Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Online dating offers a great way to meet new people, and if you approach it the right way you have every chance of finding whatever (or perhaps we should say whoever) it is you are looking for. On this page we provide a few useful tips to help you along the way and also highlight a few of the mistakes that you should avoid. Although much of the advice here is covered in more detail elsewhere on the site, take a look at our online dating guide to see everything we offer. The information here serves as a quick overview about the “dos and don’ts” of online dating.

Online Dating Tips

1. Just Give It a Go

If you are interested in online dating but have some reservations, just take the plunge and go for it. You really do have nothing to lose and you will never know what opportunities you could be missing out on if you don’t give it a go. A lot of people that try online dating wish they had tried it sooner, so why wait?

2. Use a Decent Dating Site

There are many dating sites to choose from, and some of them are much better than others. Spend a bit of time looking into the different options, read some reviews, and make sure you sign up at a reputable site.

3. Get the Best Value

Most dating sites offer a significant discount if you take a subscription for several months instead of just one. The chances are you will end up paying for a few months anyway, so take advantage of the extra value and invest in a longer subscription at the outset.

4. Consider Multiple Sites

It can be a good idea to sign up at more than one dating site. This is by no means essential, but it is worth considering as you might well increase your chances of finding someone that you want to get to know better.

5. Create a Good First Impression

Your dating profile is the first impression that other people will have of you, so take some time to make it an accurate and detailed reflection of who you really are. A bit of effort will pay off as you are far more likely to be contacted if you create a thorough and interesting profile.

6. Be Proactive

Don’t just sign up at a dating site and wait for the messages to flood in. You probably will get your fair share of messages, but make sure you send some of your own too. Take a look through some profiles, highlight the ones that interest you, and get in touch.

7. Tell the Truth

Be honest in all your communication. This applies to your profile, any messages you send, and anything you say on a date. There is no point in trying to be someone you are not as it just won’t work out in the long run.

Common Online Dating Mistakes

1. Making Negative Comments

When you are writing your online profile or sending a message to someone, keep your comments positive. Being humble or modest is one thing, but don’t feel the need to go too far and talk yourself down. Always focus on the positive and you will generally make a much better impression on people.

2. Giving Up Quickly

Although you might be lucky enough to sign up at a dating site and meet that special someone straight away, it takes a bit longer for most people. It is all too easy to give up if you don’t meet anyone in the first few weeks, but it is usually worth persevering and seeing what happens.

3. Being Too Choosy

There is nothing wrong with being clear about you want, but try not to strive for absolute perfection. If someone lives a little bit further away than you would like for example, or is a couple of years older than is ideal, don’t be afraid to give things a go if they tick most of your boxes. Just because you make contact with someone you are not under any obligation to take things any further, so be prepared to take a chance on someone.

4. Going Too Fast or Too Slow

If you do happen to meet someone that you think could be an ideal match for you, make sure that you take things at a pace that suits you both. If you are really interested in meeting up, then you should feel free to let them know – they might just feel the same and be waiting for you to suggest it. By the same token, don’t put unnecessary pressure on someone if they are more comfortable taking things slow.