Avoid most common mistakes on online dating profiles

People who want to find a partner on an online dating website have been advised to think about some of the most common errors that can be made when writing a profile.

The Province has published a guide to saying all the right things in a profile – and perhaps even more importantly, not making the most obvious mistakes.

For instance, the first area to focus on is the display picture, as this is of "paramount" importance in trying to attract a new partner.

Nobody should choose a revealing shot, a cropped photo of a clubbing scene or something that simply does not reflect the true appearance of themselves.

Other items to avoid include an overuse of exclamation marks, any statements that may sound like a gold-digger may say them and cryptic clues.

These will only serve to turn off potential dates and make it all the more difficult to find the perfect lover on an online dating site.