Online Dating: 30 Advantages & Tips To Upgrade Your Dates!

We all want to find “the one” but dating in real life is can be super stressful at times. You’re taking so much time and money for someone that’s not even compatible with you. Are there even advantages to online dating? And does it even matter?

Cue in Tinder, OkCupid, Match.com, and a ton of other dating apps that seem to have popped in existence like mushrooms on decayed wood. There’s still plenty of skeptics out there who aren’t totally convinced about the benefits of online dating, but these dating apps all seem to be unstoppable. They’re easy to find, all you need to do is search them up in your mobile app store. They’ve certainly changed the arena of the dating game. Just a few swipes and voilà! You got yourself a match!

We understand that this venture on finding love in a digital space can be scary. So, to help you shine in a sea of profiles, we’ve listed the advantages of online dating profiles and tips you can use for your benefit. Keep reading to learn more!

Advantages of Online Dating

If you’re one of the skeptics who’s not totally convinced yet that this thing is worth giving a try, here are some of the advantages of online dating that could totally change your mind.

1You can do it anytime, anywhere.

One of the obvious advantages of online dating is that you don’t even have to go out! It’s dating in the comforts of your home. You don’t have to go through the hassle of choosing which clothes to wear, making sure your makeup is on point and wearing high-heeled shoes just so you look your best. As long as you have a good internet connection, you’re good to go. It’s especially helpful if you’re someone who hates the hustle and bustle of coffee shops and malls, where let’s face it, dates usually happen.

Another benefit of online dating is that it’s very easy and convenient to do! They are useful for people who are always on the go. There’s no need for you to make allowances in your busy schedule just so you can meet your date at a movie theater. Or to leave work during lunch for a quick lunch date. We don’t always have time for that. With online dating, you date at your own convenient time. Doesn’t matter whether it’s midnight, noon, or daybreak, you can online date whenever you’re free and available.

2Dating apps help you meet people that match your personality.

Dating apps are also bringing their A-game, ensuring to bring more advantages to the online dating space. Most apps have personality tests now, making sure that you’re matched with someone compatible for you– heck they even use astrology as a basis of matching now.

Not only does online dating sites let you fine-tune your preferred age, gender, and location of your matches, they also give you the freedom to add your hobbies and interests to your profile. It then finds you potential matches who share the same hobbies as you.

That way, you already got something in common with your match. If you want to further refine your searches, all you gotta do is add more and more hobbies and interests. Some apps even allow you to input your preferred height and religion of your matches.

Aside from the personality tests and matching algorithm, online dating apps also let you get the initial vibe of that person by being able to have quick chats with them.

3You can also meet like-minded people.

Being able to list and specify what you are looking for in a person will give you the chance to meet someone similar to yourself. If your beliefs are important to you and you happen to be part of a community where your culture or spiritual beliefs are in the minority, then online dating can introduce you to people who share the same belief systems.

4It’s great to use for introverts.

If you are shy or introverted, then online dating sites are a godsend! Being able to express who you are in the form of pictures, video messages, gifs  and profiles means that you have time to think through what you want to say about yourself and to share it with other people without the pressure of having to cover it all in a brief encounter.

5You and the people you meet can be open for what you’re looking for.

Unlike meeting someone by chance and hitting it off, people on dating sites are open about what they are looking for and what’s important to them. This tends to remove a lot of the uncertainty which you might have in the initial stages of the relationship. For example, questions such as “Are you interested in marriage? Are children important to you? Is my religion incompatible with yours?” can be brought up very early in the relationship and answered openly.

6It provides a safe initial interaction.

Aside from being hella convenient, one of the obvious advantages of online dating is that you can safely meet strangers. Though it’s fun to meet new people at bars and events, you’re not really sure about who you’re dealing with there. As for online dating, you get to filter out the ones that you feel some creepy vibes with. If they started talking weird or being too aggressive, you can simply click the unmatch button– or report them to the app authorities for good measure.

7It doesn’t take much of your time.

One of the advantages of online dating is that it doesn’t consume that much time. Just download the dating app of your choice and you can already start looking for dates. Maybe throw in really good photos of you in there, write a short but fun bio that shows off your personality, and you got yourself a dating profile. It’s that easy. Doesn’t even take you longer than 15 minutes. After that, the ball is rolling and you just swipe for your potential matches.

8It reduces the awkwardness on the first date.

Eventually, you need to meet in person if everything works out fine. But you don’t have to do that right away. Not everyone is gifted with the gift of gab. Some of us are awkward pickles and don’t really want to be put in an unfamiliar situation where we’re meeting our date at a coffee shop and we don’t fucking know what we’re supposed to do or say to break the ice.

Online dating saves you from sticky situations like that. You can start out with just exchanging texts, then maybe calls as you progress. And only when you’re really comfy with each other do you meet up.

9It sharpens your texting game.

This is one of those subtle advantages of online dating, but can really help you in the long run. If you’re not exactly confident with talking in person, you can still win your matches by having a good texting game. If you know how to respond coolly without sounding arrogant, then you’re already at an advantage. They’re going to keep coming back for more of your witty responses. This can also amp up your confidence, making you more sociable in the long run.

10There’s no running out of choices.

One of the key advantages of online dating is that you’re never running out of choices. Now, we don’t mean that you should date tons of people even if you’re already dating someone else. What we mean is that online dating prevents you from fixating on just one person. If that person stops giving much effort, you can just call it quits and find someone that truly appreciates you.

If choices are what you want, then the choices you shall have. The benefit of online dating is that it’s a never-ending list of potential matches. And they’re not just people from around your block, there are also people coming from another country. All you have to do is tweak the settings and adjust the distance of your preferred matches to a wider scope. You never know, the person you’re meant to be with may actually be someone who doesn’t share the same culture as you. And just by statistics alone, the bigger your dating pool is, the higher your chances of success.

11You’ll save a ton of money!

You save a lot of money with online dating. Aside from the fact that online dating sites and apps usually cost you nothing, you also don’t have to spend a dime for your dates.

Dating in real life can be expensive, you know. Even if you’re a cheapskate, you would still need to spend money on your train ticket or for your gas to get there. And even if it’s walking distance, you’d still have to pay for that lunch or coffee you ordered. Not to mention, you may want to get yourself a new dress for your date. Little things like that can add up. The next thing you know, you’ve already spent more than you want to. The worst part? Your date may not even be worth it at all. So if you want a more affordable way of interacting with a potential partner, you may opt for some virtual interactions first.

12There’s very little to no pressure.

One of the subtle advantages of online dating is that you’re not as pressured as compared to real-life dating. When dating in real life, you tend to feel this heavy pressure on your shoulders. Especially when you’re dating someone you really like. You’re afraid to say or do the wrong thing that may ruin your chances. You become a little stiff because you’re so conscious of your actions.

But with online dating, since you start out with being virtual strangers with each other, you can just be casual and have fun with the conversation. You don’t have to watch your actions so you can be more yourself.

13Making the first move is a breeze.

If the thought of making the first move in real life gets you queasy, then why not practice doing it online first. You’re hidden behind a screen so you’re less likely to get nervous. And since most dating apps and sites let you connect via chatting with each other, then you have the time to think about forming a good response that isn’t going to make you feel like a total creep for making the first move.

14It lets you meet people outside of your social circle.

Admit it, you barely interact with anyone who’s not in your social circle. You usually just stick to your group of friends from college or hang around at a bar after office hours with your officemates. And that’s fine.

But from time to time, it doesn’t hurt to get out of our comfort zone and meet someone outside of your social circle. That’s when online dating comes in.

One of the main advantages of online dating is that you get the chance to meet a lot of people with just a swipe of the finger. Because of the diverse people joining and making dating profile accounts by the hour, it’s not hard to imagine that you can have a match who’s coming from a totally different background and social circle as you.

15You can be as picky as you want.

Another great thing about online dating is that you can filter out your potential dates and not be judged by it. Let’s be real here, if you were been set up by your friends by someone that you don’t really vibe with, would you actually get up and leave the date? Most of you would say no and probably endure an hour of talking to this person.

On the other hand, when you’re at an online dating site or app, you can narrow down your search by setting a certain standard. It can be about the pictures they uploaded. Maybe you don’t like the ways he’s wearing his cap. Or it’s his cocky bio that puts you off. Or perhaps the way he says hello in your inbox just doesn’t sit right with you. If they don’t make the cut, then it’s totally fine to swipe left or skip them. Don’t feel that you’re being too harsh, because they’re also doing the same. That’s just the way online dating works.

Online Dating Tips

As you’ve learned about the advantages of online dating, we can sense the excitement to get into the virtual dating space. However, before you start installing tinder, bumble, and OkCupid on your phone, make sure to check and follow these tips. This will ensure that you’re using these apps to your full advantage.

1Be direct and list down the things you’re looking for in a relationship.

As we’ve mentioned earlier, one of the advantages of online dating is that you never run out of matches. However, that can be a disadvantage if you don’t know how to manage it.

So before you get overwhelmed with hundreds of matches on the dating app, it’s best to list down the things that you want in a relationship. You can also include your core values, interests, and other things that you want in a partner. By doing this, you’ll be able to narrow down the people that you want to swipe right with.

2Do your research.

If you want to reap the advantages of online dating, researching is the key! You need to research the best online dating apps for your demographic. Then, you need to research the person you’re dating. Now, we don’t promote online stalking here– what we mean is research the person and see if they’re legit or not. A quick google or google image search will do the trick.

3Keep things in perspective.

Don’t make your search for a relationship the center of your life. Concentrate on activities you enjoy, your career, health, and relationships with family and friends. When you focus on keeping yourself happy, it will keep your life balanced and make you a more interesting person when you do meet someone special.

4Present your style and personality in your profile.

Most dating experts will tell you to find the right angles and put up the best lighting when taking photos for your dating profile. However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to presenting yourself on dating apps. It’s best to present your “vibe” through your profile. Are you a film geek? Gamer? Likes to drink and watch gigs? Do you love to bake? Show photos of those interests.

Of course, you can’t be categorized into just one thing, but having a specific style in your bio will help you find matches that are looking for that particular person. For example, you wanted a person that is into mobile gaming, so you show some photos from conventions and even include in your bio that you love this particular game. Of course, people that are interested in that game will most likely swipe right on you, as compared to having a neutral profile.

5Show your best features!

Show off your best features and build up your confidence! Got a dazzling smile? Show that on your profile photo. And always make sure you look well-groomed and fresh on your photo. No one wants to see messy, frizzy hair on their date prospects right? Experiment with your angles to find out your best side.

6Don’t go for a certain “type”.

You might think you’d prefer tall guys over short guys but you’ll never really know. When you find the right person, looks may come in second and you may fall for something else and special that they have. Keep an open mind and be kind to whoever type of person you meet online.

7You can always take a break.

You could always try online dating but it’s also important to take a breather from time to time. If you need some time to consider a situation,you can always kindly excuse yourself to your date. Allow yourself to regroup after the bad and appreciate the good.

8Save the deep conversation points in real life.

One of the advantages of online dating is that you get to chat with your date anytime, anywhere. However, there’s still magic in real-life dates as it lets you connect with that partner more deeply. That’s why it’s best to save deeper conversations in real life. Talk about family, friendships, and hardships in person. You’re not just getting to know this person, you’re also forming a stronger bond with them.

9Focus outward, not inward.

To help you with your first-date nerves, focus your attention on what your date is saying and doing and what’s going on around you, rather than on your internal thoughts. Staying fully present in the moment will help take your mind off worries and insecurities.

10Meet up in a safe, public place.

We get that the person you’re chatting with right now is the sweetest person ever. But here’s the thing, you can never be sure about that. And considering how things are now, you’d want to meet healthy conditions. Plus, you have to meet a person who has safe and clear intentions with you. With that, make sure to meet with this person in  safe, public space. Say no to “Netflix-and-chill” dates unless you’re sure that this person is safe to be with.

11Communicate honestly.

Good communication is a key part of any relationship. When both people know what they want from the relationship and feel comfortable expressing their needs, fears, and desires, it can increase trust and strengthen the bond between you.

12Pay attention.

Make an effort to truly listen to the other person. By paying close attention to what they say, do, and how they interact, you’ll quickly get to know them. Little things go a long way, such as remembering someone’s preferences, the stories they’ve told you, and what’s going on in their life.

13Focus on having fun

Online dating, and matchmaking services like speed dating are enjoyable for some people, but for others they can feel more like high-pressure job interviews. And whatever dating experts might tell you, there is a big difference between finding the right career and finding lasting love. Instead of scouring dating sites or hanging out in pick-up bars, think of your time as a single person as a great opportunity to expand your social circle and participate in new events.

Make having fun your focus. By pursuing activities you enjoy and putting yourself in new environments, you’ll meet new people who share similar interests and values. Even if you don’t find someone special, you will still have enjoyed yourself and maybe forged new friendships as well.

14You can respectfully disagree.

When you’re in a date you may end up talking about your beliefs and different topics. You may end up having conflicting opinions on these matters. Use “I” statements to communicate how you feel, what you think, and what you want or need. And avoid putting down their point of view and stay calm. Appreciate that they’re sharing their views and in doing so you may find common ground.

15If you encounter it, handle rejection with grace.

At some point, everyone looking for love is going to have to deal with rejection—both as the person being rejected and the person doing the rejecting. It’s an inevitable part of dating, and never fatal. By staying positive and being honest with yourself and others, handling rejection can be far less intimidating. The key is to accept that rejection is an inevitable part of dating but to not spend too much time worrying about it. It’s never fatal.

Takeaway

Dating apps may not be perfect, but it can’t be denied that there are tons of advantages to online dating. It gives you complete control over what pace you’re most comfortable with. It’s totally up to you whether you want to take the time to get to know each other first before setting up a date in real life.

So before you make a pass for it, give it a try first and see if it works for you. It can definitely be a wild and crazy world but as long as you remember to have fun, then there’s nothing for you to lose. If you’re interested to read more articles, feel free to check more relationship articles here in the Lauvette blog!