What are some of the best freelance websites, you may ask? It is quite okay to ask, especially if you’re just starting in your freelancing journey. Hence, you should look for the best freelance websites as a beginner and if you are looking for freelancing services.
Freelancing websites are where you’ll find potential clients who need freelancing professional services and are willing to pay cool cash in exchange for these services to freelancers.
In this blog post, we’ll share insight into some of the best freelancing websites you can use as a freelancer to get freelancing jobs either as a side hustle or to build a successful freelancing career.
Stay with us to find out all you need to know.
Who is a Freelancer?
First, to make it clearly enough, a freelancer is unofficially employed in an organization but offers professional services to the organization for a fixed rate and on a contractual basis.
In simpler terms, a freelancer is a contract-based professional who provides professional service at an agreed rate.
Some of the freelancing jobs handled by freelancing professionals include; Freelance content or copywriting services, Freelance graphic/web design, Freelance developer, Freelance Accountant, animator, translator, videographer, etc.
Overall, you can offer freelancing services on any job that requires professional knowledge/expertise to handle.
Now to freelancing websites; what are freelancing websites?
What Are Freelancing Websites?
Freelancing websites are platforms where freelancers (people who have professional services to offer) and clients (people seeking professional services) meet. More like a social media platform connecting professionals and business owners.
It is simply a marketplace where freelancers and clients meet to exchange services and accept offers.
How does it work?
Employers seeking freelancing services post job offer with detailed job descriptions on these freelancing websites/platforms. Freelancers skilled in the related field pitch for the job, and those with convincing pitches get the contract.
In a nutshell, that’s how these freelancing websites work in merging potential clients with freelancers. Thereby helping freelancers land well-paid freelance jobs.
Besides getting freelance jobs, there are other benefits to using freelancing websites. Let’s find out what some of these benefits are.
Benefits of Freelancing Websites :
Why should you use freelancing websites to get freelance work?
Freelancing websites offer a wealth of benefits, especially to you as a freelancer. Some of these benefits include;
- First, it is easy for you to find clients who need your professional services, enter into an agreement with the client and collect payment on these freelance websites.
- Also, it lowers the chances of you getting scammed; that is, working for a client, submitting the work, and not getting paid at the end of the contract.
- This tends to happen a lot to most freelancers. However, with freelancing websites, the risk of this happening is relatively minimal.
- These freelancing websites or platforms have specific policies and rules that guard against such occurrences.
- Working with these freelance websites also allows you to work with a wide range of clients. This is because many business owners/employers from different parts of the world can be found on these freelancing websites.
- Furthermore, using freelancing websites makes it easy for you to track your freelancing journey. With each contract you complete, it reflects on your profile.
Thereby helping you build a solid profile that could land you more jobs in the future.
Overall, it is clear that using freelancing websites would help make your freelancing journey easier and worth it. However, one major downside of these freelancing websites is that it is highly competitive.
For every job ad posted on these freelancing websites, many professionals are applying for the contract. Hence, you have to put in the extra effort to make your pitch or application outstanding.
Nevertheless, the benefits of using a freelancing website outweigh the downsides.
Now you may begin to think, but there are so many freelancing websites, how do I know which is best for me or which one to use?
This is the sole purpose of this blog post; to help you identify the best freelancing websites.
Here are some of the best freelance websites in no particular order.
Here we have 10 Best Freelance Websites to Find Work as a Freelancer:
1. Upwork
Formerly known as Elance o-Desk, this is one of the biggest freelance platforms that can help you find work regardless of the kind of professional services you offer.
It is primarily described as “the world’s work marketplace” where business owners can find trusted independent professionals from different parts of the world to help them grow a successful business.
Talents such as graphic designing, web content writing, web development, customer support, marketing, among other professional services, can be found on Upwork.
More so, as a freelancer working on Upwork, you’ll get the unique opportunity to work with renowned business organizations such as Microsoft, Airbnb, etc.
The payment process is also entirely secure. Upwork secures the money for a contract from the client even before the deal is completed. Hence, you’re assured of getting your fees after completing a project.
However, the competition for projects is challenging. Hence, you’ll need to write a brilliant and captivating proposal to get the employers to notice you and give you the job.
More so, the commission charged by Upwork is relatively high.
Getting started on Upwork
So how do you get started working on Upwork as a freelancer? The process is quite simple.
First, you’ll need to create an account by signing up on Upwork.com or simply click the link above to get to the website.
After creating an account, you’ll fill in your personal and professional details and add a professional-looking photo to make your profile look great.
Overall, you’ll also need to optimize your profile so that you can get notifications for jobs in your area of specialization.
2. Fiverr
This is also one of the best freelancing websites to land solid gigs, especially as a beginner. It started in 2010, and over the years, it has evolved into one of the globally recognized freelancing websites that connects independent professionals with clients seeking professional services.
The process of getting gigs or freelancing jobs on this platform is quite easy. The client posts a gig/job offer with relevant details about the job. Then, interested professionals with the appropriate skills to meet the job requirements can bid for the job, and the professional with a good bid-offer gets the job.
As a beginner, this would help you land jobs quickly because you can make your bid appealing to the client by offering quality services for an affordable price.
Overall, Fiverr offers you a simple to use freelancing website that helps you land freelancing jobs in a wide variety of niches. However, the rates provided by clients on this platform are relatively low.
Nevertheless, it offers you a unique opportunity to kickstart your freelancing career and land-paying jobs quickly.
To get started on Fiverr, go to the Fiverr website, create an account, and set up a profile.
3. Toptal
This is also one of the best freelancing websites for freelancers looking to land high-paying and regular freelancing gigs.
Despite being new in the industry, they’ve built a strong reputation as a platform that offers high-quality freelancing services and high compensation rates.
They are known for having high skilled freelancers such as experienced developers, programmers, product managers, etc., working on their platform. More so, only 3% of interviewed and tested applicants are allowed to join the platform.
This is due to their intense screening process for freelancers looking to join their team. If you want to become a world-class freelancer, charging high rates from employers looking for highly skilled professionals, then this is one freelancing platform you should join.
Overall, Toptal is a premium freelancing platform that connects freelancers such as developers, finance experts, UI/UX experts to high-paying and world-class clients.
To join the Toptal freelancing platform, you’ll first need to create an account and fill in your personal/professional details. After that, you’ll need to go through an application process, where your application will be reviewed and tested.
4. Freelancer.com
On this freelance website, you can get thousands of jobs. It is one of the biggest crowd-sourcing marketplaces where freelancers specialized in various fields, from graphics designing to marketing, website development, etc., meet potential clients.
How it works is that job offers are posted as projects or contests. Hence, as a freelancer on the website, you need to identify the tasks that match your skills and bid for them. Your proposal needs to be captivating such that it tells the potential employers why you’re the best person to handle the project.
You can get started on Freelancer.com by signing up for free on their website. However, to get the most of the website, you’ll need to upgrade your account so that you can get more bids and earn more money.
Overall, Freelancer.com is a marketplace that accommodates all kinds of skills and ideas. Hence, whatever your skills might be, there’ll be a place for you at Freelancer.com.
5. Designhill
As a graphics designer, this is one freelancing website for freelance graphics design jobs. On this freelance platform, you can find clients seeking professional designs for their websites, logos, t-shirts, and more.
Joining this platform as a freelance graphic designer is quite easy. You’ll need to create an account by visiting their sign-up page and click on the “I am a freelancer option.” This will take you to a page where you can create a unique profile and start making money on this platform.
To earn money as a freelance designer on Designhill, you’ll need to keep updating your portfolio with your latest designs. These designs will be uploaded on the website’s design gallery page.
When clients visit the website, the first thing they see is the design gallery page, and if your design catches their attention, you get hired.
Overall, joining this platform as a freelance designer comes at no extra cost, as you can sign up for free.
6. 99designs
This is another freelancing marketplace for digital creativity. If you’ve got some creative juice and the right design skills, you can leverage this freelance graphic design website to find clients and make the most of your freelancing career.
This website offers enough flexibility when it comes to working with them as a freelancer.
You can either earn money by handling projects directly with businesses seeking designers to manage their projects. Here you can set your rates and work with clients that suit your preferences.
On the other hand, you could increase your earning potential by taking part in design contests. You could pick a particular design contest that intrigues you, submit your unique design, and when you win the contest, you earn money, and you build a strong client base.
Signing up on this freelance website is free and easy.
Overall, you’ll enjoy a wonderful freelancing experience working on this platform as the 99design team and freelancing community is there to support you and make your freelancing journey hassle-free.
7. Flexjobs
Having been around for over 12 years, Flexjobs is one freelancing website that has helped many freelancers scale their freelancing careers. As a freelancer on this platform, you’ll not only be matched with potential clients; you’ll also benefit from a wealth of resources that can help you build a successful freelancing career.
Flexjobs freelancing opportunity gives you the flexibility of building your career working either full-time or part-time remote jobs in areas such as writing, editing, programming, virtual assistant, customer service representative, etc. However, to join this freelancing website, you’ll need to pay some membership fees. You’ll have several options to choose from.
8. SolidGigs
As a freelancer on this freelancing website, you’ll get daily, up-to-date information on freelance job opportunities delivered straight to your inbox. Hence, they do the job of finding freelancing job offers uniquely tailed to your skills and expertise.
You can enjoy these benefits by signing up and subscribing to a lifetime membership fee for an affordable price.
Overall, this freelancing job board gives you timely information on freelance job opportunities and relevant tools and courses that can help you make the most of your freelancing career.
9. PeoplePerHour
This is one of the best freelancing websites that hosts freelancers offering a wide range of services such as writing services, digital marketing services, programming, etc.
PeoplePerHour freelancing platform uses AI technology to match employers with top talents to handle their projects.
With this platform, you get to create a unique profile that will make you stand out and set your rates.
To join this platform as a freelancer, you sign up by creating an account, after which you’ll be required to fill out an application, which will be reviewed within two working days.
Only after your application is approved can you start sending proposals and accepting job offers.
10. TaskRabbit
If you’re an independent contractor looking for more clients, then this is one freelance platform you should join. This platform focuses on merging clients looking to outsource menial jobs such as furniture assembling, plumbing, painting, etc.
Hence, as a handyman, you can use this platform to gain more clients. More so, you get to fix your schedule.
You can get started on TaskRabbit as a freelancer by signing up, building your profile, verifying your identity, and paying a registration fee of $25.
In conclusion, these are some of the best freelancing websites you should take advantage of to build a successful freelancing career while enjoying flexible working hours doing what you love and making excellent earnings.
