3 reasons why online dating is better than traditional dating

February 25, 2014

online-datingMy fate in life seems to be helping women around my age navigate the online dating world.  And here’s the one secret I always reveal to them.

It. is. so. much. fun.

I’m tired of hearing people bemoan that meeting people this way is any different from meeting them any other way. Or that it’s not as good. Because really, it isn’t.

It’s BETTER.  And here are three reasons why online dating is better than traditional dating:ONLINE DATING

1.Online dating sites expose you to potentially suitable dates you’d never meet in your day-to-day world. And more of them. Maybe you work with the wrong gender, or in a tiny company, or by yourself. Maybe you don’t belong to a church or social group.  What’s wrong with taking steps to meet new men or women you ordinarily wouldn’t encounter? I’d applaud you.  And mid-life women? Get over the thought that online dating makes you a loser. It’s just not true.  Everyone does it, and this is the reason why.

The other day, someone complained “try meeting someone through words on a screen.”  As if that were a bad thing.  Here’s a news flash–it’s one of the best ways to get to know someone.  Oh, you say you “hate the dating process?”  I hear that all the time.  I hate to break it to you: Prince or Princess Charming doesn’t just magically appear. You actually do have to date. Nothing is assured–not with traditional dating or online.

I found dating to be way fun. Men of all kinds were open and available. For the most part–more on that later. I went out with a pilot, an engineer, an IT guy, a lawyer, a doctor, a professional chess player, a cop, a corporate executive–just to name a few.  I learned something from each one and some are still friends today.

2. Online dating tells you a lot more a lot earlier than any other way of getting acquainted. If you understand how to navigate the world of online dating–how to read a profile, what’s between the lines and how to proceed—chances are you’ll know everything necessary to determine if you want to take it further. Or not.

The member’s profile tells you a little about their interests and what they’re looking for–so you don’t waste your time. You’ll know if s/he is articulate and can spell. You’ll know how open they are, for good or for bad. If you read between the lines, you’ll know way more than that. Words on a screen are a GREAT way to initiate a conversation.

Oh, you think it’s to much work? Get over it. It’s always a lot of work–think about the “kissing a lot of frogs before meeting your prince” adage.  Did you think there was a shortcut? Nope. No shortcut.  Invest a little quality time in your own profile and in assessing others—and you’re likely to find some quality dates.

3.  You just might meet someone you like.  You aren’t going to meet them sitting around bemoaning your single status. Or complaining about how hard it is to meet someone nice online.  It’s actually pretty easy. You just have to choose well.  Yes, there are bad experiences, every online dater has them and so did I. But there really is a secret to minimizing the bad stuff and getting to the good stuff more quickly.

So what’s the secret to successful online dating?  First, it’s to have a positive attitude. And then? I’ll tell you in a future post.

32 comments on “3 reasons why online dating is better than traditional dating
  1. Corinne Rodrigues says:

    Carol, I’m smiling! I met my husband via an online site, only to find out that he was a cousin of my sister-in-law, who never considered introducing us in the first place! Seven years on, I’m so glad I took a decision to venture onto a dating site!

  2. Glad to hear it’s a fun world out there! All I hear are the negatives, but it seems to me like a good way to meet like minded people, especially to your point, you’ll learn if they’re articulate, can spell, etc. Fun post!

  3. Doreen McGettigan says:

    My 3 daughters signed me up on a couple of dating sites 10 years ago. I had one heck of a blast that year, so many facinating dating experiences so many interesting people. It was a lot of work but my girls had fun and so did I. And then it happened. I met my Mr. Right. We have been married 7 1/2 years.
    I was not interested in dating that way but wow it sure does weed out the Mr. Wrongs much faster and it can be so much fun. For me it was life changing.

  4. Diane says:

    Two of my brothers found their sweethearts through online dating sites. Over ten years later, they are happy and totally grateful they made the effort!

  5. Jennifer Steck says:

    My sister, who was in her mid forties, met her husband online and so did my niece. They are both amazing guys. If I was interested in dating again, that’s the first place I would go.

  6. Jo says:

    Coming up on our 32nd anniversary I can not imagine dating again! However, if I was interested online would be my choice because where else can you stalk legally?

  7. Lisa Froman says:

    A few years after my divorce, I started on-line dating. I had some good experiences and I actually met my current, live-in-boyfriend. And yes, you are right, you can tell a lot about a person by their profiles. LOL.

  8. Karen @ Baking In A Tornado says:

    I have a friend who met her first husband in her home town and the relationship ended badly. She met her current husband on-line and feels that she got to know him so much better as the person who he is. She’s happy and has been for years. No question that it’s working for more and more people. It seems that you’re really enjoying the process and that’s really the point, isn’t it?

  9. The stats totally prove you right — more people are meeting through online dating sites than in traditional ways. I find the whole thing fascinating and wish everyone good experiences!

  10. Haralee says:

    I think any stigma early on years ago is gone and now if you are not looking on line people are more suspect!

  11. Estelle says:

    Hi Carol,
    I think you make excellent points. I think mostly the important thing is to take action in any area of your life, including the romantic part.
    Estelle (from Midlife Blvd.)

  12. Dagny says:

    I came her following Corinne. Yeah, I stalk her sometimes. 🙂

    I agree with you. If you’d just learn to ‘read’ people from the words they use, online dating can be as much fun- and as safe- as offline dating.

  13. Kate Houston says:

    I love this positive post. I write online dating profiles for a living (customized, honest ones not templates!). People like to rant about their experiences. Yet, however imperfect it is, the benefits – like the ones you mention – outweigh the negatives. Number 2 especially resonates with me. For instance, you can learn upfront about important issues (and deal breakers) like whether or not a potential suitor wants kids. Anyway, all to say – thanks! Great post!

    • admin says:

      What an interesting line of work. We must talk!

      • Kate Houston says:

        Hi, sorry I didn’t reply earlier! For some reason I didn’t see this. It is interesting work. I used to write advertising. Now I write personal ads. Same marketing principles, but just a little more subtle (no – buy now!). I’ve worked with lovely people and promoting people is, of course, much more rewarding than promoting products!

  14. Julie Phelps says:

    So glad you posted this. Online dating is how I met my own MR. RIGHT. We are now engaged, but never would have found each other if not for online dating. Reading the profile, filling in “between the lines” of what was there, and lots of getting to know each other via emails prior to meeting face-to-face was the key for us. By the time we actually met in person we knew lots about each other. We knew enough to feel the basics that could make or break the relationship were covered.
    As you say, positivity is key, as well as determination and time.
    I could’ve twiddled my thumbs for years if not for online dating.
    I may have given up and not experienced finding the true love of my life.
    The downside is that life is now a whirlwind and I have neglected blogging. All in good time…
    Raise a glass to online dating 🙂

  15. Nancy Bryant says:

    Paying attention to this! I’m glad I came across this post as most of the stories I heard were negatives. My hopes are high hearing some positives in online dating and success stories from the comments here. Thanks a ton!

  16. Cannon Law says:

    I´d agree that it might be more fun

    But I definitely believe it´s more risky. More dangerous. And nowadays one runs the risk of finding a serial killer online or something similar. Or being catfished!

  17. Regex SEO says:

    That’s how I met my husband. We actually liked each other on Tinder. That was a perfect match! So yes, you’ve made great points there.

  18. Lawyer says:

    Wow nice post, It’s good to know when it’s a good idea to hire a lawyer. I like how you said that finding a lawyer to help you out.

  19. josh says:

    This is a great article about online dating sites. I love your tips and advice. The digital revolution has forced us to use dating sites. However, I could believe it is scary to look for the right partner online. Do you think many of us guyz also feel ashamed to try it? Anyway, thanks again and have a lovely day! All the best

  20. josh says:

    LOL. I am so puzzled by how guys don’t ask you out on dating sites. There is literally no other way to know that the girl is like 99.9% going to say yes. You’ve already “liked” each other somehow!! It’s hilarious and awful at the same time.

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