The idea of freelancing isn’t a fad anymore; it’s now a hot topic. The number of freelancing Americans is expected to increase as companies and workers alike realize the value and benefits of freelancing. About 60% of the US workforce has quit their traditional jobs to become freelancers, and this number is expected to grow with time as people begin to see the advantages of freelancing.
Due to its numerous advantages, freelancing is growing more popular day by day. Freelancers find it more lucrative than working for employers. Making a living while in control of your life is possible with freelancing.
Businesses can save money by using freelancers since they can cut costs. Imagine an organization wishing to build a website. Developing a website is a two-step process. They can either hire a full-time web developer or do it themselves. When a company hires a full-time developer, it is responsible for paying the developer as well as providing all the benefits.
A freelancer would, on the other hand, be another option for the company. Instead of a developer, a freelancer will be paid on a project-by-project basis without benefits, saving the company money. As a result, the freelancer will build the website, train the company’s employees on using it, then leave.
Companies have increasingly hired freelancers to meet the growing demands during the COVID-19 outbreak. So there are now more freelance jobs available than ever before, from grocery shoppers to web developers.
No matter how well you’ve designed your online portfolio, finding a freelance job can be overwhelming even if you’ve already finished it. No worries – we’ve compiled a list of the best freelancer websites in this article.
Most freelancers know a few sites that are popular among clients and have a substantial pool of freelancers. As well as providing job and payment services, they help people find and keep jobs. No matter what your experience level is, these sites are worthwhile to check out, whether you’re just starting out or an experienced pro.
Freelancing Websites: How Do They Work?
Generally, online freelancing involves freelancers submitting their resumes and employers posting the jobs they need to be done. Freelancers and employers are connected through freelancing websites.
Freelancers pay a percentage of their earnings as a service fee if the website gets them a client and they complete the work. Before you can start working for a freelance platform to hire a freelancer or get hired, you must agree to a number of terms and conditions.
Basically, that’s how it works.
Which website is the best?
When picking the perfect freelance website, you should take many factors into consideration. Listed below are some important factors to consider when making your choice:
- Number and Variety of Freelancers
The number and type of freelancers on a freelance website should be considered when choosing one. This will allow you to choose from a wide selection of talent when necessary.
- Range of Services
In addition to the services provided by the website, the range of services it offers should also be considered. To make sure you get the services you want, make sure the site provides them.
- Costs / Prices
Furthermore, the pricing structures of freelance websites should be considered. One website may charge by the hour, while another charge per project. When selecting a website, you should make sure that the services it offers are fair and affordable.
- The Customer Support Team
In addition, be sure to check how well the website offers customer support. In the event of problems with the freelancers, companies or the website, this is essential.
Consider these factors while choosing a freelance website.
Upwork
There are many reasons to use Upwork as a freelancing platform, and it’s one of the most popular ones. This site offers every freelancing opportunity imaginable. Several big companies, such as Microsoft, utilize this site to find freelancers for their projects.
You’ll find that Upwork has many options for web developers, graphic designers, customer service representatives, and freelance writers. Upwork constantly updates its job listings. The Upwork marketplace is a good place to hire freelance designers, freelance writers, and bloggers from small businesses to large corporations.
It takes a little while to get up and running on Upwork, formerly Elance-oDesk. As you build up your feedback rating, you may need to bid below your pay rate to learn the art of effectively writing proposals. Upwork posts a lot of freelance jobs, but it also attracts a lot of competitors. If there are 30 proposals already for a project, bidding on it is usually not worth it unless you’re an Upwork superstar.
Despite this, some freelance designers have had success scoring project after project on Upwork. Once you have established yourself on Upwork, the platform offers great potential for great returns.
Creating a profile on Upwork is the first step to becoming a freelancer. Make sure that you include information about yourself, your expertise, and work experience. Every time you bid for a job or pitch a project, clients will scan your profile to determine whether you’re qualified.
You pay less if you work more on Upwork. A commission fee, for example, starts at 20% for the first bill of $500 and gradually decreases as more money is received.
For withdrawals, there are several options, such as direct transfers, PayPal, and wire transfers.
Type of freelancing: branding, programming, web design
Pros:
- Secure payments are available on this site.
- Clients are generally trustworthy, so there are no scammers to worry about.
- All projects are budget-based.
- Ideal for complicated projects.
- Tracks time well.
Cons:
- There are a lot of bad service providers out there, which can make it difficult to differentiate between good and bad.
- There is a lot of competition on the platform.
- It is difficult to distinguish between jobs offered by companies and individuals.
What makes Upwork unique?
- Communication channels within the app for easy billing
- includes secure and simple payment options
Freelancer
One of the most popular online marketplaces for freelancers and clients, Freelancer, allows them to collaborate on various projects. A number of large companies such as Amazon, IBM, Google, NASA, and Facebook use it for hiring freelancers for their projects.
Over 50 million people are said to use this website. On this site, all kinds of freelance jobs are available because of its size.
On this site you can find work in more than 1800 categories. Freelancers’ profiles can be browsed by employers, who can see their previous work samples and review of their profiles to find out who would be best suited to complete their projects.
A bid is received within 60 seconds on 80% of the job postings on this site.
You can sign up for free on this platform. Create a detailed profile of your work experiences and skills.
Freelancing type: web development, content translation, social media marketing
Pros:
- Payments on this site are secure and safe.
- It is easy to track your progress.
Cons:
- It’s a bit expensive on the website
- navigating and finding the information is difficult
What makes Freelancer unique?
- Secure payments are provided
- Tracking progress is simple
- Searching for jobs is easy
PerfectLancer
Companies can acquire freelancers such as writers, designers, developers, marketers, and more on PerfectLancer, which is a NEW freelancing website. There are no transaction fees, service fees, or other hidden costs on this website. They also offer a cash-back program. Customers receive 2% of their purchases back as a credit. When compared with competing platforms, freelancers have many advantages. Freelancers on Perfectlancer receive 20 free bids per month. In addition, new freelancers get 50 free bids at the start of their careers. Further, the commission is only 14%, which is very low compared to major competitors.
There are no transaction fees, service fees, or any other hidden costs, and you’ll receive Miles Ahead with 0% transaction fees on Perfectlancer.
From 8 reviews, Perfect Lancer received a customer rating of 4.43 stars, which indicates that most customers were satisfied with their purchase. (sitejabber and saashub estimated)
Freelancing type: Programming, Software development, Web design, Web content, Graphic design
Pros:
- Easy to use
- 20 free bids per month
- 14% commission fee
- No transaction fee
- Fast and secure payments
- User-friendly
Cons:
- Since it is a new service, it has fewer projects than its competitors
What makes PerfectLancer unique?
- 20 free bids per month
- No transaction fee
- 14% commission fee
Fiverr
Freelancers and clients from around the world can connect on Fiverr, a freelancing marketplace. Fiverr is one of the biggest freelancing platforms. Over 11 million people are said to use it. Google, Netflix, and Facebook are some of its clients. The site facilitates communication between freelancers and clients. Fiverr offers limitless opportunities, but catching them will take some work.
Business owners and freelancers can interact with ease using this freelance website. A freelancer is referred to as a seller, their service a gig, and a business owner a buyer on the website.
The site allows sellers to list their gigs for free, set their prices, and send out bids instead of sending out bids. Meanwhile, buyers can browse various categories to find what they want. A buyer’s account is charged automatically when they purchase a gig, and their funds are placed on hold. 80% of the offered price will be paid to freelancers after the commission fee is taken.
There are 3.42 million active buyers on Fiverr, opening up possibilities for sales. It is a project-based system, so there are no hourly rates. Secure payment processing is ensured for sellers with SSL certificates that protect billing and personal information. Customers receive around-the-clock assistance as well.
Fiverr requires you to create an account before you can start buying and selling. Users can also sign up with their Facebook or Google accounts. You should list your skills in your profile. This site enables you to take tests to demonstrate your proficiency in a variety of areas, and we encourage you to do so because your profile will be strengthened.
You can easily explore opportunities on the website because it is well organized.
Freelancing type: social media, website development, digital marketing
Pros:
- You can choose what kind of work you want to do since you can set up your own gigs.
- The price is up to you.
- This website is very easy to navigate.
- When you are not available, you can let your clients know by using the “out-of-office” option.
- Your communications will remain secure.
Cons:
- You might have a rough start until you get a few positive reviews.
- You need to be available on the website so you can take care of the orders as they arrive.
- It is unlikely that clients will contact you before placing an order. Moreover, without placing the orders, you might not like what you get.
What makes Fiverr unique?
- Secure/private channels of communication
- Allows you to sell your services easily
- Personal information is protected
PeoplePerHour
This website connects businesses with freelancers from around the globe through PeoplePerHour’s freelancing marketplace. Freelancers can bid on projects posted by businesses, and businesses can search for freelancers to hire.
It includes a searchable database of freelancers, a rating system, and tools for managing projects to help businesses find the right freelancer for their projects.
Getting freelancers on PeoplePerHour for a short-term or one-time project can be a great option for businesses. Freelancers can create an account for free and start setting up a profile. Note that the moderators will review each application before approving it. Once approved, freelancers can start browsing for jobs in multiple categories.
When working on a project, freelancers can send offers and set their prices. Once they finish, they can easily raise an invoice from their dashboard.
Like most freelancing sites, People Per Hour charges freelancers a service fee per client. For $350 earnings, the freelance website takes a service fee of 20%. Fortunately, the fee will decrease as you work more.
Freelancing type: journalism, programming, marketing
Pros:
- Many freelancers will bid on the project
- You can search for freelancers based on their skillset
- Without the middleman, you can hire freelancers directly
Cons:
- PeoplePerHour may be perceived by some businesses as a cheap way to hire workers, so they may not want to pay top dollar
- The right freelancer for your project may require you to sift through many bids
What makes PeoplePerHour unique?
- Security of finances
- Recruiting regionally
Guru
Guru is one of the world’s largest freelance websites. Businesses can find freelancers in more than 300 categories, including programming, design, and writing.
Founded in Austin, Texas, Guru has been in operation for over 15 years. Over 190 countries have clients on the website. Known for its easy-to-use interface and wide range of services, Guru is the most popular freelancing marketplace. The process of posting projects and receiving bids from freelancers is as simple as 1-2-3.
Businesses can also use the site’s project management tool, payment gateway, and workroom to facilitate communication between themselves and freelancers to manage their projects.
If you are looking for freelance talent for your business of all sizes, Guru is a great choice. Get the job done quickly and efficiently by connecting with freelancers from all over the world.
Freelancing type: programming, marketing, administration
Pros:
- Navigating and using the site is easy
- It is possible to choose from a wide range of talent
- There are many types of projects that freelancers can work on
- Businesses can use the site at an affordable price
Cons:
- Freelancers can vary in quality
- Completing a project can take longer than expected
- An unsuitable candidate could be hired
What makes Guru unique?
- Dashboard with strong features.
- Secure and easy payments are available.
- Long-term partnership
Toptal
There are over 3% of freelance talent in the world on Toptal, which is a freelancing marketplace. Freelancers can apply to work on businesses’ projects on the website.
Toptal prescreens candidates based on their qualifications once a job posting is made. Businesses can easily find the right freelancers for their projects this way.
Toptal is a great resource for businesses looking to find top-notch freelancers. You can find qualified candidates on our website, and our screening process makes sure that only the best of the best can apply for your project.
If you compare this with other freelance websites, you can save a lot of time and effort.
Freelancing type: financial consulting, software development, interim management
Pros:
- Freelancers can easily find and work with Toptal via its various features.
- Only 3% of all applicants are accepted at Toptal due to its rigorous screening process.
Cons:
- Toptal charges a high fee for its services.
- Due to Toptal’s limited acceptance rate, it can be challenging to find the right freelancer for your project
What makes Toptal unique?
- You can readily adapt to a variety of work situations
- Trial period
- Fast recruitment is essential
Should You Join Multiple Freelance Sites?
A well-reasoned argument can be made for both sides of this question. You get to discover more freelance opportunities when you register for multiple freelancing sites.
Additionally, it would be difficult to make your mark on several platforms simultaneously, and maintaining multiple accounts simultaneously would be more difficult, and you may find yourself overworked.
Also, since you will be setting up profiles on multiple freelancing websites, establishing a record of quality work on multiple websites at once will be difficult.
Balance is ultimately your decision. In principle, you should join as many freelance websites as you are able to. Working on more than two websites at once is probably not a good idea in practice.
Conclusion
You can start your search for freelance work on these websites. All of them have a large client base looking for freelancers for a wide range of projects. No matter what kind of work you’re looking for, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for on one of these websites.
To find freelance jobs, there are so many freelance websites available. Despite the fact that the sites we’ve mentioned are among the most popular and most reputed ones, it’s not necessary to work on them. It is important that you choose the projects that you are comfortable with and that will improve your life.
Find the freelance sites that are right for you by exploring around. Why not start now?
Start your freelance journey today by exploring your dream freelance platform. Best wishes for your freelance career!
