Your online dating profile, in many ways, is the primary source for a first impression in this digital age. Your pictures, your name, profile title, personal essay and interests all combine to give a two-dimensional glance into who you are and what you’re like. It can’t be said enough how essential it is that you put every effort into perfecting your profile. What would you think if you showed up for a date and your love interest was dressed in grubby clothes, smelled like a sewage plant on a warm day and was unable to form sentences when they spoke? Ask yourself what the digital equivalent might be. Would old or fuzzy pictures or even no pictures at all begin to set off warning signs? Would a misspelled title or an essay peppered with grammatical mistakes suggest something derelict in a someone's personality? Would short answers to big questions suggest that they might have little to offer when you met in person? These questions are relevant and important if you are seriously considering dating online. Here are five quick tips to get you on your way to crafting a better first impression.

-Start off on the right foot by committing the time to do it right. If you’re serious about finding someone online, it will take time. Online dating isn’t a quick fix. It’s just another avenue for singles to find romance.

-Do a little research. Check out a dating site and browse the profiles. Look at profiles from both sexes as you’ll want to get a feel for what’s out there and what you will be competing with. Find out which profiles catch your eye and figure out why. Knowing what a great profile looks like will help you craft your own.

-Make sure you have a great photo. Good won’t do. There are many others out there with great photos and you’re going to be compared with them. Your picture is the first thing people will look for and online dating is almost pointless without one. A great photo is clear and recent and you should have more than one. You might think you looked better five years ago but that won’t save you on a date when they see who you’ve become.

-Write more than less. You only have seconds to catch someone’s attention and if you haven’t written much, there’s not a lot to base a decision on.

-Keep it positive. Write about your likes – not dislikes. Write about what you’re looking for. A positive mindset comes across in your words and people will respond more to those that smile when they write.

Creating a great first impression doesn’t take a degree in astrophysics. You don’t have to go to school for years to be able to do it right. What it does take is time and effort. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out. When it comes to dating, more choice is everything. Write your profile like it is the most important thing you’ll do in life and you’re bound to find people who are perfect for you.