Love Online

Finding love online can be done. The internet is fast becoming the place to meet new people - and why not? It's a simple and fun way to expand your social circle in today's time-poor society. Most dating sites in the UK are not populated with anoraked geeks but with busy professional people in their twenties and thirties looking to find new friends.

What are the benefits of looking for love online?

1. It is very easy to get started. All you need is access to a PC and the internet and you can start your search.
2. It's not expensive. Although there are a few free online dating sites, you will find that most charge between £10 and £20 for a whole month of access to the site.
3. Online dating allows you to narrow your search down by the things that matter to you. So, if you are only interested in people who live close to you in England, Scotland or Wales, or want someone who is no more than 5 years older or younger than you, or who is fanatical about horses...it is ideal!
4. Most sites offer a secure and private way to get to know about the person or people you are interested in - through personal ads, picture profiles, and they generally offer a secure mail service or online chat or a mixture of the two
5. Many dating sites in the UK also provide links to singles events and parties...so, if you want to meet up with a crowd of people in London, Birmingham, Brighton or Manchester you can do that too!

What should you remember

1. Internet dating is a relatively new phenomenon. Remember, the internet itself has only been around for twenty years...so, the rules for internet dating are still being written
2. Your aim is ultimately to meet someone face to face...and to see whether things work for both of you. Until you have actually met up, you really will not know whether the chemistry is there.
3. There are a small minority of people who use the internet as a convenient way to bend the truth. So, in the same way as you would be careful when you met someone for the first time in a bar, you should make sure you find a few references!
4. If you are looking for love, you should at all times be honest yourself. Remember, if things do progress the truth will eventually come out!
5. When all is said and done, online dating should be fun. So, don't take things too seriously

Last updated: 10/28/2003