Best Freelance Websites for Beginners | Upwork | Fiverr | My 10 Years of Experience and Struggles

1. Upwork: Best for Long-Term Relationships

🔹 Ideal For: Writers, developers, designers, marketers, and virtual assistants
🔹 Difficulty Level: Medium – Competitive, but a great place for long-term clients

When I started with Upwork, I thought it would be a breeze. I quickly realized that the platform is packed with thousands of skilled freelancers, and standing out required effort. My first 30 proposals were ignored or rejected. In the beginning, I struggled with low-paying jobs and clients who constantly asked for more than what was promised.

Struggles I Faced on Upwork

I felt invisible. Despite applying to tons of job postings, I couldn’t get noticed. But slowly, after refining my profile and learning the art of writing personalized proposals, things started changing. I finally landed my first gig, and then it snowballed from there.

💡 Pro Tip:
✅ Lower your rates when you start, but don’t undervalue your work
✅ Write custom proposals for every job you apply to
✅ Build relationships with clients to increase your chances of long-term contracts

2. Fiverr: Perfect for Short-Term Jobs

🔹 Ideal For: Designers, writers, voice-over artists, video editors, and marketers
🔹 Difficulty Level: Easy to start, but you need to market yourself actively

When I first joined Fiverr, I was hoping to get quick gigs and earn easily. But the competition was intense. I wasn’t getting noticed, and it felt like a dead-end. Fiverr requires more than just setting up a gig – it’s about active marketingand continually updating your profile to make sure you stay relevant.

Struggles I Faced on Fiverr

My first gig didn’t come until a month later, and even then, I had to work for low pay to build up my profile and reviews. I realized that sellers who thrive on Fiverr have strong, engaging gigs with eye-catching images and videos that truly stand out from the rest. So, I invested time in perfecting my gig descriptions and providing excellent service to clients.

💡 Pro Tip:
✅ Offer multiple packages (basic, standard, premium) to appeal to different client budgets
✅ Use high-quality images and videos for your gig listing
✅ Offer quick delivery and extra services to boost your earnings

3. Freelancer: Great for Global Exposure

🔹 Ideal For: Developers, designers, writers, SEO experts
🔹 Difficulty Level: Medium – There’s competition, but the variety of projects is great

Freelancer.com was a little bit like Upwork for me. I had high expectations but quickly learned that not every project is worth applying to. In the beginning, I faced rejection after rejection, and it felt like my skills weren’t up to par. But I persisted and began to understand how to identify quality jobs and filter out low-paying offers.

Struggles I Faced on Freelancer

One of the biggest struggles was dealing with unrealistic clients who wanted the moon for a fraction of the price. But over time, I learned how to qualify my clients and avoid those that weren’t serious. Freelancer is a global platform, so you’ll get exposure to a wide range of projects from different industries.

💡 Pro Tip:
✅ Look for high-rated clients with clear job postings
✅ Avoid jobs that are too vague and ask for too much for too little
✅ Build your reputation by taking on smaller jobs first

4. Fiverr vs. Upwork – Where to Start as a Beginner?

As a beginner, I’d recommend trying both Fiverr and Upwork. Each has its own strengths:

• Upwork is ideal for those looking for long-term contracts and clients willing to pay more for quality work.
• Fiverr works well for quick gigs and is a good place to start building a reputation fast.

I started on Fiverr, then branched out to Upwork once I had a steady stream of clients. Building a strong portfolio on one platform will help you break into the other.

💡 Pro Tip:
✅ Start with Fiverr for smaller gigs, and scale once you gain confidence
✅ On Upwork, focus on niche skills (like web design or SEO) to stand out

5. Toptal: A Platform for Experienced Freelancers

🔹 Ideal For: Expert-level developers, designers, and finance professionals
🔹 Difficulty Level: Hard – Only the top 3% of freelancers are accepted

Toptal was a game-changer for me once I had 2-3 years of experience under my belt. It’s not an easy platform to break into; they have a rigorous screening process. But once you’re in, you’re exposed to high-paying clients willing to pay premium rates for your skills.

Struggles I Faced on Toptal

The application process was extensive. I had to undergo multiple rounds of testing to prove my skills. It was tough, and it required a lot of preparation. But once I was accepted, I felt like I was in a whole new league of freelancers, with clients offering higher rates and more prestigious projects.

💡 Pro Tip:
✅ Only apply if you have advanced skills and experience
✅ Prepare for multiple rounds of tests and interviews
✅ Focus on building a strong portfolio before applying

6. Other Freelance Platforms to Consider

Here are some other platforms I recommend based on your niche:

• PeoplePerHour: Great for freelancers in Europe
• Guru: Best for professionals looking for long-term relationships
• CloudPeeps: Excellent for marketing, content, and social media work
• Truelancer: A good option if you’re starting out and looking for Indian clients

Overcoming the Struggles and Finding Success

When I started freelancing, it was harder than I expected, and I’m not going to sugarcoat it. The struggles—rejections, low pay, competition—were all part of the journey. But as I stuck with it, learned from my mistakes, and refined my approach, I eventually broke through.

Now, I can confidently say that freelancing has been one of the most rewarding decisions I’ve ever made. If you’re just starting, don’t get discouraged by slow progress. Keep learning, improving your skills, and investing time into crafting your profile. Eventually, the clients will come.