Dating websites...3 methods available...which do you recommend

[mojochazz]

Hello everyone, This is my first time on this forum. I am getting involved in affiliate marketing and trying to make some money off the internet. I bought a number of domain names which I thought might be good for developing and selling in 5-10 years. Among them are several adult and adult dating domain names such as: milsareeasy, nsaflingfinder, nostringsnocommitment, swingersandflings, justturnedlegal, and justturnedgay. Not to shabby right? I realize there is a lot of competition among porn and dating websites, but I would like to try.

I have conducted a lot of research...looking into affiliate programs, other ways to start a dating website, and how the web pages are designed. Unfortunately, I found that Windows Live One Care is not as effective at blocking spyware and viruses as I was lead to believe...but I digress. There appears to be three different ways to start a dating website: Affiliate with one of the larger websites that offers co-branding so you can have your own site, use one of the dating hosting sites like diydating.com, or buy the software/script and start from scratch.

My plan/goal is to provide a products page and fill it using a feed...so guests can buy condoms, party supplies (swing parties), costumes, sex toys, massage oils/lotions, and books/videos. I was thinking this would create site stickyness, and maybe help me profit regardless of whether they join. I also thought this would be a great way to add content, and increase traffic...maybe by writing articles/reviews about products as they apply to adult dating.

My dilemma is...which method should I use? I am looking at pros and cons, but wondering what I am missing if anything.

Affilaite Pros: Pro - Free to join. Pay per signup, pay per click, revshare, or pay per sign up. For the most part I can design my own site, and even include the products page. Site will already have members from the major affiliate site. Con - I probably wouldn't be able to offer an affiliate program to increase traffic. I can't display ads of competitors...which is not a big deal but doing so could mean more revenue if they chose a competitor instead of the main website. No control over pricing.

Dating hosting: Pro - Free to join. RevShare on sign ups and continued registrations. Different web templates to chose from. Ability to edit website templates. Site will already have members from the major affiliate site.They have a partner program you can use to help you increase traffic. Cons - The profile and chat windows have few templates that I like. I can't display ads of competitors...which is not a big deal but doing so could mean more revenue if they chose a competitor instead of the main website.

Self hosted with purchased script: Ability to determine pricing, I keep 100% of profits, can offer an affilaite program, design my own website with no limitations. Con - Scripts can be expensive, cheapest script I have found that I like is $150. No members. I was considering offering free membership to the first 10000 members or until a certain date, which I could control from the admin - pricing.

If someone has any advice, thoughts, ideas I would greatly appreciate them.
Thanks,