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Using the Internet to look for a perfect match

Some would call her a dating expert, and in her own right she is just that.

Sitting at the kitchen table, nibbling on her freshly baked pizza, the phone rings, shifting her attention to a friend she made recently through match.com, an online dating service.

With technology and the creators of online dating services, Christine Gunsaullus, of West Chester, has been able to preview potential friends with the simplicity of clicking and reading. The service that once had a stigma attached has kept Gunsaullus’ date book full. Web sites, such as match.com, enable singles to date in a whole new world.

Gunsaullus has been a member of match.com since August, but when she first heard about the site she was hesitant to sign up. This was due to her experience two years ago with a different online dating service.

"It seemed like people weren’t that serious about it then," she said. "I wasn’t getting a reaction back."

However a male friend of Gunsaullus swore by match.com, and insisted she try it last summer.

"He kept raving about it and he was right," she said.

Gunsaullus is a 33-year-old technical sales person for a Chester County company. She completed her undergraduate work at Drexel University and received her master’s degree from Penn State Great Valley. She is currently training for the Philadelphia Marathon.

Gunsaullus goes out approximately three times a week. On at least one of those nights she is on a date with someone she met through a dating service.

In addition to match.com, Gunsaullus also uses It’s just Lunch, a specialized dating service for business professionals. She described It’s Just Lunch as an exclusive dating service where she can meet other professionals that are serious about dating. However there are drawbacks for her with this particular service.

"Essentially it seems like there’s one woman who matches clients. It’s more based on her instincts, not searches (like match.com)," she said. She pointed out that It’s Just Lunch is also a more expensive service than match.com.

Monthly fees vary with each Web site. Prices range between $12.95 and $19.95 a month. Some sites will let you have limited access to their site at no charge. Often the free access excludes features such as text messages and contact through e-mail, making it harder to communicate with other members.

The typical member for match.com is a 33-year-old, college-educated professional who lives in a metropolitan area, according to Director of Dating Kathleen Roldan.

Online dating services like match.com, Lavalife, Yahoo! Personals and matchmaker.com give unattached individuals the ability to preview singles and interact with one of their choice.

"I wanted a way to meet people, but going to the bars isn’t an option when it comes to meeting quality people," said Gunsaullus.

Match.com started in 1995 in San Francisco and had 60,000 members during its first year. Today it has over 94,000 active profiles, and "Philly metro" is considered one of match.com’s top markets, according to Roldan.

"It provides the greatest opportunity. You can quickly and easily search and be matched with people who are the most compatible," said Roldan. "It’s become one of the top ways to meet someone. There’s no awkwardness like at a party or bar; you know everyone is single and looking."

According to Roldan, match.com recorded 89,000 people who "had found the person they were seeking."

Though even with increased popularity, many still do not see online dating services as a serious way to meet others.

"I don’t particularly trust the Internet enough to give my personal information regarding my relationship interests," said Aubrey Hays, a West Chester resident. "I think there’s a lot more to know about a person than what you can read online. And it’s kind of insensitive. You set yourself up with an anonymous person."

Yet there are those like Gunsaullus who take advantage of these services to the fullest extent.

"I’ve had no bad experiences. I guess that’s why I’m all for it. Some people see it as a waste of time, but sometimes I want to get out and not go home," she said. "I learn a lot from these people, and there’s potential for long-term friendships."

Many people see safety as a big concern when interacting with new people via the Internet, so several sites list dating safety tips for their members.

"People like the security of the site. No personal information is made available until you decide to offer it," said Roldan.

In order to get to know fellow singles, sites have members fill out personal profiles, a more detailed version of a personal ad that you might find in a newspaper.

In general the questionnaire used to create a profile asks location, age, gender, interests, etcetera, of the new member. Questions also include body description from eye color to body shape, religion and height. The more questions completed, the more other members will know about them.

In addition, sites will often give a space for members to write in their own words about themselves. This gives the profile a personalized touch. Sites also allow you to post a picture of yourself.

"I never talk to anyone without a picture," said Gunsaullus.

Next the sites will help narrow your search for the perfect mate with questions asking what the new member is looking for in a mate. Options include type of relationship (friend, long-term relationship, etc.) location, athletics, college graduate, income, smoking habits, body type and hobbies, to name a few. Based on the member’s selections the site will send a list of potential matches to them. The member is then free to filter through profiles and contact ones that perk their interest.

"They make it really simple," said Gunsaullus. "I looked it over beforehand so I knew what I wanted to say (in my profile). And the searches are a piece of cake."

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