It appears there's an inverse relationship between the economy and online dating sites. A growing number of the estimated 92 million singles in the U.S. are turning to online dating sites to hunt for dates. Many are cutting back on big nights out and instead choosing to spend more time at home on the Internet surfing through profiles, which can take tons of time. As reported in the Washington Post, Match.com saw it's biggest one-month jump in seven years!

The L.A. Times reports eHarmony.com registrations saw 20 percent increases in 2008. And, get this, eHarmony and Match.com reported especially high traffic on days when the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted. Apparently, cold weather is also a factor. Both sites can be accessed via AOL Personals.

While some dating sites are free, consider this: even if you're paying $20 or $30 a month for a membership to a dating site, it's still cheaper than one night out on the town and the success rate is staggering! eHarmony alone boasts sparking a whopping 118 marriages every day! (based on 236 divided by 2). e-Harmony now accounts for 2.5% of all new US marriages. W-O-W. The company's self-commissioned research also indicates, the couples are "happier" than most couples.

If you're sold on the concept or are eager to help a friend or relative get going on this path, here are a few tips:

DON'T: Crop Out your EX
Probably the number one "no no" when it comes to posting a profile photo is cropping out your ex-wife/boyfriend or girlfriend. We've all seen the picture where you've chopped them out ... all except for their hand or arm that's around you ... bad move.

DON'T: Use an Old Picture
Remember, you are going to meet in person at some point. So, those pictures from 10 years ago or 20 pounds ago ... resist the urge.

DO: Be Specific
Help people "get" you. Saying you "love sports" is vague & doesn't tell people a real lot. "Enjoy fly-fishing & never miss a Yankees game" is a lot more telling.

DON'T: Seem Desperate
No need to send five-page emails right out of the box or instant message 24/7. For women it tends to seem "needy" & for men it can be construed as sign of a serial dater.

DO: Adjust Your Profile
Face it, your profile is a marketing campaign. Take a look at what's working for you and what's not. Shop the competition, see what attracts you, and steal some tricks of the trade. You can & should continually change and update your online profile.

DON'T: Move too Fast
Online dating tends to move quickly. For starters, you're both on the site cause you genuinely want to meet someone. Though, that doesn't necessarily mean you'll have same degree of "readiness" in pursuing a relationship. The general sequence is: online dialogue, talk on phone, meet in person at a public place.

DO: Manage Your Expectations
Both in terms of the amount of responses you get & the amount of dates you may need to go on. A lot of times people think, "I know this is THE ONE" based on their initial online exchanges. It's nice to think, but -- remember -- truth is, you're still on the front-end of one of life's easier-said-than-done events. Don't wait too long for first in-person meeting, it only makes the drumroll more intense. You'll know when you meet them, so just go, once you get a sense it could be worthwhile.

DO: Stick with it
If you don't like the responses you're getting, switch it up. This is marketing after all. If you don't like the fish you're seeing in the online sea, stick with it ... The sea is stocked daily & there are always newcomers, especially now with record traffic to top dating sites.