Is it normal i can't go on dates with people i hardly know

I haven't dated in 5 years now and I don't know where all my confidence has gone but it has and I find myself incapable of online dating. I've talked to quite a lot of girls online that fancy a meet up and it's not like I have huge standards or anything but I find it hard meeting up with any of them when the time comes to arrange the time and place etc I just back out because I'm afraid I suppose. Even if it was a boy I was to meet up with as a friend that I haven't seen in a long time or I'm not particularly close with I'd back out. I'm lucky I've kept some of my friends over the years so I have no problem going out with them. I'm worried I won't get a girlfriend because of this. If I knew a girl in real life and she asked me out it could be a different story. But when ever I try online dating websites I completely fail however I continue using them to pass time and practice my texting game. Is this normal guys? If you have had this experience or know anyone that does let me know