Most dating sites have security and privacy policies and those that don't are best avoided.
By security we mean that they vet their members, they have policies and terms of use allowing people to be removed, or barred from the site.
They may have protective measures in place to ensure that the members dating online will not face any serious annoyance when logged in.
On top of that some sites will register with data protection registrars and have a strict password system protecting accounts.
The very best dating sites will be aware particularly of women's issues when dating online and will have a positive policy allowing women members to block those who they do not wish to communicate with, without repercussions.
There are some sites that penalize for blocking and we would never advocate you to use them.
Email should always be a private affair when dating online and the top dating sites usually keep your email within the site itself so that you have a protected in box but messages are never transmitted to your real world address.
Instant messaging is increasingly seen as very important when dating online and allows instant communication with other members who are online at that time.
This facilitates easy and private chats which can lead to positive relationship building.
Chat rooms don't occur on all dating websites but we see them as very useful for new daters and socialites who love to chat to many people at once.
It is a good way of getting your typing and chat skills on top form.
The best sites allow you to use a different name in a chat room to your regular profile to maintain anonymity levels.
The other communication feature we now see increasingly is voicemail.
Apart from being able to communicate online it is very useful to be able to lave voice messages and listen too without ever giving out a real phone number.
Site s such as LoveBrowser.
comutilize secure voicemail box Ids and passwords through a common number allowing people to send and receive voice messages between themselves and members they like.
Here are some key things I believe you should always keep in mind when attempting to use the Internet for romance.
oUse a professional introduction agency, one that has been established for at least 3 years oUse an Internet dating specialist firm, not some extra which is an afterthought oUse an agency that allows free profile registration for all members oUse an online service that allows you to post more than one photo for free oUse a dating services agency that has a secure ecommerce system oDo not use completely free agencies as you don't often get top quality services oDo find an online agency that offers email and messaging that are onsite oDon't use agencies that insist on sending emails to your own inbox oThe best Internet dating specialists offer you great customer service oUse an agency that is appealing and relaxed and suits your style oDon't go for agencies that pay for adverts to catch your eye, they are not always the best oLook for online agencies that provide detailed dating articles and advice oMake sure that the online agency includes their full address and phone number oInternational websites usually have the best variety of member profiles oFind an Internet agency that is willing to chat about any issues you may have oUse an agency that offers different methods of secure payment oSome of the best dating agencies allow payment in different currencies oIt is essential that you can Browse & Find profiles for free oMake sure that the search facilities are fast and suit your style of searching