PRO's and CON's of Online Dating

People have mixed feelings about online dating. Some people have great experiences with online dating that end in satisfying relationships. Others have stories filled with confusion and frustration. Therefore, much like any other way to date, meeting someone online has both its benefits and drawbacks.

So, how does someone date online successfully? In this article we provide you with a simple analysis of the pros and cons of online dating that can help you out a great deal. There is enough research to have put together a reliable analysis.

Online Dating Explored

A 2012 study put together an extremely comprehensive review of the literature investigating various aspects of online dating. The goal of the study was to evaluate whether online dating was 

1) fundamentally different from face-to-face dating and 

2) was superior. 

Results of their assessment indicated that dating online was indeed different from "traditional" dating in a number of ways. It also provided some superior features and potential problems.

Overall, the study found that online dating differed in three main areas:

1) Access

Pros: Online dating provided individuals with access to many more potential partners than they could often find in their daily lives. This is especially true for individuals interested in partners of a particular type, orientation, lifestyle, or in isolated areas. 

Cons: The choices of partners can become confusing and overwhelming. Without a clear plan, online daters can get stuck endlessly "shopping" for the perfect partner, rather than actually starting a satisfying relationship. 'You need a game plan', says online Women's health magazine. It is not a race, take your time, chat often, use camshare, and with as many man as possible, and take notes.

2) Matching

Pros: Many online dating sites offer various types of personality testing and matching. Such matching can help guide individuals toward dating partners who may be more compatible.

Cons: Matching is a difficult process and testing may not be accurate for everyone. In addition, people may present differently in person or change over time. So, matching may overlook potentially good partners in the process. Giving detailed information in your profile helps you find the right match, read the men's profiles and have as many chats as possible before agreeing to meet. Remember one of you has to take a rather long journey so take your time and try to get to know the person better through the various communication methods Nymphs of Calypso gives you online.

3) Communication

Pros: Online dating offers a number of ways to get to know a potential date before meeting in person. Such computer-mediated communication allows for safe and convenient interaction, without much risk or time commitment. For the busy professional, or the safety-conscious, such communication is an excellent way to "test" potential partners. Do not fall in the trap of trying to give too much personal information until you are absolutely sure you want to take it to the next level with this person.

Cons: Communication through computers is lacking some of the information provided in face-to-face interaction. As a result, it is harder to evaluate a potential match online. Also, some of the cues and features that build attraction (like touching) cannot be accomplished through a computer. So, such computer-mediated communication may have an artificial and unemotional quality. Through our camshare experience much of this difficulty is mitigated, however when the time is right your online experience should lead to an actual date.

Using Online Dating to Your Advantage

The features of online dating definitely has its benefits. So, how do you make the most of your dating experience online?

• Access - Having choices is wonderful. If you want an actual face-to-face dating interaction, chat with as many men as possible and don't be discouraged. Make a wish list and take notes. To ensure success among your many options, make sure you have at least a general idea of what you're looking for in a partner, and what you are offering them too. 
• Matching - Online tests may not be able to tell you your perfect match, but they can help narrow down the options. In particular, such testing often identifies potential daters who would be a poor relationship partner for anyone. Therefore, while
  
  you may have to videochat  a few men to find out who is a good fit for you, matching can help you avoid those who might be a disaster. Beyond that, it might be best to trust your unconscious feelings too as your implicit "gut reactions" can have a big impact on attraction.
• Communication - Online communication is designed to make an initial connection, not set the foundation for a whole relationship. So, keep initial online conversation focused on finding out the basics quickly. Generally, a few short letters or quick conversations will suffice. 

Conclusion

Overall, it is important to remember that online dating is a resource to meet individuals for eventual face-to-face dating. Have a game plan, take notes, take advantage of the great choices and make many interactions. Our team of professionals will be helping you all the way, with ideas for a successful profile and letter writing.  Have you registered yet? Register Now