From time to time we ask our members what they think of our dating website, and ways we could improve our service. Well we were so impressed by the good down to earth advice and pearls of dating wisdom provided by one member that we just had to reproduce it here. We’ve changed the name and the picture for his confidentiality, but the words are the same.

I’ve been a member of Direct Dating for about 3 months now and yes I’m really enjoying my time on the site, but to be honest I’ve had to learn a few lessons in how to get the best from the site, well online dating sites in general. The point I’m trying to make is that I think you could do with helping your members get the most from the site from day one, not find out the hard way like I had to!

Spread your wings – when you first start online dating we all stick to the counties around us, my advice is DON’T – we live in a small world and just because your lazy and wont travel means your cutting yourself off from miss right, it’s a big world out there.

Honesty – my, and I suspect most people trying to find a perfect date online, main gripe is a lack of honesty. I spend a month getting to know someone online via the message service and the set up a meet, only to find far from being a mid 20’s part time teacher she turns out to be on the wrong side of 40, and works in the local Tesco! My point is BE HONEST in your profile and picture, lie on your dating profile and you’ll always be found out.

Pictures – on the site you can put loads of pictures, and in this online dating game the old adage that a picture paints a 1000 words is never truer. Look at other peoples pictures and work out what works and what doesn’t – the first picture should be clear and a good close up of a smiley face, not a bad picture taken on a friends phone at 2 in the morning! As for other pictures add pictures of yourself full length, enjoying yourself, on holiday is good, but do you really look that red all year round? My real point is that when you are on an online dating site trying to attract the perfect partner remember people are attracted to pictures first, then the profile, so make the most of it and get a good first picture taken.