Online dating or dating online is in many ways simple and straightforward. All you are doing is widening your net to be in a position to meet more people than you might other wise be likely to. There are no restrictions. It is open to any race creed and gender. How many things can you say that about?

Some dating sites charge a small fee and others are totally free. There was a time when the free ones were not very good. But, these days there is usually very little difference. The charge, whatever it is, is worth it when you think of the return you get for a small investment. You can potentially meet the love of your life or a friend for life. At the very least you will meet other likeminded individuals with whom you can have a lot of fun.

Most online dating sites today work in a similar way, i.e. you fill in a form which goes into your profile. The sites have an advanced database search ability that allows members to search the site for other members? profiles matching their chosen criteria. You usually have to click a link sent to your email address to confirm ownership of the email address. This is incase someone tries to put you on a dating site against your wishes. (It does happen)

The form you fill out will have a space for a username. The username is not your real name it is one you invent yourself. This is the name by which you will be known on the dating site.

The description you gave in the form describes your appearance and tells anyone who reviews your profile a little about you and what makes you tick. However the private information you gave to the site administrators e.g. email address and real name etc. will not be revealed unless you reveal it yourself.

You should never reveal private information or any other information that could identify you. People have been known to send strangers their bank details through messaging on dating sites. Never under any circumstances do this. Some site advise their members to open a free and anonymous email address just for online dating. I think this is a good idea. That way if you have problems with it, you can just drop it and get another.

I would advise that you post a good photo on the dating site. Men are usually more visually oriented. This does not necessarily mean that they are shallow and will only pick profiles that have beauty queen photos. Not everyone likes that type of look. And, the funny thing I noticed is that it is the women of the world that rave about beauty queens and models, not men.

Men and women both like to look at a photo and see what they are getting. They like to size up the member and make a judgment about what type of person they are likely to be. You cannot always recognize an axe-murderer by looking at a photo but human nature being what it is we do like to try.

Your first contact will be using the dating site's messaging function. This will be used to send the initial message of introduction, to see if the other person is interested. After that you should communicate by email. Then after that you can communicate by mobile phone. Most mobile phones are untraceable. Do not give out your landline number. You can be traced easily through this number.

When you do eventually get to the stage when you would like to meet this person it is a good idea to bring a friend or two with you to the first date. If all goes well they can disappear. If things do not go well you will have backup.

Do not make a date until you are comfortable with the person you are going to meet. You can only do so much with email, I know. But, if you are not comfortable with the person or they are not willing to give information of any kind or are giving short replies to your long emails, you should drop them. Don't be pressured into a date before you are ready.

When you do arrange a date, don't have your date pick you up as this involves him knowing where you live or work etc. Meet him or her at the date or some other prearranged spot. Always meet in a public place with lots of people around. Never at a secluded lonely spot that nobody ever goes to.

Let friends and family know where you are going and when you are to be expected home. Ring and get help if it is going badly. If it is going well and let them know if you are going to be late home. If you are afraid or if you have a bad feeling about the date, get up and leave. If you need to, make an excuse, e.g. going to the ladies, or something and just leave quickly.

Having said all of the above one is possibly inclined to get the impression that dating online is a dangerous thing to do. Actually it is no more dangerous than going to a disco. At a disco you can not vet the person and get all kinds of information and a photo before you meet the person who is interested in forming a relationship with you.

A summary:

• Fill out your form in detail. i.e. interests, likes and dislikes etc.



• Give no private information. i.e. address, main email, landline number etc.



• Submit a photo.



• Bring backup on the first date.



• Don't get pressured into a date before you are ready.



• Always take sensible precautions on the first date. (whether dating online or not)

And that's it. Have a good online dating experience.