Millions of people are now looking for love on the Web. In fact, research suggests that a third of single people in the UK have tried some form of online dating.

PARSHIP is different from other online dating sites: the service is specially for people seeking a serious relationship.

The service's compatibility test and matching system go a long way to helping you find the right person - but it's also worth bearing the following tips in mind. They will help you get the best out of PARSHIP.

For our safety tips please click here.

Keep it real
Online contact can really get your imagination going. A high compatibility score from the PARSHIP test, some details about the other person's life and interests, a few quick email messages and perhaps a photo, and we start to create a picture of that person in our mind...

With PARSHIP you have a major advantage: all your suggested partners are people with whom you could be genuinely compatible. But remember that, even with the help of PARSHIP's profiling, that picture in your mind still isn't the whole person.

Once you've made a positive contact online and you feel things could be worth taking further, you should think about speaking to each other on the phone and perhaps arranging to meet. You should avoid developing your relationship online for an extended period without talking or meeting.

Of course, you shouldn't feel pressured if you don't feel that someone is what you are looking for. If you haven't clicked with someone online via PARSHIP's messaging service, then you can always end your contact with them.

Really communicate
On PARSHIP, words really count. What you write about yourself matters. Put some thought into what you say in your 'About Me' section after you've registered and taken the test. It really influences the way other PARSHIP members will view you and can make a big difference to the number of contact requests and responses you receive. Remember too that you can always revise or update your 'About Me' section, so there's no need to agonise about it. (Click here for further advice on completing the section).

It's also always worth sending contact requests to people you think could be interesting for you. Don't wait for them to get in touch with you. People join PARSHIP to find a relationship, and you really could be the person they are looking for.

Photos
Photos don't form the starting point on PARSHIP.co.uk Your compatibility with other members is determined first and foremost by our unique psychometric test, and according to the information and selection criteria you supply.

Of course, it's only natural for you to want to see a photo of a potential partner - and for a potential partner to want to see a photo of you. That's why you can upload up to three photos to PARSHIP and you can 'release' them to a potential partner on your list at any time.

(By the way, all photos submitted to PARSHIP are checked by our staff before they go live.)

For tips on choosing your photo please click here

The first meeting
For our tips on your personal safety when meeting someone click here.

When arranging your first meeting, choose a public place and ideally limit the duration of your date to an hour or two. It can help to choose a place you know and to have a specific appointment to go on to after the date has finished.

Try and be as relaxed as possible when you meet and don't feel under pressure to 'perform'. Just be yourself: that's what PARSHIP's compatibility-based matching is all about.

A date isn't an interview, so don't feel you have to ask the other person too many questions. Equally, you are under no obligation to tell them everything about yourself. Remember you've only just met - even if you've been corresponding online for a while. Obviously, if you feel as if you've always known each other, that says something about the PARSHIP can put the right people together.

What if we don't click when we meet?
Even with PARSHIP's tried and tested matching system, not everyone you meet will necessarily be relationship material for you. The chemistry has to be there. If you feel there is no future potential, you should just bring the date to an end at an appropriate moment, thank the other person and leave it at that.

It's possible that you might have to tell the other person that you don't think they are for you. It can be difficult to do this, but it's worth being honest (in a polite way, of course).

Equally, the other person might have to tell you that they don't think there is any mileage in taking things further. Don't take this to heart and there's no need to apportion any blame - especially to yourself. And there will be lots of other people on PARSHIP who really could turn out to be the love of your life.