More and more people are discovering the flexible, at-home allure of online freelancing.
Online freelancing consists of doing remote work on a per-task or part-time basis — it could be writing, website development, virtual assistant work, logo creation, data entry, graphic design, data mining, or other pursuits.
It’s a good way to help pay the bills, sharpen a new skill, or just keep you busy.
Here are a few of the best online marketplaces to dip into if you want to try your hand at the gig economy. These websites host job postings for multiple freelance disciplines, so they are good places for a beginning online freelancer to start.
Upwork
This site is simple to sign up and has something for everyone: beginners and those with advanced skills; people looking for short-term and long-term work; and projects that pay hourly or per project.
Upwork takes a cut from your stated fee, which ranges from 5% to 20%, depending on how much you earn from the client.
The upside to Upwork is its huge client base (around 12 million), which makes it more likely that a beginning freelancer will find work through this site.
FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a solid choice if you’re looking for a broad range of freelance gigs (they separate them into over 50 categories), but it also hosts offers for remote, part-time, telecommuting, and flexible-hours jobs.
One huge benefit of FlexJobs is that it’s virtually scam-free; the website curates the listings and weeds out sketchy ones, so freelancers can choose from among legitimate freelance job offers.
They boast that they make the process “better, easier, faster, and safer.” They also offer a 30-day, money-back guarantee. What’s the catch? FlexJobs charges a membership fee; it’s $14.95 for a month or $49.95 for a year.
Fiverr
This marketplace is great for design and writing professionals, and you keep 80% of your earnings. The setup process will show you how to create a great profile (including what to avoid) to attract customers.
Fiverr is a good place to dip your toes into the online freelancing water, since the jobs tend to be small and plentiful.
The bottom line
Before you start, take time to consider what your hourly fee should be. It’s also smart to cast a wide net, so don’t be afraid to sign up for an account and solicit work from all these sites and others that fit your specific skill set.
