1. Look into thyself: The first mistake most online dating beginners make is to sign up with a dating site, through a friend's recommendation, an advertisement or just blindly. Different sites, including popular sites, have certain differences. To find out which best fits your needs, you need to know what you want. What type of relationship are you seeking? What are your hobbies/passions? Knowing what you want will help narrow down the field and avoid overwhelm.

2. Set up shop: Now, it's time to find a dating service. This is where knowing what you want gets important. If you want a serious relationship or marriage, a matchmaking service is probably the best place to go. There are also specialty dating sites that serve people who are passionate about something (dog lovers, for instance), religious dating sites for people who are serious about their faith and a whole range of dating sites for just about anything you can imagine. Not sure which way to go? Simply sign up with one of the large popular dating sites as they serve a wide range of interests.

3. Decide on a budget: Unless money is really tight, avoid free sites. Especially if seeking a serious relationship. Why? Free sites comprise all sorts of characters and personalities, with a good number of whom are not serious about finding love. Some free dating site members are really just minors who will pull pranks on poor lonely souls. Matchmaking sites will usually cost slightly than other internet personals sites, since they offer more services and features.

4. Test the water: Sign up for a free trial and see how you like the site, its features as well as quality of singles. Does offer assistance/advice in things like profile-writing and posting photos? How fast are your questions answered or emails responded to by the customer service? If a site does not have a free trial, don't sign up. It is recommended that you sign with more than one site during the testing phase. After all, it's free and you get to test more sites quicker.

5. Post photograph: Surveys by dating sites indicate that you are more likely to get a response when you post a photo with your personal ad. Too, most people first look at your photo before deciding whether to read on. Most dating sites allow more than one photo, but the main photo should be a head shot. And please make it a good one, of yourself, and one that looks like you today not several years ago.

6. Write a lively personal profile: No, you don't Shakespearean prowess. Write like you talk. Be specific. Instead of saying, "I love movies" you might say something like "I hate to say this, but I waited in line all night and into the next day to just to watch the last of the Star Wars series". Reading other people's profiles and noting which ones interest you might help you build up yours.