Head over heels. Strange phrase, that. Isn’t your head always over your heels, unless you’re lying down with your feet in the air? Well, sometimes love defies logic, even linguistic logic. Even if you’re the kind of person who has their feet firmly planted on terra firma, it’s hard to resist the temptation to fall in love. The anticipation, the butterflies of a first date, a first kiss, who knows what else.
But we know as well as anybody that it’s not always easy to meet the right person. There is usually a whole process to go through: how do you meet? How do you ask them out? Who pays for the first round of drinks? It’s a minefield.
Thankfully, the internet provides one answer: online dating. Yes, online dating sites allow you to casually chat to and meet up with people based on mutual interests and attractions. These sites reduce the guess work (“will I have anything in common with them when we meet?”) and provide a safe, fun place to chat before seeing each other in person.
Whilst some dating sites are open to everyone and everything, others are more specific about their target audience. You might have guessed it already, but in case you haven’t: African Dating Websites are designed for anyone who wishes to meet people of African descent or heritage.
Some of the websites we’ve reviewed in this category will focus primarily on a particular country or region, such as a site specifically for people living in Kenya, whilst other sites are more international and invite members from the US, Canada, the UK, and elsewhere. Whilst most members are of African descent, not all are. You’ll find people who are interested in African cultures, or people who wish to travel and meet single people as they go. In short, there are a range of particularities to each of these sites, so choosing one may depend on who or what you’re hoping to find.
Before you dive into the review's we ought to tell you a little about how we’ve scored them, as well as the kinds of things we look for:
- Chances of getting a date:
This is possibly the most important factor in deciding on a dating website. After all, we assume you’re at least there to meet friends, if not to meet a date or two. We take into account how many members each site has, how often they use the site, how many members are frequently online, and the tools that are available to help you chat and meet up. It’s a careful balance of factors because it’s no use in having great communication tools if nobody uses the website, but equally it’s frustrating (not to mention potentially detrimental to your chances) to have plenty of members but no way of contacting them. The best sites will offer features such as video options, a great search feature and maybe even forums or chat rooms. Think about how you would prefer to talk to someone online and look out for those features.
- Features:
We’ve already mentioned how features can be important to your chances of getting a date, but in the “features” section of our review you can get a better idea of the benefits of each one. Sometimes features are “locked” until you decide to upgrade your account. This normally costs money, but it means that you can gain access to the features which will enhance your experience overall. If you would like to improve and personalize your profile page, then we’d recommend looking out for websites which offer this feature. Meanwhile, if you want to chat live, you’ll want to keep an eye out for a site which offers instant messaging.
- Members’ photos:
All of the sites we’ve reviewed will allow you to upload a picture. Some will require that you upload an image in order to verify your account. The better sites that we’ve looked at will allow you to upload several photos so that you can show off your best physical traits. Photos also allow you to show people what you’re interested in and the sorts of things you’ve done, so picking a site which allows high quality pictures can often be a bonus. If you can include a webcam introduction, as a video, even better!
- Help and technical support:
Sometimes dating sites can be quite confusing, after all there are thousands or even millions of members using them at once. If you’re new to dating websites, then you’ll want to check the FAQ page, or even take a peek at a “site tour” if they have one. These will help to explain how the site works. Websites which take pride in good customer service will prove useful in times of technological trauma, and we’d recommend checking policies on refunds or guarantees, in case you should wish to cancel a contract. Live chat is a good way to get help from an expert, but some sites might only offer you an email support option, or maybe even a simple FAQ.
- Ease of use and registration:
We had a few problems registering with more than one site in this category. If you have the same problems, then it’s worth contacting the customer services team to get help. More generally, though, it’s pretty easy to understand why you’ll want to find a website with few bugs and glitches. It’s also important to find a site that you’re comfortable using and that you can navigate easily without much confusion. Whilst most websites have a learning curve to access them fully, you don’t want this curve to be too steep, particularly if you’re new to online dating.
- Value for money:
Nobody likes to waste money, and that’s why we rate sites based on the “value” they offer to members. This means that some sites are more expensive, but we feel that they offer better value because their other elements (particularly your “chances of finding a date”) are successful. It’s better to spend $100 on a pair of running shoes than £80 on a bike with no wheels. You might find sites that offer their services for free, but we do recommend being a little cautious about promises such as this, as in the end “free registration” doesn’t usually mean the site is free to use in full.
So, take a look around our reviews and discover which African dating website might be best for you. There are several to choose from, each with its own quirks and benefits. Who knows, you might fall head over he... no, we can’t say it. Good luck!
