When it comes to online dating, there is a wealth of dating sites out there to keep you at your computer looking for the ideal date. But what do you really need to know about totally free internet dating sites? Are they safe to use? Do they have a high success rate? We take a look behind the scenes at what really goes on at several totally free internet dating sites.

Problem #1: Who Is Using It?

Some people use totally free internet dating sites to find love or marriage. Others search for friendship. Others want casual sex. Some people use totally free internet dating sites to post stupid or abusive messages, or just to kill their own long and boring hours. Whereas you are genuinely looking for a date and a partner. Don’t waste your time reading these many adverts. It might cost more to sign up to a proper dating website, but at least you know everyone there is genuine!

Problem #2: It’s Free, So Anyone Else Can Use It!

Some totally free internet dating sites just mean that you could be wasting your time and effort. Many free singles dating sites have a lot of traffic and many people making posts constantly. But when you look at these sites over the weeks and months, you realise that it is often the same people making the same posts. Nothing comes for free in life really. Rather than looking at hundreds of dating adverts which aren’t very descriptive, if you go to a proper dating site which is monitored, you can view profiles of serious daters and actually get somewhere with your love life, instead of wasting time.

Problem #3: Spam And Time Wasters!

Even though free singles dating sites are not monitored in the same way that proper dating sites are, the website is still crawled for explicit content and spamming. Unfortunately, you will still come across it. And, every time you respond to an advert that you think is a genuine dater, you could be giving out your details to yet another spam company. Yes, that means more Viagra emails straight to your inbox. Unless you’ve already subscribed to those already!

You won’t get anywhere with internet dating unless you have a decent online profile. Whether its some the great totally free internet dating sites or a subscription service, first impressions do count, and in the internet dating world, it’s your online profile which gives that all important initial image. So what are the most important things you should include in your profile for it to be a successful representation of you? We’ve got the answers!

1. Include important details.
Key details include your age, location and job. These are important factors that will define whether someone wants to date you. If you lie about them or don’t include them in your profile, then you could just be wasting potential daters’ time, as well as your own!

2. Use a recent photo.
Looks are not the be all and end all, but they are important. Most people like to know who they are talking to, and will want to see what you look like. Again, if you’re honest from the beginning, then you won’t be wasting anyone’s time. Imagine meeting up with someone you thought looked a certain way, but when you met it transpired that they actually looked a lot different. You might be disappointed, and you might feel that the person had lied to you.

3. Explain your interests and hobbies.
Ideally, you want to write a three or four paragraphs about yourself that define your life, hobbies, job and priorities. Talk about what you enjoy doing and why. Write about what you do at the weekend and places you like to go. Try to cram in as much information about yourself as possible, but without rambling on.

4. Do NOT moan!
You see some online profiles which rant about how people are unfair, judgmental or fake. None of this is attractive or will get any positive responses. Be light hearted, and people will warm to you.

5. Don’t expect too much.
You’re looking for the right person, not the first person that comes along. Don’t get disheartened if your profile hasn’t grabbed anyone’s attention yet. The right person might not have found you yet. Stay positive and keep looking!

Free Internet Dating is a remarkable tool which has only really become a possibility since the popularity of the internet. There are some distinct advantages and disadvantages to it, compared with paying for internet dating. This article will walk you through just why free internet dating can be so good… And why it can be so bad!

Free Internet Dating Advantages
 

• It’s free!
   
• You think you can meet people quickly and easily.
   
• You don’t feel that you have wasted any money if you do not find a date.
   
• You do not always have to fill out an extensive profile.
   
• You do not have to feel the sense of urgency to find a date before your subscription runs out.
   
• You can laugh at all of the other thousands – literally – of adverts on the free Internet dating website, which people invariably submit since it is free!

Free Internet Dating Disadvantages
 

• It’s free for everyone else too – including time wasters, scammers and the insane!
   
• Many people will post adverts without being genuine, so you will spot an advert that you like the sound of and write a reply to it, yet you may never get a response
   
• The whole of the internet has access to it. Thus, it is highly possible that a colleague or ex-partner will come across your advert. Cue: embarrassment!
   
• You are less likely to find a serious date. C’mon let’s face it, if someone is serious about internet dating, then they will happily pay a small sign up fee to kick start it.

Online dating statistics in fact show that 29% of singles believe internet dating sites are a “great way to find love.”

Online dating statistics also show that there’s a 50:50 chance that any single person you know is logging on to find love. It’s also a fairly even split with who uses internet dating: 52% of men and 48% of women admit to giving it a go in the last 12 months.

Online dating statistics tell us that only 57% of singles reckon it’s a socially acceptable way to find a relationship, although 25% vehemently disagree.

Online dating statistics also show that 39% of people will simply sit and wait for the right partner to come along.

Online dating statistics have revealed that those aged 30-40 years old are in the fastest-growing group of online daters, since they realize their social networks are diminishing. People older than that have proven to use the method less, however, due to the random approach dating sites take.

Interestingly, online dating statistics have shown us that 75% of current single people have NOT had a serious relationship in 12 months. Worse, 53% had been without a serious relationship in over three years! Regarding the amount of people online daters pursue in a year, online dating statistics have shown that men will date four partners in a year, whilst women will date three.

It’s becoming more and more common to find a partner by using the internet. To have success with online dating, you need to make sure you have done the following things:

1. Join a good dating agency.

Search around for these, and seek out one which suits your needs. There are all kinds of specialist ones available. Many are free to use as well, but bear in mind that these are open to anyone to use, so you might run into time wasters or spammers. Others charge you a service charge per month. If you’re serious about dating and find love, then this is definitely worth your while.

2. Write a good online profile.

Fill in as many details as you can, and be as honest about yourself as you can. Deceiving potential dates will only lead to disappointment, so give clear details about who you are, what you are looking for and what you hope to achieve from online dating. Use a clear and recent photo as well, to ensure that potential dates know who they are talking to!

3. Keep your personal details private.

Don’t give out your phone numbers, email address, home address or any other personal information until you are sure you feel comfortable and confident that you know the other person. We don’t need to go into the dangers and annoyances of identity theft!

4. Respond appropriately.

If you’re serious about meeting a date, of finding love, on the internet, then take the time to respond to messages carefully and articulately. Short, rude or copy-and-pasted messages will not go down well with your potential partner!
 

If you look at any dating site for singles, you will notice several things. Firstly, there are thousands of profiles on them. Secondly, most of the profiles aren’t filled out correctly. This means that many of the profiles get ignored by potential dates. A dating site for singles is simply there as a means for you to get in contact with other singles, but you have to do the leg work! Our tips will help you use your dating site for singles to its best capacity.

Tip 1: Make your profile stand out.

There are so many profiles on your dating site, that yours needs to stand out for potential dates to notice it. If you are able to customise it with colours or icons, then do! Make sure you fill out all the boxes too!

Tip 2: Be specific.

The more specific you are, the more likely you are to find a suitable date. If you just write “I like movies, eating out and sports” then any responses you get will be equally vague. Most people like movies, eating out and some kind of sports, so that isn’t specific enough. It might be better to write something like “I enjoy scary films (the old classics are my favourites!) and cooking Chinese food. I play hockey in a local team, and follow the Red Sox.”

Tip 3: On A Dating Site For Singles Be clear about what you’re looking for.

If you want to casually date a number of people, make sure that your profile states that, and doesn’t give the impression that you’re looking for a serious relationship.

Tip 4: Upload recent photographs.

Yes, you may not be as young, fresh-faced or thin as you once were, but there’s no point in lying about it! Use a flattering, recent photograph that shows you at your best. It’s best to avoid using any photos with other people in them too. If you deceive anyone about what you really look like, you’re just setting them – and you – up for disappointment.

Fact # 1: Internet dating is becoming more popular.

As more and more people are getting online, internet dating is becoming increasingly popular. It is now at an all time high. It’s quick, easy, anonymous if you want it to be, and can reach millions of potential daters.

Fact # 2: Internet dating still has a stigma attached to it.

Although it’s lessening, the stigma attached to internet dating is still present. It has less of an organic feel about it. It’s not very romantic. Many people dream of a setting where they meet their perfect partner off chance. Internet dating suggests that you are actively looking for a date and trawling through adverts, mentally putting each applicant in a ‘yes’, ‘no’, or ‘maybe’. And then there’s the inevitably awkwardness of when you first meet. And the fact that you both have probably done this before. It’s hardly ‘catching her eye over a crowded room’ type stuff, eh?

Fact # 3: It’s quite possible to find your perfect partner via internet dating.

There’s every possibility that you WILL find your perfect partner online. It depends how open minded you are, and how actively you are seeking a date. It also depends on how much information you give out in your personal advert, and the quality of photo you attach to it. As most dating sites require you to write a profile about your interests and what you are looking for, it absolutely necessary that you can articulate yourself.

Fact # 4: Our social circles are growing smaller.

With the surge of email, social networks and the opportunity of doing almost anything online, our true social circles are getting smaller. Many of us have ‘friends’ who we have met online, yet don’t even know our neighbors’ names. We work long hours, take part in fewer community activities, and spend our free time using the internet. This leaves many people feeling lonely and resorting to online dating.
 

Dating online is a minefield of exciting opportunities, disastrous moments, wonderful people, and downright oddballs. But, if you go into dating online with an open mind and a positive outlook, you are guaranteed to enjoy the experience and get something out of it. There are some key points to remember when dating online so we’ve got some top tips for you to go by.

Dating Online Tip 1: Work out what you want.

If you just fancy having a look to see who you can meet, then don’t get involved with anyone too seriously. Bear in mind that people who you meet through dating online might have different preconceptions to you.

Dating Online Tip 2: Be kind.

If someone contacts you through your dating online profile, and you don’t want to pursue any involvement with them, just politely let them know. Don’t keep people hanging. Treat everyone as you wish to be treated.

Dating Online Tip 3: Stay open minded.

It’s quite possible that through dating online you meet someone who doesn’t immediately appeal to you. Yet, give it time, and you may find that you have plenty in common. As in real life, don’t dismiss someone until you’re certain that they are not for you.

Dating Online Tip 4: Use a photo

All research categorically shows that dating online profiles which have a photo – or multiple photos – are more successful. People like to know who they’re talking to, so if you want to have successful dating online experiences, know that you’ll get much further in talking to people if you have a photo ready to share.

Dating Online Tip 5: Define between the internet and real life

Sometimes you can meet someone online who appears to be your perfect match. There’s every possibility that they are. However, bear in mind also that whilst using the internet people can monitor what they show you about themselves. Perhaps your internet date has put on 30lbs since the photo they send you, or maybe they have a raucous laugh. You don’t truly know someone until you have spent ample time with them in their company.

Dating Online Tip 6: Have fun

Enjoy dating online, but don’t let it become your life. Your ideal partner is out there. You may find them in a chat room, but you may run into them in your local shop too. Enjoy dating online, but don’t forget the real world!

It has been widely reported that even though internet dating is becoming increasingly popular, there are many dangers linked to it. It’s important to remember that plenty of people have successes and find love using online dating websites, but equally there are nightmare stories too. Read our guide on how to stay safe!

1. Don’t believe everything you’re told.

It sounds pessimistic, but it’s entirely necessary. You may think you’re chatting away to a business owner in California, but until you have met your internet friend, you really don’t know who they are. It’s very easy to get sucked into believing an internet friend or date is our ideal person, because our imagination allows us to create a perfect image. In real life, everyone has their negative sides.

2. Don’t give out personal details.

Giving out addresses, phone numbers, personal email addresses or other details have led to problems with people using dating websites in the past. Even if you decide that you no longer want to be in contact with your internet date, they could still contact you, which has potential to ruin later relationships. It may be tempting to give out your phone number, but do NOT do it until you are certain you want this person to be able to contact you at any stage!

3. Understand you could be talking to anyone.

One of the primary features which draws people to using the internet when dating is the aspect of anonymity. Thousands of people use free dating sites purely to strike up email friendships or just to see if they get much interest. Since you can set up an online profile so easily, many people do it on a whim without any real intention of ever meeting someone or taking the internet relationship into real life. This could leave you feeling very disappointed after wasting time looking through these adverts and carefully writing your response.

4. Meeting in person.

This holds untold amounts of danger. Again, thousands of people meet friends and partners through the internet and then go on to meet in real life, very successfully. However, there are occasional cases where meeting an internet ‘friend’ in real life offers far more danger. If you do choose to meet an internet friend, make sure it is somewhere public and open, with lots of people around.