Go places only when – and where – you feel comfortable enough to.

Senior dating sites have certainly made things easier than they used to be. Not so long ago, you had to head out for a night on the town or walk up to complete strangers to find a regular date. Now, you can simply sign up for a senior dating site and have plenty of dating options that match your interests sent right to your inbox. These dating websites can be incredibly helpful to someone that has been out of the dating game for quite some time. Most seniors fall into that group. As helpful as those websites can be, there are still some things that seniors should be aware of going in.

Pick the right senior dating site

The first thing you should know is that picking the right senior dating site is very important. Not all of these websites are out there to actually help you out. Some of these dating websites are scams in date night clothing. You have to do your due diligence to ensure that you are signing up with the right one. The easiest way to do this is to sign up with popular sites that have a strong web presence. When you put their name into Google, you should be able to easily find information about them. Checking with the BBB in your area is not a bad idea either.

Another key to ensuring you have a decent website is to find contact information and use it. Before I sign up with a website like this I try to use their customer service numbers up front. If you are unable to get in touch with someone, or you have trouble getting a response, then you likely are dealing with a company that is not going to make you happy. Always ensure you can get somebody on the phone and talk about your sign up. If you can, then at least you know they are legit in trying to help you find a date.

Make sure the terms are clear as well. If you are paying for a membership, make sure you know exactly what is needed to cancel if you choose to do so. These types of questions will keep you safe from the site itself.

Stay safe on your date

The real dangers come when you do not think things through and trust too much too early. Just like any other dating situation, you want to use your common sense with these dating sites. Do not count on the website to thoroughly check these folks out because that is not realistic to think that they could. Simply look at everyone with a discerning eye and you will be fine. Here are some common tips that will help you out:

• Never give out your private information to your date right away. This is perhaps the worst mistake that one can make. Never, ever give out your private information to anybody online. If you are going to share things like phone numbers, addresses and real names, you need to make certain you have built a relationship with them. Do not do this until you have gotten to know them in safe locations over a period of time.
• Always go on your first few dates with someone in a public place. If you can work out a double date with a couple you know, that would be awesome. Double dates are a great way to ensure you are safe and sound during a first date. Never go to your own home for a first date and never reveal where you live right away. That privacy will be golden down the road if you decide you don’t really think the date went well. Some people have ulterior motives as well, so keeping that stuff private is a good idea. Also respect their rights to privacy as well.
• Use a false name when you fill out your online profile. This allows you to control when and where people learn about you. In today’s world of Facebook and other online social websites, a real name can lead people to a world of information about you. Keep that stuff to yourself until you are sure you like and trust someone on a senior dating website.
• One really neat thing about a senior dating site is the forums and chat rooms. This allows a person to come in a virtual room online and talk about various topics. You can then see how people deal with a group, and also see how others respond to various subjects. It is a great way to dip your virtual toe in the water and learn about others. Eventually you may feel like joining in anonymously and have a great time. It is an easy place to interact if you are shy. You might be surprised at what you learn about someone when they are not aware you are looking.
• Be especially wary of anyone that is overly pushy or forward.  Even though you are on a website of other senior singles, you should still weed out the bad apples the same way you would in real life. The ones that are pushy are usually bad news, so you should simply move along and reveal nothing.
• Take your conversations nice and slow. Nothing says you have to rush through your online activities, so take your time and do it right. If you find the right match, they will reveal themselves in due time.
• Make sure you have an emergency contact standing by at a minimum on that first date. This person can be available to come to your aid, make a phone call, pick you up or even simply come and run interference if things go bad during the date. If you are not double dating, this should be a minimum line of safety. Having a backup is never a bad thing.
• Bring your own transportation if at all possible. This is a very good way to ensure that you have an escape route if things don’t go well. If things are bad, simply get in the car and head off into the sunset. This allows you some feeling of ease as you go through that first date or two. Your date likely has some plan of action in place as well so don’t feel bad.
• Whatever you do, avoid alcohol and other things that can cloud your judgment. The last thing you need is to be with a stranger, drunk and out of your element. Use common sense and leave all that stuff behind for now.

Staying safe after the date

Many people buy one of those portable cell phones that do not require a contract for dating services. This way you have no information tying back to you when you give out your number. This can be handy if you are dating online a lot and want to be able to talk to people. Think about getting one of these and use it to get in touch after a date.

Remain alert and vigilant on the way home. Some predators will follow people after a date to try and get information about them. If you notice someone following you, phone the local police and have them track you. It is far better to be safe than sorry.

Online dating doesn’t have to feel like you’re dating blind.

Did you know that online senior dating sites are among the fastest growing websites in the world, giving the senior set more options than ever before. Along with those options come plenty of other considerations. Safety, dependability, personal preferences and simplicity are four common considerations, but others come into play as well. Trying to find the right senior dating website for you is not nearly as complicated as it might sound. It simply requires one to take their time and do their homework.

What do I really want to find?

When you think about specialized websites, the drill runs deeper than just calling them senior websites. They offer websites that are even more specialized than that. Perhaps you are looking for an Asian senior date? Perhaps you simply want a senior that is open to a physical only type of relationship? No matter what you are looking for, there is a dating website that will likely provide your needs. That said, you need to do some homework about what you want to find in a date.

Once you know the details about what you are looking for, then you can start to narrow down some of the websites that are out there with these simple parameters. Always start with what you want, because the rest does not matter if they don’t provide what you are looking for anyway.

Test out the function of the website

I won’t say that seniors are slow on the computer and technical uptake because many are far beyond us young whippersnappers, but a large portion does struggle with computers. That said, finding a website that you can surf easily and quickly is a very big deal. The last thing you want is to find that senior you have been searching for, but be unable to contact her to say hello. Test drive the site before you sign up and make sure you like how things work. If they do not offer a test drive, then simply move on. There are plenty of senior dating websites that do.

Check to see how you interact

Most of these dating sites offer some types of forums or interaction areas where you can come in and say hello. This allows for folks to talk anonymously unless they decide they would like to meet. This is a great way to meet folks without any pressure, and you should be looking for this feature for certain.

Another exciting way to connect is through something called a chat room. This is exactly what it sounds like, but it is in real time. You can come in and talk live to others in a group setting. This is very popular because you get a cleaner feel for what someone is like in comparison to a message board or forum. Because the conversation is in real time, you can really weed out some folks here. The undesirables have a way of standing out rather obviously in chat rooms.

Most of these websites also offer private messaging as well. This is nice because you can directly speak to someone that you might be interested in via an email like platform. This can be very good if you are concerned about being turned down in a public area like the forums or chat rooms. Spend some time looking for profiles that you like, and then send out a private, personalized message that they will appreciate.

Detailed profiles means better matches

When you sign up with a dating website, be very wary if they only ask you a handful of shallow questions. You should be filling out all type of information about what you like, want and desire in a mate. You should be giving out no personal information on your profile, as this should be secret until you are ready to meet with them and choose to tell them.

When you get shallow reviews, you get horrible matches most of the time. The websites that have you fill out all kinds of questions about what you like and dislike often pair up folks that match beautifully. Look for that type of website when you search for the right one for you. Seniors know more of what they want than anybody, so it makes sense to have a complete profile in place.

What about privacy?

If you are not getting totally anonymity, then you are with the wrong senior dating website. Never give out your personal information in your profile or other areas of your website. This is a sure-fire way to draw trouble to your doorstep in a world where criminals will look for any way in. Keep that stuff to yourself and make sure your website is doing the same. Always ask about privacy and how they protect you before signing up. This is a great way to find out if that customer service line actually works. Dial it up and ask the right questions.

Don’t dismiss your gut feelings

Like anything else in life, you will know the right place when you hit it. Online dating websites are like a good or bad date; you know when you get one. The problem with the bad dating sites is that you often have already given them monthly dues before you realize it is not the site for you. This is why it is so important to make certain you have a test drive of the site. Your gut will not lead you astray if you listen to it. If something feels weird, chances are it probably is.

Use the scattershot approach

When you sign up for a senior dating website, it is a great idea to sign up for more than one. Why limit yourself to only one option? Most of the websites require no obligation to cruise around and play with the various interfaces, so come in and give it a whirl. If you try several websites, then you are much more likely to find what you really want. This is true also of your approach to finding the right mate. Speak with several, find what you like, and then dig in and investigate further.

Never forget safety issues when you are dating online

Once you find that special website that offers what you are looking for, keep some basic safety precautions in mind:

• Never give out private info too soon.
• Always double date or have an emergency standby person on your first date.
• Drive yourself to and from the date.
• Make certain you date somewhere in public at first.
• Avoid all alcohol and various other mind altering substances.
• Keep your safety in mind at all times.
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Make sure you are careful when you leave that you are not followed.

There are more precautions to be taken, of course, but these are the most common. If you are careful and do your homework, senior online dating websites can be a huge help towards finding that special someone later in life. The benefits of having these sites can’t be understated. Even people that are disabled are now finding folks that are looking for companionship. Having a digital world to look around in helps a great deal when you can’t get around like you used to. Not many seniors can head out every Friday and Saturday night looking for love randomly. Online senior dating sites make their work a little easier, and their fun as well.

Liking the same activities is what makes a good date.

Here are our top tips for seniors on finding love and romance through online dating site.  It’s no surprise then that many senior men and women are using online websites to help them find dating partners and to search for romantic relationships. Many seniors are now discovering how useful the Internet can be to find others they want to hook up with and date.

You don’t have to be computer savvy to make use of the many dating sites on the Web today. Since some seniors struggle to catch on to the Internet and how it works, there are some dating sites that are specifically designed with you in mind to help you find the perfect date without getting lost in the process.

Senior Dating Sites

Here are some things that you need to know about using senior dating sites. While some of these tips apply to any dating site, there are some specific things seniors can learn about online dating services that will help you be the hottest senior on the block.
We suggest that you give yourself time to really research the sites before you just pull out your credit card and subscribe to the cheapest one or the first one you see. Most websites will allow you a free trial period so you can get a demo of the features, the community and the ease of use.

Take The First Steps

Your first step to finding success from a senior dating site is to determine what you want from the site. Are you looking for love, for friendship, for a quick “hook up”? There is no right or wrong answer; only the answer that applies to you and your situation.

Are you looking for a long-term relationship or marriage? Are you looking for someone from a certain spiritual or religious affiliation? These are all important things to work out in the beginning so that you know exactly what you’re getting into as you prepare to sign up for dating sites and search profiles for the right person for you.

Some other things to consider about dating are how much you are willing to spend on dates and on the dating sites themselves. Are you looking for free sites or are you willing to spend a little more to get into private or more specific sites to meet the person you will date?

Choosing Senior Dating Sites that Meet Your Needs

Once you have a good idea of what it is you want from senior dating sites and from the entire dating experience, you’re ready to start shopping for sites. It’s important to find a dating site that properly meets your needs. This means you might need to sign up for several websites, try them all out for a bit and go with the one or two that best meets your needs.

There are no rules on how many dating sites you can use at once but too many will be difficult to keep up with. It’s best to find the one (or possibly two) that meet your needs the closest and that you are the most comfortable with using and then maximize your time and energy spent into just these sites.

Create a Memorable Profile

Once you have the site you want to go with, it’s time to create your profile. This is the most important part of the online dating scene- at least when it comes to getting started. Your profile is not just about attracting people to you for a potential date. It’s actually about attracting the right kind of person to you. You’ll just be wasting everyone’s time if you falsify into on the dating profile and hook up with someone based on lies.

If you ever try to meet in person, some lies will be obvious and those that are not could still be deal-breakers if the truth is revealed. It’s a waste of everyone’s time to go down this route. Instead, create a memorable but honest profile that helps describe you as well as what you are looking for in a date.

Here are some basic tips on making your profile:

• Fill out all the info the site asks you for
• Use a clear, recently taken photo of yourself
• Use a headshot for your main profile image – most sites allow other photos to be uploaded as well
• Be honest and be yourself
• Avoid negativity- it will attract negative people
• Avoid bitterness about your past- same reason as above; it attracts the wrong people
• Tell a little about your hobbies and enjoyments
• Tell a little about what you’re looking for in a date
• Don’t reveal any personal or identifying information in the profile

Have Online Dates before you Arrange for In-Person Dates

Once you are online and set up with a profile, you might be excited about meeting people. It’s important that you don’t jump too quickly into meeting someone in person. No matter how great they seem from their profile or online, it’s also a good idea to have several online dates or e-dates before agreeing to meet a person in person.

You might do this through a chat feature and some people even enjoy using video chat. Many dating sites have this feature set up through their site or you can use Skype or a messenger system to have an e-date.

If things go poorly on your virtual dates, then there is a good chance you are not going to want to go for an in-person date with this person. You could be saving yourself a lot of time, money and hassle by taking the time to get to know him or her better first.

When You’re Ready to Meet in Person, Be Safe

You’re never too old to be safe while dating. Seniors have usually already been through a lot in their lives and you have the life experiences to help you spot when something is wrong. At the same time, it’s possible that you have been out of the dating scene for some time and your intuition may not be just how it used to be when it comes to these types of things.

Regardless of your situation or how often you have dated, you never know for certain who you are meeting when you meet through an online dating site so it’s always a good idea to practice extra safety precautions each time.

Here are some tips for being safe with your online senior date:

• Meet your date in a public place with plenty of other people around
• Do not reveal your home address or allow  your date to pick you up
• Let a friend or family member know when and where you are going and who you are meeting
• Have a cell phone with you and handy in case of emergency
• Avoid alcoholic beverages that can hinder your thinking and inhibitions
• Always know where you food and drink came from (to avoid getting slipped something dangerous)
• Trust your instincts and if it doesn’t feel right, don’t feel pressured to stay

These are just a few quick tips to using a senior dating site. The more you use the sites, the more you will learn about how to get the most from them and to find what you are looking for.