How to Choose the Right Senior Dating Website

Introduction

With the rapid growth of online dating has come the need for website owners to cater to specific markets such as  'senior dating', generally referring to singles over the age of 50. Whilst the needs of mature singles can be accommodated by mainstream online dating sites, senior dating is an area of rapid growth. Contrary to the stereotypical assumption that older people are more settled in their relationships, the growth of senior dating sites indicates the contrary. What it does show is that there are plenty of mature people out there looking for dating, romance and friendship. The sites covered in this category have responded to this demand.

The advantage of joining a senior online dating site is that you get to enjoy a service that's tailored to your needs and provided by experts with a wealth of experience and knowledge. So, if you're looking to meet new people then why not begin your journey by having a look at some of our reviews? We can guarantee that you'll have plenty of fun and enjoyment meeting new people, and maybe even someone special. Imagine how your life could be enhanced by meeting people who share your interests and outlook on life, people to share life and experiences with. So, what are you waiting for?

Whoever you are and whatever you're into, we believe that there's somebody out there for you. You just have to take the first step. What follows is a brief guide to what you can expect when you join one of the dating sites in this category. For specific sites, please refer to the individual reviews.

Joining a site

The top ranking mainstream online dating sites have over 25 million members, some of which are members who would describe themselves as senior citizens (over 50). So if you are a senior citizen, looking for a dating site that a large proportion of younger members (in their 20s-40s), then you may like to check out our reviews of the best mainstream online dating sites. However, if you would like to join a dating site which caters exclusively for seniors, then you may prefer to try one of the more specialized senior dating websites.

These niche sites offer a wonderful way for senior citizens to connect with other seniors from all over the world. Some of the best senior dating websites have almost half a million seniors in their membership database. This means that you can get to know lots of seniors who have similar or different interests to your own; this could be anything from jogging to jazz, or from water-sports to watercolor painting.

Almost all online dating sites offer free standard membership, allowing you to register, create a profile and use basic features. You'll need a valid email address but that's usually all that's needed for standard membership. Whilst this allows you to explore the site and very basic features, to get the most out of the site you'll need to upgrade your membership. Don't expect too much from your free membership, especially with reference to communication features.

Upgrading and pricing

Upgrading is easy to do and there is usually a tab on the site you can tick to upgrade (or upgrade when you sign up). Payment is usually made online by credit card, but different options are sometimes available including credit card payment by phone, SMS mobile payment or check/money order by postal mail. Subscription prices can vary, but you can often get significant discounts based on a per month price by taking out a longer term membership rather than renewing monthly. Some even offer trial periods, which give you access to all the site's features with minimal commitment. Make sure you compare a few sites before you make any commitment.

Communication

You'll commonly find the following communication features on  most sites:

• Email: The staple method with most online dating sites.
• 'Flirts': These are preformatted icebreakers sent by clicking a button, expressing your interest in a member and initiating contact
• IM Chat: Used to text chat online privately between two members
• Video Chat: Use your web cam to see and hear each other as you chat
• Chat Rooms: As with video chat but conducted in a chat room with multiple people

As you can connect with other people without leaving your home, it doesn't matter if you live in the middle of nowhere, have few transport options or have limited physical mobility. The internet can bridge these divides and surmount these obstacles. There are a variety of ways to contact other members, depending on your circumstances and preferences. All modes of communication are easy to use - even if you're not tech-savvy.

For example, if you are shy or live on the other side of the world you may prefer to simply use email; if you want a more dynamic interaction you may prefer to use instant messaging or live video chat. Or you can begin with email interactions and progress to the more dynamic, visually enriched modes of communication. If you have safety or privacy concerns, rest assured that the best senior dating websites have a range of safety features in place to protect your privacy.

Other common features.

• Favorites list: Create a list of your favorite profiles
• Friend request: Invite people to be a friend and create your own social network.
• Search tools: Search tools help you to find what you're looking for more efficiently, searching for profiles that meet the criteria you specify. Quick searches are broader and only allow you to specify a very narrow range of criteria. Advanced searches let you specify a much wider range of criteria. Tab searches are one-click searches that list members who are currently online, recommended members, members with new photos or videos and so on.
• Blogs: On some sites you can write your own dating blog and/or read other members' blogs.
• Groups: Groups are usually defined by topic or location and are set up by members who want to meet like minded members or those living in the same area.

Increasing your chances of getting a date

• Make sure that your profile is complete so that other members can find out about you.
• Upload photos. Profiles with photos receive many times more contact than those without (about 40 times more contact).
• Upgrade your membership. This shows that you are serious and enthusiastic about finding a date.
• Verify your membership. Some sites offer a service that enables you to verify your membership to proved that you're genuine.
• Use the site regularly. The more you use the site the more connections you will make. The more effort you put in the more you will get out.
   

The Bottom Line

Although some people mourn the passing of their youth, others realize that with age comes a kind of life experience which is invaluable. Thanks to the digital revolution, many senior citizens now have a fantastic gateway through which they can find friendship or love, namely Online Dating.

In the USA, the term "Baby Boomer Generation" has been used to describe those born in the middle part of the 20th century. Baby Boomers are accustomed to dealing with new experiences, as they have lived through revolutionary times: politically, culturally, socially, economically and technologically. As a result, Baby Boomers are often characterized as more experimental, free-spirited and interested in social causes than other generations. These kinds of personality traits make senior citizens ideally suited to the world of online dating. Why not take a look at some of our senior online dating reviews and give one or two sites a go?