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Home Running A Business 21 Places to Find Freelance Gigs
Freelancers. Contractors. Sole proprietors. Solo-entrepreneurs. Participants in the gig economy. There are several names for what you do, but they all reflect one idea: you work for yourself, find your own clients, and are responsible for your success.
While others may find this idea terrifying, you navigate your career with confidence, always looking for new ways to grow your income—and you’re not alone.
According to a 2023 report by Upwork, 38% of workers in the US have some sort of gig arrangement. The range goes from gig work as a sole source of income (like a solo entrepreneur) to employees picking up freelance jobs as a side hustle.
With more people entering the freelance workforce, competition for jobs is on the rise. If you are looking to grow your professional success—or even just maintain your current income level—then you need to market yourself and attract future clients. Turning to the web is an accessible way to do this. Freelancers can use digital marketplaces ranging from basic job sites like Indeed to more advanced, niche forums to find their newest gigs.
Upwork is a great place to start when looking for freelance work. It is one of the most popular and largest sites for freelance gigs. If you are new to the gig economy and want to see what options are out there, turn to Upwork.
Because this is one of the largest job boards, the competition to get noticed is high. Upwork uses a bid system where applicants bid on jobs based on their skills and pay rates. The increased competition means that you may have a harder time landing gigs if your rates aren’t competitive or if you have less experience than others. However, if you have a niche skill set, this website could work in your favor.
One of the more important considerations about using Upwork: they charge freelancers a 10% service fee for using the platform (which manages the entire workflow process from application to payment).
Fiverr is another household name for most freelancers. Users can advertise their services, saying they will perform a task for a certain price. Instead of applicants responding to jobs, it’s the job creators who seek and contact relevant talent.
Fiverr got its name because the prices used to be so low ($5). However, as the site has grown in popularity, you can find more experienced freelancers with thousands of reviews who charge more.
As a new freelancer on Fiverr, you will likely need to set your rates lower than you might want to land a few jobs. As you get more gigs and ratings, you can adjust your pricing to align with your clout on the site.
Similarly to Upwork, Fiverr also charges freelancers for using the platform in the form of a service fee. Their standard service fee is 20% of the order total. Again, as a freelancer looking to build your name and bankroll, you need to weigh the pros and cons of using a larger platform that takes a sizable share of your earnings.
If you are looking for a large number of jobs and users on a freelance website, then Guru is another major platform to consider. This site boasts more than 800,000 registered employers and one million paid invoices.
You can also see how competitive your field is. Guru claims to have more than 500,000 programming and development freelancers on the site but only 11,000 legal freelancers—so differentiating yourself is essential to get noticed and hired.
Signing up for Guru is free. However, the site charges freelancers a fee of up to 9% on every paid invoice. They also offer paid membership plans that reduce these fees and make your portfolio more prevalent for employers to find.
Through Freelancer, employers can post jobs that freelancers bid to take. What sets this website apart from its competitors: you can clearly see the bids that other freelancers submit. You can also see how many people applied to do the work before you submit your bid, which shows you how competitive a position is.
Freelancer allows employers to post gig work on either an hourly or per-project fee basis. This specificity means you can look for jobs based on your preferred project salary. However, other freelancers might outbid you by offering the same service at a cheaper rate.
Job seekers can also find a variety of freelance gigs to fit their wants or needs. These include completing projects in different languages including French, Portuguese, Spanish, German, and more. The platform also allows freelancers to filter jobs by several categories including skills, language, hourly rate projects, contests, and fixed-price projects.
FlexJobs isn’t an open job board (meaning users need to register), and it isn’t free. There are four plans available, with the most affordable option being $6.95 per week. FlexJobs claims that its job listings are of higher quality and that applicants can distinguish themselves because they pay to get noticed.
People who use FlexJobs fill out a profile with their resume and portfolio. They can link to any awards they’ve won and share images and videos from projects they’ve worked on previously.
FlexJobs also has dozens of quizzes that applicants can take to showcase on their profiles. When you score well on these quizzes, it validates your skills or expertise for a specific task—giving employers more incentive to choose you.
SolidGigs is another paid service that costs $21/month. However, this brand sets itself apart by emailing top jobs to you.
SolidGigs is an aggregator, pulling from nearly 100 websites and sending out jobs from the best ones. You can select the job criteria you want so that the gigs you see are relevant to you. SolidGigs may be a good option if you don’t have time to browse several job boards each day.
SolidGigs also has an extensive course library that boasts over 127 courses, videos, lessons, and tools that you can use to grow your knowledge base. This feature adds to the value of the paid job board service.
Hubstaff Talent is a global job search tool that has reached 199 countries and features almost 100,000 freelance profiles and 3,000 agencies. This freelancing website is extremely organized—different jobs are sorted into specific categories, making browsing for work easier.
Employers who want to hire team members on Hubstaff Talent will browse individual and agency profiles to consider who to hire. These companies can form a team of workers to get a project done.
This collaborative feature enables companies to build their own team by pulling in several freelancers via 1 listing instead of trying to source freelancers across multiple listings and job boards.
Applicants who want to apply for jobs on FreeUp will choose a level of experience (which correlates to expected pay rates). Choose between entry-level, mid-level, and expert-level jobs in your area and submit your resume and writing samples. If you’re a good fit for the FreeUp site, staff members will set up a 15–20 minute interview to learn more about your skills.
Once you’ve been properly vetted and approved, you can access FreeUp’s freelance marketplace. By vetting freelancers beforehand, companies can feel confident in the applicants who respond to their job lists. However, this may feel more like working with a recruiter than checking a job board for some applicants.
With over 87,000 registered clients, ServiceScape is a prominent option for freelancers who are looking to get noticed. Employers can either look for specific freelancers to join their teams or submit projects that they want freelancers to complete. Employers can also message freelancers and schedule conference calls to review their work or get updates on how the project is going.
Authentic Jobs is a job board for designers, developers, and creative pros. The listings on Authentic Jobs fall into 3 categories: full-time jobs, freelance jobs, and remote jobs. By separating these 3 options, members of the gig economy can find the top positions they want while employers don’t feel isolated if they want to advertise for both full-time and freelance work.
Authentic Jobs makes money by charging employers. Companies pay to post their listings and potential contractors can apply for free. This process ensures that Authentic Jobs has a wide range of talent applying for various positions, increasing the chances that employers find the perfect team members to hire.
Do you prefer to do the bulk of your work online? If so, Remote is an ideal site for you. Instead of sorting through local freelance jobs where you may be required to work in an office for the duration of a contract, look for remote work where anywhere can be your office.
Remote is more of a staffing website than a freelance-centric job board; however, there are plenty of freelance and contract listings that you can respond to. Remote also has a strong infrastructure for payment, invoicing, and taxes, which helps both employees and employers stay on top of the financial side of gig work.
SkipTheDrive is another website that specializes in helping people find remote work. Users can browse by category, from account management to web development, and look for freelance jobs that can be done from home.
This website is unique because of its remote focus—many job-listing sites include in-office work or partial remote positions. SkiptheDrive is ideal if you don’t want to filter through office jobs while searching for fully remote options.
Working Nomads was created for freelancers who are traveling the world and looking to make money wherever they are. Companies that advertise on this website are less picky about when and where contractors work because the best talent could be on the other side of the world. This site is certainly a smaller job board, but it offers a niche for a specific type of worker.
If you are used to using traditional job sites like Indeed to look for freelance work, then SimplyHired will look familiar. Employers can list jobs and freelancers can apply for them. This website is a good option for those looking for significant contract work, meaning you want the stability of a full-time or part-time job without the limitation of only working for one employer. If you aren’t sure about entering the gig economy full-time, then you can apply for full-time jobs through these listings as well.
Behance is a powerful platform for creative professionals to showcase their portfolios and discover freelance opportunities. It’s particularly popular among designers, illustrators, photographers, and other visual artists. On Behance, freelancers can upload their projects and gain exposure by having their work featured in galleries and searched by potential clients worldwide.
Behance’s community-driven approach sets it apart; it’s not just a job board but a space where creatives can receive feedback, follow each other, and get inspired. It also serves as a talent pool for companies looking to hire creatives for their projects. For freelancers seeking to establish a strong online presence and connect directly with potential employers, Behance is an invaluable resource.
Signing up and creating a profile on Behance is free, which allows freelancers to display an unlimited number of projects. For those looking to expand their reach further, Behance integrates with Adobe Portfolio, enabling users to build their own personalized website to showcase their work comprehensively.
99designs is a unique platform catering specifically to designers and clients needing design work. This global creative platform connects freelance designers with businesses seeking design services, such as logo creation, web design, packaging design, and much more. On 99designs, clients submit a design brief, and designers submit their concepts in competition for the job. This approach not only allows designers to showcase their skills but also gives clients a variety of design options to choose from.
For freelancers, 99designs offers an opportunity to work on a wide range of projects, improve their portfolio, and gain exposure to potential long-term clients. While the competition-based model may not suit all designers, it provides a unique way to challenge oneself and get creative with various briefs.
The site also offers direct work opportunities for designers who prefer to work in a traditional freelance manner, bypassing the contest format. This versatility makes 99designs a comprehensive platform for both budding and experienced freelancers in the design industry.
Signing up for 99designs is free, and designers are vetted to ensure a high quality of work is maintained across the platform. This vetting process helps build trust with clients and ensures that only serious, talented freelancers are competing and working on the site.
Dribbble is widely recognized as one of the leading platforms for creatives to share, grow, and get hired. Specifically tailored for designers, illustrators, and graphic artists, Dribbble serves as both a portfolio platform and a vibrant professional community. Freelancers can showcase their work, discover new trends, and connect with other professionals and potential clients.
Dribbble focuses on the creative process and design inspiration. It is not just about finding the next gig; it’s also about building a brand, learning from peers, and engaging with an audience that appreciates design aesthetics. For companies and startups looking for top-tier design talent, Dribbble offers a curated environment to find professionals with the exact style and skills they need.
While the basic account is free, Dribbble also offers Pro memberships which provide additional features such as advanced analytics, portfolio customization, and the ability to send and receive direct messages, making it easier to network and secure freelance opportunities. These memberships range from $5 to $15 per month.
TaskRabbit is an on-demand service platform that connects freelance labor with local demand, allowing consumers to find immediate help with everyday tasks, including cleaning, moving, delivery, and handyman work. Unlike traditional job boards or freelance platforms that focus on digital services, TaskRabbit caters to a wide array of physical tasks and errands.
The platform is incredibly user-friendly for both Taskers (the freelancers) and clients. Individuals looking to become Taskers must undergo a vetting process, including a background check, to ensure safety and reliability. Once approved, Taskers can set their rates and work schedules, offering flexibility that many freelancers seek.
For freelancers who pride themselves on their handyman skills, enjoy helping people with their to-do lists, or just want a flexible way to earn money, TaskRabbit presents a unique opportunity. It bridges the gap between digital freelance work and traditional employment, offering the best of both worlds with the convenience of finding jobs through an app and the satisfaction of completing tangible tasks.
DesignHill is a creative marketplace that offers a dynamic platform for designers and businesses to collaborate on various projects. From logo design and branding to website development and graphic design, DesignHill serves as a one-stop-shop for all creative needs. It hosts a global community of talented designers, providing them with opportunities to participate in design contests, work on individual projects, and sell their designs through print-on-demand services.
DesignHill facilitates a space for freelancers to showcase their portfolio, engage with potential clients, and compete in design challenges. This platform not only enables designers to gain visibility but also helps them to network and build their careers by directly connecting with businesses across industries. DesignHill’s structured contest format encourages creativity and competition, ensuring that businesses receive high-quality, innovative design solutions.
Jooble is a comprehensive job search engine that aggregates listings from thousands of job sites, corporate boards, and staffing agencies worldwide. Unlike traditional job boards, Jooble is designed to simplify the job-seeking process by providing a one-stop solution for finding work opportunities across numerous industries and locations. Whether you are looking for full-time, part-time, or freelance opportunities, Jooble offers an extensive database of job postings, making it easier for candidates to find positions that match their skills and preferences.
For freelancers in particular, Jooble is an invaluable tool for uncovering potential gigs in their area of expertise. The platform allows users to customize their search parameters with filters such as location, salary range, and job type, enabling them to target freelance positions. Additionally, Jooble’s user-friendly interface and daily job alert feature keep candidates informed about the latest opportunities, ensuring they never miss out on prospective projects.
LinkedIn isn’t just a platform for connecting professionals; it’s also a helpful tool for freelancers seeking new opportunities. As the world’s largest professional network, LinkedIn offers an unparalleled reach to potential clients and projects in nearly any industry. Freelancers can use the platform to showcase their experience, share portfolio pieces, and post insightful content that reflects their expertise.
One of the standout features of LinkedIn for freelancers is the ability to receive endorsements and recommendations from colleagues and clients. This social proof can significantly bolster a freelancer’s credibility and attract more business. Additionally, the LinkedIn Jobs section frequently lists freelance opportunities, and the platform’s advanced search capabilities make it easier to find these gigs.
By actively engaging with content, joining relevant groups, and using the LinkedIn ProFinder service, freelancers can enhance their visibility to potential clients. ProFinder is LinkedIn’s freelance marketplace, designed to help businesses find top-quality freelancers across a variety of fields, from writing and editing to graphic design and software development.
LinkedIn also offers a suite of tools for content creation and sharing, making it possible for freelancers to position themselves as thought leaders in their niche. This combination of networking, job hunting, and personal branding functionalities makes LinkedIn an invaluable component of any freelancer’s digital arsenal.
There are dozens of online freelance job boards available—and the number is always growing, so you shouldn’t worry about joining them all.
Several of the websites won’t be relevant to your career path or business, while others will be too niche or small to check regularly.
Here are a few considerations when you first land on a freelance job board:
The more freelance job sites you visit, the better you’ll get at evaluating their worth. You may return to some websites daily for work while ignoring others completely. Remember: the best job board is the one that has the most relevant leads and brings in the most clients to your business.
Not only is it important to find relevant job boards that share listings you actually want to apply to, you also need to respond to these jobs effectively. Here’s a few tips to keep in mind:
Freelance workers don’t have the luxury of resting on their laurels. If you want a regular stream of income, you need to keep applying to jobs and growing your client base. Regardless of your industry, sales and self-promotion are 2 key skills for contract workers. Keep this in mind as you look for relevant freelance job boards to grow your career.
Derek Miller is the CMO of Smack Apparel, the content guru at Great.com, the co-founder of Lofty Llama, and a marketing consultant for small businesses. He specializes in entrepreneurship, small business, and digital marketing, and his work has been featured in sites like Entrepreneur, GoDaddy, Score.org, and StartupCamp.
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