Is there a benefit to using multiple dating sites and apps? Or is it better to focus on only one?
One of the challenges in online dating for senior singles today is deciding which app to use. There are hundreds available. It can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re returning to dating after a long absence.
The topic also begs the question, “Do you even need to use online dating sites or dating apps at all?”
Allow me to get that question out of the way first.
Then I’ll talk about how many dating sites or apps it takes to succeed in dating today.
Do I Even Need to Use Online Dating?
Here’s an important fact to consider about how behavior has changed because of the pandemic.
When it all began, everything went virtual. Shopping, business meetings, jobs, local events and yes, even dates were being done via Zoom and online platforms.
I work in the small business world. One of the things I found was that small companies who didn’t make the move to online were all in financial trouble. Some had been around for decades. But they relied on traditional offline methods of getting business which were no longer working.
Although things are returning to normal, people still prefer to shop and work online. Even if they venture out to make that purchase in a physical store, they begin their shopping journey online. Companies who continue to rely solely on traditional offline methods are struggling or going out of business.
The same is true for dating today.
If you plan to rely on dating methods that used to work years ago, you’ll miss out on a huge pool of potential dating partners.
According to eHarmony and Pew Research, 30 to 40% of people in the US use online dating.
But don’t give up traditional dating methods! This includes referrals from friends, family and co-workers, or fun activities where you can meet singles. The more methods you have working for you, the better your odds of succeeding at dating.
The problem is that traditional dating tactics alone will take longer. It can be frustrating because you’re relying on others to bring potential partners to you. If you think about it, their motivation to find a partner for you won’t ever be as high as yours!
Singles activities and events are great, but you’re ultimately waiting and hoping for the right person to show up. Relying on others in these ways is passive.
Online dating, done right, is far more pro-active.
You’re out there actively searching for the exact right match for you. Plus, your online dating profile makes you visible to thousands of people who are searching for exactly what you have to offer. It’s a two way street that’s faster, more productive, and more likely to result in a match.
Also, the trend in dating site use continues upward. For example, the graph below shows the growth in paid users for the Match Group of dating sites.
And that’s just one dating site company out of hundreds. You can see, online dating shows no signs of slowing down.
What’s the Best Way to Get Started with Online Dating?
If you’re just starting out with online dating, try two or three to get started. You’re probably eager to get results but you don’t want to overwhelm yourself with too much work.
We have a list of the top dating sites and apps here, which is plenty to choose from to get started. Most of them are free to register or have a free trial period.
Here are two things that will make your dating search easier and help you choose the right dating apps for your situation.
1 – Ease of Use
If it’s all new to you, take some time to read the site’s help sections before you dive in. It’s worth it. Once you’ve given it a fair shot and you don’t like the platform, you can rule it out.
2 – Target your searches.
Targeting is critical to your dating success. There are two ways to do this.
First, use the built-in search features within each platform to narrow your search.
Your basic targeting typically includes an age range and desired geographic location. Then, depending on the site, you can narrow your choices by compatibility criteria such as hobbies, interests, activities, religious preferences, personal habits, and more.
Of course, you must know what you want in a prospective partner before using these advanced searches, or before filling out a compatibility questionnaire. (More on that below.)
Second, use specialty dating sites.
There are specialty dating sites to suit every special interest imaginable.
For example, some of the broad, popular niches include:
➤ Occupation (Elite Singles, Farmers Only)
➤ Ethnicity (JDate, Asian Dating, Black Dating, Latin Dating)
➤ Age (Silver Singles, AgeMatch, SeniorMatch, OurTime)
➤ Religious preferences (Christian Mingle, Catholic Match, Christian Café)
Some other rather specific dating niche sites include:
- Vegetarians (Veggly)
- Mullets (MulletPassions for the mullet-lovers out there!)
- Tall People (TallFriends)
- Spicy Food (Hot Sauce Passions)
- Tattoos (TattooLovers)
- STD’s (PositiveSingles for herpes and STD sufferers)
- Star Trek (Star Trek Dating for lovers of all things Star Trek.)
You get the idea. There is a niche for everyone. Simply Google your interest and you’ll likely find a dating app for it.
Don’t be put off by the fact that there aren’t as many users on specialty dating sites as there are on the big, popular sites. The key to success in dating lies in targeting. You want to date people whose interests match yours.
Sites that help you find the best dating partners for you are the ones to keep. If you’re not getting good matches, and you’ve done all your targeting homework, then it’s probably time to drop that site and try another.
How Many Dating Apps Does it Take?
My recommendation is to start with at least two or three of the major dating apps such as eHarmony, Zoosk or OurTime and perhaps one of the broad popular niches mentioned above.
Make sure you can dedicate some time each week to be active on the site. Time availability is obviously unique to your situation and it’s a determining factor in how many sites or apps you should use. If you don’t devote regular time, you won’t have much luck.
If you’re retired, there is probably plenty of time. Still working? You’ll have to schedule time if you want to make it work.
Don’t spread yourself too thin by using more sites than you have time to manage.
Dating Sites’ Agenda vs Your Dating Agenda
The primary agenda for dating sites is to keep you as a subscriber as long as possible. Your agenda (unless you’re a serial dater) is to find the right partner as soon as possible.
That’s why you, as a dating app user, must be proactive in your dating search.
Sure, the dating site algorithm will send you plenty of “matches” even if you’re not that active. But then you’re just along for the ride. And the algorithm works for the dating site, not for you.
It’s why the four steps in our Mature Dating Game Plan are important.
1 – Get to know yourself better to date smarter.
2 – Determine what you want in your ideal partner.
3 – Create a dazzling online dating profile to attract the right potential partners
4 – Determine how and where you’ll meet your dates in real life.
They give you a blueprint to proactively find your perfect match, without waiting, trusting, and hoping that the sites will do it for you.
Conclusion – How Many Dating Sites to Use
To sum it up, start out with two or three of the more popular dating sites or dating apps, whichever you prefer.
- Get a feel for how it all works.
- Be sure to know exactly what you are looking for in a partner.
- Narrow your niche.
- Discard dating apps that don’t work and try new ones.
You may end up using just one site. Or perhaps you’ll find you need three. The key is to actively engage in your search.
If you’re having problems with online dating, be sure to check out our Mature Dating Shop for step-by-step blueprints on how to succeed in online dating.
How many dating sites are you using?
Please share your questions, suggestions, tips or stories about online dating by leaving a comment.
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