What online dating site is right for you?

More people are online dating than ever before, and new dating websites are on the rise along with them. With all the choice out there, how do you know which site is right for you?

There are basic categories of sites, so depending on what type of relationship you're looking for, here are some suggestions:

If you are just getting started, you might want to try a site that gives you the flexibility to search as well as find matches for you, preferably a reputable site with a lot of members. These sites include Match.com (read review), LavaLife (read review), and Nerve.com. If you prefer to try online dating without the financial investment, sites like OkCupid and PlentyofFish offer free memberships, but these sites can also attract less serious daters.

If you are looking for a long-term or serious relationship, sites like eHarmony (read review) and Chemistry.com (read review) promise better matches with more serious daters. These sites do the matching for you based on extensive questionnaires and personality profiling.

Sites like Thread.com (which connects members through Facebook networks) and Friendster offer dating through social networking. If you prefer to meet potential dates by building virtual friendships first, these sites might work well for you.

If you prefer to date people who have the same passions or interests as you, there are a variety of niche dating sites. VeggieDate.org connects vegetarians, Democratic Singles connects those of the same political persuasion, and there are countless religious-based dating sites, such as JDate.com (read review) for Jewish singles. There are even sites for the technology-driven dater, like Cupidtino.com which bring together lovers of Apple products.

There are also sites that involve more real-time interaction online, such as virtual dating sites and online speed dating. Smingle.com allows members to create avatars and go on "virtual dates" with each other. WinkVid.com and SpeedDate.com are sites that offer online speed dating via webcam chats with several people over the course of an hour.

No matter what your dating preferences are, chances are there's a site out there for you.