Freelance work is one of the most lucrative industries these days, with many full time workers moving to freelance due to flexible hours, higher wages, and the ability to work fully remote.

It can be difficult for freelancers and those looking to purchase services from freelancers to become connected to each other, though. Luckily there are many services that help alleviate the process.

Today we will be taking a look at two of these services, Fiverr and Freelancer.

 Fiverr

What is Fiverr?

Founded in 2010, Fiverr is one of the most popular sites for freelancers and those working in other creative industries to match with clients. From building websites to relationship advice, you can find nearly every service imaginable. 

Originally services started at just $5, hence the namesake. But in 2023, many services will cost hundreds or thousands of dollars as the quality of freelance work continues to go up.

How does Fiverr work for freelancers?

Once you sign up for a Fiverr account, you can start posting ‘gigs.’

This is what Fiverr calls their job postings.

Unlike typical job search sites, such as LinkedIn or Indeed, Fiverr allows freelancers to post services which clients can then directly reach out to. 

You want to make sure you are using memorable keywords on this posting as this is the first impression potential clients will see. Provide photos and videos of finished work, create package deals, and let everyone know your timeframe and rate.

Packages allow for clients who want more content, faster response time, or revisions.

Fiverr has multiple dashboards so you can keep track of total orders, completed and pending gigs, as well as keep up communication with your clients. You also have access to your analyitics, such as total sales, total profit, monthly profit, and average selling price.

As you continue to grow on the platform, Fiverr will place you into different levels. You automatically start as a New Seller, but can move up to Level 1, Level 2, and Top Rated Seller.

These levels give you access to more content on the platform. For example, as a Top Rated seller, you can post up to 30 gigs, add 6 extras to your gigs and gain access to your funds in 7 days. In comparison, a new seller can only post 7 gigs, add 2 extras, and can withdraw your money in 14 days.

It is important to note that Fiverr takes 20% of your total earnings, leaving you with 80% of the profits. This will all be shown in your activity dashboard.

How does Fiverr work for buyers?

You can easily switch between being a freelancer or a client on Fiver’s site. If you want to purchase a service, you can search Fiverr’s site for gigs that match your need, or post your own request for potential freelancers to see.

When you make a specific request, you can work directly with the freelancer to come up with a budget, timeline, and what exact product you’re looking for.

Fiverr charges a 5.5% fee from all buyers, as well as an extra $2 charge if the order is $50 or less.

Freelancer

What is Freelancer?

Freelancer is an Australian freelance service specializing in freelance work with over 1800 categories to choose from. From IPhone apps to data entry to legal work, you can find a multitude of professional services.

There are over 64 million users on the platform from all over the world and has been used by companies such as Amazon, Facebook, Google, Deloitte, and more.

How does Freelancer work for clients and freelancers?

Clients can post projects that show off what type of freelancers they will need to get the job done. Freelancers will then bid on the project, and clients can then pick which freelancer they want to work with. Below is an example of what your project post can look like.

However, freelancers can also post proposals or show off the type of work they can do and allow for clients to reach out to them directly. You can chat directly with each other, compare proposals, deadlines and rates, and come to a consensus about the type of project you will want to create together.

You can create a fixed-price project or an hourly project. With fixed-price, the amount you pay the freelancer will always be the same, whether they finish it in two days or two months (inside the required deadline, that is). Whereas hourly pay will allow the freelancer to “clock in” the amount of hours the project took, and the final pay will be determined after the project has been completed.

Freelancer has a tracking app on the platform so that freelancers can’t take advantage of this system. The app will snap screenshots of the progress and allow the client to see how long the project is taking.

With live chat features and a mobile app, you can have constant communication with your client or freelancer and make sure you are getting the perfect result.

You can also easily manage your projects as both a client and a freelancer in your dashboard. Here is where you can see total projects, total profits, past and current work, and quotes. As a freelancer, you can also see task lists, feedback from clients and employees, and see your total balance.

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What are the fees?

You can post projects for free as a client, but you will pay %3 fee on all fixed-rate and hourly jobs. 

Freelancers can take exams to show off the type of work they can do, but can pay up to $15 for each exam. They will also be charged 10% on each payment from Freelancer for all hourly projects. You will get paid once the project is complete using Milestone Payment System. Clients can automatically set up funds for their freelancers to be released once the project is finished so that freelancers do not have to wait to receive their money. This secure payment form also gives both parties security, as you can dispute charges if the project does not go as planned, and are protected under Freelancer.

What are some perks for Freelancers?

If you have been a freelancer on the site for a while, you can join the Preferred Freelancer program. This allows you elite access to premium clients, and work comes to you rather than having to bid on projects.

You will pay less in fees from Freelancer, are offered premium support, and will only pay commission fees on recruiter projects.

In order to join this program, you have to be in the top 3% of overall ranking in your field, have a good track record with your clients, become certified with an entrance exam, and have excellent reviews, no warnings or penalties. 

There are also communities freelancers can join on the site that allow other freelancers to communicate about jobs, projects, and give direct feedback on work.

Which is the best option for freelancers and clients?

Both services have been used and trusted by thousands and are becoming the preferred method of freelance work. While Fiver takes more of a percentage from freelancers, there are more users on the platform and may allow more projects to be completed. However, Freelancer may offer a more secure and well regarded platform for more serious clients. 

Which option will you choose? Do you use another freelance alternative? Let us know down below.