Struggle to make a connection on online dating sites

So Im on a couple of dating sites because I really really want to meet someone who I can make a future with, but I struggle to make any connection by just messaging 😩 I prefer to meet people in person but I currently have very few friends and don’t have much of a social life. I hardly ever get past the initial ‘ hey how are you’ ‘what are you up to’. I just feel like I’m never going to make a connection with anyone. And it always seems when I do make somewhat of a connection, they live a few hours away as I live in a small town

Anyone else feel this way?