Online dating websites is the latest trend among the people to find a date or a companion for themselves with the help of the Internet. But before you consider it, you should be aware of certain facts and do’s and don’ts on the free online dating sites. Read on to find out the popular websites and how to play it safe while searching profiles on these websites.

Online dating sites are websites that contain databases that can match you to a partner with the qualities you prefer. Some of the oldest online dating services started as a dial-up BBS back in the 1980’s. At first, it was a crude listing of mostly computer nerds within the same area code, but it grew to include email exchanges and became one of the largest pre-web email networks.
An estimate suggests that online dating sites in the US draw nearly 20 million visitors per month. Some of those require monthly subscription and some offer free services.

Here are a few things that you need to know before finding a companion on free dating sites.

The two-main factor that online dating websites use to find matches for their users are based on their common interests and location.

One of the easiest way to find the authenticity of the profile on the free online dating website is, invite the person for a video chat. It is a scam if the person refuses citing absurd reasons. Other ways include checking if the person is real through a free public record or their presence on other social media websites.

There are high chances that free online dating websites may harbor people who are not genuine and have ulterior motives. Some tips such as staying local, refraining from exchanging personal information and keeping watch on odd language can help you stay safe while dating online.

Once you are done using free online dating websites and apps, it is wise to remove your account from them. Some of the websites allow to deactivate your account, there are some websites that give you an option of permanently deleting the data from the website.

There are a number of websites that help find dates for LGBT, some of them are; OKCupid.com, Chemistry.com, eHarmony.com, match.com etc. there are some niche websites online that can also help the LGBT finding the right matches.

If you are over 50 or even 70 for that matter, three are a number of websites online that can help you find a like-minded date or a companion. Some these websites include SeniorPeopleMeet.com, ChristianMingle.com, OurTime.com, elitesingles.com etc.

While Online dating sites is becoming a huge hit among the generation Y, and to the people who love to find their companion well within their comfort zone, online dating websites have their own share of pros and cons. Have a look at them and consider all your options.

Pros:

Access to more people and more types of people
The most obvious benefit of these websites is that they provide easy access to thousands of potential databases. This can be especially beneficial for people who don’t have a large social circle.

You know where people stand.
You can be fairly certain that everyone you meet is single and looking. This removes a lot of the ambiguity that you face when you meet an interesting person at a work event or a party.

It can be good for socially anxious people.
Socially anxious individuals often have difficulty forming and maintaining close relationship. These individuals may find it easy approaching people and opening up online.

Cons:

Too many options can be a bad thing
Too many options can be overwhelming and lead you to worry that you have chosen too early. So if one prospector does mot suit your checklist, there are hundreds more who could be better. But this can also lead you to overlook potential dates because with all those options.

Profiles provide limited information.
It can be difficult to find out if you’re compatible with someone based solely on what they have revealed on a dating site.

The sites can put too much focus on physical attractiveness
It is not surprising that physically attractive people are more successful on online dating sites. Hence, making a quick decision based on an online photo may cause us to dismiss potential mates to whom we could become attracted.

There’s pressure for things to turn romantic quickly
When you meet someone in the context of an online dating site, you might feel a sense of urgency to look for an immediate romantic connection. This is only exacerbated by the emphasis on physical attractiveness created by online dating profiles. This however does not make the relationship work longer.

Dating can be quite a task if you are looking to find the significant other when you meet people on dates. However, you could be on a date for various reasons – it could either be to find the love of your life, or to just meet new people and socialize – your reason can vary and so can your experience while you are on a date, but one thing everyone must follow is the basic set of etiquette irrespective of your reasons and experiences.

Be considerate enough while deciding the place
Whoever makes the first move of asking the other person out on a date, must consider the likes of that person before you make a suggestion. You might have clicked with that person enough to finally make a decision of asking them out. In that case, always consider where they would or would not like to meet you. Ask them the kinds of places they would prefer meeting you and set a date if and when you both find the common ground.

Carry enough money to pay for the whole bill
By tradition, men pay the bill at the end of a date. But things change with time and today even women prefer paying the entire bill amount or their share. Even if you both have decided to go the dutch way, it’s wise to carry enough money – irrespective of your gender – in case you do end up in a situation where you have to make the complete payment.

Dress well
It is always polite to dress well when you are meeting someone for the first time. If it is a date, one will expect to look for an interesting and beautiful evening. You do not have to put on your best suit or your classiest dress, but just the right clothes for that date keeping your originality. Your date should feel special and has probably put in necessary efforts to look his/her best.

Be who you are
As cliche as it sounds, be as original as you can be. Weather you are looking for a long term relationship from this date or not, you will only be fair to yourself by being fair to your date. It’s okay to not have opinions on everything that’s under the sun. There might be things and topics that come up on your date which you know nothing about, be genuine enough to accept that. If your opinion on certain things is not diplomatically and politically correct, be genuine enough to state them as is. The most honest answers and opinions you both have, the better you will know each other.

Do not fidget with your mobile phones
If you are not interested in the date anymore, end it right there and end it politely. You can offer to pay the whole bill or just your share of the bill and bid each other goodbye. But Fidgeting on your phone is considered to be extremely rude especially when you are on a date.

Do not get too drunk on your date
If you are meeting at a bar and plan to have drinks together on your date/first date, make sure to drink responsibly and not get too drunk. This will save you and your partner the embarrassment.

Most people look for the best advice and tips for dating. But remember, there are no hard-and-fast rules chained to dating. So, a date may not always go as planned and expected. Furthermore, when it comes to dating or going on a date, people may say or do things that are not in either party’s interest. So, here are six common dating mistakes you should avoid for a smooth experience.

Going unprepared
Never go on a date unplanned. Instead, spend time writing up a description of what an ideal date looks like to you. Doing so will help identify if a future date aligns with what you want from your partner.

Choosing to text frequently
Making frequent conversations with your date via text messages may result in a lack of topics when you are together. So, reduce how much you text them and save those interesting conversations for when you meet in person.

Excessive self praise
While your date will want to get to know you, only speaking about your accomplishments the entire day may turn the date sour. So, it is best to talk about your passions, hobbies, and interests. These aspects can even make a conversation fun and entertaining.

Not expressing interest in your date’s life
Asking your date about their life is important. If you avoid this, they might feel you are not interested. But don’t force unnecessary questions; ask simple ones like what they enjoy doing in their free time or where they like spending their vacations. These questions will help you get to know them better.

Discussing future plans too early
People often talk about their future and what they expect in a relationship on their first date. But the thought might be overwhelming for the other person. It may affect how the evening plays out. So, you must be mindful when you are on a date to ensure comfort levels are maintained and that everything goes smoothly.

Having too many negative thoughts
Not all dates will go as planned. But you should not let yourself down about how things may go. You should be positive about the date and confident about yourself. It will help lighten things up when you approach the other individual.

Dates are not interviews. But you still need to create a good first impression when you meet a person. While it’s very important to be your truest self on a date, working on yourself and improving your personality isn’t being something you are not. The more you improve yourself and work on your personality, the better person you become with great chances at date. Below are some special points you need to know before you head out for your next date:

Work on your outfit
First impressions are often created in the first 5 -10 minutes of your interaction with that person. The first thing they will notice is how you are dressed and look. It is very important to look your best keeping your originality in check and without overdoing your whole look.

Do not focus on impressing your date
As contradictory as it sounds, the attempt to impress your date often turns out to be an act of being someone you are not. Which is a major deal breaker in many cases. Sometimes when you end up going on a date with someone you are really attracted to, and want to keep dating further, you tend to put an act of something you think will impress them or try to be too witty. However, it could do just the opposite. You need to have confidence in just the kind of a person you are. You also need to focus on authenticity and how comfortable you are with your date. The more you speak with ease and the more comfortable you are with your true self, the more impact you will have on your date.

Learn a little something about their field of work/interest
If you are on a date with someone who has very different field of work or interest as yours, do a little research on the kind of work they do, and on the kind of interest they hold. This way you both will have more things to communicate on and will make the conversation more interesting. Your date will also be impressed with the kind of knowledge you hold.

Be a positive person
You might be someone who has an opinion on anything and everything and might have some negative opinion on things as well, but try to be as positive about things as possible. You can keep those negative opinions for the future where both of you have reached a place where you can discuss personal problems with each other. For now, try and be a positive person. This does not mean you lie about things you are not feel affirmative about. You simply talk about the things that you are happy with instead of the things that upset you. Your date is most likely to get attracted to your positive and optimistic outlook on things.

We all want to know our dates better and hence we have a conversation with them. But there are times when you spend reasonable amount of hours with them and still wonder what kind of a man he was or woman she was. To save time and get to know them better on your first date, ask them these questions.

If your house was on fire, what are the five things you would carry out with yourself if you could?
This question might seem a little odd, but their answer will help you understand what they value the most in life.

When was the last time you cried. And Why?
Everyone, no matter how strong, has a weak point that breaks them down. Men might say otherwise, but studies have suggested that men too cry after a breakup or in the sad ending of an emotional movie or when their pets die. What makes a person cry tells a lot about that person. It also shows how comfortable your date is in sharing this detail with you. So when your date does, however, opens up to you, be empathetic and keep them comforted.

If you could go back in time and change something, what would it be?
Most people have no regrets, but deep down, everybody would love to go back in time and change at least one thing they wish they had done differently. This is just a way of asking if they regret anything in life.

Name five films you love
Films often connect to people emotionally and not everyone has one same perception about one film. If you and your date watch films, their answer can tell a lot about what connects and appeals to them more. Their answer to why they loved a certain film will help you know them better and will also make the conversation more interesting.

What’s your biggest fear?
Answer to this question will tell you their weakness. So there is a chance they will hesitate answering this honestly. They only way you can get them to answer this is by making them very comfortable in your presence. But this will surely make them open up to you more and will result in a very meaningful conversation.

When it comes to dating, one can only think of going to a restaurant or a movie. These conventional ways aren’t bad but can get boring after sometime. Here are some unconventional ways to set up your next date where you can get to know each other a lot better

Rent Bikes
Rent bikes(bicycles) and go for a ride around your town. This is one exciting way to begin your date. You can race with each other or can ride together and talk about things you would generally talk about in restaurants and bars, only on the wheels.

Volunteer
There are lot of options available for volunteering. You can talk about your common interests and volunteer for the same. This is fun and it will make you happy to help others, It will also help you gauge the helping nature of your date.

Sing Karaoke
Going for a karaoke night might seem old school, but people do not do that anymore, but need to. You can open up to each other more and with ease once you give a live performance together. Also, it’s fun to laugh at yourself and your date if you can’t sing. Will also tell you how spirited your date is.

Go for a live performance
Go for any live performance you can catch in or around the city. You both can appreciate that form of art together and will have many things to talk about on entertainment and art. You can opt for a stand-up comedy and laugh out loud together or go for a music concert or a gig and have a fun time together.

Short Road Trip
You always interact more when you are in an open space. A road trip eliminates other people and you can speak your heart on the trip. Listen to songs you like, and also the ones your date likes. Talk about each other’s past travel trip and the trips they wish to take in the future. Talk about places you both would love to visit and why. And for all you know, you could end up going on that trip together in the future.