Why not show a friend your dating profile?

Sometimes, we can be a little bit secretive about the fact that we're spending time on online dating. People sometimes see the search for new love as quite a private thing, for example.

But there's really no need to be secretive, especially in this day and age, when so many people are using the power of the internet as a way to find true love or friendship.

Letting a friend in on your online dating adventure, and giving them a look at your dating profile, could be a really good idea.

Someone who knows you well will be able to take a glance at the profile and tell you whether it reflects you well.

Perhaps there are hobbies you could have mentioned but have forgotten about, for example. And maybe a pal can recommend a photo of you that really shows you off at your best?

Talking to friends about the people who you chat with online, and asking for their advice, can also be a really useful addition to the online dating experience.

Sometimes we're not sure about someone, but our friends can encourage us to keep seeing what happens if they sense there might be some potential in the match – or perhaps advise us that they don't see the match working well.

It's important not to let other peoples' opinions put too much pressure on you, though: Sometimes it's best to do what you want to do in the end, but remember extra input can be really useful.

So don't keep your online dating to yourself – if there's someone you can chat to about the experience, it could really help boost your chances of making the best of internet dating!

And remember that, security-wise, if you go to meet someone new off the net in real life, having someone you know come with you is the safest way to handle things.