Is Online Dating Right for You?

Dating has never been easy, but the invention of online dating has certainly made it easier than ever before.

The idea of online dating is not new by any stretch of the imagination. Internet dating has been around for over 20 years and its growth has skyrocketed in recent times. In fact, research suggests that 1 in 5 relationships nowadays begin online!

But with every good thing comes a bad – and online dating has plenty of critics.

It's getting harder and harder to find someone who has never tried proper online dating. For many single people, it is the first port of call when looking for love. That said, not all online dating sites are created equal – your choice depends on your needs and what you're trying to achieve.

Is Online Dating Right for You?

Over 80% of single people these days use online dating, and it's easy to see why. If you're busy with work or family life, online dating can be a way of widening your social circle without straining yourself. Since your local area is unlikely to provide as many options as an internet-based site, this is the obvious way to go.

The internet is also a great place to meet someone since it's very easy for people to reveal the truth about themselves online – many sites ask members for ID before they can join up, so you know you're chatting with someone serious about finding love.

5 Signs Online Dating is Right for You

1. You're Shy

Shyness is one of the biggest barriers to meeting someone new daily, but this doesn't have to be a problem thanks to online dating services. Some people who wouldn't dream of going up to a stranger in real life will happily reach out via email or instant messaging – and this is the perfect way to break the ice.

2. You're Busy and Socially Active

If you've got a busy social life and lots of friends, online dating may not be for you – but that doesn't mean it's out of the question entirely. If your schedule is tight but you'd like to expand your friend circle, an online dating site could be a perfect solution. Instead of meeting new people in person, you can expand your contact list with compatible strangers without ever leaving the house!

3. You Have Limited Options Wherever You Live

Whether your area is rural, or it's just not known for attracting lots of desirable singles, internet dating is a great way to widen your circle of potential dates. This is especially true when you think about who else is on the site – people come from all walks of life, people with similar interests, or even options to explore unconventional relationships like sugar baby dating. It's not just a case of 'local area' matches, so you can expand your pool hugely just by being online.

4. You're Overweight

Research shows that lots of people lose interest in someone if they're overweight and this can be a tricky barrier to overcome. However, online dating gives you the chance to get your personality across without focusing too much on your looks. This is not about misleading others – it's about giving yourself a fair shot at finding love with the right person!

5. You Have Kids

Whether you're a stay-at-home parent or juggling childcare with work, it can be very hard to meet new people. Online dating is the perfect solution to this problem since it can fit around your lifestyle – there are hundreds of singles looking for love at any one time, so chances are good that someone is waiting to chat!

5 Signs Online Dating is Not for You

1. You're a Homebody

In some ways, online dating is the perfect solution to shyness and busy social lives, but if you're a total homebody then you'd be better off avoiding it. Instead of wasting time on an internet-based site with limited opportunities for new friends, why not try going out more? This will help you expand your social circle more organically, giving you better chances of meeting someone special.

2. You're Socially Active but Not Happy With Your Singles Scene

If you've got lots of friends and no problem making conversation with strangers, online dating isn't right for you – it's too passive and there's not much chance of getting to know someone in a relaxed way. Why not try going out and having fun instead? Attending singles events or joining a sports team will put you in contact with potential matches and it's less time-consuming than online dating.

3. You Have No Interest in Marriage

Some people are happy being single forever, but if you're actively seeking a long-term relationship with someone you can spend the rest of your life sharing adventures with, online dating isn't for you. There's no chance to get to know someone properly in this way since it's all about quick, easy connections; if you want something real then why not just put yourself out there?

4. You're Not Willing to Put in the Work

Online dating is all about putting in some effort, so if you're unwilling to write interesting or funny messages or put some serious time into creating a profile that paints an accurate picture of yourself, it probably won't be worth your while. A lot of people find it fun and rewarding, so if it sounds like a drag then it's probably not what you're looking for.

5. You Get Jealous Too Easily

Online dating is about meeting lots of people as efficiently as possible, but if you're the kind of person who can't even bear to see your partner talking to other people without losing your cool then it's going to cause problems. You need to be relaxed about the whole thing since there are no guarantees in this game, so if you can't stay chill when things don't pan out then it's probably not right for you.

The Pros of Online Dating

1. It's Super Convenient

If you like the idea of meeting lots of singles without having to go out, putting yourself in awkward situations or spending too much time at home, online dating might be perfect for you. You can browse profiles whenever it suits you and chat with people via internet forums or instant messenger apps.

2. It Can Be Fun

Lots of people find that browsing through other peoples' profiles is interesting since everyone has their unique attributes and preferences! You also get to see qualifications like whether they smoke, what music they enjoy, and other important lifestyle factors so it's easier than ever to narrow down your search quickly.

3. It Lets You Experiment with Different People

Making friends as an adult can be hard work, but with online dating, you can experiment and chat with lots of different people in a short space of time. You won't run out of options since there are loads more singles out there just waiting to be discovered, so if one person isn't right for you then it's not the end of the world.

4. It Has Strong Security Features

You don't have to worry about meeting strangers when you use an online dating site thanks to strong security features which let you know who is who before they contact you directly! This lets you stay anonymous until everything is sorted out properly, so no one gets hurt or threatened during the process.

5. You Can Find Love Online

Research has shown that around 3% of marriages start on internet dating sites, so it's possible to find the right someone for you. It doesn't matter if they live across the country or even on another continent – distance is no match for love!

6. It Lets You Pick Your Dates

With online dating, there's no need to rely on chance encounters and hope that you pick a good partner – instead, you can see what they look like and check out their interests ahead of time. If you're not sure, then why not go on a few low-commitment dates and see how things pan out?

The Downsides of Online Dating

1. It Can Get Expensive

If money isn't tight then this probably won't bother you since most sites are free! The paid ones have a lot more people on them, but if you're strapped for cash then why not try something different?

2. It's Time Consuming

Online dating isn't a quick fix since it takes a while to get into the swing of things and engage with potential. You might have to wait a while for someone interesting to come along, so if you're impatient then this probably won't work out in your favor.

3. It Comes with Pressure

If you've been single for a long time or maybe just given up hope on love altogether, it can be hard to break out of your shell when there are loads of other singles around who want to chat with you! On the other hand, though, being part of a community lets you make friends and not feel lonely all the time.

4. You Have to Be Open-Minded

If you're a very specific type of person then this might hold you back from finding your perfect match, since there are no guarantees that they'll be interested in you! If you're looking for someone to settle down with then it's worth considering since everyone has different needs and wants even if they seem compatible on paper!

5. It Creates Problems When Meeting in Person

The anonymity of internet dating sites can be both a blessing and a curse, which is why it's important to meet people in person before getting too involved. If you've been chatting for months without meeting them then things can go very wrong when finally see what the other person is like in real life.

6. It's Easy to Get Stuck In A Rut

If you're using online dating without trying anything different then it can be easy to fall into a rut and not meet anyone new! If you don't want to pay for membership then this might not affect you since there are plenty of people out there just waiting to chat, but if you do then why not try something else?

Conclusion: Is Online Dating Right for You?

Online dating is a great way to meet people and so easy to get into since it doesn't involve any painful social interactions. If you're looking for love then it's worth checking out what's on offer rather than spending your evening alone, but if this isn't your main aim then why not try something else? Try meeting new people in your area or even taking up a new hobby with others, and before long you'll be living happily ever after!