When you become a part of an online dating site, you have joined a great community of people.

To begin with, you may not be too sure of how to go about it the right way.

You may not be entirely sure of how things work or what is expected of you.

These are some online dating rules that can help you along the way.

1. Fill Out Your Entire Dating Profile

Many people can get lazy here because they want to get on with browsing.

It is very important that you take the time to fill out the entire dating profile so that you have the best chances of finding a match.

2. Do Not Use Identifiable Usernames

This is another area where people can get lazy.

They choose to use a username that may include an abbreviation of their actual name and perhaps a zip code.

Try to avoid doing this.

Maintain your anonymity so that you can enjoy the dating site in safety.

3. Be Cordial

Always be cordial in all your messages to others.

It gives out the impression that you are a valuable and respectable member of that online dating site’s community.

Rude or insensitive messages will not only result in you being blocked by another member but you could be booted off the dating site entirely.

4. Smile In Your Photos

Oftentimes you will find profile photos that have unsmiling faces.

This immediately conveys a negative impression.

When you smile in your photos, you increase the chances of receiving quality messages.

It’s not hard to smile.

Just do it.

5. Avoid Posting Semi-Naked Photos Of Yourself 

Unless you are using an adult dating site, try to avoid posting photos of yourself semi-naked.

For men, posting topless photos of yourselves may seem smart, but in reality, it will turn off the majority of the women that look at your profile and they will not take you seriously.

6. Avoid Negative Tone In Dating Profile Essay And Headline

Certain members who may have recently come out of a bad relationship or online dating experience may bring that negative energy to their headlines or essay.

This makes you unattractive no matter how nice your profile photos are and most members will avoid you.

7. Do Not Copy And Paste Messages

If you copy and paste messages to other members, they will know and you will not receive a response.

Take the time to look at a profile, pick out something that interested you and comment on it in a message.

This will show the other member that you actually read their profile and that you are serious.

8. Secure Sign Up Process  

When you are about to provide your credit card information, you need to be sure that you are on a secure online dating site.

There are 3 ways to do this when you reach the credit card information page: Check for “HTTPS” in the URL web address, look for a padlock or key icon somewhere on the page or check for Verisign/Equifax Secure signs.

9. Be Aware Of Auto-Renewals

When you join an online dating site, always remember that your account will renew automatically at the end of each cycle.

If you have chosen a month to month membership and decide to leave the dating site within that month, do not assume that you should do nothing.

You have to return to the dating site and manually cancel your subscription or it will automatically renew.

10. Give It Time

As a fast moving society, we tend to want instant gratification.

It’s important not to bring this attitude into online dating.

The average person spends about 4 months on an online dating site.

Give yourself at least that much time if not more.

The more time you give it the better your chances at love and companionship.

These are rules that will help you have a better experience in online dating.

You are online dating for a reason and with an end result in mind.

Hence, use these rules to guide you towards a happy conclusion.

This way, you can get the most out of your time.