Steps to Creating an Honest Online Dating Experience

Before ever starting to join a online dating service or creating the profile for a site, prepare for exactly what needs to be done and how to do things to make it a good experience. Being honest really IS the best policy.

Avoid rushing into joining and site or creating a profile without first taking certain steps. The steps will give you the best outcome with dating online. Remember, they WILL find out eventually, so being honest in your profile is essential.

Be honest in what you are looking for.  While a profile is a resume of sorts, make it honest and real.  Don't fill it with words you think someone wants to hear, just to "sell yourself."  They will find out the truth eventually and why waste anyone's time?

Create a list of the objectives for starting to date online. Be completely honest with every expectation. If you only want to meet new people as friends, then list it as “seeking friendship.” If you want to meet someone to have a relationship with, then narrow the topic to the exact types of relationship you are seeking. The relationships can range from dating, short term to long-term relationships, to marriage.

If you do not want to get married and only want casual dating, do not title you profile something along the lines of 'looking for the one." This is misleading.

On the list, include any habits that are not appealing. Some people do not want to be with a smoker, a drinker, or a drug user. List the habits you do not want in a potential mate, include the information on the profile. Stick to the criteria when creating the profile. State you do not want anyone with the certain habits.

Another preference has to do with children. This is an area people are gun shy on their profiles. The option, "undecided" is often seen as a choice. This can be misleading because many people are afraid to put yes or no, so they leave it open. If you are truly undecided, then mark that. Otherwise, just be honest.

Many people have children living at home with them or in their lives. Consider seriously how you feel about meeting someone with children and if you want to have that included in any kind of relationship. If you have children, the same information is to be mentioned of having children. Not everyone wants a relationship that involves children.

If you are seeking marriage, take into consideration if the person you are seeking wants to have children or extend their current family by any children you may have. This is a major stress factor and problem in many relationships. One party wants children and the other does not. Remember not all children from the different partners get along. Think seriously about how children will affect the relationship.

This is another area that the person you meet will clearly see what you truly look like. Why put up a photo that does not look anything like what you currently look like?

Select a good photo of high quality to use on the profile. Realize the number of people who are looking at the photo. While you want to  choose a photo that will show your good qualities, make sure it is current.A picture from 10 years ago is probably not the best choice, especially if you look different now.

Do not put pictures of your dog or other pets in the profile.  People will not be dating your pet.  Do not put far away pictures up there where you can barely make out the person.  A head shot and a full body shot is appropriate.  They do not need to be professional, but good quality.

There are people that will add that they are willing to travel 250 miles for a relationship.  These are not realistic expectations. Be truthful in what distance you are willing to travel to go on a date. Keeping the search that broad may give you more options in your search, but are you really willing to travel that far for coffee?

While it is possible your true love can be 200 miles away and there are relationships created in different locations. But, honestly think about the distance before becoming too serious.

If you do meet the love of your life and maintain a long-distance relationship, consider the future options and be realistic.  If the relationship progresses into marriage, someone is going to have to relocate. Be prepared for maybe having to move in the future if this is the case.

By preparing a list of things wanted and desired from online dating, you will be prepared for any situation that is presented in the future. Being honest is the best way to have a successful relationship. 

For more love, dating, and relationship musings, check out my blog, Love Musings.