any resources missing that you think would be helpful to others? Let me know and I’ll review them for potential inclusion in the future.
Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I'll receive a commission. Such potential remuneration has no influence on editorial content and no additional costs are passed on to you. Moreover, I only recommend products or services I believe will add value to my readers.