Easy to Use
The site is relatively easy to navigate your way around. Various add-ons make for an interesting experience for newcomers, such as a 'your activity' window, allowing you to keep track of new messages, views you've received, or members who have favorited your profile. If you subscribe, you gain access to an online chat tool. Once you come across someone you'd like to interact with, you'll be able to see if they are online. You can also upload a short video to attract even more suitors. This, as well as a secure chat option, allows you to continue the conversation on your mobile while keeping this connection private. You can also search for events nearby – such as speed dating or parties for singles (and not just single parents). These cover a range of social activities.
Search Functions
The search facility is fairly extensive. You can select basic options or a more advanced search that provides more scope in terms of specifying your parameters. You can tailor your search to look for new members, members who have been added on the same day, or search by postcode. Another option is to seek out other site users who are online at that moment. You can also check out any interesting singles amongst anyone you've marked as a friend. There's also an option to attract the attention of hundreds of users at a time, called ‘Flirtcast.’ This allows you to compose a personal message or advert for instant transmission to hundreds of singles based on your default search.
Safety & Security
There is a web form for customer support. A help page provides an extensive list of FAQs.
Summary
DatingForParents is a user-friendly website that might be labeled as a resource for single parents for seeking friends or partners, but on closer inspection, it is apparent that it caters to a variety of tastes. The site itself is well-designed if a little old-fashioned and merely functional in some aspects of its layout. But the signing up process is straightforward, with newcomers gaining access to a lot of free options from the outset.
The in-built algorithms in the site will ensure you are presented with a diverse range of potential partners when it comes to searching, listing these according to the distance of their respective locations from your home. A surprising number of prospective matches will be listed, either within a five-mile radius or if you'd prefer to extend your catchment area, ten miles.
When you do come across someone you'd like to get to know better, it's easy to instigate a chat. Clicking on a profile will launch a chat window, with advice about what to include in your initial conversation - tell her that you want to chat with her, ask her what she's into, share something about yourself. You are reminded that you can only launch five such chat messages unless you upgrade to a paid membership, at which point you can communicate with your love interest to your heart's content!
