Eharmony takes all the search out and narrows the search for you so you are not spending all your time going through dozens of profiles. You can't judge a book by it's cover so even tho they may not look stellar or there is one thing about them isn't suitable to you, just go out on some dates anyways. You are not downgrading.......the reality of it is people in general are not perfect, and sometime you need to be more open minded....that's just my two cents.
When I was dating, I just went out on dates to give them a chance, and also to just get out and have a good time. If nothing ever came of it then oh well no big deal, just move on. I even asked guys out myself and took them out on dates. Just have to keep at it.
IMO internet dating can't compare to actually going out and meeting people. Internet dating is too competitive. They will see many that are OK but hold off for the perfect one, which most of the time doesn't happen.