7 things we’ve learned about dating online

Aka a 21st century lesson in love

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Online dates fall into three categories – the good, the bad and the lets-just-be-friends zone. We've all pitched up to a date full of nervous excitement to discover the potentially perfect partner doesn't even bother to show up on time (or wash his mop) and only wants to talk about himself.

Ok, the latter could be down to first date nerves but... seriously, wouldn't you like a little bit of expert help to filter out the frogs and find someone you really click with? Well that's the USP of eHarmony, which puts the focus on relationships rather than dating – matching you with someone who is genuinely compatible with you.

It's the go-to site if you're looking for a relationship with staying power rather than an easy hook-up. Here are 7 things we've learned about it so far...

Get scientific There really is no need to troll through hundreds of profiles when clever algorithms can help you streamline your dates – think quality over quantity.

Invest a little Forking out £9.95 per month on an eHarmony membership may seem steep compared to free apps like Happn, Tinder and Bumble but trust us, it’s money well spent. Hooking up with others who aren't afraid to say they're looking for an actual relationship saves a lot of guesswork.

Make life easier Keeping a tab on all the different online dating platforms can be a real headache so it makes total sense to just stick to just one.

Be honest Honesty is always the best policy when it comes to looking for love. Most people who pay out for a dating profile share the same end goal of finding a long-term relationship, so don't hold back and just be yourself.

Know yourself Answering questions about your strengths and weaknesses, values and beliefs as part of eHarmony's relationship questionnaire is surprisingly fun and who better to let play cupid than the experts?

Send good vibes Think about how you sit and what your body language is telling your date. Mirroring each other's behaviour without realising is a sign of first date success.

Let your guard down Getting to know each other in the first stages of dating is what you’ll look back on in years to come so don’t hold back. If you're laughing on your first date, you’re on to a winner.

Go to eHarmony to find out more. The brains behind the butterflies.