What are three ways in which online dating service websites (such as
lavalife.com, kiss.com, dreammates.com) populate their databases when
they first start their business?

Hi jroff,

Good day and thanks for your question.

When an online dating website starts, it can get users only if it is
popularized. The site can be promoted by the following ways :

1. Advertising
This is the most common form of promoting websites. Advertising on TV,
radio, print and the electronic media tends to get a lot of visitors.
Banner ads on websites, especially websites which are catered for the
youth is a worthwhile investment. Sites like collegeclub.com where
thousands of teenages hangout would be an excellent place to place a
banner ad for a dating service

2. Offers & Discounts
Suppose the site is a pay site, a discount can be given during their
early stages. Once they have established a name for themselves, the
normal price is restored. Alternatively, the site could give away
prizes for registering, or referring maximum number of people

3. Third-party lists
Sites can obtain user information from third-party opt-in lists. This
way, the site can boast of a respectable number of members.

I hope this answers your question. If you have any clarifications to
ask, then please don't hesitate to do so.

Thank you for using this service and have a nice day.

Warm regards,
aditya2k

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Request for Answer Clarification by jroff-ga on 11 Nov 2002 12:57 PST

I'm looking for ways to populate the database on day one, with people,
so that when it is introduced to the public, it is usable.

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Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 11 Nov 2002 13:34 PST

Hi jroff,

  You could first popularize the site by word of mouth to your friends
first, tell them to register, then their friends and so on.

  You could also create fictitious characters (I'm sure most of the
sites do that).

  Start off on a low-key (BETA version), get your friends to register,
then slowly expand operations. Once you get a sizable amount of
registered users, you can hit the accelerator pedal.

  Third party data would be a very useful way to populate your
database.

  Give a discount/special offer for the first 100 or 200 users, and
clearly mention that on the site.

  If you have any more clarifications, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,
aditya2k

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Request for Answer Clarification by jroff-ga on 11 Nov 2002 14:30 PST

You rock... I like your idea for creating fictitous characters!

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Clarification of Answer by aditya2k-ga on 11 Nov 2002 21:43 PST

Thank you for your comment. I hope you enojoyed using this service.

I was initially disappointed with the answer but pleasantly surpised
with the quality of the clarification. The problem was not with the
researcher - but with the way in which I worded my question.

Why you do not use the Spring Street Networks? It power all the
personal site like Onion, Nerve.

I was considering starting a service like this.  The most popular ones
offer a free trial period and prizes to sign up.  I have also seen
solicitaions en masse to competing clubs advertising a new club is
available.  The members drop in and drop out.  Even a large membership
does not mean there will be a lot of activity.  The only way to
generate membership fees is to demonstrate that people are getting
together on that system.  Look at www.matchmaker.com.  Everything they
do is a tease.

If you'd like help with the manual work of creating fictitious
characters, I could help. Having browsed and posted on several free
and paid match making sites
my experience should count.