Freelancer.com Review-Is it Legit or a Scam?

Freelancer.com Review-Is it Legit or a Scam?

Hello, and thank you for coming over to check this review.

Freelancer.com is arguably the largest freelancing platform for outsourcing where clients and freelancers meet. The clients or potential employers post thousands of jobs daily, and the skilled freelancers bid and compete for those jobs, and if successful, they get a chance to complete them. The company was founded in 2009 by Matt Barrie, and its headquarters is in Australia's capital, Sydney.

Is it a scam?

The platform hosts millions of freelancers and companies from over 200 countries. Different projects for writing, web design, translation, software development, data entry, marketing, accounting, sales, and engineering, are posted here daily. It might be hard to differentiate a legitimate business from a scam, especially in an area like this where there are millions of users.

From the information and statistics above, you can say that Freelancer.com is a legitimate business. And if that is not enough, there are over 16 million jobs that have been posted on this platform since its inception. However, pleasing or satisfying everyone with your service is impossible, and that's why you will also find negative reviews.

When you check the length of service and social media following, scams are not so easy to sustain. Freelancer.com boasts many years of service and millions of followers on social media. I will, however, dive into this subject briefly when going through some reviews and the common grumbles about this company, although it will all depend on someone's definition of a scam.

The most common issue that new freelancers raise is low pay. It's important to note that these low-paying gigs help you build a good portfolio and client base when starting. There will be various false starts, errors, and frustrations in the beginning. You might look back and compare what you've earned with the effort you've put in and find that it is far below your traditional minimum wages and feel like you've been scammed.

Steps followed when applying for a job on Freelancer.com

1. Check for jobs available in the marketplace- When searching for available jobs, ensure you check the skills and experience required. Otherwise, you have to be adequately skilled to execute the job. Also, cross-check the client's estimated budget for the project, and you should be able to work with it before submitting your proposal. Remember also to work and complete your task within the given time limits.

2. Bid or apply for jobs you can do- When sending proposals to prospective clients, it's always important to note that you're not just chasing the money put into the project. You're also contending with other freelancers who are qualified and experienced. It is, therefore, crucial to read and know the description of the job. That will help you present your proposal in a better way and convince your client that you're the most qualified candidate.

3. Work smart when hired- If you bid and win a project, the set deadline should always ring in your mind. Beating the deadline is paramount as it shows the client you're passionate and reliable. Failure to do so is a sure way of telling the client to stay away from you in the future.  

If you're not sure about meeting the deadline and you have a genuine reason, liaise with the client and request more time. You should do this with the right attitude and promise to deliver good work. Doing a good task with a bad attitude is a good reason for dismissal.

Furthermore, don't meet deadlines or do a good job just for the sake of the client. Perform it for your benefit. Aspire for greatness and aim at a 5-star rating. This will grow your trust in clients who will be willing to hire you at better pay and lead you to more job opportunities in the future.

How does the payment work? 

It has a controlled payment system that uses milestone payments. The client's milestone payment is paid upfront and locked in the account while the task is been executed by the freelancer. The pay is eventually released by Freelancer.com when the job is done and completed.

It's important to note that these payments are fully controlled by the clients using Freelancer.com as a platform. They can release the funds if they are satisfied with your work, and they can as well hold them if your work is shoddy. 

In the instance where disputes arise between freelancers and clients, there is a dispute resolution team that helps resolve those issues.

What next?

Many legit sites give freelancers platforms to find online jobs, and Freelancer.com is one of them. Try it today and get a chance to explore the jobs that match your skills.