GirlFriendCircles

GirlFriendCircles, a website that helps women meet each other and form new friendships, is in 35 cities. It was started by Shasta Nelson, a life coach who recognized the need for women to continually expand their social circle. The site aims to connect females acquaintances together as the first step in becoming friends. They boast that they are "the only online community that matches women into small local groups to meet potential friends in small, safe, effective and fun ways with others in the same area and age."

The site allows you to put up a profile with your name, photo, Myers-Briggs personality indicator, horoscope, and marital status as the basics of your profile. You can also add "impression words" that describe you, favorites (places, things to do, blogs and websites), interests, and three "sharing questions." All the information is designed to give other friends a snapshot of your personality.

GirlFriendCircles allows you to search for friends in your area, and also offers Connecting Circles, which is where four-to-six women meet at a neighborhood café to talk and get to know one another. The Connecting Circles are designed to help women meet new friends in a safe and comfortable way. Connecting Circles generally meet for about ninety minutes.

As a member you have the option to attend member events and create some of your own as well. The search feature can limit your choices to geographic area, activities and interests, or both. As an added bonus, the site offers a 15 percent discount on life coaching with the site's founder.

If GirlFriendCircles is not in your city yet, the site offers a free three-month membership that begins when the site officially launches in your area. Otherwise, there is a charge of $29.95 for a six-month membership and $49.95 for a twelve-month membership.