Can dating site make money? See how match.com and speeddate.com do in 2009

The last few months have been crammed with dismal numbers, a majority preceded by a minus sign. More that a million jobs lost in 2008 and a national debt of more than $10 trillion and still counting.

And yet, those miserable numbers seem to be having a positive consequence on romance-or in any case the search for romance. Internet and offline dating services are reporting that their memberships have drastically increased. For instance, match.com recorded its strongest fourth quarter in the last eight years. In turn, this has led to a rise in the number of those starting Internet dating services. There is no doubt that dating software and social networking software makers are reaping from this online romance craze.

Some online dating industry insiders attribute this rise to a number of factors with unemployment being the major factor. It seems the unemployed and underemployed have time to participate in online dating websites. Besides, online dating is rather an inexpensive way to meet new loved ones.

According to offline matchmakers, dating events are relatively cheaper than financing a series of potentially muffled meals with blind dates. Some dating experts also attribute the increase in online dating to the fact that singles seek the comfort of relationships during difficult times like the one we are facing right now.

With money hard to come by nowadays, people are reorganizing their priorities; they want to have some one nearby who can help them go through this difficult situation. Online dating is cheaper compared to the cost of meeting people the old-fashioned way-for instance going to a cinema or a night spot.

According to speeddate.com, their daily traffic has shot up by 60%. They are now averaging 130,000 daily visits. Even the monthly fee charged by Match.com and Perfectmatch.com has not deterred people away from online dating.

This is the perfect time to join this craze and make money.