Whether you’re looking for a career in freelancing or just want to earn a little extra income on the side, there are dozens of sites out there that can help you find work.
But like anything on the internet, many of these platforms have their pitfalls: some offer a terrible client experience and others run the risk of being scams. We’ve sorted through what’s out there and created a comprehensive guide to freelancing sites that are safe to use.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Safety First: These freelancing sites prioritize user safety and ensure secure transactions, protecting both freelancers and clients. |
| 2. Verified Platforms: The listed sites have undergone verification processes, providing reliable and trustworthy platforms for freelancers to find work. |
| 3. User Reviews Matter: Check user reviews and ratings to gauge the reputation of each platform, helping you make informed decisions about where to work. |
| 4. Payment Protection: Look for sites with escrow systems or other payment protection mechanisms to ensure timely and secure payment for your services. |
| 5. Diverse Opportunities: Explore a range of freelancing opportunities on these platforms, catering to various skill sets and industries for freelancers. |
1. Upwork
Upwork is the world’s largest freelancing website. It brings together businesses and independent professionals to help them find work, and that includes you!
Upwork was created in 2015 when Elance and oDesk merged, so it has a huge array of jobs available for freelancers to work on.
Upwork is a marketplace for clients to post job ads with their budget requirements, deadlines, and other specifications. When you join Upwork as a freelancer, you can browse through these postings and apply for anything that fits your skillset.
The client pays Upwork once they choose a candidate they want to hire so there aren’t any direct payments made between the two parties until after work has been completed successfully.
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2. Freelancer
Freelancer is a freelancing site that contains thousands of jobs from clients all over the world. You can find anything from writing and coding to design and marketing, as well as many other different job types.
Pros:
- There are plenty of jobs on the site so you will always have something you can do.
- You get paid through PayPal which makes it easy to transfer money into your bank account or receive payments in cash when meeting with clients in person for work.
Cons:
If you’re not very good at English or another language then this may not be the best place for you since most companies require their freelancers to speak fluent English/other languages (depending on what they need).
3. Guru
Guru is an online marketplace where you can hire a freelancer to do just about anything. The site has over three million users and offers an extensive list of services.
This includes writing and editing, graphic design, photography, professional services (accounting and legal), marketing support such as search engine optimization and pay-per-click advertising campaigns, web development (web designing or programming), data entry projects like typing, or transcribing audio recordings into text files.
The platform lets you search for the best-suited candidate among its huge pool of talent by skill or keyword. You can also filter results based on success rate (how many jobs have been successfully completed) as well as experience level.
Skillset is another good option if you want to hire freelancers on Guru’s platform; it allows employers to post their job requirements along with budgets and deadlines so that candidates could bid for them during the bidding process that takes place before posting any job listing on any platforms such as Elance etc…
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4. Designhill
If you are looking to start your own online business, Designhill can be a great option. The service allows you to create logos and graphic designs for various companies. To get started with the platform, you will need to first set up an account.
This is free of charge but there is a $10 signup fee if you do not have a referral code from someone who has previously used the service. Once your account is created, it’s time to decide what kind of work you want to offer on Designhill.
The hiring process on this site is relatively straightforward: companies post their project/job description and freelancers submit proposals as per their requirements for that particular project/job description.
When someone submits a proposal, they are then invited by clients (companies) into private chats where they discuss details about each other’s expectations with regards to deliverables including turnaround time, etc., and agree upon pricing before moving forward with any agreement between them both.”
5. Toptal
Toptal is a freelance job board that only accepts the top 3% of applicants. This means that hiring talent through Toptal will give you access to some of the most talented freelancers in your field.
The site is perfect for freelancers who have plenty of experience, and for businesses who are looking for the best talent.
Toptal’s community of freelancers is mainly for developers and designers. The site has a vetting process that guarantees every project you hire for is done by a qualified freelancer with relevant experience. Toptal is not cheap, but its commitment to quality ensures that you’ll get your money’s worth.
6. SimplyHired
SimplyHired is a job search engine that aggregates listings from thousands of job sites. It also offers a free resume builder and resumes post feature. If you use SimplyHired’s CV/resume builder and resume posting feature, make sure you keep copies of your old versions somewhere safe in case something goes wrong.
Although SimplyHired does not take care of your CV, it’s still important that you check the quality before submitting it to employers.
SimplyHired has been around since 2004 and has over 500,000 users worldwide, which makes it one of the oldest freelancing sites on our list. So far there have been no complaints about scams or fraudulent activity surrounding this site
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7. Craigslist
Craigslist is a free job posting site that you can use to find jobs and hire freelancers. You can post your job listings or search through the postings of others. The site has a large community of freelancers, so it’s easy for you to find the perfect person for your project.
This site is suitable for both large and small businesses who want to hire freelancers nationwide as well as individuals looking for work remotely from their home computers.
Because Craigslist is not as safe as other sites (you’re dealing directly with individuals), we recommend using this platform with caution: only deal with people who have positive reviews from previous employers, ask about references, and check their social media profiles and stay vigilant throughout the hiring process!
8. PeoplePerHour
If you’re looking for a site with an hourly rate that’s somewhat competitive, PeoplePerHour is the way to go. Their average hourly rate is $12 and they have over 3 million users as of this writing. Press Tab to write more…
Users are allowed to post jobs without paying an application fee, but they will be charged a small amount usually around £5/$7 if their project gets approved.
As far as safety goes, there are more than enough user reviews on the site to show that it’s safe to use. However, it doesn’t hurt to always do your research before signing up for anything new or unknown!
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9. FlexJobs
Given how many sites are out there to help you get started, it can be hard to know where to start. We’ll leave you with one last site worth checking out: FlexJobs.
FlexJobs is an online job board that focuses specifically on flexible work opportunities and remote jobs. This means that you’ll find more part-time gigs here than full-time positions but even if it’s just for a few hours a week, having a little extra money can go a long way when you’re starting as a freelancer.
As with other freelance sites, FlexJobs has its pros and cons the biggest downside being that its database isn’t nearly as large as others’. However, what this does mean is that your chances of finding high-quality work are much higher since the pool of applicants isn’t so large either (which could help boost your rates).
10. Outsourcely
Outsourcely is a freelance site that allows you to bid on jobs from clients in over 200 countries. You can keep 100% of the amount you earn in each job, and there are no fees for registering or bidding on projects. It’s free to sign up and start bidding for jobs, so it’s easy to get started with little investment.
The great thing about this site is that once you accept a job offer, your client will pay directly into your account via PayPal within 2 days! You can also receive funds in multiple currencies and as little as 24 hours (though usually not quite that fast).
If they don’t have PayPal yet but still want to use Outsourcely’s platform, they can send payment through bank transfer or by going into any store displaying their name as a sponsor (this includes Starbucks!).
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Conclusion
I have been using these sites for a long time now, and I can attest to their safety. They are some of the best places to find freelance jobs, especially if you’re new in this field.
Further Reading
The Ultimate Guide to Freelance Websites: Explore the comprehensive guide on the best freelance websites, helping you navigate the freelancing world with ease.
Top 10 Sites for Freelance Services: Discover the top ten websites that offer a wide range of freelance services, providing excellent opportunities for both freelancers and clients.
Best Websites for Freelance Jobs: Dive into the list of the best websites dedicated to connecting freelancers with potential job opportunities, ensuring a successful freelancing career.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Be Sure That The Sites Are Safe?
It’s true, there have been a few cases of fraud and theft on these sites. However, most of the time it’s not your fault. Always check the history of a freelancer before you hire them.
You should also use PayPal or Venmo to pay for any services rendered so that if something happens to your funds, you will have some sort of recourse against the person who took them from you.
What If I Have A Problem With A Client?
There is no easy answer here because sometimes clients can be difficult even without any intention to cheat or steal your money (or services). But if they do try to stiff someone out of payment due, there are many ways around this issue:
- Firstly, don’t take all jobs from one source;
- Secondly, consider using Escrow services like Freelancer or Upwork Payouts;
- Thirdly and most importantly write up an agreement between yourself and each client stating how much money must be paid upfront before work begins for both parties’ protection!
Can I Get By Without Paying A Fee?
Yes! A lot of people don’t realize this but many freelancers will work for free just because they love what they do which makes trying new things possible at all times!
Wondering If You Can Make A Living As A Freelancer?
You could be surprised. The average monthly income for freelancers is $6,000 according to Upwork, which is more than twice the amount of a full-time employee in the United States. That figure increases significantly with each year of experience and skill level.
But where do you look for freelance work? Thousands of websites specialize in connecting clients with vendors and suppliers like yourself. No matter what type of job you’re seeking (or offering), there will be an online platform designed specifically for your needs!
If you’re looking for freelance opportunities without any prior experience or connections, we recommend starting with UpWork or Freelancer because they have massive networks built up over time; this means there’s likely someone out there looking for help just like yours today!
How Do I Protect Myself When Hiring A Freelancer?
When you engage with a freelancer, you should always check that the profile of each person corresponds to the name of their business. It’s also important to check that images don’t appear to be stolen from other websites and that there are no hidden or unknown costs involved in your project.
How Do I Protect Myself When Working As A Freelancer?
When working as a freelancer, always make sure that you have all the necessary information about your clients before starting any work. This includes full names and contact details (this is usually available on their profile), and information about the job itself such as deadlines and payment terms.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.