Advantages and disadvantages of online dating

From my brief experience of being on an online dating website, I have realized the advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages:
-  Efficient way to meet people.
-  Proof that there really are "plenty of fish in the sea."
-  You all have the same agenda - to meet someone.  You know they are single (hopefully!) and sexual orientation right away.  With people you meet in person, you have to find out or guess if they are single.  
-  You can set your preferences (e.g., demographics, location, smoking and drinking habits, religion) for your partner.
-  You can be more bold in contacting people.  There is no face-to-face interaction so you don't feel as bad if rejected.
-  Some people prefer to date someone who is not part of their circle of friends or from work/school to avoid awkwardness if the relationship does not work out.  
-  You get a general sense of the person by their profile.  
-  You can check/search the website whenever, and however often, you want - even while wearing your pajamas in the comfort of your own home.
-  Some websites are free.
-  You can put a hold on getting matches if you are in a relationship.

Disadvantages:
-  Time consuming. You have to scan through many profiles.  You need to invest time in emailing, talking on the phone, or texting back and forth, with no guarantee that you will even end up meeting.
-  People seem dispensible.  If you don't like a particular person or they don't like you, there is likely someone similar next week.
-  People may have a different agenda (e.g., type of relationship they want - casual vs serious).
-  People may be different from the type of person you are interested in meeting.
-  People may seem great on their profile, by email, or on the phone.  But they may seem very different in person or there is no chemistry when you meet.
-  People are strangers and less trustworthy.  If you meet a person through a friend, at least someone can vouch for them.
-  You or the other person may become more picky since you know there are many other options available.  This may lead to hesitancy to commit.

If you decide to try online dating, see my posts on Advice for signing up and Advice for online dating profiles.