Newly single, two years ago I decided to give online dating a try. The first time I logged into my online dating account, I distinctly remember thinking, “This feels just like I’m online shopping…for men!” Like many people, I’m a huge fan of online shopping. I love that I can pretty much get what I need when I need it, all from the comfort of my laptop or smartphone. Many online dating sites have taken this into account and created user experiences that mimic features of some of our favorite shopping websites. As many of us gear up for the upcoming holiday shopping season, here’s a few fun ways that online dating and online shopping are alike.

1. More selection –

When I moved from a large urban core back to my smaller sized hometown, one of the first of many culture shocks was when I realized that I could no longer buy my favorite face-care products that I used to easily buy in “the big city.” This is what initially turned me on to online shopping. Although we have a thriving boutique scene in my hometown, you can’t always find the brands you want in brick and mortar stores. Shopping online means I can access all of my favorite brands, plus gain access to tons of amazing products I never would have discovered otherwise.

Online dating is the same. Although there are definitely places you can go to meet other singles in my hometown, it’s nothing like living and working in a large urban center where you’re going to be interacting with tons of other single, young professionals on a daily basis. A lot of people move to my hometown to get married and settle down, so it can often feel like the town has “run out of singles.” However, like many things, it turns out that all the extra “stock” is just hanging out online. Thanks to online dating, I’ve managed to meet tons of people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise through my immediate social circle.

2. You can “shop” anywhere –

Whether I’m ordering my favorite Kiehl’s moisturizer or cruising through profiles of local singles, one of the things I love about online shopping and dating is that you can do either activity whenever and wherever the mood strikes you. You don’t even have to be wearing real pants!

Instead of trekking to the mall or getting gussied up to go to a single’s bar – only to come home disappointed – you can now save time, energy and your good hair for the moments that actually matter like, going on a first date with someone cute you met online. Because, let’s face it: sometimes we just want to lie around in our pajamas, cruise our favorite online dating site and maybe order a pair of leather leggings at 1AM. Not that I’d know anything about that. Ahem.

Plus, thanks to mobile online dating apps, you can literally take the online dating experience anywhere. Mobile dating apps like Zoosk allow you to flirt and connect with other eligible singles from your smartphone, while you’re at the gym, on a lunchbreak or standing in line to return said pair of leather leggings.

3. Different sites offer different shopping experiences –

Just like how you wouldn’t go to a big box store like Walmart in search of a rare 18-year-old Scotch or to a posh boutique to buy a 24 pack of paper towels (or maybe you would and you’re just fancy like that), every dating site offers a slightly different “product selection” and shopping experiences. For example, some online dating websites feel a bit like you’re walking into a massive, discount outlet. You’re sure to find some really great things (or people) hidden amidst the crazy patterned snuggies, weird tracksuits and jumbo sized bags of chips. If you just want to get your shop on and enjoy the thrill of the hunt, there’s definitely online dating sites that work like this.

However, there are others that take a really a specific approach. A site like Match.com is a bit like the Amazon or eBay of online dating: the selection is huge; however, if you narrow your search you can likely find exactly what you’re looking for, like that 1980’s Tony Danza coloring book of your childhood…or you know, a guy who really likes your favorite kind of craft beer. The key here is knowing what you want and where to look.

4. Some things are not as they appear online.

Just like that pair of Cheap Monday skinny jeans you bought on Black Friday last year and which barely fit over your calf, sometimes what you see on an online dating site and what you get in person doesn’t always match up. To extend the ill-fated pair of jeans metaphor, “Bill” or “Annie” might be a different size, age or completely different “product” than what they advertised on their profile page. There’s also the possibility that you’ll like them right away, only to wait an hour into the date and realize that they aren’t a good fit. Hey, it happens. From the perfect pair of jeans to the life partner of your dreams, finding what you’re looking for always requires some trial and error. Don’t worry, though – that’s what return policies are for.