More and more people are finding love through online dating platforms.

But before you start searching for your perfect partner, you should know the following seven things.

1. Online Dating is Now the Most Common Way to Meet a Future Spouse

Online dating has come a long way in the last few decades. No longer is there a stigma about online dating. In fact, if you’re looking to meet a life partner, finding someone via a web-based dating platform is undoubtedly one of the best ways of going about it.

One need only look at dating statistics to get a good picture of how successful people are in finding future spouses online.

Seeing as 2,500 dating sites operate in the U.S. and over 5,000 dating platforms exist worldwide, it should not be surprising that there has been a significant rise in newlyweds meeting online in recent years.

In fact, according to a survey conducted by The Knot, online dating is now the most popular way to meet a future spouse.

2. You Should Always Post a Recent Photo

You could be tempted to post an old photo of yourself on an online dating site that shows you at your best.

But if you post a photo in which you look younger and thinner when in actuality you have put on pounds and lost your hair in recent times, you are setting yourself up for a date to be disappointed when your date meets you in person; unless you have cosmetic surgery in the meantime!

Plus, the last thing you want is to begin a potential relationship with mistrust. So, always be honest by posting a recent photo and not exaggerating anything on your profile.

3. Posting Video Footage Can Help You Show Off Your Personality

The photo you post on your profile should still make you look your best, so choose your profile pic carefully. Just make sure it’s not dishonest.

Furthermore, if you want to find the perfect match, upload a video of yourself so that potential dates can get a better idea of what you look like and what your personality is like.

One way of getting people’s attention and enabling them to get a glimpse into your personal life is to post footage in which you’re engaging in an activity, such as shooting hoops, singing, or playing with your dog.

4. You Should Carefully Consider the Written Content You Add to Your Profile

The written content of your profile is your chance to show off your personality further and attract the right people. So, spend time carefully considering what you’re going to write.

Make sure you go above and beyond simply listing your job and interests. The more your personality shines through, the more likely you will connect with the right people.

So, do things like using humor in your words and highlighting your emotional side rather than making your profile sound like a resume or using macho terminology to make you sound cool.

5. You’ll Connect with People Better when You Open Conversations in the Right Way

You also need to carefully consider the words you use when you first contact someone on your online dating platform.

For instance, to stand out, avoid clichéd openings like, “What’s up?” and “How’s your day going?” Think of more inventive and personal terms to use.

And never look up conversation openers online and copy and paste them. It’s important that a potential partner gets to know the real you from the first moment.

Plus, it’s always a good idea to open an online conversation with a specific compliment and to talk about mutual interests. So, make sure you actually read potential partners’ profiles in detail so you can talk about stuff of mutual interest.

6. You Should Take Rejection in Your Stride

It takes time to find the right match online before you even go out on a date, and rejections are part and parcel of dating territory. So, don’t get hung up on anyone who rejects you during the online meeting stage.

It’s perfectly normal for people to make connections on online dating sites and then realize that the other person isn’t really the right person.

Therefore, don’t become negatively affected by rejections. Instead, keep your sense of confidence when rejections happen because there are sure to be other people waiting to connect with you.

If you lose your confidence, you won’t be in the best place to pursue other connections.

7. You Should Know What You’re Looking for

Before you begin delving into the world of online dating, it’s important that you first figure out what you’re looking for in another person.

For instance, a similar sense of humor could be top of your list for a potential partner or you may want to find someone who lives nearby.

Make a list of what attributes you want a prospective partner to have so you don’t waste time on unsuitable people and you have a better chance of finding the ideal match.