Finding your dream guy or girl takes patience and often a lot of trial and error. The good news is that online dating is here to help. Online dating has evolved to include lots of cool, useful features that actually help you become a better dater. Yes, you! Before you begin your search for your dream woman, here are a few things to keep in mind that will help you get the most out of your online dating experience (and hopefully meet Ms. Right!)

1. Create a great profile page that reflects your personality

Your profile page is your calling card. It communicates to your potential dates “this is who I am and what I’m about.” You’ll want to put some thought into it and make sure it includes all of the necessary information. Describing yourself in vague terms (i.e. “I’m just a laid back guy who likes to have a good time”) is a surefire way to ensure your profile gets lost in the masses. This is an opportunity to get super specific about who you are. Love craft beers and 1980’s New Wave music? Share it!

Good news: sharing your interests in a fun and appealing way is now easier than ever. For example, eHarmony has stylish profile pages that look more like well designed infographics –  packed with nuggets of useful information and sprinkled with lots of photos. This gives you ample opportunity to share that really awesome Instagram you took of that time you went to Coachella or wax poetic about your love of rescue dogs – all within a format that’s visually appealing and allows you to show your personality.

If your dream girl is a craft beer swilling, vegetarian who loves Death Cab for Cutie, with Match.com’s MatchWords™, you can add specific keywords to your profile that will help people find you.

2. Know what you want 

Whether you’re looking for a serious relationship or a casual fling – online dating is that it allows you to specify what kind of relationship you’re interested in. It’s important that you be honest with yourself about what you really want and go in with a game plan.

Whereas eHarmony is an excellent choice for those of you looking for a serious relationship, if you want some flexibility, dating sites like Match.com and Zoosk allow you to specify exactly what kind of relationship you’re looking for based on your shifting dating goals.  However, if you just want to meet and chat with as many people as possible, Mate1 features a highly intuitive, integrated chat feature, which encourages you to connect with other singles instantly. Also keep in mind, if you’re over the age of 50, you have the option of using a dating site like OurTime which is specifically tailored for the needs of mature daters like yourself. When it comes to online dating, there’s an option for everyone!

3. Be timely

To be successful at online dating, you need to be consistent and commit to staying on top of the process. Set aside time each week to review your matches and to send messages. We’re all living busy lives, so many online dating sites have features to help streamline the process.

Match.com offers “Email Filters” which not only decrease spammy emails, but also save you time by displaying profiles of the individuals that you would actually consider.  You can still access Filtered Mail via a specific folder, but the feature successfully keeps emails from users not meeting your must-have criteria from clogging your inbox. This is a great tool for prioritizing your time so you’re focusing on the best matches first. Are you constantly on the go? Match.com, Zoosk, Mate1 and eHarmony all offer easy to use mobile apps, so that you don’t have to be in front of your computer to reply to messages.

4. Take chances

One of the perks of online dating is that it uses algorithms to help you find your match. However, sometimes it’s fun to take a chance and approach someone based on your own gut instinct. If you think someone is attractive and interesting, send them a message! Physical attraction often speaks volumes. With fun mobile apps like Zoosk Carousel, you can flip through photos of local singles and swipe right or left if you like them. Give it a try. Sometimes taking a few chances can pay off in a big way.

5. Follow up –

I love a man who follows through! If you had an excellent date, send a quick message letting the other person know that you enjoyed their company. Better yet, if you really want to stand out from the pack, Zoosk Delivery allows you to send a small gift to the object of your affection. If I had a terrific date with a man and he sent me flowers the next day, it’s likely I’d be smitten.