Dating service has been around for quite some time. There have always been ways to find company with the help of a dating service. Match making facilities have assisted couples to get together privately, or even on television. More recently, the dating service has begun to proliferate online, as Internet becomes more and more common in households. People might even utilise a dating service while at work.

The usual process is for a person to first subscribe to a dating service, whether it be online or at a physical outlet. You tell the representative or website what you want in a partner, highlighting things such as hobbies, likes and dislikes. In the case of an online dating service, members can get back to you in various ways. They can send you a private message through the online platform, or they can send you a virtual 'kiss' or 'wink'. Basically the way to indicate they like you, and would like to get to know you. You can then arrange to meet in a chat room attached to the dating service, and chat together in real time.

Sometimes a dating service might make it obvious that you're using it to hook up for sex. In this case, they allow members to verify if they are remotely attracted to one another. If this is what you want, go ahead, as it's what a dating service can be used for. Some people prefer a little more substance to a relationship before they have sex with a person they met. Others don't want a sexual partner at all, seeking friendship and company from a dating service. And sometimes, if a sexual relationship develops from a friendship that begun on a dating service, all the better.

Beware the dating service that asks members to 'rate' other members. This is becoming more and more common. It shies away from the real purpose of a dating service, to find a date. A dating service should not be a popularity contest, it should be a supportive environment in which to find someone to connect with, not a place to feel alienated. Only if you are thick skinned should you consider a dating site that rates its members.

Once you have received replies from your personal ad, it's time to sort through them. Pick the people that most suit your preferences outlined in your profile.