The good thing about online dating is the pool is big enough you can custom order to spec and then start looking at the attraction side of it. The hottie at the bar may not want kids, or has kids, or hates killing animals, or is an atheist, or whatever. If you're looking for long term starting with a pool that meets the basic qualifications of your life gives you confidence that you're not wasting time on something that just won't work. Compromise is great once you're committed. Before you even start dating is the time to be picky. Anyway - that's how it worked for me.