Best Freelancing Websites for Beginners

Finding the finest freelancing platform among the various options available might be challenging.

Whether you're just learning how to start freelancing or are an industry pro, freelancing websites can be useful resources for developing your profession.

How might the appropriate platform benefit you?

Simply said, the top freelance websites connect you to worthwhile job possibilities and clients in a seamless and simple process. This is true for both novices and seasoned professionals.

Nevertheless, depending on your particular demands and preferences for freelancing, there are advantages and disadvantages to take into account for any given site.

Fiverr

A freelance marketplace called Fiverr connects companies with independent contractors in a variety of industries, including graphic design, marketing, and more

With 3.42 million active clients as of 2021, they make it simple for both seasoned and inexperienced freelancers to find opportunities.

Because to their extensive opportunities and simplicity of use, Fiverr's service fees are greater than others at 20%. Also, it may take up to 14 days, depending on your rank on the website, to receive your refund.

They are one of the more competitive marketplaces as a result of their enormous popularity (and for good cause). The pressure to cut your prices that comes with increased competition can make it difficult for you to charge the prices you may wish.

Yet, the platform will boost you once you get going and start receiving positive evaluations, and customers will keep coming to you.

Pros: 

• Easy to package and price your services.
• Certification programs

Cons: 

• Prolonged payment processing time
• hefty service charges

Upwork

With over three million jobs posted each year on Upwork, the largest freelancing network, you can get in and start receiving chances right now.

On Upwork, you can engage in a variety of freelance endeavours and select from short- to long-term contracts, fixed or hourly pay.

Your payouts from Upwork include a sliding service charge structure, with the highest percentage taking 20% off of income of $500 or less.

The cost of applying is another consideration. Upwork employs a feature called "Connects," which you may think of as credits that independent contractors use to make bids for open positions. When new users sign up for Upwork, they receive 80 free Connects. After that, they are sold in bundles starting at five connects for $0.15 apiece.

Overall, Upwork is one of the greatest freelancer sites for both newcomers and seasoned pros because of its never-ending prospects and potential for long-term working relationships with clients.

Benefits: 

• Payment security
• Stops customers from requesting free work
• Loads of prospects for both novices and professionals

Cons:

• Exorbitant service charges
• Sending proposals requires connections
• It takes time to establish a reputation.

Thumbtack 

Thumbtack offers businesses and freelancers an immediate and simple way to connect with one another, similar to other freelancing platforms.

Thumbtack approaches things differently by emphasizing local neighborhoods and small businesses. Their platform is designed to make it easier for you to find job whether you're a writer, graphic designer, or lawnmower.

Also, there is no charge for freelancers to sign up, and they provide refunds and protection to assist you if a work is not a suitable fit.

The unique job pipeline offered by Thumbtack is an additional perk. Clients will contact you with opportunities that fit your criteria when you enter the types of work you're interested in.

There is only one drawback: You'll have to pay for your customer.

The price per lead starts at $1.50 and rises based on the level of competition and other variables.

Pros: 

• Performance statistics and insights to help you understand your competition
• Using preferences to your advantage will help the right clients find you.

Cons: 

• You must pay for leads even if no one uses them.
• Heightened rivalry

Freelancer.com

Another sizable freelance marketplace that can offer you a variety of chances is Freelancer.com.

In-depth employment boards run by freelancers are available for browsing and job bidding. Once employed, you may quickly track your progress and engage in live customer chat.

Freelancer.com also offers the chance to participate in competitions for extra cash and reviews to make your profile stand out.

The portal charges a 10% fee on all projects and contest prizes.

Pros:

• Staff of recruiters to assist you; round-the-clock client service
• Competitions to gain more money

Cons:

• Fake/spam jobs and clients
• Intricate interface Freelancer.com
• Another sizable freelance marketplace that can offer you a variety of chances is Freelancer.com.
• In-depth employment boards run by freelancers are available for browsing and job bidding. Once employed, you may quickly track your progress and engage in live customer chat.
• Freelancer.com also offers the chance to participate in competitions for extra cash and reviews to make your profile stand out.
• The portal charges a 10% fee on all projects and contest prizes.

Behance 

Despite being an Adobe-owned social media site with a creative bent, Behance has a complete job board with sections for logo design, photography, illustration, and more.

Also, freelancers can greatly profit from the social aspects of the website. Behance strongly encourages networking and gives you the opportunity to form relationships that could result in new job chances.

Also, it's a fantastic venue for hosting and showcasing your portfolio to their 10+ million members.

When it comes to their job board, you may quickly browse through hundreds of openings or use their search option to enter a specific term, choose "freelance," and add a location and creative category.

Pros

• Free use and job applications
• Exposure to portfolios and networking
• Individual job recommendations

Cons:

• Platform with fierce competition
• Problems with picture loading and compression

Flex jobs

One of my favourite online job markets for remote employment and independent contractor possibilities is Flexjobs. There are more than 30,000 jobs available right now in more than 50 categories.

There are a few significant reasons Flexjobs distinguishes out from other freelancing websites while looking for the top ones.

Most significantly, they give job validity a lot of consideration. To provide a reputable work environment for independent contractors, they are said to hand-screen each and every assignment and business.

They also feature a highly customised, sophisticated search function that may help you save a tonne of time. You may focus your search on positions that precisely fit your interests for the type of work you do rather than scrolling aimlessly through useless positions.

You must subscribe to one of their membership plans, which start at $6.95 for one week or $14.95 a month, in order to search for and apply for jobs on their website. These positions offer good income and frequently less competition.

Nonetheless, they have a money-back guarantee if you wind up feeling dissatisfied during the first 30 days.

Pros:

• Dependable client service
• Coaching services for careers
• Less competitive

Cons:

• Paid service
• It might be difficult to navigate a website.
• On other websites, you can find some premium listings.

Guru

Another well-known freelance marketplace, Guru. Guru, claims to have 800,000 clients globally and a 99% client satisfaction rating.

Programmers, designers, authors, and other sorts of freelancers are all welcome on Guru.

The opportunity to communicate and grow your freelance staff with a progress monitoring function is one of Guru's special advantages.

You can put out 10 bids every month with their free membership, however a 9% service charge will be deducted from your reward. Free members are unable to discuss jobs in advance with customers, nevertheless.

Their premium membership has a monthly initiation cost of $11.95 and progressively lower service fees after that.

Premium members may really cut ahead of their rivals by having their rankings improved and their quotations stand out to customers.

Pros:

• Around-the-clock assistance
• lower costs
• An accessible website

Cons:

• Free members are promoted before monthly premium users.
• Heightened rivalry

Dribbble

Similar to Behance, Dribbble is a top worldwide community where creatives can interact, find inspiration, and create their portfolios.

Freelance designers, illustrators, and others may simply showcase and market their work to attract the attention of potential employers.

The more "shots" in your portfolio receive likes, the more your work is elevated above that of competitors.

Their employment board is really simple and offers helpful search options to locate positions that fit your requirements.

You may restrict your search by project budget on their job board, which is a great option that will save you from wasting time on tasks that are below your rate.

The drawback of this one is that users must upgrade their accounts to Dribbble's premium subscription, which costs $5–12 a month, in order to apply to freelance jobs.

Pros:

• rapid access to lucrative employment
• an accessible website

Cons:

• Only premium users can access the freelance jobs