Lavalife has been around since 1987 and offers single's a way to connect through multiple channels. Lavalife has 3 separate platforms: mobile, voice, and web. Each platform allows for a different way to communicate with other singles. What used to set Lavalife apart from other internet dating sites was its "credit system". Members would pay per message, so it eliminated SPAM mail. Lavalife changed to a monthly payment system in 2003 because the cost of credits was too high. The credit-based service allows you flexibility compared to other plans, but it worked out to be more expensive than other dating sites and they began to lose customers. Long-term members are still allowed to use the old "credit system" until they cancel their account. The credit system works in sets of 5. It cost 5 credits to email another member, and 5 credits to start a 20 minute instant messaging system. The pricing structure for the credit system is:

• 50 credits - $14.99
  
• 100 credits - $24.99
  
• 200 credits - $39.99

Since new members are not allowed to use the credit system, they will follow the new monthly pricing structure. The pricing structure is as follows:

• 1 month - $29.99
  
• 3 months - $56.99

Most internet dating sites charge additional fees for emails. With Lavalife, you have the ability to receive and reply to emails for free. Lavalife also comes with an instant messaging service, which is always on. The instant messaging service cannot be turned off so your email conversations may be interrupted by other individuals that want to instant message you.

Several members of Lavalife have commented that it is more of a casual dating site rather than a relationship site. Lavalife focuses more on creating a friendly service than creating a compatibility matching system. When you join Lavalife, you have the choice to establish your profile in one of three areas. You can select from the following categories: Dating, Relationship, or Intimate Encounters. Once you set up your profile, your welcome screen will inform you what is new since you last visited the site. You will have 4 different icons, one for instant messages, one for emails, one for smiles, and another for people that have granted you access to their profiles.

The smile system used in Lavalife is similar to the wink system of other online dating sites. The smile system is simply a way for you to express interest in another member without paying the monthly fee. Smiles are a great way to flirt with another member and find out if they are interested in you. In order to communicate with another person, you can email them or instant message them (if you pay the monthly fee).

You have the ability to display one photo in your profile for everyone to see, and then you can upload 8 additional photos that only invited members can view. The additional photos are called "backstage" photos. You have the control to allow another member backstage access via email or instant message. Since there are 3 separate areas on Lavalife, navigating the site is simple. You can simply click on the menu at the top of the screen to view a different section: Dating, Relationship, and Intimate Encounters. Each time you are online, your profile is visible for other members to read. There are separate icons that indicate the current number of members that are online and how many of those members have a photo available for you to see. There is a target icon that allows you to see how many people are online from your area and a fire icon that allows you to see who you have added to your hotlist. The smile icon simply informs you who has smiled at you and the checkmark icon tells you who you have smiled at.

The search feature of Lavalife works by using a geographic search that can be narrowed down to your zip code. All search results will be based on the other members last login time. This allows you to see how many people regularly use the dating site in your area. The more time you spend on Lavalife, the better your search results will be. The instant messaging service is java based, so your computer needs access to online java routines. Several female members have commented on the instant messaging service and how distracting it is for them. Several men send numerous instant messages to women and the women are not able to browse for men they really want to date and they cannot even get time to read their emails.

Another problem several members have complained about is the advertising on the dating site. Lavalife accepts advertisements from any company that is willing to pay money. All those annoying advertisements that say "You Won" can be found all over the site and can make the overall experience distracting. The other problem with Lavalife is the promotion of their "Intimate Encounters" profile section. By advertising intimate encounters, it limits the number of members that are truly looking for a serious, long-term relationship.

Unfortunately SPAM members exist on almost all the dating sites. There are several faulty profiles on Lavalife. Like any other dating site, you need to use your best judgment before giving out too much information to other members. Lavalife tries hard to protect the privacy of their members, but it is up to each individual member to protect their privacy. Lavalife will use your email information to send special offers and status updates but they will not sell your information to third parties. Your credit card information will be protected on a secured server and will only be used to process your monthly rate.

Lavalife has seen a slight decline of members in the recent years. To combat losing members, Lavalife has also created Lavalife Prime. Lavalife Prime is only for singles over the age of 40. This dating site was launched in June 2007 and already has over 40,000 active members. Most members of Lavalife Prime at between the ages of 50 to 65. Lavalife Prime allows you the ability to choose where you want to spend your time and allows you to select who you want to communicate with. Lavalife Prime includes instant messaging services and message forums for paying members. The goal of Lavalife Prime is to help older individuals find others to communicate with, whether it is for a long-term relationship or just a friendly relationship. One of the best features of Lavalife Prime is the ability to reply to any email or forum topic for free. Lavalife Prime is not just for single people that want to date; it is for anyone over age 40 that wants to make friends. Lavalife Prime costs $14.99 a month and allows you to pick other members you are compatible with for a friendship or a relationship.

Lavalife and Lavalife Prime continue to attract all types of members. Here are some reviews of the dating site from actual members:

"I have to say I am disappointed with lavalife and myself that I have entered this site. After the divorce, I felt this would be the best way to find a partner. I did but I found a partner with troubles. I am very attractive, educated with a good job and financially secured. He is a nice man but with huge problems so these days I am feeding him because he has no money left to buy food. I feel bad leaving him and also I got used to his company. Is it better that being alone, I am not sure? His profile was not true, education and salary greatly exaggerated and before I have realized it - it was too late. We are together for 1.5 years but I am asking myself what I am doing with this man besides helping him financially. My advise to women - stay away from this site." - Female, Montreal

"5 of the women I sent smiles to sent me smiles back. This was in the "intimate" part of the website. So we'll see what happens. The weird thing is that I received an email from Lavalife saying that they could not post my profile because they could not post profiles which included certain words. I thought what? I didn't include anything offensive, no "dirty words" nor any racist remarks, nor personal contact info such as an email address .Reading a bit further I found out the reason it could not be posted was(and I kid you not)was because I mentioned Rush Limbaugh? WTF!?I know not everyone is a conservative but geez. Anyway, after I removed his name, and resubmitted the profile, it was Okayed and posted." - Adam

"I was pleased with Lavalife. I used it several years ago and met two wonderful men, one of whom I wanted to continue a friendship with (he was funny, highly intelligent, but no attraction), and the other one I ended up marrying. I could not possibly have imagined a better match for me. The whole process took less than two weeks. (Not the getting married part! Just the finding the guy part.) There are so many variables to consider. Some people are going to be pickier, or older, or have a physical drawback - all of these factors will decrease your chance of a successful match. Just my experience - I realize it worked out exceptionally well." - Female, Colorado