In the quest for romance, many people are turning to online dating. Even though it was once considered an avenue for desperate matches, online dating has become normal and acceptable in the dating game. According to research, one in every five relationships now traces its roots online. You may even know someone who praises online dating because they had success with it.
Despite the happy stories you read of relationships that started with online dating, it can still be difficult deciding whether you should try it. Many singles may be doing it, but you can’t be sure it will work for you just because it works for them. You want to be convinced that online dating is suitable for you before you make the move. Here are some signs to help you know whether you should resort to online dating or not.
1. You’re an introvert
Being an introvert often seems like a good reason to e-date. You can easily control what you want others to know about you and show the kind of photos you like. It’s not difficult to do all of those. The problem is when it’s time to meet new people and anxiety weighs heavily on you. If you are a shy person and meeting new people makes you feel uncomfortable, you should ditch the idea of online dating. But if you have no trouble meeting new people, online dating is a great idea for you to connect with people that interest you.
2. You have a lot of expectations
Dating sites encourage users to update their profile so they can receive narrowed match suggestions. In accordance with their advice, you may write a number of things you want your potential partner to have. The problem is that the criteria on many profiles are often unrealistic. Sometimes, you may have a match suggestion that looks like you’ve got what you want, but there’s no guarantee that you’d like them in person. Their online and offline personalities may vary in several ways. You don’t know them and they also don’t know you. The higher your expectations, the more likely it is that you may be disappointed because you can’t know really know people from reading their profile. If you have plenty expectations, online dating may not be suitable for you.
3. You have a busy schedule
Sometimes, the reason why dating people around you may be hard is because you’re too busy. Offline dating can be time consuming which doesn’t work for you. Perhaps, you have new projects to work on, heavy workload at the office that eats your time and leave you drained, and other social activities that keeps you occupied almost every hour of the day. Online dating can help you as the dating site does the hard work for you based on your specific criteria. You can login to chat with those you’re compatible with at anytime, even if you’re at the gym, restaurant, Starbucks or even at a queue.
4. You have a small dating pool
If you have a small circle, you may have a problem with finding someone you want to date. You may meet all the people you can including your friends, co-workers and all the people they know, and still not find the person you think is right for you. When you’ve done that, where else can you turn? Online dating may be the answer. Moving beyond the limitations of geographical locations, online dating allows you meet thousands of people who may not be in the same neighborhood as yourself. This expands your dating pool and makes it easy to find someone that you feel can make a great partner.
5. You know someone who’s had luck with it
According to online dating statistics, more than 20 percent of relationships and 17 percent of marriages begin online. That may not look impressive to you but it shows that online dating works. If you know someone who’s had luck with online dating, there’s a good chance you can find a partner on dating sites. You can ask for their story and get to know what they did or didn’t do. It may not be a guarantee that you will have the same experience, but it’s a great way of boosting your chances of finding someone you’d really like. So if you have anyone who’s not skeptical of online dating and praises it because they’ve had a positive experience with it, you may want to listen.
6. You’re on a budget
If you’ve been on a date before, you’d readily agree that dating can be expensive. There are expenses like the drinks, dinner, transportation (using your own car fuel or taxi) and the main activity (cinema, concert or something else.) This may not seem like a problem till you go on three or four dates and add up the cost only to realize you’re spending quite a lot on dating. Online dating is an affordable option. Even though some sites require a membership fee, many dating sites offer free membership. You can easily sign up on the sites and receive match notifications as well communicate with your match. All these cost almost nothing and are more economical than offline dating. So if you’re keeping close watch on your wallet, online dating may be your best bet.
7. You like to be in full control
Offline dating can be quite tasking. You have to pause for a few seconds to make sure you’re saying what you mean and it’s coming out the right way not to offend the sensibility of your date. Plus, meeting someone for the first time in an offline date can be discomforting. Online dating gives you ease and full control. You can make the kind of first impression you want by taking your time to respond to messages. You can choose what information to share and how you want to be contacted. With online dating, you don’t have to deal with awkward atmosphere of meeting someone for the first time. If you like the idea of full control, online dating offers it to you.
