Online Dating at eHarmony:
Greatest Strength: Heavily researched and professionally created; attracts serious daters.
Greatest Weakness: The fun of browsing through other users’ profiles is restricted by their tight system of matching.
Cost: One month: $59.95
Three months: $36.95/month (billed in one installment of $110.85)
Six months: $28.95/month (billed in one installment of $173.70)
Twelve Months: $20.95/month (billed in one installment of $251.40)
Having a Ball at eHarmony:
When it comes to love, eHarmony takes the scientific approach. Some say that love is chemistry; for eHarmony, it is psychology, chemistry, statistics, and probably a little biology and physical science, as it were. They have actual labs that run actual studies, doing everything that they can to ensure that their personality profile test is accurate. That test is their flagship.
As an online dating service, eHarmony is as thorough as they come. It takes a different tack than the standard post-your-profile-and-your-photo-search-and-go approach; eHarmony requires you to answer 436 questions that then allow them to create a personality profile for you. This intensive self-analysis gets pumped into their system, where they proceed to match you with other users. Then comes the kicker: the price tag. Non-paying members can hardly communicate with each other at all, and eHarmony ranks among one of the most expensive dating sites. That said, it is very effective.
eHarmony is for the serious online dater. A casual desire to try out online dating really doesn’t cut it-but with that said, 90 eHarmony members (on average) get married every day. On the site, you can find success stories and other pick-me-up features like a Photo of the Month, eHarmony TV, and countless links to free articles on dating and marriage advice. They angle to have everything in place that they can in order for your online dating and matching experience to be perfect. Once you join, you stay until you succeed.
On eHarmony, users cannot search profiles. Even paid subscribers are only allowed to view members who match their compatibility according to the personality profile that eHarmony creates. In addition to that profile, members are able to write a personal ad; however, the personal is only available to matches made by the site. With this intensely rational structure for an online dating community, eHarmony softens its edges with easy navigability and a pleasant layout and design.
This singles community is geared towards members who already have a fairly established life. Lovelorn high school seniors are more likely to build a blog than to sign up on eHarmony. These users are looking for serious love, and eHarmony’s additional paid services of SecureCall, RelyID, and a Premium Personality Profile all contribute toward that end. With all of these options, eHarmony is quick to point out the many opportunities for advice (including user discussion boards), some of which are available to non-users.
As a final note, eHarmony also offers its techniques for starting a relationship as an option for keeping one going. For those already married, there is an entirely separate tab, an “online alternative to marriage counseling.” “Stop settling for a mediocre marriage!” it cries. Online videos, an advice corner, and various tests all contribute toward lasting marital bliss. Whether you’re wearing a ring or a chastity belt, then, eHarmony can scientifically style their site to meet your needs in love. |
