Doing the rounds of online dating? Are you plagued by doubts and questions? Face it – free online dating is not your usual traditional dating method! It's new, daring, zappy and challenging! Yes, there are some guidelines which ought to be followed to make this dating through the internet a memorable and delightful experience. Once you have got your basics right you can sit back and enjoy the ride within safety limits.

The basics

There is no point in indulging in online dating if you mess up the ground work. Do your homework and register at a suitable and right free online dating site. Decide what you want you – what you expect and desire. Now cast a glance at the dating sites. Which ones offer these needs? Go for the free dating site which gives you that. Next read your contract and be sure of your purse strings. Don't be in a hurry to part with your cash!

Profiling yourself

Now sharpen your writing thoughts and pen down your profile. Remember, with regard to free online dating, be honest up to a certain degree but don't be brutally honest. There is no reason to talk about your mother's attitude – let your profile speak about you! Talk and don't narrate! Don't send your potential date to sleep. Be witty, positive and genial! And remember to stick a snap in your profile. Online dating sites are primarily visual in nature. So, be sure to have an attractive photo making the mark.

• No mug shots please

• Don't pose with your ex-es or parents, sibling, work colleagues or friends but it's okay to pose with your cat, dog or hamster!

• Don't wear any revealing outfits or flash your bare chest with rippling muscles. You don't want to give anyone the wrong idea.

• Find a photo with you smiling – not one with a frown or a grimace: a frown signals a bad temper and could send a potential date scampering away.

Sexy or sensible

Tough choice but you have to make it, when it comes to free online dating. It's better to go for a screen name which does not give any indication of your immediate or future plans. Don't choose a screen name like ‘Marriage 637' – this probably tells a potential date that you are looking for marriage right away. It could send jitters and scare the date off. Dating could lead to marriage or mere friendship but why reveal your secret desires to a date? Let nature take its course. Similarly, you want a date to experience physical intimacy but don't adopt a screen name like ‘Sexy doll'! Bad idea!

Meeting

After talking endlessly online, always arrange a time and place to meet. Make sure your first meeting is in a busy place in a convenient spot in broad daylight. But before jumping the gun, talk to your date on the phone! This is for your safety – it is simply a way of ensuring the genuineness of the other person.

Free online dating is mainly about trusting your intuition. If you are getting bad vibes about a potential date – don't ignore your feelings. Follow your gut intuition and nip the online interaction in the bud. You will be much happier and safer.