Tips To Make Online Dating Simple And Safe

Introduction

Online dating makes it easy (or, maybe, easier) to meet new people and even find love – but, dating online is not the same as having your friends set you up, because it requires a different approach.

What you need is a strategy to find success with online dating.

Your profile, messages, and photos are an important part of online dating, and you’ll also want to watch out for catfishing and other scams.

Discover how to navigate the waters of online dating with the following top tips.

Start by Making Lists

The first step to finding success with online dating is to make several lists, because a good plan will save you time and effort while searching for a partner online.

It’s important to do the planning before trying to create a profile or upload a photo.

Consider making these lists:

Your Goals

What do you want to accomplish with online dating?

• Do you want to meet your soulmate, or are you looking for a casual relationship?
• Figure out what you want to get out of online dating.
• Write down what you’re looking for in a potential partner.

Dating Websites

Create a list of all the dating websites you plan to use and check them out first.

• Take a look at each website and read the requirements.

Your Profile

• Write down everything you want to include.
• Then, narrow it down and only keep the most important points.

By making these lists, you’ll be better prepared for a positive experience.

Online Dating Profile Tips

Your profile is an important part of online dating – it must be accurate, fun, and attractive.

The goal here is to share your personality and make it easy for people to connect with you, so try these ideas for your online dating profile:

Keep It Short And Interesting

• Include enough information to pique their interest without being long or boring – there’s no need to share every last detail of your life.
• Research shows that shorter profiles tend to do better online.
• However, you want to ensure that you include enough information.

Avoid Common Turn-Offs

• Bragging and lying are common issues that it’s better to avoid.
• Avoid exaggerating in your profile, because people will notice this and will not connect.
• Be original in your dating profile and do not copy another profile or its content.
• Show the real you to the world.
• Avoid sharing your baggage or issues because an online profile is not the place to discuss childhood trauma, although it is OK to discuss these topics later with a partner (but still not on a first date).

Create Curiosity

• Share just enough information to create curiosity.

Check Spelling And Grammar

• It’s important to check the grammar and spelling in your profile before publishing it, because many people are turned off by mistakes and think it’s sloppy.
• A tiny typo isn’t an issue. However, multiple mistakes can make others think you don’t care.
• For some people, grammar and spelling errors are a pet peeve.

Your profile is one of the most important parts of finding love online, so use these tips to make it interesting and fun to read.

Photo Tips

Your photo is one of the first things people notice online – they may only spend a few minutes scanning the text, but they always pay attention to pictures, so bear these photo tips in mind:

Use A Recent Photo

• Add a recent photo to your online profile and avoid choosing one that is old or unflattering.
• Nobody wants an unpleasant surprise on a first date, so it’s important to use a recent picture – people should be able to recognize you easily in it.
• It’s a good idea to include several recent photos.
• You want people to see the real you, so avoid using filters or Photoshop.

Avoid Using Photos With Friends

• Although it’s fine to post photos with friends on social media, you want to avoid doing this on your online profile because people want to see you and not a group of friends.
• It’s sometimes difficult to figure out who is who in group photos, which could confuse potential dates.
• Group photos may also show a lack of confidence.

Avoid Inappropriate Photos

• Some online dating sites will take down inappropriate photos and block the profiles.
• You can send the wrong impression to potential dates.
• Revealing photos can make you look desperate and/or only interested in sex, which can also lead to inaccurate expectations on first dates.

Use Photos That Show Activity

• Activity photos (e.g. hiking, travelling) can help potential dates get to know you better because they can show them a different side of your personality.
• Consider using photos from trips or vacations.

Think About Including Pets

• If pets are a big part of your life, consider including them in your photos.
• However, avoid putting pets in every single picture you post.
• It’s important to have a variety of pictures with pets and without them.

Include At Least One Body Shot

• Some people skip profiles without any body shots.
• A photo showing all of you that is fully clothed is a good addition to the profile because some people get worried when the only photos they see are close-ups of your face.
• A body shot lets them know you have nothing to hide.
• It also shows that you have confidence in your looks.

Photos can make or break your online profile, so always use recent photos that reveal the real you.

Messaging Tips

Most online dating websites include the option to message potential dates, which means you’ll want to master this part of the dating world too.

Your messages can either convince somebody to date you, or they can make them run away screaming, so you’ll need to consider these messaging tips:

Reply Within A Reasonable Time

• Messaging on a dating website isn’t the place to play hard to get.
• Reply within a reasonable amount of time because your potential date will move on if they don’t get an answer – making them wait will not make you more desirable.
• Try to reply to messages within 24 hours unless you’re traveling or extremely busy (in which case it’s worth apologizing and explaining why you didn’t reply sooner).
• Be considerate of others, but you can skip replying to spam messages.

Have Reasonable Expectations

• Give others a chance to respond to your message before getting angry.
• Keep in mind that some people create dating profiles and don’t check them every day.
• Wait for a response to your first message before sending more.
• Avoid expecting them to drop everything and message somebody who is effectively still a stranger. They may have work, school or other obligations that keep them busy.
• Don’t assume they aren’t interested in you if you don’t hear back right away.

Wait Before Messaging Your Number

• Before sharing your personal phone number, exchange multiple messages on the dating website.
• By getting to know somebody in a safe, controlled environment, you’re less likely to make mistakes, and in addition, you’re able to ask more questions.
• Once somebody has your phone number, it’s harder to get rid of them.

Avoid Giving Out Too Much Personal Information

• It’s okay to talk about your work or hobbies with a potential date, but be careful about what you share, because giving out too much personal information may be dangerous.
• Avoid sharing your address, birthdate, or work location until you really know the other person.
• Never share your social security number, banking information, credit cards, or anything that might typically be used as an online password (e.g. mother’s maiden name, pet names, place of birth) with strangers on dating sites because they may be scammers trying to steal your information.
• Never post your images of you passport, driver’s license, or birth certificate online.
• Your personal information needs to stay private, and you should never feel pressured to share it.

Watch Your Language

• Keep your language casual and warm without being presumptuous.
• Emoticons and slang are normal parts of messaging.
• Having said that, avoid cursing or other things that can make a potential date uncomfortable – at least until you get to know them better.

Remember That Texts Aren’t Love

• It’s easy to get lost in the text messages on an online dating website, but remember that they’re just one small part of a relationship.
• Some people send messages without wanting a serious relationship.
• Loving texts don’t always translate into love in the real world.
• Keep in mind that some people find it easier to text than to talk on a phone or in person.

Messaging another person on an online dating site can help you get to know them. Take advantage of this feature to get to know someone before meeting them in person.

Avoid Catfishing And Other Dangers

Online dating can be a fun way to meet new people and potential love interests, but it does have a dangerous side – there are many dangers in the online dating world that can put you at risk.

From scammers who want to steal your personal information to catfishers who lie about their identity, you really never know who you’re dealing with during your initial contacts, so it’s vital that you are careful.

For your own safety, keep these tips in mind:

Understand Catfishing

• Catfishing means luring another person into a relationship by using a fake identity online.
• Catfishing is one of the most common issues with online dating.
• Some people use fake photos and information to start relationships. They may take these situations to extremes and will even set up dates.
• There are many reasons why somebody may use catfishing. For some, it’s a game and a joke. For others, it’s a twisted way to exploit people.

Always Meet In Public

• Avoid meeting in private or secluded areas.
• Always meet a potential date in a well-known public place with a lot of people.
• Ensure your friends or family know where you’ll meet the person.
• Consider taking a trusted friend with you on your first date, so you’re not alone, if not to be physically with you, at least to be in sight of you.

Avoid Falling For Scams

• There are many online dating scams that scammers use to get money out of strangers – or from you!
• The scammers may pretend to have an emergency or a sick family member. They may ask for money to see a doctor or visit a friend. They may even pretend to have cancer.
• Another common scam is to ask for money to come see you.
• Some scammers pretend they don’t have money but are madly in love with you, so they may even ask for money to buy a plane ticket or get a visa.
• Refuse to send money to strangers, even if they claim to love you.

Always Investigate

• It’s important to do some investigating before meeting a person you found online.
• Do a search for their name and picture online.
• Try to find and check out their social media accounts and websites to see who they’re connected to online and what they post.

Remember these tips to stay safe, alert, and avoid the dangers that can lie in wait for you through online dating sites.

Conclusion

Online dating can certainly help you meet a potential partner, but for your best and safest experience:

1. Create an interesting, true-to-life profile with recent pictures.
2. Learn to use messaging correctly.
3. Get to know potential dates before meeting in a public place.
4. Be alert to dangers like scammers and catfishing.

Keep these tips in mind and enjoy your online dating adventures.

Who knows? You could meet the partner of your dreams and live happily ever after!

And lastly, my late wife and I met and dated online, albeit not in the usual way, so you might like to read our story, which has other factors you might want to consider.