The world of freelancing is booming. More and more people are foregoing the conventional 9 to 5 in favor of using marketable skills to freelance online. It is an excellent way of generating more money while working from the comfort of your own home.
But how do you find the best freelance websites? Well, it’s easier said than done.
Finding work online can be difficult. A rudimentary search will show you hundreds of different freelancing websites. How do you know which ones are viable and worth spending time on?
Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. In the following paragraphs, we shall talk about some of the most popular freelancing websites for web developers, designers, and marketing and affiliate trainers. But first, let’s see if you’re ready to start freelancing.
How to Start Freelancing Online
Before you decide to start freelancing full-time, you need to define your goals. Not doing so will cost you in the long run. Remember, freelancing is a business, and like all good businesses, you need to state your objectives before you get it underway.
Define Your Purpose
For instance, are you taking up a side hustle to make more money? If yes, what’s the minimum amount that you want to earn each month? If no, can you tide over the initial months without a steady source of income?
Define Your Skill Set
The next step is to define your skills. People are asking for all kinds of work online, so you have to see which jobs match your skill set. If you are good at, say, web development, you need to figure out what kind of projects you are going to take.
Think of any hobbies you’re good at or any self-taught skills you can monetize Make a list of all your marketable skills before you start checking out different websites.
Define Your Clientele
What kind of clients do you want to work for? Individuals or SMBs? When you start making bids on different freelance websites, you will realize that there are all kinds of clients on there.
You need to make an ideal profile before you start contacting the right clients who can make use of your services.
Set a Price Point
And finally, you need to set a price point for yourself. What’s the lowest you are going to take for a project? Research the market, and use your own skill level as benchmarks when setting the pricing. This will make it easy for you to bid on different kinds of projects.
Now, let’s dive into the most popular freelance websites online. We have divided our list into three categories:
- Best freelance websites for web developers
- Best freelancing websites for web designers
- Best freelance sites for trainers
Best Freelance Websites for Web Developers
If you are a web developer, there’s plenty of work to be found online. The world is moving online, and web development is a highly prized skill. Here are the best freelancing websites for web developers.
1. Toptal
Source: Toptal
Toptal is one of the most prominent freelancing websites for web developers. Used by some of the biggest companies in the world, it is an excellent place to find work online.
The company claims to screen 3% of the talent, though that figure is still up for debate. The screening process involves a personality and a language test, as well as technical screenings. The website then offers a tailored report if any matches are found.
Toptal is an excellent platform to start marketing your skills. The projects here pay well, and there’s good money to be made all around.
Things We Like:
- The screening process is very thorough
- A trial option is given
Things We Don’t Like:
- It’s a bit expensive for new freelancers due to its initial fee and commission
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2. Guru
Source: Guru
Guru is another fantastic platform where you can find work as a web developer. It’s very similar to platforms like Upwork (we’ll get to that in a moment), but it adds a whole another layer for searching for freelancers, including their specialties, location, and feedback.
This makes it easy for a reputable freelancer to set themselves apart from the rest. Guru also has a collaboration space that it refers to as the Work Room. Here, you can discuss the project, share deadlines and communicate with the project owner or client. The company uses Safepay to ensure transparency in payments.
However, Guru is still a growing platform, so finding work here can be a bit difficult.
Things We Like:
- Easy search options
- Uses an in-house payment system
Things We Didn’t Like:
- The initial fee
- Tough to find work in the beginning
3. UpStack
Source: UpStack
If you want to become a developer, UpStack is a fantastic platform. The reason: it’s primarily made for finding web developers. UpStack focuses on helping small businesses access top development talent without bringing on a new hire.
The company has an incredibly robust screening process. They ask a ton of questions, and require validation to prove a freelancer is really proficient in what they claim to be. As a result, a mere 1% of the applications are accepted. The company’s focus on quality ensures premium pricing, and also guarantees top level work.
If you have confidence in your skills, this is the way to go.
Things We Like:
- Free trial for two weeks
- A range of developers from different disciplines to choose from
- Finding clients is easy
Things We Didn’t Like:
- The overall pool of candidates is less than 1,000.
- The company charges a deposit fee.
4. GitHub Jobs
Source: GitHub Jobs
Any developer or programmer worth their salt would know about GitHub. It’s a subsidiary owned by Microsoft that makes it easy for developers to find jobs. Even though most of the findings on GitHub Jobs are for full-time positions, there are several freelance job positions open as well.
It’s an excellent way to find a good job, especially since each posting costs a cool $450 to post. This makes it easy for freelancers to know that clients here are serious, since they have forked out such a large sum of money already to place a post.
Things We Like:
- Ideal for finding a decent client
- Has almost all kinds of developmental projects
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Limited job opportunities
- Focuses mainly on full-time jobs
Best Freelancing Platforms for Web Designers
If you have a penchant for web design, there are plenty of freelancing websites that focus primarily on web designers. Here are some of the best that you can choose from.
5. Upwork
Source: UpWork
If you search for freelancing websites or platforms, chances are that Upwork will show up right at the top. That’s because it is the largest platform for finding freelancers on the web right now. Formerly known as oDesk, merged with Elance, which ultimately resulted in a host of new freelancers joining the platform.
The platform has more than 300,000 web and graphic designers on the platform, making it easy for clients to find freelancers bid on job postings, or clients can manually review freelancer profiles and invite them to their job posting.
There are a host of search filters as well to help you narrow down your search. The company offers three plans, including Basic (Free), Plus ($49.99/month), and Business ($499/month). The company also charges a processing fee on every withdrawal. They even have jobs for marketing on social media, like Pinterest affiliate marketing.
Things We Like:
- The platform is easy to navigate and understand
- They have a free plan
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Heavily saturated market
- Finding good clients is difficult
6. Freelancer.com
Source: Freelancer
If you want to hire an experienced freelancer from one of the largest talent pools online, Freelancer is a good bet. Freelancer.com was created in 2009, and has since grown on to become one of the most popular websites for graphic design jobs.
They don’t just limit themselves to graphic design, as there are jobs for all kinds of freelancers. It’s an excellent place to find a job, since so many people use it. If you are looking for an entry point in the world of freelancing and evaluating some of the best freelancing sites, you have to include Freelancer.com on the list.
Things We Like:
- It’s got lots of job opportunities
- The platform is pretty simple
- They hold contests every now and then
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Pricing plans are a bit complex
- Most jobs are underpriced
7. Fiverr
Source: Fiverr
Millions of small businesses around the globe use Fiverr to find web designers and graphic designers. It’s an incredibly popular platform that has made quite a name for itself by offering a range of visual categories, from designing entire websites to small business cards.
Fiverr uses a separate model than most conventional freelancing websites; they require freelancers to create gigs that buyers can check out and buy. It’s a good way to weed out non-serious workers, and make sure that buyers only get in touch with professionals. If you have a suitable revenue model, you could really make good money.
Things We Like:
- Fiverr is free to use
- Low service fees
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Finding your first job is tough
- The platform takes a bit of getting used to
8. 99designs
Source: 99designs
99designs is one of the most popular platforms for graphic designers, website makers, web designers, and people with virtually any other skill involving design elements. From designing ecommerce websites to affiliate campaign graphics, this is the de-facto platform for design jobs.
It’s an excellent platform to get started, though finding a job can be difficult since most clients prefer to stick with reliable designers in the long run on this platform.
Things We Like:
- Geared towards designing
- You can conduct contests
- Thorough screening and vetting
Things We Didn’t Like
- Paid packages
- Slightly expensive
Best Freelance Websites for Content Writers and Marketers
If you are a content writer or marketer, there’s plenty of opportunities available online. Here are some of the best freelance websites for content writers and marketers.
9. iWriter
Source: iWriter
iWriter makes it incredibly easy for potential clients to get in touch with experienced writers. They have a thorough vetting process, including having writers come up with two 250-word samples before they get started.
Most freelancers here start off with the Standard badge, but can work their way up and eventually make more money along the way.
Things We Like:
- Geared towards writers
- Excellent support
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Limited clientele
- Some projects are really underpaid
10. BloggingPro
Source: BloggingPro
BloggingPro is a hassle-free blogging freelance website that helps businesses find freelance talent. Unlike other platforms, this one doesn’t even require a screening, so you can just create your profile and start marketing your skills.
The site focuses primarily towards bloggers, as the name suggests, though you will occasionally find jobs here that require editing and publishing as well. If you need to find good quality writing gigs, this is a great place to start.
Things We Like:
- Very simple interface
- Pays well
Things We Didn’t Like:
- Limited job choice
- Not the most prominent platform
How the Cloudways Affiliate Program Helps Freelancers
If you are a freelancer offering web design, development, or marketing services, the Cloudways web hosting affiliate program is a great option. Many freelancers like to bundle their services and offer a complete package to their clients.
You can resell hosting through the Cloudways Affiliate Program, thus making money both ways. It’s a fantastic idea for budding freelancers who want to make some income on the side. As long as the client continues to host their website, you make money regularly. You don’t even need a website to carry out affiliate marketing!
Cloudways reseller hosting program offers a recurring commission to its affiliates, so as long as the client renews their hosting package with the platform, you will continue to receive a commission!
If you are thinking of starting freelancing, these are the most popular freelance websites available right now. Depending on your skillset and the range of service that you plan to offer, you can segment your options and select one that best suits your needs. Starting out can be hard, but here’s some advice from people who made their first $1,000 as affiliates.
The Bottom Line
There is no specific platform which, if you target, can lead to a windfall of projects. Some people make thousands of dollars in design projects from UpWork, while others don’t make any on 99designs, which is, in essence, a design freelance website.
It primarily depends on how much time and effort you are willing to invest in a freelance website. If you stick to your guns, there’s really no limit to the amount of money that you can make!
