Dating Sites for Midlife Daters

One of the most common questions I get from midlife daters is: "Which dating site is best?" The good news is that there are more dating sites than ever specifically geared toward midlifers. However, it can be difficult to decide which one to try. The truth is, any site can work for you, depending on your needs and comfort level. Following are some of the top sites, with a word about using sites that aren't listed here.

Match.com

Just because a site isn't specified to "seniors only" or "those over 40" doesn't mean it isn't a good resource for midlife dating. Case in point is Match.com, which is arguably the largest online dating site. Match.com welcomes people from all ages, but for midlifers, it's a particularly good option, especially if you're new to the online dating world. The site offers a visual directive on how online dating works and if you're still not convinced, they show you several success stories of couples who have met on the site.

The bonus in using Match.com is their large and diversified membership base. You are bound to find someone special, and they are so sure you will, they are currently offering six months free if you don't.

Senior People Meet

Senior People Meet is a sister company of Match.com. The site is under the "People Media" umbrella, which has several niche dating sites, including OurTime.com, which boasts over one million single people over the age of 50. The site also works as an online community for those looking for friendship or pen pals.

eHarmony.com

eHarmony works a little differently than other dating sites, in that they have you fill out a comprehensive questionnaire that dives into aspects of your personality and preferences like attitudes about how to spend free time and sense of humor. They match you based on your answers to these questions, which they call "29 Dimensions of Compatibility." The system is designed to match you with someone that will be a good fit for you on many different levels in order to create a lasting relationship.

Daters who enjoy this site say they like having the matches delivered to them without having to navigate around the site and contact people entirely on their own.

Perfect Match

Think of Perfect Match as almost a combination of Match.com and eHarmony, in that the site allows you to search for dates while it also matches you with compatible people. The site's questionnaire and matching program (called the Duet® Total Compatibility System) matches you on "personality, lifestyle, values and preferences." This is again designed to give you the best possible match on a meaningful level. The site also offers a step-by-step guide to help you craft your online profile.

Video dating profiles are another unique feature to Perfect Match. Daters can attend a free event where they will get a professionally produced short (2-5 minute) video designed to showcase your personality. When the video is complete, it will go up on the Perfect Match site as well as the local Dating on Demand channel in your area.

Facebook

While Facebook isn't a traditional dating site, many midlifers have found love by connecting with new friends, as well as looking up past loves. The key to success with finding love on Facebook is to be genuine. Don't stalk a former boyfriend or girlfriend and don't push, but let your online friendship develop into an offline relationship if the opportunity presents.

Niche Sites

The sites listed here are generally considered some of the larger dating sites, but there are several niche sites that could be a good option for you as well, depending on what you're looking for. Often these sites will be centered around a particular interest (such as bowling, golfing, environmental awareness), and can therefore help match you with someone who automatically shares at least one of your hobbies.

Relationships that begin online still need time to develop on their own, regardless of how much emailing you did before you met. So allow your relationship to progress at its own pace. The key to finding success at any dating site is to go into it with a attitude that allows you to have fun and not take yourself too seriously.

More in Dating and Relationships:

• Make Your Online Profile Stand Out
• Are You Too Fat to Date?
• 5 Smart Dating Rules to Live By