What is Dating Pro and who it's for
You're probably here because:
You want to launch a dating platform but $50,000+ for custom development feels unreasonable
You've seen dating apps making money and want your own — without spending 12 months building from scratch
You already have traffic (affiliate, social, niche community) and need a platform to monetize it
What you get:
Dating Pro is a ready-to-launch dating platform with 300+ built-in features: website, iOS app, Android app, and Telegram bot — all managed from one admin panel. Your platform goes live in 1-2 days, not months.
The outcome:
Save 99% compared to custom development ($499 vs $50,000+)
Launch timeline: website in 1-2 days, mobile apps in 7-14 days
Full ownership: open source code, your server, your data
Perfect for:
Beginners (60%): First-time dating business owners who want a proven platform with step-by-step guidance
Experienced operators (40%): Affiliate marketers, niche site owners, or agencies migrating from other solutions
Platform capabilities overview
Web platform
Built-in features: 300+ features described here
User mode: Dating website template with responsive design
Control panel: Full admin dashboard to manage users, payments, content
Mobile applications (iOS/Android)
Native apps with all web features
Push notifications for matches and messages
In-app purchases and subscriptions
Telegram bot
Same functionality as mobile apps, text-based interface
Connect third-party bots via API
Ideal for markets with high Telegram usage
VR version
Accessible through WebXR-compatible browsers
Works on Meta Quest, HTC Vive in browser mode
System requirements by channel
Before you start: these specs ensure your platform handles real traffic. Skipping them = blank pages and crashed apps.
Web platform
Component | Requirement |
PHP | 7.2 - 8.3 |
PHP Extensions | gd2, iconv, mbstring, PDO/mysqli, XML |
Encoder | ionCube PHP Loader v5+ |
Database | MySQL 5.1+ |
Web Server | Apache (recommended), Nginx, IIS |
Disk Space | 50+ GB (with 20,000 profiles) |
RAM | 8+ GB recommended |
Other | mod_rewrite, .htaccess, shell_exec, ffmpeg (for video) |
Nginx users: Add these settings to your config:
proxy_buffers 8 16k; proxy_buffer_size 32k;
iOS app
Component | Requirement |
Language | Swift 5+ |
Min iOS Version | iOS 13.0+ |
IDE | Xcode 14+ |
Dependency Manager | CocoaPods |
Architecture | MVC with Storyboards |
App Store Account | Apple Developer Account ($99/year) |
Review Time | 7-14 days for publication |
Android app
Component | Requirement |
Language | Kotlin / Java |
Min Android Version | Android 6.0 (API 23)+ |
IDE | Android Studio |
Build System | Gradle |
Architecture | Activities + Fragments, EventBus |
Google Play Account | Google Developer Account ($25 one-time) |
Review Time | 3-7 days for publication |
Telegram bot
Component | Requirement |
Integration | Telegram Bot API |
Backend | Connects to Dating Pro API |
Setup Time | 2-3 days |
Requirements | Telegram Bot Token (via @BotFather) |
Features | Same as mobile apps, text-based UI |
VR version
Component | Requirement |
Access | Via WebXR-compatible browsers |
Devices | Meta Quest, HTC Vive (browser mode) |
Requirements | WebGL-enabled browser, stable internet |
Scalability
Basic server: 150 concurrent requests
High load: Use VPS or dedicated server (GoDaddy, Hetzner, DigitalOcean)
Enterprise: Database replication and load balancing via High Load Optimization Service
Supported browsers
For optimal performance: Chrome, Safari, Edge, Firefox (latest versions).
Platform architecture
This section is for developers customizing the platform. If you're launching with default settings, skip to Installation.
Android app architecture
Project structure:
activities/— Activities and Fragments for screen handlingadapters/— Data adapters for lists (RecyclerView)api/— ApiClient + endpoint classes (UsersApiClient, etc.)events/— EventBus event classeshelpers/— NavigationHelper, AuthUser, SettingsHelper, BackendManagermodels/— Data model classesservices/— Firebase Messaging, video call handlingvideochat/— PeerJS video chat implementationres/— Resources, layouts, config.xml
Key files:
config.xml— Host URL, app name, Facebook/Google login keysbuild.gradle— Dependencies listBaseActivity— Toolbar, navigation menu, banner adsxml/preferences.xml— Settings screen items
iOS app architecture
Project structure:
Controllers/— UIViewControllersViews/— Custom UIViewsApi/— ApiClient + endpoint classesConstants/— Text stringsDatabase/— SQLite fileHelpers/— Utility classesModels/— Data modelsPeerClient/— PeerJS video chatStoryboards/— UI screensLayouts/— Classes for tables, collections
Key files:
Configuration.swift— Host URL, settingsPodfile— CocoaPods dependencies
Web platform architecture
Framework: CodeIgniter 1.5-3
Template Engine: Twig
Architecture: MVC
Templates location:
/views/folders organized by module1 template = 1 page (excluding header and footer)
How to get started
You're ready to buy when:
You've tested the free demo and confirmed it fits your niche
You have a domain name (or will buy one)
You've decided: use Dating Pro hosting ($29/month) or your own server
What happens after payment:
Timeline | What happens |
Day 1 | Order confirmation call with our team |
Day 1-2 | Website installed and configured |
Day 2-3 | Telegram bot connected (if ordered) |
Day 7-14 | Mobile apps submitted to App Store / Google Play (if ordered) |
The outcome: Your dating platform is live, accepting registrations, and processing payments.
Our Sales team will set it up on your platform; purchase after the trial if satisfied.
Setup timelines summary
Component | Timeline |
Website setup | 1-2 days |
Mobile app publication | 7-14 days (includes store review) |
Telegram bot integration | 2-3 days |
Installing the platform
Pre-installation: required information
Have these ready before starting:
Order confirmation — Required for first purchase (we'll call you)
Server access (if using your own hosting):
FTP: host, login, password
Control panel access OR database credentials
Payment gateway credentials — Or connect later yourself
Domain name — How to connect your domain
Using Dating Pro hosting? Skip server setup — everything is preconfigured.
Choosing domain and hosting
You need both a domain name and web hosting — they are separate services.
Domain is your website address (e.g., yourdatingsite.com). It directs visitors to your server's IP address.
Hosting is where your website files and database are stored. Learn about Dating Pro hosting →
To link your domain, change DNS nameservers to:
ns1.pilotteam.net ns2.pilotteam.net
Want multiple sites for different niches? Use Multi-domain license.
Step-by-step installation
Upload files to server
Download the ZIP archive from the link we sent. Upload to your server and decompress.
⚠️ Important: Use Binary transfer mode. Check for hidden files (.htaccess, .env) — they must be uploaded too.
Create database
Create an empty MySQL database and add a user with full rights. The script will populate tables automatically.
Tip: Make monthly backups of your database.
Set permissions
Set 0777 permissions to these directories:
/application/views/flatty/sets/* /application/views/gentelella/sets/* /temp/* /uploads/*
Run installer
Go to
http://www.yourdomain.com/— you'll see the installation page.Accept license agreement
Read and click "I agree" to continue.
Enter FTP details
Host, user, password — then click "Next".
Enter database details
Database name, user, password, host — then click "Next".
Select languages
Choose default language. At least one is required.
Enter order number
You received this via email. Where to find your order key →
Set administrator credentials
Create login/password for admin panel. You can change this later. Forgot password? →
Configure SMTP
Add your email server details for sending notifications.
Select countries/regions
Choose which locations to include in your platform.
Wait for installation
The system will complete setup automatically.
Set up cron job
Configure the scheduler. Path to PHP on most servers:
/usr/bin/php
Contact your server admin for the exact path.
Done! Your dating site is installed and ready to configure.
Connecting SSL
Secure your site with HTTPS: How to get SSL certificate →
Platform configuration
Estimated time: 2-3 hours for basic setup, 1 day for full customization.
Basic checklist by sales funnel stage
Features are grouped by Dating service sales funnel:
1. Find people to date
[ ] Create custom profile fields if needed
[ ] Delete or replace demo profiles with your own (Users management)
[ ] Purchase additional profiles if needed: Pre-filled profiles
2. Customize your service
[ ] Add main languages
[ ] Install country/city database
[ ] Set up moderation rules
[ ] Create moderator accounts: Administrators
[ ] Set site currency
[ ] Configure memberships (free/premium)
[ ] Set prices for paid services
[ ] Update legal pages: Terms, Privacy Policy, About Us
3. Bring in customers
[ ] Upload logo and favicon
[ ] Set up loyalty program (optional)
[ ] Configure SEO settings
[ ] Edit site texts
[ ] Customize main page background
[ ] Adjust color scheme
[ ] Update mobile app links: Dating channels → Apps
4. Help users find dates
[ ] Create mailbox with your domain
[ ] Activate social login (Facebook, Google)
[ ] Set up maps
[ ] Configure banner ads or AdSense
[ ] Create RSS feeds for news
Need help?
Pre-launch checklist
Complete each section before going live. Each checkmark = one less support ticket later.
Security (15 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Change admin password | Only you can access admin panel |
[ ] Enable SSL certificate | Users see 🔒 in browser, payments work |
[ ] Set up user verification | Reduces fake profiles by 70% |
[ ] Configure content moderation | Spam blocked automatically |
Payments (30 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Connect payment gateway | Users can pay with cards |
[ ] Test payment flow | No failed transactions on launch day |
[ ] Set membership prices | Revenue starts from Day 1 |
[ ] Configure virtual currency | Microtransactions enabled |
[ ] Set up cron for stuck payments | Unpaid orders auto-removed |
Users & content (20 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Delete/replace demo profiles | Site looks real, not like a demo |
[ ] Test registration flow | New users can sign up without errors |
[ ] Test profile creation | Photos upload, fields save correctly |
[ ] Test messaging system | Users can chat after matching |
[ ] Test search functionality | Users find matches based on criteria |
Mobile & channels (10 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Update app store links | Users download YOUR app, not demo |
[ ] Test push notifications | Users return when they get matches |
[ ] Verify Telegram bot | Alternative channel works |
[ ] Test mobile responsiveness | Site works on phones/tablets |
SEO & analytics (15 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Set meta tags (title, description) | Google shows your site correctly |
[ ] Connect Google Analytics | You see where traffic comes from |
[ ] Test email deliverability | Users receive welcome emails |
[ ] Check cross-browser rendering | Site works in Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge |
Legal & compliance (10 min)
Task | Outcome when done |
[ ] Terms of Service updated | Legal protection in place |
[ ] Privacy Policy updated | GDPR/CCPA compliance |
[ ] Age verification enabled | Only 18+ users can register |
Total setup time: ~90 minutes for basic launch
Integrating analytics
Key metrics to track
Category | Metrics | Why it matters |
Registrations | Sign-ups, profile completion rate, traffic sources | Measures acquisition funnel health |
Activity | DAU/MAU, sessions, page depth | Shows user engagement level |
Engagement | Likes, matches, messages, time in app | Predicts retention and monetization |
Revenue | Conversions, ARPU, LTV, churn | Measures business health |
ROI and unit economics: Cashflow and unit metrics guide →
Testing before launch
Functional tests
[ ] Registration flow (email, social login)
[ ] Profile creation and editing
[ ] Photo/video upload
[ ] Search and matching
[ ] Messaging (text, attachments)
[ ] Payment processing (all gateways)
[ ] Subscription management
[ ] Email notifications
[ ] Push notifications (mobile)
Performance tests
[ ] Page load time < 3 seconds
[ ] Load testing with expected traffic
[ ] Database query optimization
[ ] CDN for static assets
Security tests
[ ] SSL working correctly
[ ] Input validation (no XSS, SQL injection)
[ ] Rate limiting on login/registration
[ ] DDoS protection enabled
Real results from Dating Pro customers
Case 1: From zero to 1,200 users in 60 days
The situation: First-time founder, $2,000 budget, no technical skills, wanted to launch a niche dating site for yoga enthusiasts in Canada.
The barrier: No idea how to get users without spending $10K+ on ads.
What worked:
Partnered with 12 local yoga studios (free cross-promotion)
Targeted Instagram ads to yoga hashtags ($500 total spend)
Word-of-mouth from first 100 users
The outcome: 1,200 users, 180 paying members, platform running profitably in month 3.
Case 2: First $1,000 in 14 days
The situation: Experienced marketer testing dating niche, wanted quick validation before investing more.
The approach:
Launched with minimal features (no apps, web only)
Single traffic source: Google Ads ($500 budget)
Simple pricing: $29.99/month subscription only
Personal outreach to first 50 users
The outcome: $1,043 revenue in 14 days. ROI: 108%. Validated niche, then invested in mobile apps.
Case 3: $15K monthly revenue in 3 months
The situation: Tech recruiter who noticed IT professionals struggle to date. Had access to LinkedIn network.
The approach:
Niche: IT professionals aged 25-45
Verification via LinkedIn (builds trust)
Premium positioning: $49.99/month (no free tier)
Promoted through tech meetups and podcasts
The outcome: 3,000+ registrations, $15K MRR, featured in tech media.
ROI calculation formula
Revenue = (Users × Conversion rate × Average check) - Costs
Typical benchmarks:
Metric | Typical range |
Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) | $2-5 |
Conversion to paying | 3-7% |
Average monthly check | $29-49 |
Lifetime Value (LTV) | $150-300 |
Common mistakes and solutions
Marketing mistakes
Mistake | Solution |
Vague positioning ("dating for everyone") | Choose specific niche + unique selling proposition |
Spending $1000+ on ads before validating | Start with $10-20/day tests, scale what works |
Ignoring organic traffic | Invest in SEO and content from day one |
No marketing plan at all | Find partners with traffic, or learn traffic acquisition first |
Monetization mistakes
Mistake | Solution |
Prices too low or too high | Study competitors, use A/B testing |
Too many pricing plans | Start with 1-3 simple plans |
Free tier too generous | Give enough to hook, not enough to satisfy |
No real value in premium | Add features that genuinely improve matches |
Technical mistakes
Mistake | Solution |
Launching without testing payments | Always test full payment flow before launch |
Skipping email configuration | No emails = users forget about your site |
Demo content left on site | Replace all demo profiles and content |
Resources and support
Technical documentation
Support channels
Learning resources
Bug reporting
Frequently asked questions
Installation issues
Blank page after installation
Enable error display in config.php:
define("DISPLAY_ERRORS", true);Then analyze the error message.
ionCube PHP Loader error
Script files are encoded. Install ionCube PHP Loader v5.0 or above on your server.
URL was not found on this server
In /application/config/config.php, find URI PROTOCOL and try replacing 'AUTO' with: PATH_INFO, QUERY_STRING, REQUEST_URI, or ORIG_PATH_INFO.
Access denied for user (using password: YES)
Check if database host is available. Verify db name, username, and password are correct.
No input file specified
Backup
.htaccessComment all lines except:
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ index.php?/$1? [L,QSA]In
/application/config/config.phpset:$config['uri_protocol'] = 'REQUEST_URI';
Installing on local server
Use XAMPP or WampServer. After installing local server, upload files to 'www' folder and run installation in browser.
How to install a module/add-on
Download archive from link we sent
Upload contents to FTP root directory (overwrite if prompted)
Go to admin panel → Modules → Modules management
Click "Install" for the corresponding add-on
Click "Finish"
Installation is free. Custom modules require separate quote: sales@datingpro.com
Missing files after extraction
Files like .env and .htaccess may be hidden. Extract using command line or FTP client that shows hidden files.
Hosting & domain
Can I use my own domain?
How to get SSL certificate
Who holds the data?
All data is hosted on the server you choose. If you use your own hosting, we have no access unless you provide it. Your data, your control.
Cron configuration
Setting up cron via SSH
Login via SSH
Run:
crontab -eAdd schedule, e.g.:
*/10 * * * * php ~/crons/cron.php >> ~/cronlog.logSave with Ctrl+O, exit with Ctrl+X
Configuration files reference
install.php keys
Key | Description |
install_module_done | Module installation readiness |
install_login | Installation section username |
install_password | Installation section password |
ftp_host | FTP host name |
ftp_path | Path to product files |
ftp_user | FTP username |
ftp_password | FTP password |
installer_ip_protect | Restrict access by IP |
installer_ip | Allowed IPs list |