With the “gig economy” continuing to thrive, millions of professionals have turned to the freelance marketplace to land both short-term and contract-based gigs.
Here’s the catch. While having a plethora of job-listing websites and social networks makes it easier than ever to find work and connect with clients, it also makes the marketplace more competitive.
While you can find success on sites like Upwork, Toptal, or Fiverr, especially if you need to build your portfolio, established freelancers may have a better shot of finding quality work by joining any of these newer and lesser known freelance websites in 2017.
Twine
Formerly known as Clowdy, Twine has become on the fastest-growing freelance sites since emerging in 2013. There are close to 200,000 creatives in audio and visual fields ranging from graphic design, illustration, game design, music, and film. Twine is free to join and doesn’t charge any fees.
Linkedin Pro-Finder
Already known for being a leading marketplace for professionals, LinkedIn debuted Pro-Finder in late 2015.
Modeled after sites like Upwork and Fiverr, LinkedIn’s ProFinder connects employers searching for a specific type of product or service with a qualified professional in industries like accounting, IT, legal, marketing, photography, writing, software design, and real-estate.
Pro-finder is free to use and can tap into LinkedIn’s extensive database to match clients and professionals together.
CloudPeeps
Launched in 2014, CloudPeeps is a small yet empowering community where you can search for gigs, promote your services, share your portfolio, build a team, and network with the CloudPeeps community. The site is free to join, but they’ll take a 15 percent cut since they’re also handling all of the invoicing, time tracking, payouts, and legal matters.
Crowded
Established in 2015, this New York City-based business made waves earlier this year when it secured an impressive $3.3 million in financing.
Crowded bills itself as a sourcing and engagement platform talented individuals in the technology and business sector. After creating a free profile, job seekers are matched with relevant employers and vice versa. The two parties can communicate with each other through a real-time messaging platform.
Service Scape
Founded in 2000, ServiceScape is a bootstrapped company located in Andover, Massachusetts and was formerly known as EditAvenue-LanguageScape. This global freelance marketplace connects businesses and individuals to freelancers who specialize in content editing, writing, translation, and graphic design.
They host and promote freelancers’ services utilizing an array of marketing initiatives. Professionals set their own prices and most aspects of project creation are predefined and integrated into their profile. Clients choose the freelancer they want to work with in an easy-to-use online format. Professionals and clients can communicate with each other through the online messaging system and/or conference calls.
The Freelancer Club
This is a UK-based website that gives freelancers working in the photography, videography, and fashion industries the chance to bid on gigs and network with other freelancers and clients through events, co-working spaces, and extensive business directory. There is a free plan, as well as a Pro Plan for £6.99 per month.
Solution Inn
Founded in 2009, Solution Inn is one of the older entries in this list that has an office in the U.S. and UK.
However, this easy-to-use online platform is still an emerging freelance marketplace where freelancers are matched with clients looking for specific skills in programming, IT, web design, graphic design, PR and marketing, content writing, advertising, and photography.
Solution Inn charges a flat fee 8 percent service fee.
Boonle
If you’re a student or recent graduate then Boonle deserves your attention. It connects yours with small businesses and nonprofit organizations who are in need of design-based projects.
Clients post projects for free, name their price and leave reviews. Some projects are free, but you may be able to earn a tip, build your portfolio, and network.
The biggest drawback with Boonle is that it takes 30 percent of each payment, which includes all PayPal transaction and withdrawal fees.
FlexiPort
Founded in 2014, FlexiPort is another marketplace that connects businesses and skilled professionals so that they can collaborate on short or medium-term freelancing, consulting, part-time, or remote projects.
Once you land a gig, FlexiPort lets the client and professional speak directly so that they can discuss the expectations, requirements, and the processes involved.
Jobs Outsource
Unlike many other freelance marketplaces, Jobs Outsource has jobs for both online and offline freelancers. Whether you’re a copywriter, virtual assistant, graphic designer, gardener, or handymen you can use this platform to bid-on-work.
Whether you join the membership plans or the free plan there will be a 3 percent fixed price job fee.
People as a Service
Since 2014, People as a Service has been a gateway where employers are matched with writers, programmers, designers, and telemarketers in the top 10 percent.
In short, PAAS only accepts the best of the best. When freelancers are invited, they interview with one of the founders to ensure that they meet the site’s standards.
Growth Geeks
Growth Geeks is similar to marketplaces like Fiverr where you sign-up, list your specific services and name your price.
The difference is that this Chicago-based site only accepts the top 1 percent of “geeks.” Growth Geeks is free to join, but they will take a 25 percent commission off your sales.
Baseway
Baseway is a newer freelancing site that’s available for freelancers residing in Canada, the United States, the UK, and Australia. With Baseway, clients post a job and then review the quotes. Profiles, and proposals from the talented freelancers who would be best for the project.
LocalSolo
Local Solo aims to connect freelancers with jobs that are currently their area. This gives the freelancer and client an opportunity to meet to discuss the scope of a long-term project.
LocalSolo is free to use. LocalSolo doesn’t take a cut of your pay since you’re working directly for a client. Besides a job board, this site can let you network and collaborate with other freelancers in the Local Solo community.
Hubbul
Founded in 2015, Hubbul is still a work in progress. But, it could become a promising marketplace for freelancers and contractors by connecting them directly with employers. You can sign-up for free and then have had access to exclusive content, rewards, and features like real-time rankings.
Domino
Started by freelancers in 2014, Domino is composed of a community of active and supportive freelancers. Domino can connect you with clients and help develop your skillset.
The community has also built Spot which is a collection guide and resources to help make your freelancing business thrive.
Currently, Domino is invite-only but you can apply to become a member.
