1. Be honest... Ladies, that means if you're 45, say you're 45, not 39. Guys, if you're broke, don't pretent to be Rich.
2. Post a Picture... The more current the better. You will get more interest if people can see what you look like. And make it a recent one.  I know if I am contacted by someone without a picture, I am much less likely to reply to them.
3. Pay for a Membership in at Least One Dating site. You can't do everything for free. Think of it as the cost of one date a month.
4. These are Real People with Real Feelings, so treat them the way you want to be treated.
5. And going along with the above, this is not a playground for cheating on your current mate. If you are not free to date, then don't.
6. Pretty Girls and Good looking guys get a lot of attention and a lot of mail. They can't reply to all of it. If you write someone and don't hear from them, don't take it personally. And don't beg for their attention. No reply means no interest, move on to someone else. And if someone contacts you and you just don't see IT, pass them by, you can hurt feelings trying to explain why you don't see what they see. 
7. Most Dating sites have something called a "Tease" or a "Flirt." Which can be used instead of an E-mail. Free members make use of these a lot. But most of the time, the person you Tease or Flirt with, won't respond. But it might be away to get someone to at least look at your Profile. And you never know.... Also, if you write someone and they reply with a "Flirt," it could mean they need a normal E-mail address to be able to reply... Write them back and give them one. I suggest setting up a special one just for this. 
8. If you are a free member, say so somewhere in your profile. You might even suggest anyone writing to you, give you an E-mail address so you can reply to them. Though some services won't allow this. If they don't, they will let you know. 
9. When you look over a new Dating Site, if they offer a free search before requiring you to register, do it. That way you will at least have some idea of whether there are matches in your area. If you have to register first, do it. You can always cancel later.
10. When you write a profile about you and who you're looking to find, please spell check it. And then read it out loud to make sure it sounds right. Nothing turns off someone faster then a poorly written profile. You don't have to write a novel, but do write something that tells people about you and the kind of person you're looking to find. And again, be honest.
11. If you're not happy now, don't expect someone to make you happy. If you're not in a happy place in your life, forget about dating anyone until you are.
12. If you're not ready to focus on someone, then back off, take care of business and leave the dating alone until you have time for it.

There are lots of wonderful men and women out there of all ages. Some are looking just for a friend, some are looking to start something lasting and some are looking for someone to Grow old with. If you just want to fool around, there are sites out there for that, and they are very clear about it. Don't go looking for a "Good Time" with someone who's been hurt before and is looking for True Love and a Lasting Relationship.

Make sure you are ready for this. Everybody's different and some heal faster then others. The last thing anyone needs, is to start caring for someone, only to have them say, "I'm not ready to commit." Follow the Golden Rule, "Do Unto Others, as You Would Have Them Do Unto You."

I have been through a Divorce in my life and now I've been Widowed. And I can't recommend either, they are different. There are different feelings involved. So, be aware of that when you start seeing someone.

They say that there's someone for everyone. And that may be true. And even if you've lost a True Love, there is no rule that says you won't or can't find another. It may take a lifetime to find them, or just a click of a Mouse.

You never know where you are going to meet the Love of your life. It could be, She or He is waiting to find you Online right now. You will never know unless you try to find each other.

There are a lot of Dating sites out there, here are some of the best. I wish You all the Luck in the World with your Search.

But if the Lord is with you, you don't need luck, He'll lead you to the Right One.

Update January 2007. I found Her and we are going to be Married soon. And I found her through Online Dating. It does work.

Update March 2007. We were Married February 17, 2007.