Online matching sites have exploded in recent years, with statistics painting a picture of consistently increasing membership for every one of the major outlets. Where guys once relied on the tried-and-tested method of heading to singles bars or clubs where the probability of bumping into a single woman – any single woman – was relatively high, their chances of forging a long-term relationship was always considerably lower.

Dating websites have changed all that. When men want to meet single women now, all they need to do is sign up to an online agency or app, then begin browsing through the lists of profiles of compatible women. If this really is High Season for online dating, what are four of the most recommended tips for meeting someone?

Tips to Help You Meet Someone in Online Dating

First impressions

Because Internet dating has become so popular, when you join any matchmaking platform you need to be aware of the degree of competition you will be facing when it comes to attracting attention. Think of a similar situation in an offline environment. When you used to go out on the town hoping to get noticed by a potential partner, didn’t you always ensure you were well presented? When it comes to your profile photographs, the very first aspect of your online presence site visitors will come across, you need to make a strong first impression.

Choose a flattering photograph if possible, and make sure it is up-to-date. There’s no point selecting images from 10 years ago just because you look slimmer. What happens when the person you’ve fallen for meets you in the flesh? It’ll take a supreme effort to hide their disappointment.

Strong profile

Similarly to the visual impact you need to achieve, your description must also wow potential suitors and really stand out from the pack. Remember, this is Internet dating, where other users have a relatively short attention span. So when it comes to describing yourself, you need to do so as succinctly as possible. You don’t need to write screeds and screeds of flowery prose, nor should you be tempted just to jot down a few off-hand remarks. It’s all about engaging the people who look you up, to give the impression you are someone it would be worth getting to know better.

Be yourself

If there’s one rule of Internet dating you should always pay close attention to it is always to be honest. Whether you are describing your job, your hobbies or your family background, there is no point in trying to stretch the truth just to make yourself look more interesting. You will be aiming to meet up with your online partner in the flesh sooner or later, won’t you? (No one wants to get involved in a relationship which never progresses beyond firing texts at one another.) When you do meet face-to-face you don’t want to be disappointing your partner because you have used so many fabrications. Just tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth! By all means, embellish the odd detail in the context of banter, but the important aspect of online chat is to provide a good well-rounded background.

Confident messages

Remember, that person you have become attracted to online and feel like getting in touch with has probably attracted the eye of half a dozen other guys in the same space of time. So you need your communications to stand out. Dazzle with your wit and intelligence, and don’t be afraid to flirt shamelessly. Chatting in a dating site environment is no place for shrinking violets!