As with perhaps everything else out there, there are pros and cons of online dating. Many beginners to online dating don not consider these pros and cons before diving in, only for some of them to later bleat about a few not-so-good experiences.

Do you know the best approach to making sure this dating service is right for you? How do you guarantee your own safety? And is this the right choice for me?

These are just a few questions beginners to online dating fail to find answers to, the consequence of which is dissatisfaction if not resentment. While there's always margin for error, almost everyone can come to the right conclusion as to what is best for them if they ask themselves these questions.

One of the most important strategies is to make a list of pros and cons. This could easily lead you to your answer. Consider the specific needs that should be met by the dating service, and find websites that cater to those needs. Below are some pros and cons of online dating.

The Pros of Online Dating:

1. Numbers: Dating sites allow members to meet more people than they would without such sites.

2. Convenience: It's a more convenient way of meeting lots of people and finding the right matches without leaving your own home.

3. You can find people with the same interest, and know whether they are actively looking for companionship as well as what type of companionship they seek.

4. Privacy: Communicate anonymously without giving out too much personal information to begin a friendship, casual dating, or a serious relationship right away.

5. You can browse members' profiles and understand their interests before deciding to communicate with them.

6. You're able to get know people's personalities by chatting online first, and if you have a webcam you can also chat on live video.

7. Geography is no barrier. Members can "meet" people, in distant locations and exotic areas in an instant.

8. Categories: those that wish to date in their own area or within their own ethnic group, religion, class or other category will find good company online. So would those who wish to get something different.

9. Members can determine if there's chemistry before pursuing the relationship in real life.

10. Low cost: Your monthly fee usually costs less than a dinner for two at a fancy restaurant; and it lets you meet many more people.

The Cons of Online Dating

1. Misrepresentations: People lie about age, physical attributes, socio-economic status, and yes, even gender.

2. Intentions could be deceiving, and people can pretend to be you want.

3. Profile pictures can be a hoax, or misrepresent the person from what they truly look like presently.

4. Anonymity creates a "healthy" breeding ground for stalkers and sexual predators - happens more often in free sites than paid sites, though.

5. Especially with free sites, some people join solely to view content or to satisfy curiosity, and are not really serious about finding potential matches.