Are you one of the many individuals out there today going online to find love and friendship? If you've spent any time on singles sites, you know it can often be a frustrating, hit-or-miss process.

However, it is possible to meet real, quality singles online. You just need the right mindset and the right approach. The following guidelines will give you a leg up on your competition!

Tip #1: Run your search for love like a business

It sounds unromantic, but you'd be amazed how much more rewarding (and efficient) your Internet dating quest can be if you'll run the process like a business.

What does this mean, exactly?

It means being a bit ruthless about your time and money. If you're paying for a membership, you'll want to get the most out of it that you can. This means knowing exactly what you want, and being merciless in weeding out "so-so" matches, no matter how physically attractive they might be.

It also means you've got to do some searching of your own, rather than waiting for other members to contact you. Again, you're paying for the service, so make full use of your dating service's matchmaking and compatibility testing features.

Tip #2: Play it safe

Even if you join a dating site that runs background checks on all members, you'll still want to play it safe and take your time before meeting someone offline. There will always be a percentage of people on these sites who are secretly married, secretly ‘crazy' or out to scam others.

You, however, can scare off the ‘fakes' if you'll be patient. Take a couple of weeks to correspond with potential matches and ask them a lot of questions. Once you've gone through the small talk, arrange to move the conversation from email to the telephone.

A real single who is truly interested in you should be able to pass this ‘test of time'. Always trust your instincts.

Tip #3: Branch out

If you can afford it, it's a good idea to subscribe to two or three personals sites at a time to maximize your coverage. The more fish you've got in your pond, the better your chances.

Also, there will be some overlap between sites in terms of membership. This can be useful when evaluating your matches because you can check their profiles at another site for consistency.

Last but not least, keep your head up and maintain a positive attitude throughout your search. Patience is key. Even if it takes you a year or more to find the right person, that amount of time is nothing compared to love that lasts a lifetime!