Spark.com

Spark.com, previously called American Singles, is part of a network of sites similar to JDate, ChristianMingle, BlackSingles and LDSmingle.com, etc. It was created in 1997 and is now one of the leading online personal dating sites around.

"A fun site for serious daters." is the motto of Spark.com. They may not have the same robustness as Match.com or eHarmony, but it definitely has all the key features you are seeking. What’s the best for this site is that they offer users the chance to communicate for free. Spark doesn't require both members to be paying for a subscription in order to communicate. They offer up a free to read, free to send and a free to reply feature which most dating sites do not extend to non-paid users. In this way, paying members can communicate with anyone on the site, not just other paying members.

They also have users take a short quiz called the “Color Coded Personality Test” that assists members in having more success at finding love. This test is a guided matching process that will gives the user the chance to choose exactly who they want to get to know better. The Spark.com review has also important information about who is checking you out. According to the review you can add members to your hotlist and see who’s added you. The Spark review provides all of the functions needed to find and communicate with single matches.

Every member join Spark.com is required to have a photo, and they let you upload a total of 12 photos for free. Spark also offers all of the functionality needed by singles to search and communicate with potential matches. On the whole, Spark.com is by no means a perfect dating site, but it is definitely worth signing up as a free member to see if they have members living in your area.