Over the past few years Internet dating has become very popular with around 80% of people over the age of 40 using Internet dating services to find a partner

Internet dating has one major advantage over meeting someone in a bar. You get to discover all about them before you have even said 'Hi' You can find out their place of birth, their religion likes and dislikes, hobbies and interests and so on.

Internet dating allows you to chat online and get to know someone before meeting him or her. This will obviously increase the chances of finding that special someone.

Quite often you can discover more about a person by correspondence and therefore weed out the people you don't think would be suitable for friendship or a relationship.

Essentially when you meet someone in a bar or social event the physical attraction may well be there but quite often after the first couple of dates you find out you have absolutely nothing in common with them and the relationship stops there.

Before you sign up to an Internet dating agency check around to find out the best ones and more importantly agencies that will be right for you. Think about what you want to get out of the service whether it's just a friendship or something more. Read some reviews about the agency first and how other people have found the service.

Once you have decided one of the most important things to get right is your picture.

This is the downside of Internet dating, the fact that you do not know whether you will be physically attracted to a person until you actually meet them. Making sure your photo is good quality, well lit and a close up shot of your face is essential as many people will be put off if they cannot make out what you look like because the photo is of poor quality and does not show what you look like.

Once you have selected a possible date engage in plenty of discussion with them prior to meeting them. Never disclose too much personal information about yourself or where you live. If a person pressures you to disclose information about yourself that you feel uncomfortable with end the communication right there. Any genuine contact will appreciate why you are being cautious with this information and will not try and manipulate it out of you.

The thing to remember when Internet dating is to have fun as well as make friends and meet potential partners.