Australia's largest online dating site, RSVP, has today launched a community designed especially for singles in regional and rural Australia.
Membership on RSVP in regional areas is on the increase, with more and more people each month deciding that online dating provides the perfect way to develop their social network, meet new friends and extend their potential dating circle.
More than 25pc of current profiles on RSVP are now registered as living in regional areas, an increase of more than 60pc in only two years.
"It's definitely easier to extend your dating radius online with just a click of a button," relationship and dating expert for RSVP Lija Jarvis said.
"Technology has given singles in regional Australia a whole new way to meet, when often time or distance can restrict socialising and limit the opportunities to meet and date new people in your immediate vicinity."
Research commissioned by RSVP in 2007 indicated that the stigma once associated with meeting online has diminished.
The findings also indicated that both men and women were flocking online to try their luck at dating and RSVP now boasts over 1.3 million members nationally with an even gender ratio.
Members of online singles sites tend to use them several times a week, from the privacy of their home.
Not surprisingly, Sunday and Monday evenings are the biggest times to hit the site, with more than 50,000 kisses being exchanged online between members on peak days.
"The most popular reason for joining RSVP is that it opens up possibilities," Ms Jarvis said.
"If you are willing to be a little bit flexible, take a positive approach and spend some time setting up your profile, then at very least, you may have some fun and make some new friends."
* It is free to set up a profile on the RSVP website and it is free to join the regional community.