Online Dating Advice 101

Whether you are just starting out in the world of online dating or you’re a veteran who simply hasn’t been experiencing the best results, these Internet dating tips can help you succeed in finding your perfect partner on the web. As the old adage goes, there’s someone for everyone, and with millions of users turning to Internet dating sites in search of a relationship, finding that special someone has never been easier.

Make Your Profile Honest and Expressive
When it comes to online dating, your profile is who you are. It shows other users your unique personality, what you do with your life, as well as what you look like. Whether you’re dating online or in the real world, making a good first impression is paramount in order to establish a strong relationship, and your profile is the first thing other users see when browsing the site. As such, this is perhaps the most important of all Internet dating tips, because without an honest and intriguing profile, most users won’t take the time to get to know you.

Of course, this means including the most important details about who you are, including your career information, hobbies and beliefs. However, equally as important is the personality you convey with your profile. Other users should get a taste of your individuality and sense of humor by the time they’ve finished browsing your information. Be proud and confident in expressing who you are, but don’t come across as overly egotistical. Your profile should show that you have a kind, unique and engaging personality, with a lot to bring to the table should a relationship develop.

Don’t Be Afraid to Make the First Move
Online dating sites wouldn’t be very effective if everyone just sat around waiting to be contacted by other users. To succeed in online dating, you have to be willing to make the first move when you come across a partner you are genuinely interested in. This doesn’t mean simply acknowledging other users with a friend request or one-line message. Put aside any feelings of social anxiety and really engage with other users by sending messages that communicate both your individuality and the reasons you’re interested in establishing a relationship, which brings us to our next Internet dating tip.

Put Your Personality Into Every Message
While your introductions to other users should effectively convey a sense of personality and confidence, be careful not to overdo it with drawn-out messages that go out of their way to compliment yourself or your potential partner. Doing so is liable to make you seem overly excited or needy. Instead, briefly introduce yourself and concisely acknowledge why you’re interested in getting to know the other user.

At the same time, make sure your manner of speaking is warm, engaging and expressive of who you are. All the Internet dating tips in the world won’t help you develop meaningful relationships if you’re not able to communicate honestly and effectively online. Developing this skill usually takes time and practice, so don’t be discouraged by a lack of responses when you’re starting out. Instead, use them as learning opportunities to improve your communication skills and further develop your online persona.

Choose Your Photos Wisely
No matter how important appearances are to you in a relationship, the vast majority of online daters will want to know what you really look like before getting to know you. Your profile should feature at least one clear image of your face, as well as additional images that honestly portray your other physical features. But don’t stop there: you should also include photos that show you’re a fun, interesting person outside of the Internet. These may be photos of you and your friends simply hanging out, action shots of you engaging in your favorite hobby, or any number of photo opportunities that add to the sense of personality conveyed through the rest of your profile information.

Pick the Right Place to Search for Your Partner
A list of Internet dating tips wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging that the different types of dating sites offer vastly different social environments. General dating sites like Match.com allow users to browse all profiles, making them a good place for finding potential partners by general interests and location. Websites like eHarmony and Matchmaker are a bit more focused on relationship building, offering personality and compatibility tests. As such, these types of sites are a better fit if you’re looking to establish more long-term relationships, because they offer a more objective basis for engaging with potential partners. Finally, there are niche dating sites that feature more specific user bases by catering to a unique age, hobby, religion, or other important aspect of life. These are great if you’re a picky online dater and are in search of a partner with a specific background. For more information, see our recommendations on finding the best online dating sites.

Katherine Rose is a relationship and dating expert with GuideToOnlineDating.com. We are an independent organization that researches and reviews online dating sites and trends. Please visit our site for the latest online dating advice and for expert reviews of the top online dating sites.