Think of photos as tools to express who you are, she advises.

She thinks it's particularly noticeable in people who don't have social media accounts such as Facebook or Instagram and aren't used to communicating this way online."If someone puts up a photograph that's ten years old and blurry, it's coming across as slightly half-hearted," Madeleine points out.

There’s no time like the present to get started with online dating – after all, January is peak dating season at Elite Singles!

On the internet, people seem to feel the need to say things like, ‘I love to have a good time,’ as if this sets them apart from the rest of humanity.

The Risks Privacy Maintain privacy and avoid identity theft or fraud.

Preventing Identity Theft Your identity is precious. Viruses & Spyware A basic understanding of computer viruses and spyware.

It’s peak season in the world of internet dating, as those who spent the festive season weeping into tins of Quality Street go online in search of love. Give it some thought – on most sites, you can’t rectify username mistakes later on… Be honest If you’re grumpy, needy or a Secret Internet Fatty, make this clear. Let’s just assume human internet daters all like sex unless told otherwise, shall we? Smile for the camera At its core, the internet is a shallow, soulless place and it’s going to want to see your picture.

If you’re one of the thousands of lonely hearts looking for that special someone in 2013, perhaps you would like to make use of our handy guide to creating the perfect online dating profile… You don’t need to be self-deprecating to the point of character assassination and it probably isn’t wise to go into too much detail (i.e. Make sure your photo is a recent and honest visual representation (absolutely no Photoshop allowed), but don’t play down your good looks because you’re worried your date will be disappointed in real life – no one ever arranged to meet someone they found unattractive online in the hope that they might look better in person.