"I built a website to get a girlfriend - what could go wrong" says Sheffield man who has built a dating site
A Sheffield man who says he wants a relationship like his parents' 48-year marriage has built his own dating website.
After years of unsuccessful dating, a 42-year-old Sheffield man who hopes to find a lasting relationship has created his own dating website in a bid to find love.
Nick Poninski, aged 42, who works as a marketing consultant, created a dedicated dating page instead of using traditional dating apps after years of what he described as disappointing experiences.
The website features a personal video, photographs, answers to frequently asked questions and information about his personality and values, with an invitation for women to get in touch.
Nick said: "I've always felt I come across much better in person than I do in a handful of photos.
"Dating apps never really worked for me, and after years of trying the traditional route, I realised I either carried on doing what everyone else was doing and hoped for a different result, or I tried something completely different."
He said he had previously tried speed dating and meeting people in everyday settings, but believes it has become harder to connect with potential partners in person.
"Modern dating feels strange," he said.
"Dating apps can be exhausting, but walking up to someone in real life can feel like a huge amount of pressure for everyone involved. I wanted to create something that let people get to know the real me first."
Visitors who decide to "send him a nudge" are directed to his Instagram account, where they can exchange messages before deciding whether to meet in person.
"Wild concept, I know," he jokes.
The page also includes a series of tongue-in-cheek testimonials from people in his life, with his mother describing him as “very handsome,” his flatmate saying he is “tidier than you'd expect” and members of his walking group adding: “he hasn't got us lost yet.”
"I know this might seem a bit strange because it's never been done before (to my knowledge) but I am actually single and I would like to meet the right woman,” he said.
"And my mum and dad would like that for me too."
He said the idea came to him because of his day job.
"I work in marketing, so creating landing pages to sell solutions is basically my day job.
"One day I was walking to work, wondering how the hell I'm supposed to meet a nice woman, and it hit me: do some marketing.
"And this landing page was born."
According to Nick, the website has attracted more than 1,200 visitors after being shared in a Facebook group for singles, resulting in several conversations.
Although he has not yet found a partner, he said the project has been worthwhile.
"I'm looking for one person, not hundreds," he said.
"My mum and dad have been happily married since 1978, and I'd love to build something just as lasting. At 42, I'd quite like to get started."
Nick said he hopes taking a different approach will encourage people to think differently about modern dating.
"We spend so much time complaining about modern dating that I thought it would be more interesting to actually try something different," he said.
"It might be a terrible idea. It might be brilliant. Either way, it'll make a better story than another evening spent swiping."