Starting to freelance is a lot like starting a business.
First, you have to develop skills and build your portfolio. And then you have to figure out what kind of services you’re going to offer.
But, the key to getting more work and winning clients is finding the “right” market to sell your services.
It’s important for a freelancer to find the “right market”, or in this case the right freelance site, to sell their services from the very first day to start a successful freelance career.
While I often advise against using freelance marketplaces, I still believe it’s the perfect way for a beginner to start freelancing.
There are both upsides and downsides to using freelance sites to sell services and find work. But, as long as you find the best freelance site that fits your category of work, it will make your life so much simpler. It’s how I started my freelance career as well.
In this post, I will help you find the right platform to offer your services as a beginning freelancer. Let’s dive in.
Quick Tip: If you want to learn how to start freelancing, check out by free start guide with step-by-step instructions.
What Is The Best Freelancing Website For Beginners?
Let’s start by answering the question. But I’m afraid you are not going to like my answer.
The best freelancing website for beginners is the one with the lowest competition. And finding that website is entirely up to you.
The key is to find relatively new freelance marketplaces that do not have millions of registered freelancers. These new sites are easier to join and have fewer freelancers for you to compete with.
So, how do you find such freelancing websites? I’ll give you a few pointers and suggestions. But first, let’s learn a little bit about freelancing websites, marketplaces, and how they operate.
Freelance Marketplaces vs Job Boards
Before you go any further, it’s important to understand the difference between freelance marketplaces and freelance job boards.
Freelance marketplaces are platforms that bring clients and freelancers together. Sites like UpWork, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour are examples of popular freelance platforms.
These sites allow you to create a profile and apply to jobs posted by clients. All of your negotiations with the clients and payment process is done through the platform. You are not allowed to contact clients outside the platforms.
In exchange for this service, the freelance platform will charge a platform fee. For example, UpWork charges a 20% platform fee. So when you complete a job and receive your payment from the client, UpWork will take a 20% cut.
On Freelance job boards, however, you are free to contact the clients via email and you can get payments directly to your PayPal or bank account. Job boards are like the advertisements page on the newspaper. And these sites don’t charge a platform fee from freelancers.
Ideally, freelance job boards are the best way to find jobs. But, as a beginner, you won’t have much luck finding jobs on such sites. Because the clients who post jobs on job boards only look for experienced freelancers.
So, using a freelance platform is the most suitable approach for a beginner to get started.
Why You Should Use A Freelance Marketplace
Ask any established freelancer and they’ll all give you the same answer. Almost all established freelancers don’t use freelance marketplaces. And they will also advise you to avoid them as well.
It’s true, freelance marketplaces such as UpWork, Freelancer.com, and PeoplePerHour can be toxic and it’s never a good idea to depend on such sites.
It’s easier for a freelancer with a steady stream of clients to tell you to avoid freelance sites because they already have plenty of clients and don’t have to look for work on freelancing sites anymore.
However, this is not the case for a beginning freelancer who’s just starting out. New freelancers have to put up a fight to find work and win clients. In this kind of a situation, a freelance site can be a great place to not only find work but also to gather some freelancing experience as well.
For example, on freelance sites, you’ll learn how to write great proposals to convince clients that you’re the best. And you’ll work harder to deliver high-quality results to get better reviews from clients. It will pave the path toward a successful career.
Should You Sign Up For Multiple Sites?
One of the biggest mistakes most beginning freelancers makes is joining every freelance site they can find and creating profiles all over the place to increase their chances of landing a job.
It makes sense, right? More platforms you use, more jobs you can apply to, right? Wrong! You will only be setting yourself up for failure with this kind of thinking.
Think about it. Freelance sites such as UpWork use intelligent algorithms to rank their freelancers. Highly-rated freelancers are the ones who reply to their clients immediately and have better client reviews for delivering high-quality results.
If you want to increase your chances of landing jobs, you need to build your reputation on the platform and create a complete freelancer profile with great reviews from clients. Can you do this on 10 different freelance sites? No, you can’t.
You should pick 1 or 2 of the best platforms and choose to build your profile there. This will help you narrow your focus. Write great proposals for jobs instead of copy-pasting the same message to different sites. And pick better jobs that promote your career growth.
In fact, if you carelessly try to apply for any job you can find or even try to use bots to submit proposals automatically, your account might even get banned forever.
The Pros & Cons Of Using Freelance Sites
Unfortunately, freelance sites are businesses built by corporations and companies. Even though they provide a valuable service by connecting clients with freelancers, their main goal is to make more money. Which doesn’t always mean well for either the freelancer or the client.
Benefits Of Using Freelance Sites
- You’ll be able to find work more easily
- You’ll have a platform to build your reputation
- You’ll learn how to do great work and deliver projects on time
- You’ll learn to communicate well with clients
- You’ll get paid easily (most of the time)
Downsides To Using Freelance Sites
- You’ll pay expensive fees for the platform
- You’ll have to compete with other freelancers
- Some clients will scam you or make you do more work
- You’ll run the risk of getting your account banned
How To Find The Best Freelance Site For You
So, how do you find the best freelance site while avoiding highly competitive sites and scams? Well, there are a few ways you can recognize a good site from a bad one. Here’s how.
Check The Pricing Model
If a freelance site uses a fixed pricing model, then it’s most likely a place you would want to avoid. For example, sites like Fiverr forces you to put a price tag on your services. The site has already decided the price for you. Want a logo designed, it’s $5! Want a website built, it’s $5! This is not only unfair but also demeans your skills. Don’t use such sites.
How Many Freelancers Are There?
The more a platform is popular the more difficult it will be for you to land a job. Finding a freelance site with low competition is the best way to avoid having to get into bidding wars with other freelancers. Find a fairly new site with a low number of registered freelancers.
How Much Does It Cost?
Keep in mind that freelance sites will charge you a platform fee for letting you use the site to offer your services. UpWork charges up to 20% from each of your jobs. For example, if you finish a job of $500, you’ll only receive $400 after the platform takes its 20% cut. Check the platform terms of service pages to learn about the platform fees.
Is It The Right Platform For You?
Do a quick search on the freelance site to see if it has enough job listings related to your job category. Try to find a platform dedicated to a specific industry. For example, Toptal is a site that’s dedicated to freelance software developers. Find a similar site that focuses on a niche.
Which Freelance Site Is Best for Beginners?
When it comes to freelancing sites, you can’t point out a platform as “the best site” to find work. Because it all depends on the type of skills you have and the services you offer. Some sites are best for writers, some are more suitable for coders, and some are great for designers.
Whichever platform you end up choosing, it’s always best to avoid the most popular ones like UpWork, Fiverr, and Freelance.com. As those are the sites with highest competition and full of freelancers who go into bidding wars to do work for the cheapest price.
Instead, try to find a site that’s fairly new and has low competition. On these sites, there will be fewer freelancers and clients, but you’ll have a higher chance at landing jobs.
Here are a few of the sites that are ideal for beginning freelancers.
For more low-competition freelance sites, check out this list and this one.
Tips For Getting Your Profile Approved
As long as you avoid the most popular sites and the platforms with a large number of users, you won’t have trouble registering an account.
Massive sites like UpWork get way too many account signups every day that they now have very strict rules for accepting new accounts. Avoid those sites altogether and you won’t have any problems.
However, you can improve your chances of getting accepted and getting more clients by following these tips.
- Choose a smaller niche as your job category (Eg: Instead of using “graphic designer” as your category, choose a niche like “infographic designer”).
- Write a compelling bio and a profile description.
- Use a real photo as your display picture.
- Provide proof of your work (fill the portfolio section).
- Take skill tests if you can (Even though it’s not necessary, it will improve your chances of getting approved)
Follow this guide to learn how to create a complete freelance profile on any site.
9 Quick Tips For Choosing The Best Freelancing Site
Here are a few extra tips to find the perfect freelancing site to offer your services.
1. Identify Your Niche
Different freelancing sites cater to various industries and niches. Identify your specific area of expertise and look for platforms that focus on or have a strong presence in that niche. For instance, Upwork and Freelancer cover a broad range of skills, while sites like 99designs and Behance are geared toward designers.
2. Research Platform Reputation
Check reviews and ratings from other freelancers to gauge the reputation of potential platforms. Look for feedback on user experience, support, payment reliability, and the quality of clients. Sites with a strong, positive reputation are generally safer and more reliable.
3. Examine Fee Structures
Freelancing websites have different fee structures, including project fees, membership fees, and transaction fees. Understand how much each platform charges and how it will affect your earnings. Some sites might offer lower fees but fewer features, so weigh the pros and cons.
4. Assess Job Availability
Look at the volume and frequency of job postings in your field. A platform with a high number of relevant job listings increases your chances of finding work quickly. Also, consider the competition level; highly competitive sites might make it harder to secure projects.
5. Check Payment Security
Ensure the platform has robust payment protection mechanisms. Look for features like escrow systems, milestone payments, and secure transaction processes. This will help protect you from fraud and ensure you get paid for your work.
6. Evaluate User Interface
A user-friendly interface can save you time and reduce frustration. Test the platform to see how easy it is to navigate, create profiles, submit proposals, and communicate with clients. An intuitive interface can make your freelancing experience much smoother.
7. Look for Quality Clients
Some platforms are known for attracting high-quality clients willing to pay fair rates, while others may attract those looking for the cheapest labor. Research to find out which platforms have clients that value quality and professionalism.
8. Consider Community and Support
Good customer support and a strong freelancer community can be incredibly beneficial. Look for platforms that offer responsive support, active forums, and resources for freelancers. A supportive community can provide advice, share experiences, and help you resolve issues.
9. Analyze the Platform’s Policies
Read the terms of service, dispute resolution processes, and policies on intellectual property rights. Make sure the platform’s policies align with your expectations and protect your interests as a freelancer.
Don’t Depend On Platforms
Freelance sites are great for establishing your ground as a freelancer and learning more about how things work when you’re working online. However, you shouldn’t always depend on these platforms to find work.
These platforms constantly change their rules and pricing schemes. And you’ll never know if or when your account might get banned for some ridiculous reason. Not to mention that there will always be another freelancer competing to beat you.
So, once you learn the basics and you’re comfortable with the way things work in the world of freelancing, slowly find alternative methods to find work and eventually leave freelance platforms completely.
Then, you will never have to pay platform fees or compete in bidding wars. You can use job boards to find work and you will have access to high-quality clients who will appreciate your skills and hard work.
I left freelance sites a long time ago and it was the best decision I’ve ever made. Although, I’m still grateful for those sites that allowed me to establish myself as a freelancer in the first place.
Images via Freepik.com
Great article, thanks! It was a real insight for me at the beginning of a freelance way not to create profiles on every remote work portal. I used Upwork for a long time but was disappointed in its service after one conflict situation with a client. Now I`m working at Beesy.pro.
Thanks this article is really helpful , most people don’t know we have other freelancing site they can make use apart from the regular : Upwork and Fiverr.
This article is the best one I have read yet. I am a irritated that I didn’t read this before signing up for numerous sites, lol. I started off with Writers Work, didn’t help me at all and then I read about Upwork somewhere and I found it wasn’t for me.
Here’s my dilemma. I don’t have a portfolio. Nothing. I have stuff I wrote 20yrs ago or unfinished stuff. Due to confidentiality, all my other projects become the clients and I shred or wipe it off ny drive.
What’s your suggestion?
I’m loving your site by the way.
A-
Damn, i found what i have been looking for, very helpful
Thank you for helpful article.
A great article indeed, but there is one thing the author forgot to mention – competition. And this is where the fun starts, because even if you’re full of enthusiasm and know your trade, once you come around a well-known platform, you meet a lot of competition on two sides. On one side you have professional with good reputation, portfolio and good reviews. They have a solid reputation at the platform and are usually the ones who get the best orders. And on the other side you have people who are in need of any job at all and they offer the lowest prices possible. So either you’re outmatched by professionals, or outnumbered by people ready to work dirt cheap. All you can do is persuade the client that your price is not high, but average. But hey, who needs average prices when most people tend to purchase any kind of service for as cheap as possible?
One way to solve this problem is to search for places which are less crowded. For instance, one place I found some time ago was Insolvo. And I can’t say that it’s worse than Upwork or Fiverr. It’s fast, reliable, secure and they say there is a good AI observing the place.
My point is – don’t be afraid to look around. Don’t rush to well-known and popular places just because. Risks are high that you won’t find place for yourself there.
Thank you very much for such an insightful as well as helpful article. However, as I’m learning SEO, I would like to know if there is any such successions if you could please provide like best Freelancing websites for beginners specific to SEO jobs.
Many thanks again.
I would like to appreciate your nice article for Freelancer, It,s very much helpful.
great article to read. It will give new ideas for youngsters who want to start their career.
Everybody wants to learn freelancing and thanks to this article. It gives immense knowledge to beginners.
Thanks for the overwhelming, in a good way, value.
Also, you’re a pretty good writer!
Thank you for your kind words 🙂
I really appreciate the insights in this post! It’s helpful to know that newer, less competitive platforms can be a better starting point for beginners in freelancing. Your advice on focusing efforts on one or two platforms rather than spreading too thin makes perfect sense. Thanks for sharing your experience and tips!