When you think about online dating and how you get noticed, you can’t ignore the first thing one sees; your online profile picture. First impressions happen within seconds of looking at your photo. In the online world it really can seem like you’re a small fish in a massive pond of random singles. Fortunately, you can spot a great online profile picture from a mile away.

Here are some tips to really highlight your best side.

Choose a Recent Picture

Everyone’ s heard the online dating stories of meeting up with a match only to realize their profile picture is 25 years old. Eek! Make sure you choose a recent picture to avoid misleading anyone. Don’t have one? That’s OK. Enlist a friend or family member to help you out by snapping a couple the next time you’re together.

Dress for dating success

When you’re applying for your dream job or meeting an important client, what type of thought and care do you put into your appearance? You clearly want to make a great impression. The same is true for your profile picture. What you choose to wear and what you upload is what others are judging you for.

What type of clothing really represents who you are, and highlights your best physical qualities and personality traits? I am a big fan of hiring a personal stylist or getting the opinion of caring friends and family who know you’re trying to put together an outfit and look for the ideal profile picture.

This is not to say you’re dressing for an interview.

You are dressing to make a great impression for the person you are looking to attract. If you’re less of a “suit guy” in your day-to-day life and jeans and a t-shirt really are what you live in, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just be sure your outfit is clean and you look put together.

Personal hygiene is not to be neglected.

If it’s time for a haircut or color, do it before you take your photos. Guys, if you need to shave and trim nose and ear hair, get it done. Ladies, it’s tacky to have chipped nail polish and runny or sloppy make up. Take pride in your appearance and put some thought and care into your photo, the results will speak for themselves.

A smile goes a long way

You would think smiling is something people would naturally do when selecting a primary photo.

Smiles are beautiful, they are free and they can brighten up anyone’s profile picture with only a matter of changing your facial features. A smile is an easy and great way to brighten up your look. In a space that is foreign and strange to most people, a smile has a universal way of saying “It’s OK” Let’s have fun. Take it easy. Life is too short.

When you are genuinely smiling, your eyes smile, and your whole expression somehow becomes warmer and friendlier. You appear to be more trusting. People want to know what you’re excited about meeting others.

They want to be part of your world. Do you ever notice how someone’s smile can make you smile? Smiling is often followed by laughter, and laughter is contagious.

Opt for High Quality

A high quality image makes all the difference. Badly cropped or blurry photos won’t help other people on the dating site know you better. They could even be the reason you don’t receive as many messages as you could. Always go with a high quality image. Any modern digital camera automatically takes photos in high quality.