Online Dating for Seniors

Looking for love? Ditch awkward silences and any other misfortunes that might befall a first date through online dating services. For grandparents returning to the dating scene, online dating allows you to browse thousands of other profiles from the comforts and safety of your own home.

Popular Online Dating Destinations

Match.com, the veteran of online dating sites, was launched in 1995 and currently serves 24 countries. This well oiled machine is fueled by membership fees that range from $17.99 to $34.99 a month. If you're having doubts about finding true love, Match.com offers a six month guarantee-if you don't find someone special in six months, they'll offer you another six months of service for free. During your six month trial, Match.com requires you to send at least five messages to other users and post a photo of yourself that must remain visible at all times. Potential subscribers can also test the waters and peruse profiles for free. Match.com also offers "Senior Online Dating Personals."

eHarmony considers itself the "#1 Trusted Online Dating Site for Singles." This dating site will put you through rigorous questionnaires. Your compatibility is based on scientific matching and the "29 Dimensions of Compatibility." Overall, eHarmony's questionnaire aims to synch your answers with other compatible profiles. The cost of this dating service parallels Match.com and offers several packages to choose from.

Singleseniorsmeet.com is an online dating site reserved for singles over the age of 50. While this site provides a comfortable place for mature singles to interact, it does not conduct background checks on its members or subscribers. Always be wary of releasing personal information such as your phone number or address to strangers. Prime Singles' advice: "The main thing to remember: trust your instincts and use common sense just like you would offline." This site offers its services for $9.99 a month, and features include chatrooms, instant messaging, and photo galleries.

The Final Verdict

While you can't put a price tag on love, these sites will introduce new prospects for a relatively small fee. These sites can also help ease you into the dating world if you're feeling shy, and most sites offer flirting functions that allow users to make advances with minimal interaction. Always keep in mind that profiles and photos can be misleading, and never be pressured into anything you are not comfortable with. If you're ready to rediscover and take another chance on love, step into the 21st century and try online dating.