Freelancing platforms have become the main go-to for people looking to find freelance work. However, many people are still skeptical about whether freelancing platforms are a scam or not. In this article, we’ll look at 15 reasons why they are not.
Hopefully, by the end of this article, you’ll be convinced that freelance sites aren’t a scam and you can confidently use them (even if you’re just starting as a freelancer).
| Takeaway |
|---|
| Freelancing sites are not inherently scams, but caution is needed |
| Reputation matters when choosing a freelancing platform |
| Understanding the terms of service is crucial |
| Beware of clients asking for free work |
| Use secure payment methods and contracts |
| Freelancers should set clear boundaries and expectations |
| Scammers may try to exploit beginners |
| Reviews and ratings can provide valuable insights |
| Communication is key for successful freelancing |
| Avoid sharing sensitive information with unverified clients |
| Research potential clients or employers before accepting work |
| Trust your instincts and avoid suspicious offers |
| Networking and building a professional reputation are essential |
| Don’t be discouraged by occasional setbacks or rejections |
1. People Pay Upfront
When you work on a freelancing site, you get paid upfront. As soon as the client receives your finished work, they pay for it in full and are assured of getting their money back if the job isn’t done properly.
Because of this system, clients who aren’t serious about hiring freelancers will stay away from these sites. This means that you can expect only serious people to contact you on these platforms.
If there are any problems with your work, the client can refund his/her payment and hire someone else to do the job instead of having his/her money tied up in an ongoing project with no end in sight (or at least no guaranteed completion date).
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2. You Get To Build A Reputation
Once you’ve established yourself as a reliable freelancer, the opportunities to find work will begin to pour in. You’ll be able to choose from a variety of projects that fit your skills and interests.
In addition, you’ll be able to build your reputation with potential clients by providing quality work, consistently following through on projects and requests for revisions, and being honest, communicative, and friendly with clients. A good reputation will ensure that you’re always getting paid what you deserve for your time and it can open doors for other opportunities down the road!
It is also important to remember that no matter how hard we try at any job or project (or try not) there will always be some kind of correction needed by whoever hired us. If we’re lucky enough they may even provide feedback so we know what specific mistakes were made so this doesn’t happen again next time we work together which is great news all around!
3. You Can Get Paid Quickly
While you may not make as much as you would working in a traditional office, the flexibility of freelancing allows you to set your schedule and work from home. Additionally, many freelancing sites offer payment via PayPal, which is convenient for those who don’t have a bank account or credit card.
The best way to make sure you get paid by a site is by researching it thoroughly before starting any projects. If something seems off about the site’s legitimacy (or lack thereof), take your business elsewhere.
4. The Payment Is Secure
When you start to look into freelance websites, you’ll notice that they take almost every precaution to ensure that payments are secure. The two most common payment gateways are PayPal and Stripe (which are both secure), but there are also several other options available.
Some freelancing sites will even allow you to use an escrow service which means your money doesn’t leave your bank account until the job is done and approved.
Freelancing platforms also offer a wide range of security features for their users:
For example, all data sent between clients and freelancers are encrypted with military-grade encryption technology so no one else can see what’s being said not even hackers! This means that if someone tries hacking into one of these systems they won’t be able to read anything because they don’t have access keys needed before messages can be decrypted.
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5. There Are A Lot Of Opportunities
If you are looking for a full-time job with benefits, this may not be the place for you. However, if you want to make some extra money on the side, or even as a full-time career, then freelancing sites are perfect.
There are many reasons why freelancing is so popular and it is easy to see why people love being able to work from home. If you want to make money while still maintaining your current job then there are lots of opportunities available online through these sites.
No matter what type of work it is (writing articles or technical writing) there will always be someone who needs someone else’s help to get their work done efficiently without having high costs associated with hiring an entire team of workers when all they need is one person who knows how things should be done correctly!
6. You Get To Learn New Things
You get to learn new things. Learning new skills has many benefits.
For example, you can take an online course on coding and improve your ability to write code. You can take a course in how to program with specific programming languages like Python or Ruby, which will help you become a better developer in general. Or, perhaps you want to learn how to use Photoshop or Illustrator so that you can create better graphics for your clients’ websites and projects.
These are just some of the ways that freelancing sites can benefit both individuals looking for work and businesses looking for good talent at reasonable rates!
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7. You Do Not Have To Be An Expert
One of the biggest myths about freelancing is that you have to be an expert in your field. The truth is, you don’t need to be an expert to start a successful freelancing business. All you need is a quality product and some basic knowledge of how to market yourself online.
If you’re willing to put in the time and effort necessary to learn as much as possible on your own, then there’s no reason why your business won’t succeed!
8. You Will Make New Friends
It’s no secret that freelancing is a great way to make new friends. When you’re working with other people all day, it can lead to amazing relationships. You can meet people from all over the world with your work, and chances are that these people have similar interests as you do.
Furthermore, if there are certain areas in which you lack expertise and need help, freelancing sites offer tutorials and other resources that will teach you how to get better at what you do.
9. You Can Make Money Anywhere, Any Time
You don’t need to be in an office building or at a desk. You can do it from the comfort of your home and on the go. All you need is access to a computer and the internet, which are both easy to get even when traveling abroad!
10. You Do Not Have To Be A Designer Or Programmer
It is no secret that designers and programmers are in high demand, which means that if you have a skill set in either of these areas, you can make thousands of dollars per month. When buying into a freelance site like Upwork or Fiverr, you will be able to find plenty of work opportunities as long as your skill set is marketable.
While it may seem like this type of opportunity is too good to be true, it’s important to remember that these sites are not scams they are real! If you have skills in the digital realm and want to make money from home, then consider using one of these platforms as a way to get started freelancing.
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11. There Is No Boss
If you’re used to having a boss and working under someone else’s schedule, the thought of being your boss can be intimidating. But if you’re willing to take a chance on freelancing sites, it can be an amazingly liberating experience.
You can set your schedule and have total control over what projects you take on and how much time they require of you meaning that if you want to spend all day tinkering with spreadsheets or playing video games or watching TV, that’s fine! If a new project comes up that requires more attention than usual, then by all means give it some love.
As long as you’re able to get work done when work needs to get done (and not before), there is no wrong way for this type of freelance gig to go down. Despite what some people might tell themselves about how great their job is compared with those who are self-employed, there’s no reason why anyone should prefer working for someone else over themselves.
12. You Will Become Independent And Self-Sustaining
As a freelancer, you will become independent and self-sustaining. You won’t have to worry about a boss who gives you unreasonable deadlines or bosses that randomly change rules on you. You can work from anywhere in the world and at any time of day/night. You are free to travel whenever and wherever makes you happy!
You will not be tied down by location either, which means that if your current town is becoming too expensive and boring, it’s easy enough to pack up and move someplace new where there might be better opportunities for finding clients or just more fun overall!
13. Freelancing Sites Charge 20% Or Less As A Fee
There are plenty of sites out there that charge 20% or less as a fee. Why? Because they have to make money somehow. If they’re charging you, they need to pay the bills too.
If you want to know the exact amount that a freelancing site charges in fees and what percentage of your work will go toward those fees, check out their pricing page for all the details. Some will even show you how much money your customer will see deducted from their payment before it gets deposited into your account, so there’s no guessing involved!
14. Freelancing Is A Great Way To Make Extra Income
Freelancing is a great way to make extra income. The website connects you with potential clients who are looking for freelancers to complete a wide variety of projects.
You can choose whether or not you want to work on these projects and how much time you want to devote yourself to them. If you have any previous experience as a freelancer, then this might be the perfect opportunity for you!
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Conclusion
I hope this article helps you make an informed decision on which freelancing website is best for you. If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comment section below!
Further Reading
Freelancer Scams: How to Stay Safe in the Gig Economy: Learn valuable tips and precautions to protect yourself from scams in the gig economy.
Is Freelancing Legit? Exploring the Pros and Cons: Uncover the advantages and challenges of freelancing to make an informed decision about this career path.
Freelancer.com Review: Scam or Legit?: Read a comprehensive review of Freelancer.com to determine if it’s a trustworthy platform for freelancers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Best Freelance Site?
The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem. There are many different types of freelancing jobs, and not all are created equal. Some platforms are better for certain types of work than others.
For example, Upwork is a great platform for finding opportunities in the field of design and writing while Fiverr focuses more on creative services like graphic design, video editing, singing, and voice-overs.
Is Freelancing Legit?
Yes! There are real companies out there looking to hire freelancers who can help them with their projects and goals. The internet has opened up new doors that were previously closed off due to geographical location or economic status (or both).
If you want success as a freelancer then you must do your research before starting so that you know what kind of job skills will be needed to get paid well enough where your expenses exceed your income;
This could include updating old skillsets such as coding languages or learning new ones through online courses such as those offered by Udemy or Coursera since most jobs require some sort of training beforehand anyway whether from school or otherwise which makes sense because no company wants someone who isn’t qualified enough so if they’re paying them then they’ll want their money’s worth too!
How Do Freelancing Sites Work?
There are a variety of freelance websites, but they all function in the same way: you post your skillset and availability for projects, then clients come to you with job offers. You can either accept them or decline them based on your criteria (time frame, rate, etc.).
Once you’ve chosen a job, the client will send over the project details via email or PM (private message). Once both parties agree on terms and conditions, payment is transferred from client to freelancer, and voila! Your first freelance job has been completed!
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Freelancing Sites?
Pros:
The most obvious is that you can work from home, which means no traveling, no commuting costs (and therefore more money in your pocket), and a much lower chance of burning out.
You also maintain full control over your schedule (more on this later). You decide when to take a break or quit for the day something you might not be able to do if working at an office job. In addition, some freelancing sites offer benefits like health care and retirement plans; those are perks that aren’t available at all companies, let alone startups that don’t have HR departments yet!
Cons:
There’s a lot less structure than there would be with an office job for better or worse depending on who you ask!
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.