Life expectancy continues to grow in the United Kingdom, and people tend to be more active in their 60s and 70s than their counterparts of yesteryear. The number of grannies looking for companionship after divorce or bereavement is growing. Many of these grannies are using the internet to find a date.

The options available to you for meeting new people have changed and granny dating online is now commonplace. Granny online dating sites are an ideal way for grannies to find a date. However, before signing up it’s worth taking into consideration some online dating tips for grannies.

Grannies can tend to be less computer literate than others, so getting the basics in place is the first step. When using an online dating service you will need a valid email account before registering. You will also need to be able to upload photographs and publish information about yourself onto the site. If you don’t use the Internet regularly it’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with how it all works. There are many courses available, but two good places to start might be your local college or library.

When you start one of the toughest things to do is change your mindset. If you are a granny the chances are you have settled into a routine lifestyle and have become set in your ways. This is not a bad thing, though it is often difficult to make changes, so to start online dating you need to keep an open mind. Think of dating as a fresh start and an opportunity to meet new and interesting people, and be open to differing points of view.

You will need to create a profile to post on the site and it's important to get this right It’s surprising how people can create the wrong impression of themselves without realising it. Your profile should sell your best characteristics and features and above all honesty is the best policy. Don’t give away too much about yourself, just enough to encourage people to contact you and find out more. Write out a draft of what you are going to publish on the site beforehand and then re-read it to ensure it paints the right picture of you.

Next up is the profile photo, of which you'll need at least three. It is worth spending some time on these so they show you at your best. One of the pictures should be a head and shoulders shot in which your face is completely visible and don’t forget to smile. It’s a good idea to use other photographs that show you while relaxed and enjoying yourself. This could for example be shots taken while on holiday.

Always remember that meeting people online is the same as meeting someone through any other medium. You may think you've had a successful date, but the person you dated may not agree. Don’t be discouraged and be polite and courteous at all times. Take things slowly, don’t have too many expectations and finally, don’t forget to have some fun.