I've tried online dating because my work situation didn't give me much of a social life. I went out with three women, but I only knew what one woman looked like before we met. She seemed like a veteran at this because when we met, she had her list of 'criteria' that she needed to fill to determine if I was worth a second date. The other two women, unfortunately, if I had seen their pictures before we met, I would not have met them. Beauty is not everything but without attraction, there isn't much to start chemistry.
Women are also more reluctant to send a picture than men are.
You need to read ads, respond to them, and hope that these ads are not outdated and the person hasn't found someone already. Some people are so serious that they forget the fun of meeting someone new and experiencing a great time together. They have their lists and don't look at the potential of a future relationship - they only look at the bottom line. They re shopping for a car not a soulmate. That's their loss . . .