Start your online business · Side hustles · 2 min read
10 of the Best Freelance Websites to Start a Side Hustle
Short answer
Upwork and Fiverr are the biggest general freelance marketplaces, Freelancer.com and PeoplePerHour suit project bidding, Toptal and Contra suit experienced specialists, and niche boards like 99designs, ProBlogger and We Work Remotely suit designers, writers and remote work seekers.
Freelancing is one of the fastest side hustles to start because you sell a skill you already have. Marketplaces bring the clients; you trade some of your earnings for that access.
Ten freelance websites
1. Upwork
The largest general marketplace for writing, design, development, marketing and admin work. You submit proposals using paid "Connects". Good volume, heavy competition.
2. Fiverr
You list packaged services ("gigs") at fixed prices and buyers come to you. Works well for clearly defined deliverables like a logo, a product description pack or a Shopify theme tweak.
3. Freelancer.com
Project bidding across many categories, including contests. Lots of low-budget jobs; filter carefully.
4. PeoplePerHour
Popular in the UK and Europe, with both proposals and fixed-price "offers".
5. Toptal
Screens freelancers heavily and focuses on senior developers, designers and finance experts. Hard to get into, better rates once in.
6. Contra
A commission-free platform for independents to show portfolios and get paid, popular with designers and no-code builders.
7. 99designs
Design-focused, with contests and direct projects. It is part of Vista.
8. ProBlogger Job Board
A long-running board for paid blogging and content writing roles.
9. We Work Remotely and similar remote boards
Listings for remote contract and full-time roles. Better for longer engagements than quick gigs.
10. LinkedIn
Not a marketplace, but LinkedIn's Services pages and a clear profile bring in freelance work, especially B2B.
How to win the first client
- Pick a narrow offer. "Shopify product descriptions for skincare brands" beats "writer".
- Show proof. Two or three samples, even self-initiated ones, matter more than a long bio.
- Answer the brief. Open proposals with the client's problem, not your history.
- Price to get reviews, then raise. Early reviews unlock visibility on most platforms.
- Deliver early. Speed and communication drive repeat work.
Building a profile that gets hired
- Headline: what you do and for whom ("Shopify product description writer for home goods brands").
- Overview: two short paragraphs on the problems you solve, then proof.
- Portfolio: three to five relevant samples with a sentence on the goal of each.
- Rates: realistic for your experience, raised as reviews come in.
- Availability and response time: clients value quick, reliable communication.
Avoiding freelance scams
Common scams include clients who ask you to move communication and payment off-platform immediately, send cheques for "equipment", request unpaid full-length samples, or ask for personal financial details. Stay on platform until trust is established, never pay to get work, and use platform payment protection.
Moving beyond marketplaces
Marketplaces are great for the first clients. Over time, many freelancers build direct relationships through referrals, a portfolio site and LinkedIn, which avoids platform fees. Respect platform rules about clients you met there before moving relationships off-platform.
Skills that sell well to ecommerce brands
- Product description and email copywriting. See how to become a copywriter.
- Klaviyo or Mailchimp flow setup. See ecommerce email marketing strategies.
- Shopify theme edits and app setup.
- Ad creative and campaign management.
- Customer service and virtual assistance.
For more ideas, see easiest ways to make money online for beginners and sites for freelance writers.
Frequently asked questions
Which freelance site is best for beginners?
Fiverr is easy to start because you list fixed-price services, and Upwork has the most job volume. Both are competitive, so a specific, narrow offer helps.
How much do freelance platforms charge?
Most take a service fee from the freelancer's earnings and some charge clients too. Fees change, so check each platform's current fee page before pricing your work.
Can I take clients off the platform?
Most marketplaces ban moving clients you met there off-platform for a period, often unless you pay a conversion fee. Read the terms before suggesting it.
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.