Another 50-plus web site - but with a difference

Yesterday I spoke with the joint founder of overfiftiesfriends.co.uk.Readers of this blog will know that I am skeptical about the future for the numerous 50-plus portal type sites that are springing up in the US and to a lesser extent in the UK.

If a site focuses on the 50-plus age group it must add value other than generic 50-plus content and chat forums.

The rationale for this site is to provide a mechanism for over-50s to meet (both in person and online) – but not as a one-on-one (so to speak) dating site. In my view this is satisfying a genuine market need.

The business model is similar to friendsreunited.co.uk. A free basic membership and then a payment to use all of the site’s facilities.

For a web site that was created on a low budget I reckon it is pretty good. Like all social networking ventures the secret is to get to a critical mass of users - I wish its founders well. Dick Stroud