Senior online dating can be difficult regardless of whether you are single, divorced, or widowed. Our busy schedules can limit the amount of time we have available to meet someone new and dedicate to dating. The current pandemic has further encouraged seniors to look to online dating. Active adults over the age of 50 are looking to online dating more and more. Online dating is a great way to meet a special someone in your life. Read these useful dating tips for 2021 before joining an online dating site.

Tip #1: Choose the Right Senior Online Dating Site

Senior citizens are the fastest-growing demographic using online dating services and the number of dating websites available is steadily increasing. Senior online dating websites allow seniors to meet prospects based on preferred interests, personality traits, dating preferences, hobbies, etc. These sites allow you to get to know someone and decide if you want to get to know him or her before you meet in person. Online dating affords you the opportunity to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise have met in person. Also, using senior online dating sites allows you to find someone based on attraction and a compatible personality. Creating profiles on multiple dating sites also increases your chances of meeting a potential partner.

Top Senior Online Dating Sites

Top free senior online dating websites such as Plenty of Fish and Nerve.com allow you to get comfortable with the online dating experience without having to pay. Some dating sites are designed particularly for seniors such as Ourtime.com. Other sites can be fitted to seniors based on defined age ranges or by activities. All dating sites allow you to choose your age preference, so it doesn’t have to be a dating site specifically for mature singles. Some of the best dating sites for similar interests are the following: Christianmingle.com, eHarmony, Match.com, Okcupid, Bumble, etc. Active seniors interested in health and wellness may be interested in Fitsingles.com. AARP even has its own dating site!

Tip #2: Set the Right Expectation for Senior Online Dating

Know what you’re looking for and be honest with what you’re seeking. If you’re looking for a companion, casual relationship, friendship, long-term relationship, casual dating, etc. then state that in your profile. Be upbeat and positive in your language, people want to be with someone who adds to his or her life, and being positive and fun appeals to people who are looking for a fun companion. It’s easier to find the right person when you are seeking the same type of relationship. Online dating works for young people, so why wouldn’t online dating work for singles?

Tip #3: Create an honest online dating profile

Be honest on your dating profile. Building trust is your first big hurdle in meeting someone new. So, be yourself. Use recent pictures. Display pictures that show you in a positive way, and show you engaging in your favorite activities. When adding information to your profile, don’t overshare. Don’t reveal personal information; leave room to share information in person. When providing information about yourself, be positive, upbeat, and share things about yourself you would only share with someone you’ve only just met.

Get a Friend to Help

Have a third party assist with your profile. Ideally, this should be a friend or a family member. Ask them their advice on which profile pictures to post, which ones show your best attributes, and get their opinion on what they think about your “about me” information. Ensure you are conveying what you intend and you are conveying yourself accurately and the way you intend. If you want to feel better about your appearance, go buy a new outfit and wear it in your profile picture!

Tip #4: Be Patient and Resilient

Just as with meeting people in bars, social settings, work, hobbies, etc., it takes time and effort to be able to match with someone. Don’t be easily discouraged if you aren’t getting a lot of responses or winks as you hoped. Understand a lot of online daters are new to online dating so they are likely also inundated with a new dating process also!

Mature dating is not different than anyone else dating. You may like someone’s profile and picture, but they may come across much different in person. Keep this in mind when meeting for the first time. Know that chemistry is the key to a relationship and you can only know that upon meeting in person. You may or may not meet your soulmate! But, don’t give up if neither you nor your new acquaintance is not interested. It’s okay. There are plenty of other fish in the sea.

Tip #5: Stay Safe and Be Cautious

Do Not Share Personal Information

Enjoy putting your profile together and meeting new people, but know all the people you meet or talk to may not have the best of intentions. Never disclose personal information to anyone. A person interested in knowing more about you will ask you questions about your interests, beliefs, views, etc. He or she should be respectful and understand why you may not share your address, last name, etc. upon an initial meeting and/or conversation. Remain vigilant and cautious to ensure your potential mate is truly interested in you and doesn’t have nefarious intentions.

Talk Before You Meet

It’s always advisable to have a phone conversation with your match at least once before meeting in person. Once you feel comfortable with someone and decide to meet in person, always meet in a public place (ex: coffee shop). Never give someone your personal address or let them come to your place of residence until you know him or her well enough to trust them.

Tip #5: Have fun Dating!

Although it can be stressful to look for a friend or even love, the purpose of dating is to have fun! Meet new people, enjoy making new connections, and when you’re comfortable, make plans with someone who interests you. Meeting someone new is exciting and learning how he or she shares your views and interests, can be a really worthwhile experience. So, get out there. Feel confident knowing you have a lot to offer and good luck finding that person that makes you feel butterflies again.