You may think that online dating is only reserved for those who have given up on meeting someone in the 'real world', but it is actually a great way to meet new, exciting people you would never normally know. And, the beauty of it being online is that there is plenty of room to have a little harmless fun.

 

When you register for an online dating site, it's best to sign up to one that offers you a free registration, so you can have a look around and see if it suits you. You don't want to pay a full subscription, only to find the site isn't going to offer what you want, or that you're not really comfortable using it. You can normally use your free registration to search through other profiles, to see if you like what's on offer. It may even be the case that you're persuaded to sign up to a subscription off an individual profile that gets you a little hot under the collar!

 

When setting up your profile, it's important to stand out from the crowd. Be adventurous, and don't be afraid to say what you really want. It's better to do this, than to create disappointment on both sides further down the line. If you don't want a 5 hour train journey just to meet someone, make sure you put down your potential matches' ideal location. Be careful with your wording though, and favour diplomacy. "I want someone who enjoys adventures and taking risks" sounds a lot more appealing than "I don't want a fuddy-duddy who's boring and stuck in their ways"! Your profile is also a great place to show just a touch of your flirty side. Think about the kind of things that would make you want to click on someone else's profile and try to incorporate these into your descriptions.

 

Though we all like to say it's what's on the inside that counts, we also all know that a picture speaks 1,000 words. Online dating does afford you the chance to get to know a bit about someone before you even speak to them, but a picture is likely to be the first thing you'll notice when scrolling through profiles. Use a profile picture that most accurately represents you at your current best. It's fine to use a holiday snap where you're sun-kissed, relaxed and healthy, but if that photo was from 10 years ago, it's not going to be an accurate reflection. Don't be afraid to embrace how you look now - it's only the same standard you'd expect from a potential match. Again, try and stand out from the crowd. You want to look your best, so if you haven't got a photo you're happy with, ask someone else to take one for you. You'll be pleased you waited, as will your potential suitors.

One of the best things about online dating is that you can have frequent contact to get to know a person, without having to meet them first. Email is one of the most common methods of contact, but many dating websites also have online chat rooms. This is a great way to get the spark going, and you'll probably find you're a lot more confident online than you would be when meeting someone for the first time. If you have agreed to meet with someone, a few flirty emails back and forth before the first date are a great way to build up the excitement and kill off any butterflies you may have. You may want to set up a separate email account specifically for your dating profile, and be sure not to give out any personal details such as your phone number or address before meeting someone.

The most important thing with online dating is to have fun. It shouldn't cause you stress, and should be something you enjoy. Be as creative as you want - this will often work better than profiles that are bland and full of clichés. Also don't be afraid to embrace your age. The username sexy@60 is likely to be much more appealing than Helen-60.

Beware of your expectations though - don't sign up thinking you're going to meet Mr or Mrs Right straight away. You may be lucky enough to meet your soulmate, but it's also fun to have a harmless fling or two on the way. To see if online dating is right for you, you can register a free profile now at Telegraph Dating .