DATING SERVICES REVIEW

                        

LAVALIFE

Slogan: "Where Singles Click"
Review Date: July 2004
Browse for Free? Yes

Cost Structure
LavaLife operates a "credit" cost structure, where you buy credits and use them to communicate with others. It costs 5 credits to email another person (nothing thereafter to communicate with that person) and 5 credits to start a 20 minute Instant Messaging session. Here are the rates:

$14.99 = 60 credits
$24.99 = 115 credits
$39.99 = 200 credits

How the site works:
When you register to LavaLife, you have the option of setting up profiles for any one of three areas: Dating, Relationship, or Intimate Encounters. You can change your profile whenever you choose. Overall the site is very easy to navigate and you can easily see who is online. Members display one photo if they wish, and you have to request permission to view other pictures that remain hidden at each member's discretion. Overall this site offers many fun features.

Best Feature:
Being able to use credits: unlike sites with monthly fees, you only pay when you use the site. Another good point is the ability for ladies to make "collect calls" to men.
Also, you can send "smiles" (free) to members you are interested in, and partake is some enjoyable flirting.

Bad feature:
You cannot turn off the Instant Messaging feature. This is highly annoying, particularly to women, who have trouble browsing because they are always being interrupted by someone wanting to Instant Message them.