A fifth of singles in America are finding a date online and, according to the latest figures, the UK is not far behind.

However, as with anything in life, it's always best to think ahead and approach these things armed with as much knowledge on the subject as possible .

If you're Looking FWD to developing some lasting relationships, devise your own online dating strategy using our twelve top tips!

1. Make friends - Try to think of our online dating service as more of a way of broadening your social horizons than just your ticket to your perfect love match. Many successful and long-lasting relationships begin as friendships so making friends with someone can be the first step to happiness.

2. Who are you? - Think about what makes you who you are, and tell all those eligible singles out there. Don't be afraid to talk about your weaknesses as well as your strengths. Discuss the things that really matter to you in life and be passionate about your likes and dislikes.

3. Who are you looking for? - Compile a list of qualities your ideal partner should have, then rate them in order of importance. Divide them into "essential", "preferable" and "in a perfect world" categories. It's as important to spell out exactly what kind of person you would like to meet as it is to give an honest account of yourself.

4. Paint a picture – Don't just reel off a list of adjectives that best describe you, try to illustrate what you're saying: if you are telling someone that you have a great sense of humour then say something that makes you laugh - if they find it funny too then you'll know you have something in common!

5. Express yourself – Be specific about the things you like; 'I like listening to music' or 'I love watching films' doesn't really set you apart from anyone else – say what your favourite songs or films are, what your favourite kind of food is, where your favourite holiday destination is etc.

6. Be honest – Don't pretend to be someone you're not. It may be tempting to tailor your profile to attract the most contacts but if you're not truthful then it is unlikely that any of them are likely to be a good match for you. Likewise you must be truthful about the kind of person you are hoping to meet, otherwise you will be wasting a lot of time – yours and theirs!

7. Snapshot – Figures show that you're seven times more likely to receive a response if you include a photograph of yourself. Try and make it as recent as possible and get some friends' advice on which is the best one. Don't forget, this is what other singles will picture when they contact you, so make sure you're happy with it.

8. It's all in the details - Presentation is important: grammatically weak, misspelled or incorrectly punctuated profiles convey a sense of carelessness and general sloppiness - not really the kind of first impression you're looking for. Show that you have put some thought into your profile and proof-read it several times before submitting it – better still, get a friend to look over it first.

9. If at first you don't succeed - Trial and error is the only way forward sometimes. Assess the number and type of responses you are getting and don't be afraid to adjust your personal profile if you're not happy with either. Don't forget tip number 6 though – stay true to yourself.

10. Don't play games – At least not until you know a little bit about the person you may wish to 'play' with. Playing games with each other can be fun, as long as both parties are interested in playing, but often if you're after something a little deeper than the thrill of the chase, the best way to win is not to play. After all, if everything goes to plan, your potential partner will become your team-mate not your opponent.

11. RSVP – If everyone sat and waited for someone else to respond to their profile, nobody would ever meet anyone, so why not contact somebody yourself. As for the responses you do receive, be courteous enough to reply to them, even if it's just to say you're not interested – that's better than keeping them hanging on.

12. Don't take it TOO seriously – Okay, so your love-life is important and there are certain things that you have to be very careful about (see our online safety guide) but your online dating experience should be fun. If you're not enjoying it then try to figure out why and maybe try another approach. Perhaps your expectations are too high.

<BACK