Although Internet dating has been around for a while – since the mid-90s to be precise – it did take a while before they cottoned on. Dating sites were sometimes saddled with a ridiculous stereotype, that the bulk of their customers were desperate singles who’d been unsuccessful meeting someone through the traditional offline outlets – bars, social clubs, nightspots, blind dates. Nothing could be further from the truth. Dating sites like this have such a universal appeal it’s impossible to portray a ‘typical’ site user. One thing’s for sure, they are never desperate. There are many reasons why more and more singles are choosing to sign up to a date site, and here are the top five.
Convenience
What could be more convenient than logging onto your favorite dating site, checking out the latest profiles that have been added to the already extensive list within the past hour, then deciding who to message? Once you engage in conversation via the site’s communication channel, you can arrange your first date. And all via your web browser without even having to leave home! Dating sites are ideal because they fit in so seamlessly with other aspects of our busy modern lives. You can check for messages in your inbox at any time, and be busy typing replies during your commute home from work.
Compatibility
In the offline environment, you can approach strangers in nightclubs or singles bars who you might find attractive, but until you find out a bit about their true personality you’ll never truly be able to develop a sense of chemistry. Online dating allows you to find out all about someone’s background before you take the step of arranging a face-to-face encounter. Algorithms built into dating sites will ensure you are matched according to the likes, dislikes, attributes, and aspirations you listed on your resume when you registered.
Choice
There are dating sites for every possible permutation of romance, meaning that the problem isn’t the lack of choice, but rather the opposite – the degree of choice at your fingertips can often seem overwhelming. When you sign up to any site you will instantly gain access to the vast database of site users who have already uploaded their details in the hope of these being noticed by potential partners.
Confidence
Dating sites are ideal for anyone who struggles with the normal type of social interaction that takes place inside a singles bar or social club. For many shy individuals, the prospect of entering an area where everyone is drinking then dancing to music so loud that every conversation must be conducted at maximum decibel-level is surely the stuff of nightmares. When you go online you can relax, taking things at your own pace. If you do come across someone you like the look of, you don’t need to worry about them being whisked away by a more confident single.
Control
The moment you’ve set up a dating profile and enter into the fray of browsing through personals deciding who to get in touch with and checking out the messages sent to you by interested parties, you aren’t answerable to anyone. Sure, the website will have certain rules about what you are or aren’t allowed to do while you are communicating online, but for the most part, exactly how you wish to proceed is entirely up to you. You might decide to exercise caution and gradually get to know a particular single better, kindling a powerful sense of chemistry with each message you exchange. On the other hand, you might prefer the direct approach, alighting on an attractive profile photo one minute, then inviting them for a video chat the next.