If you are new to the world of online dating, this new way of meeting people can get a bit confusing. Dating in the online world is different than real life dating in a number of ways. While it's an exciting way to meet lots of people beyond the coworkers and friends you see each day, it brings a few new hazards to be aware of, as well.

The online world features online dating services that appeal to different types of people, including people of different ages, interests, as well as different sexual orientation, demographics, and careers.

Many people have found this to be an especially fun and exciting way to meet new people. Some surveys indicate that as many as 1 in 5 Americans currently participate in or have participated in an online dating service of some kind.

And surveys indicate that the number of people participating in the online dating world is increasing. Young people are using such services as a primary route to meet others with whom they share interests, whether to find new friends or to find real romance. Older people are turning to dating services as a way to get serious about finding someone with whom they are particularly compatible.

One of the best features of online dating is that (provided you work with a reputable, established online service), you remain anonymous until the point that you wish to share personal information with someone. You do not need to meet anyone with whom you communicate until you have developed a sense of trust and a level of comfort. You always have the choice whether to meet or give personally identifying contact information.

You will want to choose an online dating service that is reliable. The more reliable sites require membership from all participants and have a very specific set of requirements that must be followed. Most of these services come with a fee, though most of them also offer a free trial period so you can get a sense of whether you'll want to continue on as a paying member.

When you begin with one of these services, you will be asked to create a profile with a picture, as well as other information such as your hobbies and interests as well as the types of things you are looking for in prospective partners. You have a chance to express yourself in just the way you wish.

After you have created your profile, you are matched with other subscribers, based on the information you have provided. Then it is up to the subscribers to look over their matches and to decide with matches they would like to communicate with.

With an online dating service, you get to choose the people who you are going to communicate with. And you get to read their profiles before the connection is made, too, so you have a bit of background of the person.

Of course, the downside to this type of dating is that not everyone is being honest in the profile. It is extremely important to exercise caution and make sure that you establish trust before revealing any personally identifiable information about yourself. The more established and reputable online dating services have special tips for members to help you maintain your personal safety. Many services enforce strict rules to help alleviate this problem, and some even conduct background checks on prospective members.

To get started, it's a good idea to try out the top three or four dating services with a free trial and then decide which site you may want to continue on with as a member.