One in four people now m eet their partner online. Yet with 1,700 online dating sites in the UK alone, it can be tough to sort the good from the bad, ugly and downright strange. We've 20 tips to help you find The One online, including top free sites, discounts on paid-for sites, cheap date tricks and much more. Don't feel embarrassed about online dating If you're embarrassed about looking for Mr or Ms Right online, don't be. A recent poll on our Facebook page shows there's no longer a stigma about online dating, with 98% of respondents saying it's a great way to meet a partner. Here are some MoneySavers' experiences for inspiration. Please share yours in our forum discussion. Met my lady nearly six years ago on Match. I know it doesn't work for everyone. But don't knock it till you try it! I agree it's quite a daunting experience, but once you sift out the players, it can be positive. These are our key pointers for staying safe: Don't give out your number or personal email to someone you haven't met yet. Only share personal details when you've got to know the other person, and you're sure it's a genuine online dater based in the UK. This guide only includes sites that ask for permission before revealing your contact details to users. Key points to check include whether it'll post your profile on other sites, how it'll use your data, contract length, how you cancel, what safety support's available, exactly what you're getting for the price, and whether membership auto-renews. If you don't agree with the terms, don't sign up. Similarly, only go with a site you're happy with, and check its feedback online - it may be better to go with a bigger established site you've heard of than an unknown name. Here, someone gains your trust to demand cash, even using your private photos or webcam footage to blackmail you. If you think you're being targeted, the Metropolitan Police says DO NOT send any money - report it to , or your local police station on 101 if you feel threatened. If you're in immediate danger, call 999. Don't rush into meeting up just because your free trial's about to end or because they 'liked' your profile. Get to know them properly first - your safety's more important. If it doesn't feel right, move on. Of course, dating websites are a huge boon in the digital age. Used right, they can be fantastic tools to help you filter through thousands of potential matches at speed. They can get real results - here's a MoneySaver's success story to inspire you. Joined an online dating site and after a couple of months I met Damian. We emailed and spoke online for a few weeks, before talking on the phone most nights. We eventually met up for our first date and have never looked back. We've now been married nearly two years, and have an 11-week old son. If you're after a soulmate and they just want a quick fumble in the bushes, it'll only waste your time. If it's you that's after a quick fumble, don't be too boorish - make sure they're happy too. You'll get more interest if you upload a few snaps of yourself, rather than just one. Take your time and think about how you want to come across. You could even get a trusted friend to read it first. Even if you don't think you're anything special, they may see you as a great cook or gentle giant. If you've interests or hobbies, these can help you stand out. So if you're a huge Star Trek fan, don't think you have to hide it. It gives matches something to talk about. If your pics are all group shots, suitors may not know which is you. Avoid exes - this isn't the place for your old wedding photos. Honesty's the best policy Sell your best bits in your profile, but be truthful. Your date will quickly realise you're not a seven-foot human rights lawyer who rows part-time for Team GB when they meet you. Unless you are, in which case, please email MSE Archna. Likewise, a picture of you seven years ago before you gained a few pounds and lost a few hairs won't impress if it looks absolutely nothing like you now. The key is if you're looking for a long-term relationship with this person, you won't be able to keep up the pretence long-term. Fibs lead to disappointment all round. How to secure yourself a date When sending that first message, don't just cut and paste the same reply to everyone. It pays to show that you actually read their profile. That said, don't get too serious - aim for fun, snappy and short. Don't fall for unwanted dating site upsells Many dating sites offer pricey membership upgrades to bump up their profits. Yet only sign up to a premium package if you need it, you know exactly what it includes, and you'll actually use the extras, eg, a more prominent profile or easier messaging. For example, makes you pay for extra features, such as the ability to go online in 'unavailable' mode and request read receipts. It's worth starting off with a basic package to see how you get on, so you don't shell out unnecessarily. If you aren't getting many replies, it could simply be you've picked the wrong type of site for your needs, or your profile needs a bit more polish - see how to. Top tips to help on your first date Once you're sure you've snagged a winner online, your first face-to-face date is a crucial part of the process to see if there's real chemistry between you. This'll help screen out any unsuitables, plus it'll help you build common ground to talk about when you first meet. But only give out your number when you're sure. Check if they're dreamy or a dud with a quick 'pre-date' to see if you want to invest time and money in a full date. A coffee during a work lunchtime's ideal - ensure there's a defined end time. If you've had all your online dates in your PJs with a TV dinner, this isn't the time to follow suit. Dress to impress, and don't be late. Easier said than done if you've first-date jitters, but remember they'll be nervous too. So don't worry too much, and enjoy it. It's easy to do if nervous on a first date, but it's far safer to stay sober if you've only met online please be. Tell a good friend where you're going, who you're meeting, and when you'll be back. Take a mobile phone and arrange to let them know when you've got back home safely - and tell your date that others know where you are. We don't want to sound like your mum, but if passions are high, you don't want to return with more than you planned for. See the for contraception and STI info. If you're strapped for time for your first meeting, here's one forumite's tip to help: A pal has been very active on internet dating for some time now. One of her rules is that she always tries to meet any date in her lunch hour. She says an hour's long enough to give you an idea of whether you're both interested. If you're not, it's only an hour to perservere rather than be stuck with someone for a whole evening. Sadly many forumites report being caught out by these. If you can't opt out, set a free reminder for the contract's end, or a separate phone reminder, so you remember to cancel if you no longer need it. Even after you cancel, always do a full audit of regular payments to check you aren't still paying. A drink's cheaper than a meal - don't waste cash on a dud If you're looking for a first date venue, a nice cafe or bar's a far more MoneySaving choice than a restaurant. As you'll only need to buy a drink, you won't have to fork out for a posh dinner only to find they don't live up to your expectations. Plus you won't feel you need to sit through an entire meal together if you don't hit it off - and if you do, a drink and a chat together can last for as long as you want. One forumite's experience: My first date was pretty cheap and cheerful - two drinks in a pub, one of which was non-alcoholic as we were both driving. It was a perfect two hours, one of the nicest dates I have ever been on. Then if you think you're in it for the long haul, it could be worth buying a few months upfront to save. Most online dating sites charge less per month the longer you sign up for. For example, on Match. The catch is you're locked in and usually won't get your money back if you meet your soulmate in your first month. Set up a separate email address If you decide to take the plunge, it's a good idea to set up a separate email address just for any online dating accounts. Use this for dating site sign-ups and getting in touch with others - this way it'll protect your personal email from unwanted attention if things go wrong, or any online dating site spam. Th
