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Damona Hoffman tells you how to score a “match” made in heaven this upcoming holiday season.

Now that we are in the era of digital dating, there are plenty of options and no end in site. Matchmaking sites can thoroughly survey the many facets of your personality to build your online dating profile, and apps that are a swift flick of the wrist to like someone (or not).

So which one is best for you? They both have their own pros and cons, so we spoke with relationship expert, Damona Hoffman, for the scoop. She has helped countless singles find their No. 1, and now she is coming to your rescue, too.

Living Out Loud – Los Angeles: Since dating apps get a lot of heat for sparking a hookup culture, what makes them worth your time?
Damona Hoffman: The best part about dating apps is that they are easy to use. You can sign in with Facebook, choose a handful of photos, write a couple sentences and be off to your first date within hours. On the contrary, it will take you hours if not days to set up your profile on most dating sites.
The benefits of connecting via social media, which most apps require you to do, is that you can see if you share friends in common and do an informal background check before you choose to meet offline.

LOL-LA: Dating sites are known to be time consuming, so what makes them worth trying?
D.H.: As an online dating success story myself, I firmly believe that online dating is the best bang for your buck in love. If your social circle is set and your leisure time is limited, online dating presents an amazing opportunity to date in the little free time you have left and to connect with like-minded singles.
Dating sites have more complex search features that would be cumbersome to use on a mobile phone but allow you different ways of finding better matches who share your interests and values.

LOL-LA: What are the pitfalls to dating apps?
D.H.: Dating apps often have very simple interfaces that allow for easy mobile use but make it hard to find someone based on more than physical attraction and first perception of their photos.
Also, because many apps use location as a way to select matches, it is possible on some apps for unsavory people to identify your whereabouts, so you have to be more vigilant about online dating safety when using them.

LOL-LA: What are the downsides to dating sites?
D.H.: With so many options and so many match features, it’s easy to get overwhelmed on a dating site. To avoid burnout, I recommend taking breaks every three to six months to refocus and refresh.

LOL-LA: How do you decide which way you should swipe in the online dating space?
D.H.: If you are a relationship-minded single who likes to have options and control your own destiny, dating sites are the best match for you.
If you are a single who values flexibility and is more interested in having fun and meeting lots of people than settling down, dating apps are your best bet.
If you are someone who wants to ramp up your dating life like never before, you should try a dating site and a dating app simultaneously to explore your options.

For more information, visit datesandmates.com.

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