There are so many freelance websites available to freelancers nowadays that it can be hard to pick one. They all come with different advantages and inconveniences users navigate to find the one best suited for them. As a freelancer, the choice can be overwhelming because of all the information available. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help your search so you can make an educated decision on the best freelance websites to use. 

In making a decision, it always seems that people have to choose one platform, but that isn’t necessarily the case. You can use multiple websites to increase your chances of finding work. Some websites offer better commissions. So you can bring your outside clients there. Others have many clients. So you can publish your services and wait for people to order your services. Most of the time, it’s free to create an account so you can take advantage of that to be on multiple sites. This will give you the best chances of finding jobs.

Why sell your services on freelance websites?

Before looking into the best websites to sell your services on, let’s go over why you should use these sites. Selling on freelance websites offers many advantages for freelancers. 

1. Access to a Global Marketplace:

    Freelance websites connect clients with freelancers around the world. This global reach increases the chances of finding clients who need your specific skills, regardless of geographical location. In some countries, hiring can be expensive, and there can be labor shortages. Hiring freelancers has become a valuable solution for companies.

2. Diverse Job Opportunities:

    Freelance sites cater to different industries and skills. Writers, graphic designers, developers, marketing experts, or experts in other fields can find relevant job opportunities on these websites.

3. Flexibility and Independence:

    Freelancers have the flexibility to choose their projects, set their schedules, and work from anywhere. This independence is particularly attractive to those who value work-life balance and prefer a non-traditional work setup like remote working. Depending on the freelance platform, freelancers can enjoy more flexibility by choosing their own rates and delivery times. The surge in remote work has also had an impact as some people prefer working from home now.

4. Reviews and Rating System:

    Clients often leave reviews and ratings for freelancers upon project completion. Positive feedback can build a freelancer’s reputation, making it easier to attract future clients. It gives them social proof in addition to their portfolios.

5. Quick Payment and Secure Transactions:

    Many freelance sites facilitate secure payment transactions. This ensures that freelancers receive timely and guaranteed payments for their work. Platforms protect them from being taken advantage of. Every platform has different systems in place. So, freelancers need to find the system they can rely on the most.

6. Ease of Finding Clients:

   The platforms provide a structured way for clients to find freelancers with specific skills and experiences. This makes it easier for freelancers to be discovered by potential clients looking for their services. Freelancers only have to focus on presenting their best selves to convince clients to order from them. 

7. Streamlined Communication:

    Freelance platforms usually offer communication tools that make it easy for freelancers and clients to discuss project details, share files, and stay in touch throughout the project lifecycle.

These advantages offered by freelancer websites come at a cost. Because of their success, freelancer sites have a lot of competition on them. Freelancers need to create strong profiles and services to sell. There are also fees for using these platforms. A platform like Fiverr may have more job opportunities. But the fees are also higher than on other platforms. Using multiple platforms will empower you to find more work and your go-to platform. 

The best freelance websites to sell services.

Fiverr

Fiverr is one of, if not the most famous freelancing platforms. It has millions of users and has different advantages. The most notable one is the number of jobs available. Numerous buyers are looking to complete their online projects. 

Freelancers can create a service they want to sell. It will then appear online for employers to see and buy. There is no review time before a service is published, so it’s easy to get started. But that’s also why Fiverr is so competitive. With thousands of services at all prices, it’s easy for your service to become transparent in the masses.

All kinds of projects are available on the website. From development to marketing, writing, and many more. It’s great if you have skills in one of the more in-demand areas.

The commission is a fixed 20% commission which makes it the freelancing website with some of the highest fees. In addition, the website has a rigorous payment system so sellers are only paid 14 days after they complete their work on an order and it is approved by a client. That’s a lot of time for freelancers to wait to get paid. 

Fairwork Cloudwork rating: 1/10 (Fiverr)

Upwork

The second most well-known website for people to find freelancing work. This website works differently as employers post their projects on it and freelancers then bid for a chance to work on the project. Freelance experts directly compete for the chance to win the job. This is not the best solution for them as it often leads them to reduce their costs.

The projects available on the website are varied so there are designers, developers, marketers, and other profiles. 

Upwork’s commission is 10% on all jobs. Making it half of Fiverr’s commission. Nonetheless, orders on Upwork are usually for much larger amounts than on Fiverr. Payments are made more rapidly. Freelancers have to wait 5 days after their order is approved by their employers. 

Fairwork Cloudwork rating: 2/10 (Upwork)

ComeUp

A newcomer to the international market, ComeUp has existed for more than 10 years in the French-speaking market. It’s one of the best web platforms for freelancers to be on. They offer many advantages, but one of their most notable ones is their $1-only commission option. 

On Comeup, sellers create their services. They choose their own rates, delivery times, and what their service entails. This design gives them full control over their work. 

There are services in 8 main categories with many subcategories on ComeUp. Developers, marketing experts, designers, social media account managers, and many other people present on the website.  

Since the platform is relatively new on the market, there are fewer jobs available for all. Freelancers really have to establish themselves as the best in their category. In order to do so, they can bring outside clients, and have them place orders on their services to help them rank higher in the algorithm and appear first in search. 

As mentioned above, there is a $1-only commission option for people who subscribe to a CoemUp Plus plan. For those who don’t want to or don’t have the resources to subscribe to a plan, they can start selling for free with a 20% commission. This enables them to upgrade only when they are sure they want to benefit from ComeUp Plus. There is also a one-month free trial for all ComeUp Plus plans. 

When sellers complete orders, they are paid as soon as the order is validated by the buyer. No more waiting for days after the order is completed to get paid. They can also withdraw their money as soon as it is available on their ComeUp wallets.

Fairwork Cloudwork rating: 5/10 (ComeUp)

Toptal

Toptal is another freelance site that has been gaining traction these last few years. It’s most likely the most exclusive site out there, as freelancers who apply are carefully vetted. The website claims it only accepts the top 3% of freelance talents on its site. It’s free to apply, but unless you’re one of the best in your industry, chances are high you will be rejected. 

There are all kinds of freelancers on Toptal. From development experts to design experts and writing professionals. However, companies are usually hiring developers and technical skills-based workers.

If your profile does end up being in the top three percent and you get the chance to work on jobs on Toptal, you should know the site is not very transparent with its freelancers. Many people end up wondering how much their jobs cost clients. And it turns out that Toptal charges companies twice the hourly rate of a worker. That’s a steep commission. Companies are willing to pay those high rates because they expect a premium service. But as a freelancer, it’s tough being paid only half of what you deserve. 

Fairwork Cloudwork rating: NA

Guru

A more secure version of Fiverr that works to secure transactions between employers and freelancers. The site is known to be more professional with a strong emphasis on business services. People can create a profile for free and offer their services. There’s also a bidding system where people can apply to get jobs offered by companies. Sellers are often pinned against each other as they may have to reduce their prices to get a chance to work on a project. 

On Guru, there are nine main categories. The main ones are development and programming, writing, and design. 

The commission is a percentage-based commission as well as a monthly rate. Under the basic plan, there’s a 9% commission, under the executive plan ($49.95/month), there is a 5% commission. These fees can really add up. Especially, with the bidding system that already pushes some people to reduce their rates. The membership subscription also gives users more bids. So some may pay for it only to have bids that lead to no work.

Freelancer

Another famous website, although this one is a bit older. Freelancer has more than 41 million users worldwide. They’re one of the largest freelancing sites. Being an older site, their approach to helping people find a freelancer job is different. Instead of focusing on selling a one-time job. They focus on creating a relationship between employers and freelance talents. 

Employers post projects on Freelancer, and people can bid on them. The hiring person can review a freelancer’s profile and contact them before making a decision on who they want to hire for the job. This can lead to a bidding war with lesser-skilled workers accepting low rates just to get the job.

On Freelancer, the commission is 10% on all orders. Workers also have limited bids. If they want more, they need to pay for them. This can be frustrating as bids can lead to no work.

Find the best freelance websites that are right for you.

Now that you have more information about all the different sites available to find work on, you just have to try them out. We recommend giving multiple ones a chance and focusing your efforts on the one you enjoy the most. Even if you find the best one you want to focus on, you can still use others to increase your chances of finding work. 

Increasing your visibility in multiple places will only help you achieve better results. So, take advantage of the abundance of platforms available to maximize your chances to get to work on projects. 

Facilitate your job search with freelance websites.

You’ve probably seen all the YouTube and TikTok videos claiming you can get rich easily. The truth is that it’s never that easy. Freelancers average multiple hours per week during which they search for jobs. That’s why registering on multiple platforms will give you more opportunities. 

Even when you’re on multiple sites, you should keep prospecting. Use social media platforms like LinkedIn to find potential clients. 

Focus on convincing companies that they need you. 

Companies are always looking for talented professionals with skills. Focus on crafting the perfect profile description that summarizes your skills and convinces hiring managers you’re the one they want to complete their projects. Take advantage of the platform with the best interface to highlight your offers. Deliver great work to get great reviews. Those reviews are social proof that you know how to get the job done. 

The work search is a big part of succeeding as a freelancer. But making sure you delight your customers is just as essential. Customers can order again from you in the future. They can also refer people to you. Reviews go a long way in convincing potential buyers. Even when you’re prospecting. If you send hiring professionals to your profile or services, they can see your reviews. They will instantly be reassured by your reviews. Your account on a freelance platform becomes a marketing tool for you to sell and promote your services online. 

If you’re not sure how to maximize your chances of getting jobs. Look for the resources offered by sites to help you. There are so many resources that can gibe you all the keys to succeed and get the best results.

Freelancing FAQ

What is freelancing?

Freelancing is a career where individuals work on a project basis for different clients or companies, rather than bei

ng employed on a long-term contract by a single employer. Freelancers are often self-employed and have the flexibility to choose their projects, clients, and work schedules. They offer their skills and services in various fields such as writing, graphic design, programming, development marketing, consulting, project management, and more.

Freelancers are typically paid for the specific tasks or projects they complete, and the duration of their engagement with a client can change. The arrangement allows for greater independence and freedom, giving freelancers the ability to manage their workloads and decide their rates.

Common platforms for freelancers to find work include online marketplaces like Upwork, ComeUp, Freelancer, Fiverr, and others. The gig economy has grown significantly in recent years, contributing to the rise of freelancing as a viable and popular way for individuals to earn income and monetize their skills.

What are the benefits of Being a Freelancer?

Freelancing provides exceptional flexibility, allowing individuals to decide their work hours and achieve a harmonious work-life balance. The autonomy inherent in freelancing extends beyond scheduling, granting individuals control over project selection, client partnerships, and the overall course of their careers. Diverse work opportunities in a global marketplace expose freelancers to various industries and skill-building experiences. The possibility of remote working is a great help for many who choose this career path. Especially for those based in less accessible parts of the world.

Financially, freelancers can set their rates, work on multiple projects simultaneously, and optimize tax situations. The networking potential of freelancing is substantial, fostering connections that open doors to future opportunities. In essence, freelancing offers a dynamic, liberating, and financially rewarding alternative to traditional employment, appealing to those seeking independence, diverse work experiences, and the ability to build a broad professional web. Talking about the web, freelance sites have enabled freelancers to connect with more people than ever before. New clients are discovering it’s a great way for them to find people who can complete the work they need to get done. The best part for clients is that they can avoid hiring and posting job search positions and go through interviews with those who apply.

Can beginners freelance too? 

Beginners can embark on a freelancing career. Freelancing is accessible to individuals at various skill levels, and many platforms cater specifically to beginners. Freelance platforms like Upwork, Freelancer, ComeUp, and Fiverr provide an excellent entry point for newcomers. These platforms connect freelancers with clients seeking services, offering a diverse range of opportunities across writing, design, programming, marketing, development, project management, and more.

For beginners, these platforms serve as a gateway to showcase their skills, build a portfolio, and gain initial work experience. It’s essential to start with realistic expectations, focusing on smaller projects to establish credibility and slowly expanding to more complex tasks as expertise grows.

Additionally, beginners can leverage their existing skills or invest time in learning new ones through online courses and tutorials. Building a strong profile that highlights skills, expertise, and a professional demeanor is crucial for attracting potential clients.

Freelancing platforms provide a supportive environment where beginners can learn the ropes, gain confidence, and gradually transition into more extensive and lucrative projects. With dedication, a commitment to continuous learning, and effective self-promotion, beginners can successfully navigate the freelancing landscape and build a rewarding career. There are also resources beginning freelancers can use to learn how to become successful on different platforms. ComeUp offers tutorials and training videos to help people looking for work to get the best results.

 

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