According to a survey performed by a popular dating website in 2010, one in five relationships now begins online. That’s a pretty powerful statistic and one that has plenty of people asking questions. Does online dating really work? Can true, everlasting love really be found online? Is online dating worth the time and financial expenditure necessary to succeed?

The answers? Yes, yes and yes!

Online dating is not for the easily deterred. While plenty of people find their happily ever after on the computer screen, it may take many failed connections to find the one that matters. Finding your perfect match online requires patience, determination and a thick skin.

For those who can stick it out through the tough times, online dating is wildly successful. Several popular sites match users with potential suitors based on their answers to a series of questions. These sites have the best success rates. Knowing a person has the values and morals you want before ever seeing their profile is a comfort to many people. These sites do most of the work for you.

Other dating websites take a more hands-off approach. These sites allow users to search by picture, location, age or other defined criteria. Usually cheaper to join than their scientifically based cousins, it is possible to find love here as well, although you may have to weed through quite a few crazy people before you find a date.

Online dating websites play an important role in today’s busy world. They allow 24/7 access to a variety of different people who are all looking for some form of relationship. It is no longer necessary to spend hours each weekend at the bar in the hopes your soul mate will walk through the door and declare his everlasting affection. With a click of the mouse and some basic personal information, thousands of potential soul mates are at your disposal. With those kind of odds, how could it fail?

Online dating definitely works. A University of Bath study performed in 2009 shows that 94% of people who have one date after meeting online go on to have a second date, and the average relationship length resulting from online encounters was at least seven months. Customer testimonials posted on all major dating websites seem to indicate that many online relationships culminate in marriage.

The success of online dating is unquestionable. It may take some persistence and a lot of resolve, but those who go online looking for love have an amazing chance of finding it there.