Agreed. I find online dating to be incredibly effective for both of those purposes. Since my first introduction to online dating in 2004, every committed relationship I've been in was with someone I initially met online.
However, I think the fact that I love to write has been a significant factor.
I mostly like dating. But I guess I do go into it with an inherent optimism... I expect to make a lot friends in the dating process. And I expect I'll occasionally find something more.
Since that's pretty much how it's gone for me, I have no complaints.
RE: what does it take to have a good profile
Yes, that's about it-- he is HUGGABLE !!