When online dating first became popular, people thought it was, well, kind of weird. To get to know someone through a computer or smartphone was quite the concept.
Not too long ago, online dating was for the desperate. Now, online dating is being promoted as a way for anyone ordinary or even extraordinary to successfully find a relationship that they are looking for.
Normal people are now dating online and even campaign to their friends to try it out.
Entrepreneurs have taken advantage of this new wave of online daters by creating exclusive online dating websites for the extremely wealthy, and they are smart to do so. Online dating is now statistically proven to be the most popular way to meet the love of your life.
Related Content: The Complete Guide To Messaging Your Tinder Match
Why Do People Date Online?
There are quite a few reasons, but here are the most popular ones:
1. Online Daters Might Be Shy
Some people are too afraid of rejection and they give it too much power. However, being rejected online is much more private and not face-to-face. It’s much easier to be brave on dating websites and we totally understand.
2. Online Daters Might Not Get Out Much
A person might not be on the social scene all of the time and maybe an introvert. While they enjoy friendship, family and romantic relationships, they might not like large crowds or small talk. Dating online can be much more comfortable for introverts.
3. Online Daters Might Just Not Like the Bar Scene
Many people go to bars to try and find their match. It’s more common than anyone realizes. While this is fine and dandy, the bars aren’t for everyone.
4. Online Daters Sometimes Have Specific Beliefs That Are Important to Them
Perhaps someone has certain spiritual beliefs and they need to find someone who has a similar life perspective. It may be hard for them to find a partner organically.
5. Online Daters Can Be Picky
I don’t blame people for being picky in the age of cheating and deceit. Online dating can be the perfect avenue for picky daters who want to find just the right person.
6.Online Daters Are Often Busy
Finding a mate organically can take a long time. If someone has a lot on their plate, they may want to speed things up. It’s convenient to get to know someone over the phone and to have dating sites do most of the work for you.
7. Online Daters Might Have Kids
Kids bring more stipulations and sometimes complications into the mix. If a person is trying to find romance but also is a parent, it makes sense that they might want to enter the world of online dating and give it a try.
With online dating, it’s easier to be honest about having children right from the start, and it’s easier to weed out those who are good with kids to those who don’t fit the bill.
8. Online Daters Might Not Be Having Luck Finding Love on Their Own
Many people who try online dating are just simply trying out online dating. They haven’t had luck with all of their past dating experiences and want to try something new.
If you’re an online dater (whatever your reason, as long as you aren’t a psychopath) it’s perfectly okay to date online. In fact, online relationships can be very successful.
Related Content: Is Your Partner Cheating On Snapchat?
What to Expect When Dating Online
Success Stories of Online Dating
Many people that I know who have experienced online dating have been excited about their new found love online. Hours on the phone, cute chats sent back and forth, their experience was quite romantic.
When they actually talked long enough to meet each other for the first time, they knew enough about each other that the first date was very special.
Online dating definitely has its advantages. You can find someone that (almost) perfectly matches you. With millions of online daters, you have a lot to choose from. There’s a match for almost anyone.
However, online dating has its dangers and disadvantages. Let’s now take a look at those.
How to Protect Yourself When Dating Online- Online Dating Tips
Here are some crucial online dating tips. There are tips not only to keep you safe but also tips to help you find your true love. Don’t worry (as always) we are here for you!
1. Before stepping into the online dating world, free your mind and focus on mentally preparing yourself for what lies ahead. There will be people who try to take advantage of you, but that does not mean that every person besides your self on dating websites are monsters. Most of them are just lie you and are trying to find love.
2. Next, you will need to think of what dating site will work the best for what you are looking for. If you are looking for something more casually that could turn into something way down the road, try websites that are more known for hookups such as Tinder.
3. If you are looking for something more serious, try websites that have you to pay for a membership. Usually, dating websites that have a monthly subscription fee (usually a small fee) have the most serious members who are really looking for a partner.
4. Perhaps you are looking for something more specific. As I stated earlier, there are websites geared towards certain groups looking for love, and on there you find people who are even more ready to be committed. FarmersOnly is great for small town people. Christian Mingle is great for Christian singles. Those are some really popular dating websites, but there is a dating site for almost anyone!
5. Remember that choosing the wrong website may result in serious heartache, so choose carefully. Don’t choose a hookup site if you are looking for serious commitment, or FarmersOnly if you are a city girl/boy.
6. Now that you have found the perfect site or sites to meet your match, your next step is to set up your profile. You need to be honest from the start, no old pictures from when you were younger, or highly edited photos. Don’t lie about your height, your hobbies or your paycheck. Just be you so that the perfect match will be found for you instead of the lie you created.
7. Personalize each message. A one-liner as a response won’t allow the other person to get to know you and they might think that you aren’t interested. The messages you send are clear indicators at how invested you will be in the relationship in the long run.
8. Make sure to show the friendly side of yourself. Your profile picture needs to show you smiling- and you need to ask questions about the person you are talking to, not just talk about yourself all of the time. Have a sense of humor about things and really let your personality shine.
9. Don’t feel like you have to prove anything to anyone. Some online daters just want hookups, pictures, money, etc. Ignore someone that pushes you to try to do something you don’t want, especially when you are just talking.
Which takes me to my next section, online safety.
Online safety in The Online Dating World
Here’s How to Protect Yourself When Dating Online:
1. As stated above, if someone is asking you to prove yourself in some way before even meeting you, they aren’t looking to know you since they want something that you aren’t giving. This is a major red flag and you need to stop talking to this person immediately. People might ask for explicit pictures or money, never do this for someone you haven’t met in real life!
2. Don’t talk to your love interest on any other apps! Keep the communication on just the dating site and on the phone until you meet them. Scammers may try to talk to you on other chat services so you can’t prove that it was them when they try to scam you.
3. Try to video chat with them if you are unsure of their identity.
4. Use Google Image Search to lookup their image and see if they are using a false identity.
5. Do a reverse phone lookup or person search depending on what information they have given you to see their true identity and history.
Pro Tip: How to Catch a Catfish When You’re Dating Them
Online Dating Checklist
Now that you know a few things, just makes sure that you follow these actions when you start your online dating adventure:
• Choose the right online dating site(s) for your needs.
• Be honest but not too open when you are just getting to know them.
• Be friendly and be yourself.
• You don’t have to prove your self-worth to a person you just met online.
• Remember that your safety is first. Do a reverse image search, free reverse cell phone lookup, or background check to find out more about them.
Note: National Cellular Directory does not offer a background check, but there are plenty of sites that can help you.