Is Freelancer.com legit? A quick review
If you’re looking to try freelancing, Freelancer com will almost certainly be one of the first freelance platforms you would come across.
Like Upwork and Fiverr, Freelancer.com hosts a global online marketplace where clients can post jobs for independent contractors. These jobs cover various skills, from writing and graphic design to IT development.
The freelancing industry can be intimidating, so preparing yourself before diving into a freelancer site is highly recommended.
Is Freelancer.com legit? Read on to see what we think.
What is Freelancer.com?
Freelancer.com was founded in 2009 by tech entrepreneur Matt Barrie. It has a headquarters in Sydney, Australia, but also manages offices in Canada, Argentina, the UK, the Philippines, and Indonesia.
Freelancer.com is a renowned platform for hiring freelancers across a wide range of industries and expertise.
It is one of the world’s largest online freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces. It connects over 65 million employers and freelancers from over 247 countries, regions, and territories. Businesses in need of talent can post projects and have workers bid to complete them.
Freelancer.com provides its clients with access to the profiles of thousands of independent contractors to browse their skills and suitability for projects.
Freelancers, meanwhile, can use the platform to search for part-time and full-time work opportunities.
How does Freelancer.com work?
For those looking to join Freelancer, there are different guidelines depending if you’re posting a job or seeking one.
Freelancer.com generally works using the following system:
- Clients post their jobs in the form of “projects” that freelancers can competitively “bid” to do.
- Clients browse profiles and select freelancers, “awarding” them the project so they can start work.
- The freelancer gets paid when the project is completed.
Freelancer.com for freelancers
Freelancer.com eliminates the need for independent contractors to spend on expensive advertising of their services.
When freelancers complete their profiles, they can begin bidding on projects. Their profiles should contain all the information needed to show clients why they are suited for the job.
Freelancer.com also hosts contests (especially for design work) where workers can further spotlight their talents. The Freelancer Showcase feature lets clients view these works and hire top talents directly.
Whether it’s web development, graphic design, writing, or any other freelancer jobs, Freelancer.com offers a professional and efficient environment for freelancers to thrive and succeed in their chosen fields.
Freelancer.com for clients
There are several ways for clients to hire freelancers on Freelancer.com.
The most frequent method is to post projects. Freelancers will bid on your post, giving you a list of candidates to screen before selecting those who can fulfill your requirements.
You may avail of the Recruiter service that Freelancer.com offers to assist you in shortlisting workers.
Clients also have the power to start contests and hire winning entries. If you only need to complete small projects, you can access the Freelancer Services section to buy predefined services.
By choosing a platform with a dedicated support team, you can have peace of mind knowing that your projects are in capable hands.
Common criticisms of Freelancer.com
Due to the global nature of the platform, Freelancer.com is not free from many of the usual complaints lobbied at freelancing websites.
Here are the most common complaints of Freelancer.com:
Large amount of sensitive info required
Many complaints on Freelancer.com are lobbied at the site’s verification process. The platform requires a large amount of information, many of which can be considered sensitive, before users can proceed.
According to Freelancer.com, it is necessary to verify the user’s identity and avoid scam profiles. However, there is a genuine concern about identity theft among both freelancers and clients.
Critics point out that the platform leans heavily towards hourly projects, limiting the scope for fixed-price assignments, thus posing a challenge for freelancers seeking such opportunities.
Despite these criticisms, Freelancer.com remains a valuable resource for connecting professionals with a wide range of projects and clients across various industries.
Poor security screening and verification process
Criticism has formed about Freelancer.com’s poor screening despite the amount of information you must disclose.
Freelancer.com claims that all the data they request is necessary to verify identities, but that method hasn’t stopped scams from permeating the site.
Admittedly, many similar websites struggle with this problem. Still, it makes one wonder why alternative platforms can better protect their users while requiring less sensitive information.
The freelancer team has made significant efforts to improve security measures; however, some users believe that the job search mechanism still lacks effectiveness in filtering out unqualified candidates.
Presence of scams
Scam profiles and jobs still exist on Freelancer.com. Most negative reviews of the website come from this issue.
Typical scams on Freelancer.com include:
- Fake testimonials
- Stolen portfolios
- Malicious software
- Mimicked contact data
- Ghosting
Freelancer.com does its best to catch fraudulent users through its spam algorithms, but sometimes, a few will slip through the cracks. When that happens, Freelancer.com instead asks its users to be vigilant.
Another issue raised by users is the perceived lack of timely and effective freelancer support.
Despite its widespread use as a freelancer website, some users have expressed concerns about the credibility of certain job postings and employers.
High fees
Criticism is aimed at the high and regular fees that Freelancer.com charges its users.
It seems that if there is a way to squeeze more money out of a person, Freelancer.com will do it. Freelancers require money before bidding on projects. Users will be charged if they wish to report disputes.
If you want to leave the site, remember to close your account properly. Freelancer.com charges maintenance fees for inactive accounts.
This issue has led some freelancers to explore and transition to other freelance platforms that offer more competitive fee structures, allowing them to maximize their earnings and keep more of their hard-earned money.
Poor customer service
Freelancer.com is notorious for its poor customer service. Some users even claim their accounts were closed for no reason at all.
One common criticism of Freelancer.com revolves around the Freelancer support team, particularly due to reported instances of poor customer service.
Users say that all replies to their concerns are computer-generated and don’t do anything actually to address problems.
Tips on using the Freelancer website
Freelancing is a budding industry. To find reliable work, you need to be aware of best practices.
Here are some tips on using Freelancer.com:
Use a recruiter
If you’re having difficulty hiring someone, you can avail of the services of a Freelancer Recruiter. You can select which projects to use this upgrade on.
Freelancer.com has an expert recruitment team that communicates with clients through live chat.
They’ll take note of your goals, budget, and requirements before reaching out and interviewing from a shortlisted talent pool.
Consider enrolling in the preferred freelancer program to prioritize working with top-tier freelancers who have proven themselves through exceptional work quality and reliability.
Use the Milestone Payment system
Freelancer.com’s Milestone Payment system works by having both parties agree to a set of milestones or tasks on a project.
The client then sets these milestones on their account and pays the freelancer every time one is reached.
This system allows equal control from both parties and even includes an invoice. It also ensures that work is kept on track.
Managing your freelancer account with detailed descriptions and clear expectations will help attract top talent and streamline the project process.
Pay attention to obvious scams
Since scams are given, it’s worth knowing how to identify the signs of obvious ones. It’s also helpful to regularly check Freelancer.com’s policies to learn when to report them.
A few signs of apparent scams on Freelancer.com include:
- Offsite transactions
- Offsite communications
- Too many requests for free samples
- Refusal to start Milestone Payments
- Incomplete profiles
- Consistently negative reviews
- Requests for IDs
A skilled freelancer would take care to assure their client that they are legitimate and capable of delivering quality work.
Do a background check
Whether you’re a client or a freelancer, you should do a background check on the other party you’re working with. You can’t always trust someone on a freelance site, not even Freelancer.com.
Check their profile for their experience and client/freelancer testimonials. Try to contact them beforehand as well. If anything looks suspicious, look for another partner.
Exploring other freelance websites can offer a broader pool of talent and diverse skill sets to choose from, maximizing your chances of finding the perfect match for your requirements.
Keep all terms clear
Constant communication and clarity are important on Freelancer.com to satisfy both parties.
Many issues come from unfulfilled promises, so it should be made clear from the start what both parties expect from each other.
It is important to stay in constant communication with the contacted freelancer you have hired – regular updates and feedback not only help in keeping track of the project’s progress but also foster a strong working relationship.
So, is Freelancer.com legit?
Freelancer.com is a legitimate platform for clients to get jobs done and freelancers to earn a reliable income. Among the various freelance websites, it’s still touted as one of the most highly-rated.
Each job description available on the platform varies from writing and graphic design to programming and digital marketing, catering to diverse skill sets.
While freelancers can join the platform for free, it is important to note that there are freelancer fees associated with using certain features and services to help maintain the platform’s operations and resources.
While there have been stories of unfulfilled contracts, many times, these are attributed to the people themselves and not to Freelancer.com.
Like any online marketplace, one must exercise caution when using Freelancer.com. Always be on alert with every action you make on the website.
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