So you are thinking of giving online dating a try yourself. Here are some tips on selecting the online dating site that is right for you.

Most sites offer free trial memberships. Join and look around for potential matches. See if other members appear to share the same interests as you. If you can, try to determine if they have members located geographically close enough to you to make dating practical.

Get referrals from other people. Ask around in online forums and discussion groups.

Some sites cater to specialized interests or nationalities. In your search for a site remember to look for these specialized sites if you have specific preferences.

You'll need to submit your email address when signing up for free trials so get an anonymous email account. You can get one at no cost from many sites, for example: Hotmail.com or Walla.com

The Friend Finder network of sites is a good place to begin. They have millions of members so the chance of finding some who shares your interests and is located close to you is greatly increased. They also have a number of specialized sites customized for different races, preferences, religions, etc.

Jim Garrison runs the loveanddatingonline.com website. You can find links to all the sites in the Friend Finder network at LoveandDatingOnline.com site along with advice and articles about online dating.