For those just getting online for the first time and dipping your toe in the dating waters, especially if you are in your fourties, fifties, sixties, seventies and more, it may be worth bearing some of this handy advice in mind:

1. Get informed and know whats going on

This isn’t the dating scene your younger selves were used to.  There are books, CDs, coaches, courses and any number of other resources available elsewhere on the web. But save yourself some money and try signing up to a site like Senior Dating UK for free and see what everyone else is doing. Read other profiles, see the diaries that people write, see the photos and see first hand how it all works. Offline, speak to your friends and see what they are doing online – you may be surprised to know how many of your friends and family are already finding friendship and romance online.

2. Have a dating discussion over a coffee with close friends of yours

Maybe it’s just us but we like to have a second opinion if I’m really interested in someone. My friends and family have the ability to see aspects of someone’s personality that I may not. Good close friends are always honest and candid about what they see and if they don’t like my date, they’ll say so. It’s not that their opinions are gospel, but they do offer  the opportunity to view a date from a different perspective.

3. Put your best foot forward.

For online dating spend time writing a profile that shows you in the best light. Get a friend’s opinion on the final draft. And if you don’t have a great photo, ask that same friend to snap a nice candid shot for you to post.

Have a simple and flattering first date outfit. When you have that first date, you don’t have to agonize over what to where, how it fits, how you’ll look. You’ll already know and be able to head to meet someone new with a little less stress. And the best thing to show on the first date is the real you. At 50+, who has time for being anything but authentic.

Try these simple tips and get online today to start connecting and meeting new people for friendship and romance – go dating with over 50’s seniors online today.