Click Here For Love

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Mostly, however, virtual dating is boosting the confidence of many who long for companionship but have grown disillusioned with the old-fashioned ways of dating. At the offices of Match.com, an e-mail arrived recently in the company's success-story In box from a man who said that at 70, he was taking off on a cross-country honeymoon with a new sweetheart. "I know some seniors are reluctant to date on the Web," he wrote. "But if a legally blind, bald, one-legged man can find love online, anyone can."

Mastering E-Romance

For those who find themselves single after decades of marriage, getting started with online dating can seem daunting. Here are some insider tips from veterans of the process:

SELECT SITES CAREFULLY. Before paying up, browse through at least five services and try their free searches, says Alice Solomon, GorgeousGrandma.com's founder. For comparisons, visit DateSeeker.net, DatingSitesReviews.com or eDateReview.com. To begin, first choose one service for a month, then branch out to three to maximize the range of potential matches. Still no good matches? Try starting over with other services.

POST A GREAT PHOTO. Managers of sites such as Match.com and JDate.com say those who post photos get an average of eight times as many contact messages. Services like LookBetterOnline.com can help you improve your online image.

WRITE A UNIQUE PROFILE. "Start with what distinguishes you," says Solomon. Cliches — whether about beaches, fireplaces or passion — won't get daters clicking. And try not to lie about your age, assets or attributes, experts warn. Once you meet in person, the truth will come out anyway. For help crafting a profile, check out ProfileDoctor.com or AARP magazine's online personal-ad maker.

MASTER E-DATING ETIQUETTE. Trish McDermott, Match.com's resident dating expert, says polite e-daters send a gentle no-thank-you note to those who contact them online but are unappealing. And after a date that lacks chemistry, a simple, clear e-mail is the mature way to let a suitor move on to other romantic opportunities. As for those you do like, Solomon suggests avoiding the temptation to build an online relationship without a face-to-face meeting. "You might realize within the first five minutes of a date that you've wasted 10 hours exchanging e-mails," she says.