While it seems the rest of the world is either in a relationship, married, engaged or on the road to becoming divorced, you are not alone. According to US Census Bureau over 40% of American Citizens over the age of 18 are single. As the saying goes, there are plenty of fish in the sea.

To catch or to be caught is then an entirely different story. Once you have exhausted your own network and have appeased your friends by venturing out on countless blind dates, it is time to take matters into your own hands and take your features and benefits to the Internet.

The great thing about online dating is you get to be as selective as you want to be. You don't have to reposition yourself at the bar while some leach is trying to get your attention through some bad pick-up lines. Online dating is a safe as dating your best friend's brother, if you follow some simple guidelines. I have included the following dos and don'ts through my own experience which was successful, and through testimonials of friends who also found their mate and for some, a husband or wife through the "old fashion" way of dating ~ online.