By Aelicia Anderson
Do you find the online dating world intimating? Have you been hesitating about trying online dating because you just don't know where to start? Never fear! With these helpful tips you'll be dating confidently and finding your ideal mate in no time.
1. Be Clear About Your Intentions
Before you begin, spend some time thinking about the type of relationship you are looking for. Online dating sites cater to many different needs so make sure you know ahead of time whether you're looking for a long-lasting commitment or an intimate encounter. This will greatly impact which site you choose.
2. Plan a budget
You can choose to spend a lot of money on online dating or no money at all. Your budget and preferences will help you decide whether to sign on to a free or a fee-based site. Take some time to understand the pros and cons of both before you make a commitment. You might even consider trying out both options to see what works best for you. Remember, it may take several months of online dating before you meet someone significant. Make sure you choose a site that will be affordable long-term.
3. Think about Safety Precautions
Many sites go through a great deal of effort to ensure that your personal information and privacy are secure. Before you commit to a site, look to see if they have a privacy policy posted and that they only let members view your profile. You'll also want to protect yourself by limiting the amount of personal information you give out and the amount of detail you provide in your profile. As a general rule, you shouldn't disclose your last name, address and phone number in your profile.
4. Save time by Being Matched Up
A lot of people don't have the time or patience to search through profiles to find the right person. If you're one of these people, you might want to look into an online dating site that provides compatibility testing. After giving you a series of personality tests, you'll be sent a list of compatible matches. They do all the leg work.
5. Ask your Friends
Don't hesitate to ask your friends about their experience with online dating. They might be able to give you some recommendations of which sites to use and which ones to avoid.
6. Get trained
Most sites will give you some guidance on how to use their basic features. Don't rush into posting your profile before you've read through their frequently asked questions. Understanding how the site works at the beginning will save you a lot of frustration in the long run.
7. Take it Slow
Online dating sites offer the ability to date from the comfort of your own living room. It can be wonderful getting to know someone over email and phone conversations before you take the leap to meet in person. Before you rush to meet someone in person, take advantage of the opportunity to build a strong foundation. It will make the face-to-face meeting that much more exciting.
8. Keep it enjoyable
Above all else, enjoy yourself and don't take the process too seriously. Most people have a lot of fun dating online - the key is to keep it light and uncomplicated.
Aelicia Anderson writes a popular singles dating column for FlingFinder.com.au
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