Shortly after my divorce was final I was introduced to the world of online dating. This was back in 2000 when the idea of meeting and dating someone from a dating site was new and enticing.

I remember the first time I browsed profiles on Match.com. It was like having a Smorgasbord of men to choose from. For a small fee I could pick and choose from a wide variety of members of the opposite sex. What a delight!

Like everything else in life I soon learned that most of what I found on online dating sites was too good to be true. And, I made some mistakes when first venturing into the world of online dating. Mistakes that kept me from getting the most out of the experience.

So, if you are taking advantage of online dating sites or thinking about venturing into that world, below are some Do’s and Don’ts I’ve put together based own my personal experience.

Do ask for a recent photo before meeting someone in person. If the person is reluctant to share a photo you can bet they have something to hide.

Don’t give out your regular email address. Use a dummy email account from yahoo or gmail. It is too easy to gain personal information about someone from an email address.

Do choose a reputable dating site. It may cost more but in the end is worth the price.

Don’t assume that free dating sites are the better choice. Think about it, do you really want to meet someone too cheap invested a few bucks?

Do keep your expectations low. He or she may sound great in their profile but remember people can be anyone they want to be online. Reserve all final judgments for once you’ve met and gotten to know the person.

Don’t ever trick yourself into thinking you’ve fallen in love with someone you’ve never met. It is easy to become enamored when someone is telling you exactly what you want to hear. Loneliness leaves people feeling vulnerable which leads to foolish choices. Don’t be foolish enough to ever believe you are in love with someone you’ve never met and spent time with.

Do be honest when filling out your profile. Not too honest though! Share your likes and dislikes but never your location or too much personal information.

Don’t believe everything you read in other people’s profiles. If they sound too good to be true, they probably are.

Do have fun! But listen to your instincts, play safely and don’t be upset over having to kiss a lot of toads before possibly meeting “the one.”