Moving forward: How to take your online date offline

For anyone who's using online dating platforms, there's little doubt that the main goal of the venture is to meet that someone special. And while the internet is a fantastic place to meet people, the fact is that at some point you will want to move your relationship away from the web and meet face to face. 

So how do you go about turning your online search for love into a face to face meeting? We look at some of the top tips for taking your date offline after you've met someone. 

Don't say too much

In the start when you're messaging someone, you'll be eager to impress them, and this can lead to a temptation to tell them everything about you to let them see how great you are. 

While this may seem like a good idea, it's best to avoid the temptation to do so if possible. After all, if you tell them everything up front, it can make the first date in person a little awkward when you've nothing new to say. 

Keep things short and sweet initially to impress and intrigue them, and try to steer clear of emotive topics online. It can be hard to gauge tone through online messages, and you don't want to offend anyone.

Don't wait too long

When you've first started talking to someone on a dating site, chances are you'll both feel comfortable doing so. However, it's important not to use this as your main form of communication for too long. If nothing else, speaking to someone for weeks and weeks online can be a waste of time if you don't click or don't get along when you meet up at last. 

Once you've introduced yourself and had a little time to chat casually, don't wait too long to ask them. The worse that could happen is they say no. 

Keep it casual 

When you first meet someone from a dating site offline, it can be best to keep the whole thing casual, so you don't put too much pressure on yourself. 

For starters, it's best not to make use of the word 'date' at first. This can make some people uneasy or nervous, while it will just put others off. A better tactic is to ask someone if they want to meet up so it doesn't put pressure on either of you while still allowing you to ask the person out. 

In terms of your actual first date, it's also important to keep the whole thing casual. Remember, you've never met this person face to face before, and the reality is that you might just not click. 

You don't want to be sat in an expensive restaurant with someone in an awkward silence if it all goes wrong, after all, so it's best to suggest coffee for your first meeting. It's easy, low pressure, and if it doesn't go well it's easier to leave (politely of course). 

Keep it brief

As well as making sure you're casual in your first face to face meeting, it can be a good idea to make your initial date quite a short one. The first time you meet someone, it can be a lot to take in, so you don't want to sit with them for hours and hours, especially if it's not going well. 

The best thing to do is set yourself an appointment. Tell your date that you have to go at a certain time because you have somewhere you need to be. It allows you the chance to relax, leave and assess the initial date without seeming impolite.