Sites Like Upwork to Find Freelance Work
It’s a good thing there are now so many sites like Upwork where you can find freelance work. Back in the day, freelancers had no choice but to tap into their network to be able to find a job. Or simply hope that a client will find them somewhere or vice versa.
The trouble now it seems is freelancers can’t keep track of which sites like Upwork to use. Upwork is one of the most popular freelancer market platforms and has been around since 2015. However, not all freelancers are able to find clients and projects they really like at Upwork. There are also some who find Upwork confusing or hard to use.
Don’t worry as the same sentiments can be shared by clients. Hiring outside of Upwork is not an uncommon occurrence. Clients utilize websites for finding freelancers such as LinkedIn or even remote job boards.
Top 5 Sites Like Upwork for Freelancers
Again, there are many websites like Upwork today. If you need a bit of help finding some, below are a few that you may want to check out:
1. Freelancer.com
One of the best alternatives to Upwork, Freelancer.com allows you to sign up for free. You can browse jobs no matter what freelancer industry you are in. The way it differs from Upwork is that there is a membership plan with different tiers as opposed to Upwork’s Freelancer Plus. When it comes to fees, Upwork is known to have a bit of a confusing fee system as it depends on rates and badges. However, with Freelancer.com it’s a fixed $5 or 10% per project (whichever one is higher).
Depending on your membership on Freelancer.com, you can only bid a specific number of times per month. Aside from bidding on projects, it is also possible to “win contests”. There is a difference between projects and contests on this site but either one can allow you to get a freelancing job.
2. Workhoppers
If you have less time on your hands, Workhoppers will do the hard work for you. They will screen the flexible jobs themselves and match you with jobs that are in line with what you want. There is also no bidding on this site, which is ideal if you are not into Upwork’s bidding style.
Workhopper is also an excellent option for freelancers who are looking for clients that they can actually meet up with. There is an option to choose what kind of work you want, either work from home or on-site. You’ll also need to input your location.
If you need help identifying your strengths, you can take the behavioral assessment from Workhopper. This site also allows you to get paid per project or by the hour.
3. Hubstaff Talent
If you have been freelancing for a while and already have a bit of experience, you might want to check out Hubstaff Talent. This site like Upwork has decent freelancing jobs but may require prior experience from freelancers. Make sure to check the country you are currently in is allowed to access the jobs first as it isn’t allowed for all.
You can get paid via PayPal if that is your payment method of choice. The good thing about Hubstaff Talent is there are no markups or fees involved. There will also be no bidding on this site. You can get excellent leads from Hubstaff and also be able to provide exposure for yourself.
4. Fiverr
When you are on Fiverr don’t be confused with the terms that are used on the site. Freelancers are called “sellers” and you will be selling your services, skills, or products, also known as “gig”. Clients will be known as “buyers”. Take note that signing up is free, however, there will be a fee for every “gig” that you sell.
If you are a beginner, you can definitely start with Fiverr.com as it is friendlier to new freelancers. Don’t expect high pay at once but you can soon grow from this site and earn more as well as fill up your portfolio along the way. Take note that the website’s name Fiverr refers to $5. And although you can definitely earn more than $5 in the long run, this can be a common rate for those who are just starting out.
5. People Per Hour
A bit different from Upwork, People Per Hour will not allow any freelancer to join. Signing up is free but your application will be reviewed by the site’s moderation team. So, if you are a new freelancer, this might not be the site for you. However, if you are an expert with an excellent resume and portfolio, then do give this site a try.
What’s different about People Per Hour is, you don’t really look for jobs. Instead, you will make a pitch about yourself—basically list down everything that you can do. A potential client will be the one to approach you if they find what they need from your page. A good thing about this site though is that it is open to pretty much any location on the globe.
Factors to Consider for Choosing Freelance Market Platforms
Taking work outside Upwork can be very challenging if that is the site that you are used to. You might need a bit of help choosing the right one. To help you out below are some things you need to consider to choose the right freelance market platform:
1. Fees and payment method
One of the problems freelancers face with Upwork as well as other sites like it is the fee. How much does Upwork actually take? It can be anywhere from 5% to 20% depending on several factors like your pricing or freelancer tier.
You have to check these sites like Upwork if they are charging the same fee whenever you are getting paid by a client or for each project that you accomplish. Know that there are some sites that don’t have any fees. There is also a chance to ask your clients to shoulder said fees.
You might be thinking, what are these fees for anyway? Upwork and sites like Upwork usually say that this is a convenience fee. It can also be for the safety of both the freelancer and the client.
Whatever the case, you have to take note of this because you will not take home the actual rate that you will post on your proposal. You also need to consider the payment method of choice. For example, you’ll pay additional fees if you use PayPal. Most payment methods all have fees but you can always compare which one has the lowest fees.
2. Available memberships or subscriptions
Aside from fees, you also need to check if the sites like Upwork you are signing up for also have memberships or subscriptions. Although signing up is free, you have the option to have a monthly or yearly subscription to become a “premium” freelancer. These memberships can definitely help you get more potential clients to view your profile or account.
Not all sites like Upwork have these but you may also want to factor this in if you have the money to spare to get a leg up on the competition. If you are not going to utilize this feature, know that other freelancers will. So, sign up for other sites that don’t have memberships if you don’t want to get into this type of arena.
3. Your location
It’s fairly common to get a client who is from a different location. Just make sure the freelance market platform that you will choose is open to the country where you are currently in. There are also freelancer market platforms that are favored by clients from a specific country or region. So, if you don’t want to get lost in translation with a client pick a platform favored by those who speak the same language as you.
You might also come upon freelancer market platforms that ensure freelancers and clients are living in the same area or city. This is for those who are in an industry that will require face-to-face or in-person meetings. Maybe you are a freelance accountant and the client will require you to do inventory on their shop, something that may prove to be challenging or impossible when done online.
4. Industry you are in
There are sites like Upwork that are specifically for a certain freelance industry. For example, Design Hill is ideal for graphic designers. Of course, if you are a programmer, it would be a bit useless to sign up for this type of website.
If you have a specific industry and a niche in that said industry, it would be best to look for freelance websites for that. This way, you can have an easier time weeding clients. You’ll also have better luck looking for projects that will interest you.
5. Types of clients
Freelancer market platforms usually favor clients. However, you need to check out what type of clients they attract. It could be helpful to enter a site like Upwork that also has a vetting process for clients. This way, you, as a freelancer, can also protect yourself and your work.
Some websites protect the identity of clients while others can show if a client is verified or not. Do choose sites that also offer a bit of insight on clients for freelancers to read up on. After all, this is one of the best things about being a freelancer—you get to pick your client, too. This isn’t a corporate job where you can’t say no to your boss.
Conclusion
Finding freelance work can be very daunting. There are times when you feel like there is nothing out there for you. But don’t lose hope. There are many sites like Upwork where you can find the ideal client or even the perfect project. You just need to be smart when picking out the websites you go to or the platforms that you join.
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