If you are single but have only got as far as thinking about using online dating personals, here are 7 reasons you might want to consider...

1. Online single dating gives you time to think.
If you are the kind of person who likes to take time over things, then the single dating personals give you that time advantage. From perusing the online profiles to considering who you will contact and actually writing to and replying to online singles who contact you, you've got time on your side. No need to make a snap decision on the spot when someone asks you out on a date; online you have all the time you need...

2. Use the personals from the comfort of your own home.
There's now no need to cruise the bars in the hope of meeting someone special. Particularly if your job doesn't allow you the opportunity to meet new people, or you don't have a lot of time for a social life, the online personal ads are there for you to use. You can relax at home in front of your computer without the need to go out on cold dark winter nights.

3. You can try out the dating personals at no cost.
Subscription dating services give you the option to sign up for free to try out the service before you commit yourself to purchasing a subscription. If you are a free member you cannot usually email other members, however, though you can receive emails from other members. This at least gives you the opportunity to get the feel of how these services work. There do exist totally free dating services, but I cannot recommend them.

4. The single dating personals are fun.
It's fun seeking single people out and contacting them. Apart from searching for Ms or Mr Right you can get to know a lot of new people and make new friends this way. The online personals are also cool and you will not mind telling your friends that you use such a service.

5. Single dating personals are relatively safe.
Singles who contact you through a dating service have had to buy a subscription. This is not by any means a guarantee that they are genuine, but it is an improvement, however small, over the completely free personals out there. A good reason, among others, not to use a so-called totally free dating service. What is more, when you use online personals you reach other singles through the email system of the dating service, so your own private email address and personal details remain secure and safe.

6. The price is good.
Compared to traditional computer dating, the online personals are a bargain. This much lower price of online dating personals is largely due to economies of scale when very large numbers of people are involved.

7. Scope: millions of singles
This is a big factor -- like world-sized big! Through the online personals that we recommend you have access to millions of singles, singles who are not just at home but overseas too. With other forms of dating you could never have so many potential dates to contact. Such large numbers also greatly increases your chances of finding someone who is right for you.