Choosing a profile pic the most common online dating pitfall

When you're setting up an online dating profile, there are a number of things to think about before you hit the confirm button and present yourself to a slew of potential new dates. But what are the most common issues that people face and where do the majority go wrong? 

According to the Daily Mirror, one of the biggest problems will come when people are choosing their online dating profile pictures. With camera phones and the ease of uploading these days, the choices for a profile picture are endless, and this wealth of choice can present some real problems. 

First thing to remember with this is that you need to have a picture. You may be a bit nervous about putting yourself out there and potentially having people judging you on your looks, but profiles that don't have a picture at all suggest you've got something to hide, and most people will steer clear.

When you do choose a picture, try to steer clear of suggestive poses – these give off the wrong message – and don't have photo after photo of you with a drink in your hand because this, again, can give people the wrong idea. 

Lastly, it may well be the age of the selfie on social media, but it's best to keep these away from your profile, because it can make you look quite boring and somewhat self absorbed. 

While photos are the most common problem people face, there are other issues that will also arise from time to time. One of these can come when you're trying to write your profile. We all want to paint ourselves in a good light, but going overboard and lying or exaggerating will only make you look worse in the long run. 

If you don't go to the gym or know a lot about art, it's best not to say you do. After all, if you meet someone who genuinely has an interest in these things, you're only likely to leave yourself embarrassed. Be as open, honest and truthful as you can and you'll have the best chance of success.