If you’re looking for a way to earn money online by doing some freelance work, there are several great platforms for that on the web. With a quick Google search, you’ll find a plethora of suggestions that seem suitable for what you’re looking for. One website in particular that probably shows up a lot during your search is Fiverr—it’s a platform where both buyers and freelancers gather together and make agreements.
As a freelancer, is this service worth your time? And as a buyer, should you be searching for whatever you need on this platform? Keep reading to find out more.
What Is Fiverr?
Fiverr is like a marketplace where buyers can find freelance services while freelancers can promote their work and find a gig. Fiverr has grown considerably since its inception in 2010, so much so that the platform has over 3 million gigs and is one of the biggest websites when in need of digital services.
At the beginning, every gig only cost $5, which explains the name. However, the platform got rid of the price limit in 2014. Even today, Fiverr still continues to thrive as a platform, so much so that you can probably find any digital service you can think of on the website.
How Does Fiverr Work?
If you’ve been to other online marketplaces, then you essentially know how Fiverr works. Freelancers post their services (otherwise known as gigs), and interested buys will message them to ask question and hopefully form an agreement. Fiverr basically functions like a middleman between buyers and freelancers, and ensures both are happy at the end.
After a transaction is made, Fiverr will withhold 20% of that. Once the freelancer finishes a gig and the buyer confirms and is happy with the end result, Fiverr will then send the payment to the freelancer within 2 weeks. If you’re a trusted member, the platform will send it much faster than that.
Is Fiverr Legit?
Without a doubt, Fiverr is a legitimate platform for freelancers and interested buyers. Like most online platforms or marketplaces, though, there will always be those “hustlers” who try to take advantage of you or submit an output with a much lower quality than what was advertised on the website. On the bright side, buyers always have the option to review the order and see whether it fits the criteria.
If you have any questions or concerns, Fiverr’s customer service team is always more than happy to help you. After you a submit a ticket, a representative will get back to you with 24 hours. You have two options if a freelancer isn’t able to finish your order on time: extend the time of delivery or get a full or partial refund.
The platform also has a system in place where you can check if the freelancer is trustworthy or of high quality. Freelancers on Fiverr have a rating, level, along with reviews from previous customers. You can check these out to ensure you’re hiring the service of a reliable person.
Sign Up Process
Signing up on Fiverr requires little to no effort, especially for those who just want to buy a service. Freelancers will have to put in time and effort to set up their profile and add gigs, but it’s not that difficult either. If you don’t want to manually type in your information during the sign up process, Fiver gives you the option to sign in using your Facebook profile, Google profile, or email address.
From there, you can proceed to creating a username. Make sure the username you choose is something you like or want to keep because you won’t be able to change your username later on. You will be able to access all the features Fiverr has to offer once you activate your account. For freelancers, on the other hand, they have the option to add a video introduction to their profile asides from creating a gig.
Tips for Buyers
- Make sure you spend a sufficient amount of time researching the freelancers and gigs offered. Look for at least 5-15 different freelancers for the service you need, compare them, and weight the pros and cons of each.
- Check the reviews to know whether the gig offered has the kind of quality you’re looking for. Don’t just read the positive reviews, though, take a good look at the negative ratings as well so you gain insight about the cons.
- If you happen to have a special request, make sure you inform the freelancer ahead of time before placing an order. This ensures that the freelancer knows what you want and you won’t be disappointed with the end result.
- Message the freelancer you’re interested in and request for a sample of their most recent work.
Conclusion
Fiverr is definitely one of the best platforms to go to if you’re looking to sell your service or buy a service. There’s a plethora of gigs on the website you can browse from, whether you’re looking for logo design services, writing and translation services, lifestyle-related services, and more. If you’re a buyer, just keep our tips in mind to ensure you know what you’re paying for and that you won’t be left disappointed at the end.
