Special Dating service for UK and USA People. All Singles and Married are invited to join. If you've been contemplating online dating but haven't taken the plunge yet, maybe it's because you just aren't sure if you're ready for the world of cyber-dating. Lots of people feel this way because it seems so overwhelming. After all, there's literally a whole world of people out there to meet, which can be intimidating and confusing. If that's how you feel, you need to think through how you really feel about what you're looking for in a date and whether online dating can help you find what you're looking for. Since online dating requires you to explain who you are and what you're looking for in a profile,

you need to understand yourself and what you're looking for from the beginning. Sit down and really think about this; if you can honestly say that you think there's a possibility you could find someone special online, go for it! Are You Comfortable With Online Dating? Even if all of your friends are doing it and everyone swears by it, if you feel weird going online to e-mail potential dates or to instant message people you haven't met yet, online dating won't work for you. You have to be open to the possibility that the people you meet online may be future friends or dates, and are just as interesting and terrific as you are. Be sure you are going into this with the proper attitude and an open mind.

Remember to be honest about what you're looking for, too. If you want to date casually, be sure to let others know that. It's not fair to waste another person's time and money (remember, they probably paid a membership fee just like you did). What Are You Looking For? Young or old? An experienced woman of the world, or a lady who's been relatively sheltered? A man who's successful in business and dedicated to his profession, or an artist who would like to live on the beach? There are so many variables, and online dating gives you the opportunity to finally pick and choose because there are so many members on each website. So go ahead and make a wish list, then use it to help you browse.

But be sure to really think about what you really want, because the old saying is true, "Be careful what you wish for, you just might find it!" Be Clear About What You Want Most online dating services give you the option to narrow your search by choosing a geographic area (100 miles from you? 500 miles from you?), whether you want to date casually or seriously and several other criteria. This is a good way to focus on what you really want, but try to remain somewhat flexible. Remember, some of the best relationships start out as one thing and end up as the other. On the other hand, do be honest. If you really can't afford to travel across the country to meet someone, don't lead them on for months and keep putting off the inevitable. One of the most important things to consider when searching is how serious you are about a long-term relationship. Some people are simply looking for friendship or someone to hang out with on the weekends. Online dating sites are a great way to meet new friends if you have recently relocated to a new city, for instance. Others may be ready to get married and settle down. Be sure you read others' profiles to get a feel for where the stand on these issues and how they fit with your goals - and be clear about those goals when you e-mail or chat with them.