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Why do customers and freelancers hate freelancing platforms? Do they really? What areas need improvement?

by Dheeban SG

Why do customers and freelancers hate freelancing platforms? Do they really? What areas need improvement? - Quora

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I have long wondered about the question in the title. Please check out my quora question, to help me understand this puzzle :) ... #ask-ih

For those who don't want to visit my quora link, please leave your comment here on IH.

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-customers-and-freelance

submitted this link on May 16, 2019
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  1. 2

    Hi! I'm a freelance marketer, and there are several drawbacks on my end:

    • Underbidding. Most freelancers on those sites are charging VERY low rates in order to get their first client and to be seen. This prices those of us who are more experienced and competent (and deserve to be paid as such) right out of the market.
    • No way to substantively highlight my skills from experience that did not come from that platform. If I have 15 years of experience and glowing client testimonials, none of that matters if I create a new account. I'm basically starting from zero, with no reviews and no completed projects. I'd rather apply somewhere else (FlexJobs, LinkedIn) organically where I can drive potential clients to my own portfolio page and/or LinkedIn profile.
    • Reputation. By now, among professional freelancers, Upwork has developed a poor reputation for the reasons above. It's a marketplace where clients are looking for cheap labor rather than quality. If you're a competent freelancer doing good work, you're better off networking or asking past clients for referrals, both in terms of landing a job and in what you'll be paid.
    Lauren_IH
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    5 years ago
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    1. 1

      @Lauren_IH Great Insights. Thanks for the response. Would a tool with the following feature list be ideal in your mind to solve the issues above.

      Bottom line -- A marketplace which gives the customer relationship back to the freelancer, as its their primary asset. Not sure, if it is any different than Upwork or there is room for improvement. Please let me know your thoughts.

      A toolkit that enables the customer to easily hire with confidence & stick with the best freelancer, get regular updates, track progress of the project visually. Our typical customer is someone who needs assistance on his/her side project. The tool also helps the freelancer to find new leads and help with maintaining the customer relationship through purpose built tools. The tool picks the best freelancer for the job using feedback score and connects them on real time chat with the customer (there will be a feature to move to the next chat, if things don't work out) and also gives ability to the freelancer to attach links to their portfolio. This is a SaaS product charging $10 per month per freelancer. Free for the customer.

      Please comment on the proposed feature if its something that a freelancer would prefer.

      sgdheeban
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      5 years ago
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  2. 1

    Also, can this be called a Freelancer CRM, although it looks more like a cross between upwork & SaaS

    due to the functionalities that's shaping up to be ...

    A toolkit that enables the customer to easily hire with confidence & stick with the best freelancer, get regular updates, track progress of the project visually. Our typical customer is someone who needs assistance on his/her side project. The tool also helps the freelancer to find new leads and help with maintaining the customer relationship through purpose built tools. The tool picks the best freelancer for the job using feedback score and connects them on real time chat with the customer (there will be a feature to move to the next chat, if things don't work out) and also gives ability to the freelancer to attach links to their portfolio. This is a SaaS product charging $10 per month per freelancer. Free for the customer.

    sgdheeban
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    5 years ago
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  3. 1

    Hey Dheeban,

    Many reasons: lack of trust, poor communication, no transparency.

    Vinrob
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    5 years ago
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    1. 1

      @Vinrob - Thanks for the feedback. What specifically needs to be changed in your opinion ? This is an open ended question, any answer would be super helpful. Thanks again for taking time to answer. Really appreciate it.

      sgdheeban
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      5 years ago
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      1. 1

        Coincidentally, was looking for a site for great illustrations. Love your site. Will try it out. Thanks. Site looks super cool :)

        https://gallery.manypixels.co/

        sgdheeban
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        5 years ago
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