We’re fast becoming a nation of singles. The well-documented rise in separation and divorce cases is lining the pockets of attorneys and also provides a growing market for the online dating site. The majority of people in the UK are reportedly single and the online dating industry makes thousands.
Finding love or friendship online is becoming increasingly popular for a generation of people too busy to finding partners alone. This adds up to a very satisfying and profitable business opportunity, which as an added benefit can be set up on a budget from home – with just one computer for the company.
Reading: How to create a dating website uk
What is a dating website?
The modern dating site is essentially the successor to old-fashioned dating agencies that brought members together through interviews, profiling, and special networking events. While the old agencies often did much of the searching for their members and meeting new clients before handpicking their potential matches, the modern site allows users to do all the work, searching a database of other members and meet up themselves Arrange.
Alongside established market leaders match.com and US-based eHarmony, the online dating sector includes a number of niche sites including FitnessSingles for health and exercise fanatics, Lovestruck for busy city professionals and Uniform Singles tailored for military and emergency services – and those with a uniform fetish.
Julian Keenaghan is the founder of one such niche site, Tastebuds, which matches users based on their music tastes. He still sees a lot of potential in the market.
“In addition to the big players, there are many companies like us that offer niche products. It’s a very exciting place and we’re still a long way from reaching saturation point.”
Key Features
The cornerstone of an online dating service Site is the search feature where users enter a set of search criteria – including age, income, physical characteristics and geographic location – and the site displays a list of people based on those preferences. The initial search is often provided free of charge; According to a report published last year, only about 15% of users actually pay for their time on online dating sites.
Once the user has reviewed the search results and identified potential love interests, most sites allow this around email or instant message their potential matches; You will almost certainly have to pay for this service. match.com allows its users to wink at other members to show their interest, and several sites offer a similar “teaser” opportunity.
Is running an online dating business right for you?
If you’re looking to set up a prototype dating site, you probably can’t do without strong IT and web development skills – resources like DIY Dating allow interested parties to set up a simple website quickly and inexpensively, and you can also hire the services of a specialized web developer.
However, over time, you will need to update the site regularly, and potential investors will not be impressed if you do the software on which your product builds up, do not understand. So, in the long term, an online dating business definitely favors people who have experience in IT and web building.
You also need to be the kind of person who understands what members want. You must be able to put yourself in the user’s shoes; What will they look for on your dating site? What kind of search options will they need? And if they’re a little unsure, what kind of features will make them feel comfortable chatting online with complete strangers?
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As the site owner, you’re unlikely to speak directly to members ; However, you still need to be able to empathize with them and maintain a subtle, tactful tone. Some members may have been injured in the past; others may lack self-confidence. You need to be able to create a welcoming environment that is non-biased and allows users to express themselves.
Julian says, “People skills help to a degree. We have to be aware of the people who will be using it on the other end, the kind of concerns they have about wanting to represent themselves well. You are not completely removed from the end user.”
Setting up your dating website
There are few physical requirements for setting up a dating website – all you really need is is a computer.
However, as mentioned, building the site will likely require the assistance of an experienced web builder, and you may also need to outsource core functions such as e-commerce, instant messaging, moderation, and spam detection. Then when the website goes online, you need a web hosting company to manage it for you.
You also need to do a lot of market research before launching the website.You might think you’ve found the perfect niche, but a Google search might reveal that someone else got there before you. It’s also worth getting out and talking to people to see if they’d be interested in your site – singles nights out and even vox pops on the street could make great forums.
To the company To promote, you may want to place ads on Yell.com or specialized websites that are relevant to your target audience. If, like Julian Keenaghan, you’re looking to set up a music-based website, you might want to place an ad on a music fan site. If you prefer print-based advertising, local newspapers might be a good place to start, especially if your site is in a specific geographic area.
If budget is tight and you want low-cost advertising, host a launch night for Singles – or send out a press release. Simply posting a press release on Response Source or PR Wire could get coverage in many different places for free. Consult the local newspaper if you are focused on the region. Additionally, social media is also a free and easy way to raise awareness.
It’s a bit of a chicken-and-egg situation because nobody wants to use the site if there aren’t people around there. It’s worth offering a free trial to first-time users for a longer period of time, maybe six months.
The rules and regulations of running a dating site
Anyone can dating run a website – it’s quite possible to start one tomorrow. You don’t need a license, you’re under no obligation to meet or screen your clients, and once you’ve set up your agency there are no legal controls on how it’s run – although many of the biggest names in the dating sphere, such as . B. match.com are beginning to do background checks on new members as a goodwill gesture to existing users.
There is a trade association, the Association of British Introduction Agencies (ABIA), which you could join but it is not mandatory. However, you can get support and advice from the association, and membership gives confidence to your customers.
To become a member of ABIA, you must adhere to a strict code of conduct, which you are then able to meet with all potential Show customers before entering into an agreement. The code describes what is expected of both the client and the agency (in terms of data processing, advertising and complaints) so that everyone is fully informed from the start.
How much does it cost to set up an online Dating business?
A hosted website will likely have a one-time setup cost, plus credit card processing fees for each transaction and a monthly rental fee. Check the details of your web hosting site carefully; Many charge more for the monthly rental fee the more members you have.
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In addition to hosting costs, you also have design fees to consider. Julian says: “For us the total cost to build the site was between £3,000 and £4,000 including a £1,500 design fee. However, we were lucky that we had many friends who helped us.”
You also need to register your domain name, and because you care about data, it is recommended to join the registry of data controllers, the It costs £35 a year.
How much can I make running a dating site?
There are two main revenue streams for online dating sites: subscriptions from members and advertising . Either way, the money you make depends on the number of customers you sign up, and it can pay off to offer free trials to the first users who show interest.
Some from the UK the largest dating agencies have decided to introduce limited-time offers and discounts to increase their membership base; For example, match.com members get a month’s free membership if they haven’t “found love” in six months, while new Dating Direct subscribers get three days of free unlimited membership.
Ways to do so For a fee vary; Many sites have a tiered payment scale and reward members who commit to a long subscription term. For example, Match.com offers one-month, three-month, six-month, and 12-month packages. Usually dating sites offer the one month package at a more expensive price than the 12 month plan so there is a clear incentive for visitors to sign up for a long term subscription.
Most sites offer visitors the option of making a one-time payment for the entire membership period or splitting it into monthly direct debits. For you as a business owner, one-off payments may be preferable as they guarantee 100% of the money upfront. However, this may not go down well with all of your customers, and ultimately what matters is what they want.
Seasons and Industries
The amount you can charge for yours The dating service depends on the demographic you are targeting.As a rule, you can charge a significant amount if you only provide and perform services for professionals; Conversely, a music-based site like Tastebuds may attract a younger audience, so a lower scale of fees may be required.
You may also find that business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. The last week of December through the third week of February is typically the busiest for online dating, so you can see a flurry of activity during this time – followed by a distinct lull thereafter.
Overall
Ultimately, the amount of money you make from a dating site depends on your ambitions. Sure, when you start thinking about expansion, you need to move from home office to premises. Most importantly, however, is your attitude towards your customers. A high standard of customer care that provides constant contact and genuine empathy will be your best route to success.
So if you feel love in the air and have the heart to do it, a dating website could be the business for be you.
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