One in four relationships starts on a dating site in the UK today. For the gay community it’s closer to 80%. Yet most people are still dissatisfied with the quality and targeting of the online dating sites out there. With the online dating business market continuing to grow year on year, the industry seems to have considerable scope for those who want to know how to create a dating website with a more targeted and localised approach.

And it doesn’t need to be about romance. With social isolation a growing issue, there’s increasing scope too to utilise online dating technology to build community connections and friendships.

So whether you are interested in setting up a dating website as a way of bringing singles together, or if you want to use technology to combat loneliness in your community, here are 6 easy steps to creating an online dating business.

How to create a dating website

1. Find your dating site niche

You’re unlikely to be able to compete with the industry giants, like match.com or PlentyOfFish. Better to tap into the growing demand for niche dating.

If you’re already part of a hobby or interest community, could that be a starting place? There are dating sites out there for niche interests such as dog lovers, heavy metal fans, gamers and My Little Pony fans.

Life stage and attitude to life approaches are other factors where people may want to focus their search. Sites focused on sexuality, age, and even educational level abound. The list is pretty endless!

Undertake some preliminary research to identify gaps, or choose an existing niche you could spin differently.

2.Work on a business plan for setting up a dating website

A business plan for setting up a dating website doesn’t need to be extensive. Unless you need investment, in which case you may want to download our business plan template and guide . For a low-cost or lean start-up, it boils down to the following questions.

• Who are your target customers?
• How will you stand out to them?
• What kind of technology will you use and how will you set it up?
• How will the business make money?
• What are your start-up costs and when will the business become profitable?

3. Create an attractive platform

First, decide on the technology. Does it need to be a website an App or both? Ask your potential customers what they would prefer. If they are an older age group they may prefer a website, but for anyone aged under 30, an app-based approach is essential.

If your concept depends on an entirely new way to put connections together, like an algorithm-based questionnaire, then you’ll need to hire a developer.

But if you’re just connecting new types of people with a standard or slightly tweaked approach, then it is worth checking out Appy Pie. You don’t need any coding knowledge to use this drag-and-drop platform and you could make your own attractive App and publish it on the App stores in minutes.

Once you’ve identified the right technology, then invest in branding and design that reflects the image and values you want your platform to be known for. You probably want people to feel that you are trusted and a positive, aspirational place. Beyond that reflect what’s unique and unifying about your target group.

If your budget is tight, check out Canva – a very easy, yet attractive, DIY design platform that can enable you to put together a logo, brand and social media imagery at low or no cost. When it comes to your logo, there are free AI logo generators that you can explore and use to create the perfect logo that suits your branding.

4. Consider your monetising options

There is no template on how to start a dating site that is sustainable and makes money.

The standard business models for dating websites are membership subscriptions and/or advertising. It’s worth offering free membership while you are building traction – nobody wants to hang around a site that has few members. With a subscription business model, initially you’ll need to focus on getting as many members signed up as possible.

Other options for income generation are upgrades for more features, like being able to message people or see more photos. If you’re building around a community there could also be scope for added-value opportunities like meetup events, and a blog and newsletter with an affiliate marketing element (offering relevant services or products on behalf of a retailer in exchange for a commission.)

5. Customer service

Your clients aren’t just looking for great relationships with each other, in the niche-dating industry their relationship with you is just as important. Your platform will live or die on its reputation and, where there is an existing community of any sort, news travels fast. So make sure that you have systems in place to protect your members from the frauds and harassers who can be a plague on those sites.

There are no regulations or checks on running a dating website, but you may want to think about what you could do to reassure potential members, like doing background checks on new applicants. In addition, make sure that you have clear terms and conditions so that you are covered legally in case anything goes wrong.

6. Spread the word

The great thing about targeting a community is that there will already be places where they hang out on or offline and that’s where you can start to promote your venture. Lure people in with a free trial to start with. Perhaps you could invite them to be a beta group to give you feedback and help to shape the platform?

After the beta period, you can focus on your launch PR. Do make sure the site is well-populated before that moment. Send out press releases to niche press, blogs and websites. Try to engage online influencers. Test out Google Ads and Facebook Ads to see if they work for you.

The internet has changed dating forever. And there is lots of space in this growing market for a wide variety of approaches. In the longer term, your success will be down to reputation. Ask happy users for testimonials and case studies that you can write up in a blog. At the end of the day, you are in the business of love and your members’ joy is, without doubt, the best indicator of your business success.

Wrap up – Setting up a Dating Website

Online dating is a growth market. There is lots of scope for those who want to know how to create a dating website, particularly around niche interests. Do your research, put together a marketing plan, build your platform, monetise, then spread the word.