Is this the first time that you have looked online for a relationship? You may be asking, do online dating sites really work? The answers are yes, no and maybe if you work at it. What are you looking for; a hot first date or a happy relationship? Maybe you want both. Online dating sites really do work but you need to put in a little effort. How do you start?

Step by Step Instructions

About Relationships published a step-by-step checklist for starting to date online.

For singles who have never met someone using an online dating service, or for anyone wanting assistance in tweaking their online dating service profile, this is the place to start. From finding an online dating service to setting up a profile and then meeting in person, everything is covered here. Just be sure that you are ready to date before signing up with an online dating service, first.

Here are the steps they suggest:

Choose An Online Dating Service: There are lots of online dating services and lots of free ones. Some are solely focused on specific groups such as religious affiliation or sexual preference. If you have specific desires in this regard pick a site that fits your needs.

Find A Safe Online Dating Service: Remember that free dating sites usually don’t screen their members so you might just be chatting with someone who is dangerous. Quality is more important than quantity or even price in picking a safe online dating site.

Write An Online Dating Profile: Start and end by being honest. But also present your strong points and don’t ever dwell on your weaknesses. The first words that a person sees may decide how many hits you get. Take some time on with this and get help if you need it.

Follow Up If You Are Not Getting Any Responses: Everything in life takes practice to attain perfection. That applies to online dating as well. If your resume is not getting any hits change it. Ask for help if you are having trouble writing something interesting.

Watch Out For Online Dating Scams: Not everyone tells the truth in their resume and unfortunately some people are going online to set up a scam. Be skeptical of too-good-to-be-true offers, especially when they come from Russians or Ukrainians with impossibly attractive photos.

Always Chat Before Meeting: The main strengths of online dating are that you get to meet more people and you can pick and choose. Take advantage of these aspects of online dating and you will more efficiently find the love of your life and avoid dating the wrong people.

To summarize, decide what you are looking for and then proceed step by step to get it. Get help if you need it and don’t be afraid to back out of an uncomfortable relationship after the first chat or after dating for a month. Online dating sites do work for the purposes for which they are intended which are more efficiently allowing you to meet a lot of people and to letting your screen out the losers without wasting a lot of time.