Everyone who considers the idea of a tattoo knows the importance of selecting the right design. After all, once the decision has been made and the tattoo is in place, there is no going back! If you are anything like me then you want to be sure that you don't find yourself regretting the choice you made. So where can you start?

The first step is to think about where you want the tattoo to be placed. Do you want it placed in an area that is constantly exposed or are you looking to place it somewhere on the body that can easily be covered, egg with a sleeve? This is an important decision too because I think many people might want to start out with something a little more discreet.

The placement of the tattoo has a big bearing on the chosen design. Some tattoo designs lend themselves to placement in particular parts of the body. For example, a tattoo placed in the small of the back might look better if it is symmetrical. For example, a bird's wing that spans out to the left from the spine without an equivalent on the right might not look so good. However, just one wing might look better if placed on the upper-arm. Of course it is all a matter of taste.

The second step is to consider the right size. This is quite simple. A large tattoo will not fit neatly into a small area.

I recommend that you think about themes that appeal to you. What do you like and what do you find attractive to look at. Some people like water scenes, other flare and some fauna. More traditional designs such as Celtic tattoos or tribal designs have a particular feel. Don't allow yourself to be too influenced with what others propose. What are your passions in life? Are you into fishing, rock-climbing or sailing? Think about what it is that you feel most emotional about and what you would most like to be associated with. Some people like nature, flowers, love and peace for example. It is after all your body and you are the one who will have to live with it!

Once you have thought all this through and have a list of ideas, it is time to go online and begin searching. If you type "tattoo designs" into search engines like MSN, LIVE, Yahoo and Google, you will find several good website that have thousands of designs to choose from. Having so many to select from can be daunting and can actually make the decision harder for some people. That's why it is important to use the methods described above.

Many websites offer lifetime membership. You may feel that this is not for you but I urge you to reconsider. Did you know that most people that get a tattoo find themselves looking for their second within a year? This is reassuring for you if you are a first-timer because it demonstrates that few people have regrets. The main point I am trying to make though is that having a lifetime membership (and this typically costs less than $50) is not a bad idea. You just never know when you will be back!

Once you have a short list, one idea is to download the pictures and print them. You should be able to resize the images to around the size you are looking for and then use the print out to test the idea. If you print the image on transparent paper, you can place the image on your body at the desired location and see what it looks like. This is an excellent way of testing before making the final commitment.

Taking the above idea further, you could get your friends and family to give you feedback on the short-listed designs. It is always good to know what others think. I realise that ultimately it is up to you to decide, but it is nice to have validation from friends and family who have your best interests at heart.

Once you have made your selection, go for it and don't look back!