The prevailing economic slowdown and resulting job layoffs have given a boost to freelancing across the globe. To survive this financial turmoil, more and more people in almost every business sector are heading towards doing freelance jobs.
There are a lot of options to start a freelance career but the question arises: Where to start from? Or which freelance marketplace to approach to get this kind of jobs?
There are many freelance job websites available to get freelance work. But only few of them are worth working with. We have researched over some popular freelance job websites based on their features and services, which may help you select the best place to get freelance projects.
Here are the 5 popular freelance websites with their respective features:
1) LimeExchange.com
LimeExchange, the first socially networked online services marketplace, which provides a global platform to freelancers entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) to work together and develop business networks. In a short span of one year this website has exponentially grown its database to 40,000+ registered users, consistently adding 300+ projects every month. Not only this, it has an extensive database of projects posted by buyers in varied categories from all across the globe. It has a broad array of collaboration features, easy-to-use web interface, straightforward pricing, safe Escrow-based payments, cost-effective modes of withdrawal of money, free online skill test and certifications, educational credential verification, question and answers forum etc.
2) Elance.com
Elance .com being old in the market has strengthened its roots by providing its users with excellent features. It offers hundreds of new freelance projects and skilled professionals from across the globe. Some of its interesting services like Water Cooler – Community forums for Elance members and Elance University, which provides support and information to freelance workers has made it popular among freelancers community.
3) Guru.com
Guru.com is a trusted online services marketplace that offers a comprehensive database of freelance projects and talented providers from around the globe. It is also known for its interactive features like video profile for freelancers to acquire quality projects. They provide effective collaboration tools to help buyers and service providers for communicating effectively with each other. It also provides safe and secure Escrow services to ensure smooth transaction of payments. There profile completeness section has videos and photos uploading features and it also enables the buyers and service providers to give mutual feedback across various parameters.
4) Scriptlance.com
Scriptlance.com is also one of the popular freelance job websites. Its popularity is increasing because of the low commission rate and comprehensive database of hundreds of projects to its service providers and safe payment withdrawal modes like Check, PayPal, Bank Wire etc.
Scriptlance gives its users an open forum to ask, share and discuss their work related issues. The simple navigation features help providers place a bid, which is visible to everyone.
5) ODesk.com
Last but not the least, odesk.com has also proved to be one of the renowned marketplaces. oDesk provides top global talent, comprehensive management tools, and a flexible hourly payment model. Service Providers choose oDesk for challenging jobs and guaranteed payment. Every day, thousands of buyers and providers work together through oDesk. They provide 142 free qualification tests for freelancers and hourly employment as well as fixed price projects.
I hope you like reading this post as this will give you a fair idea on how these sites can help freelancers to find freelance projects. Please share your experiences on these websites and enlighten our fellow freelancers to make most out of these websites.
Alina, a competent result oriented freelance professional and consultant with more than 4 years of extensive experience in Content writing and website development. Write articles on varied topics such as freelancing, trends, market, jobs, resources etc.
