Starting out as a freelancer can be tough, but it’s not impossible. There are a number of great websites that can help you find freelance work and build the foundation of your career.
In this post, I’ll walk you through some of the best freelancing websites for beginners. These platforms can help you land your first clients, take on paid projects, and gain valuable experience.
What Are Freelancing Websites and How Do They Work?
Freelancing platforms connect businesses with independent workers. A business posts a job, and freelancers can submit proposals explaining how they’d tackle the project and why they’re a good fit.
From there, the business selects the freelancer whose pitch they like best. Once the work is completed and approved, the freelancer gets paid.
Each freelancing platform has its own pros and cons, but the basic structure tends to be similar across the board.
What Are the Benefits of Using Freelancing Websites for Beginners?
Most people start freelancing with the hope of eventually becoming full-time entrepreneurs. But it’s important to understand the difference between freelancing and entrepreneurship.
Like traditional employees, freelancers still take direction from their “boss,” the client. Entrepreneurs, on the other hand, build systems that allow their business to operate independently.
That’s why freelancing platforms are such a great starting point. They help you figure out what kind of work you’re good at and give you a chance to build your first recurring client relationships. As you take on more projects, you can develop systems to work more efficiently and scale up.
Here are a few key benefits I personally experienced when I got started:
- Access to a wide range of projects
- Opportunity to build new skills
- Experience working with diverse businesses
- Ability to earn extra income outside of a day job
- Potential to earn more than in a traditional role
When I first started freelancing, I had only worked in sales and was fresh out of college. Freelancing gave me the chance to run social media campaigns, build websites, and create financial charts—projects I never imagined I’d get paid for. I learned how to pitch services, communicate with clients, and identify the kinds of work I enjoyed.
I made my first $400 freelancing on Upwork and have since earned over $1,000 through the platform. Even now, I still take on occasional freelance projects to sharpen new skills I think could grow my business. Getting paid to learn? Yes, please.
What Are the Best Freelancing Websites for Beginners?
Now that we’ve gone over some of the benefits of freelancing, let’s get into the various freelancing platforms that are beginner-friendly.
Each of the freelancing websites listed below offers different benefits and drawbacks. It is important to choose one that will fit your needs as a beginner freelancer.
These Are the Best Freelancing Websites for Beginners:
- UpWork
- Fiverr
- Freelancer.com
- FlexJobs
- Indeed
- TaskRabbit
UpWork
UpWork is one of the most best freelancing sites because you are able to pitch directly to potential clients. There are a wide variety of job posts, from web development and design to writing and marketing.
I like UpWork the most because it acts similarly to a job board. You can often find freelancing projects that are more long term on this platform and I’ve obtained many long-term clients through UpWork!
UpWork also provides extensive information on the job itself, so you can be much more picky about the projects you apply for.
I cover more information on how to select good projects in my post about how I made my first $400 freelancing on UpWork. I’ve actually made over $1,000 to date since I started using this freelancing platform!
Fiverr
Fiverr is a freelancing website that specializes in creative and digital services. It is a great option for beginners who can offer very specific and affordable services (ex: freelance writing).
My main experience on Fiverr is as a buyer, but I can easily see the benefits for freelancers on this site. Unlike Upwork, Fiverr allows potential clients to browse through various pre-set offerings.This is great because you will be working on more cookie cutter offerings instead of custom projects.
On the downside, it is hard to stand out on this freelancing platform even for skilled freelancers. That being said, you can still make money on Fiverr fast but you may have to invest in ads and have a targeted strategy.
If you’d like to learn more about these two platforms, check out my post on Fiverr vs. Upwork: Which is Best for Freelancers!
LinkedIn is a social networking site for professionals. It is also one of the best platforms for finding freelance work.
You can get started by checking out the LinkedIn job postings board. Many of the remote jobs are relevant for freelancers and companies may even prefer this kind of relationship.
You can also find your own projects through LinkedIn by directly reaching out to businesses to inquire about freelance opportunities.
This can take a bit more time to find, but often the price point you can charge is much better. That is because you will have less competition as you will be pitching an idea to people who could potentially be interested vs. applying through a post.
Similarly to LinkedIn, Facebook is a social networking site that is surprisingly great for finding freelance work.
There are many groups for freelance writers that post remote job opportunities. Finding technical roles like graphic design might be more of a challenge, but generally there is a group for everything!
Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com is a freelancing platform that offers a wide variety of services. It is a great option for beginners who are looking for work in a specific field.
Flex Jobs
FlexJobs is a job search engine that specializes in telecommuting and freelance jobs. It is a great option for beginners who are looking for work from home opportunities.
Though I’ve not personally used Flex Jobs, I’ve heard great things about this platform. That is because they claim to hand-screen all of the remote job listings. From what I’ve seen, the positions that are posted are usually more full-time roles at companies who are open to remote workers.
Indeed
Indeed is a job search engine that lists both freelance and full-time jobs. It is a great option for beginners who are looking for work in a specific field. I actually use indeed as a resource when building my sales pipeline, since many businesses might actually prefer to outsource for positions they’ve listed. This helped me scale my business to its first $50,000 in revenue!
The downside of Indeed is that many applicants use this tool, so you may not always get a response from recruiters. Additionally, it has become a lot harder to find flexible work on this platform as many employers post “remote” positions that are actually hybrid office roles.
TaskRabbit
TaskRabbit is a task-based platform that connects businesses with local Taskers. It is a great option for beginners who want to work on small, one-time projects. These freelance gigs tend to be more physical in nature, such as picking up groceries or handyman work.
I like TaskRabbit because it’s a great way to make some extra money outside of your day job. You can often find quick tasks that only take an hour or two to complete. The pay is also generally higher than other platforms like Fiverr since they have to compete with the local wages.
The downside of TaskRabbit is that it can be hard to find consistent work. The tasks are often one-time only and there is no guarantee that you will get repeat clients.
Wellfound (formerly AngelList)
Welfound is a great platform for freelancers in the technology industry. If you’re a web developer, designer, or marketer, this is a great place to find work. I actually got my first job out of college through Wellfound back when it was still AngelList, despite not having a tech background!
This platform allows you to apply to jobs or pitch your own services to companies. I’ve found that many of the jobs on Wellfound are for start-ups, so be prepared to work in a fast-paced environment.
From what I’ve seen in 2023, this platform is not as active as it used to me. I think people are still getting used to the name change, so it is still good to keep an eye on this platform to see if it stays popular.
This platform isn’t as good for creative freelancers, though they do post job opportunities in this category from time to time.
What Kinds of Freelancing Jobs Are Available?
One of the best things about freelancing is the variety. Whether you’re a creative or more technically inclined, there are tons of opportunities to explore.
Some of the most common freelance job listings I see include:
- Graphic design and web design
- Web development
- Project management
- Writing and editing
- Data entry
- Digital marketing
- Content marketing
Creative jobs are a popular entry point, but they also come with more competition. If you’re finding it tough to land gigs in those areas, consider expanding your skill set into more technical roles.
For example, I used my blogging experience to land a freelance project management role—helping a company manage their website redesign. It was a great way to stretch my skills and break into a new niche.
If you’re open to learning on the job, there are plenty of ways to gain exposure to different types of work. The more diverse your experience, the easier it is to market yourself to future clients and show how your skills translate across industries. can gain some exposure to technical-related roles. Job seekers who have a variety of experiences tend to be more versatile and can speak to how their knowledge applies to new projects.
How to Choose the Best Freelancing Website for You
By now, you’ve seen that there are lots of freelancing platforms out there, but which one’s right for you? The answer depends on your goals, your working style, and the kind of client relationships you want to build.
If you’re brand new to freelancing, it can be hard to know what to look for in a platform. That’s why it helps to think about what your ideal freelancing setup looks like. Ask yourself:
- Are you just starting out, or do you have professional experience?
- Do you want to work on short tasks or build long-term client relationships?
- What kind of industry are you targeting?
- Do you prefer remote work or in-person gigs?
- Is there a mobile app to manage your projects on the go?
- Can you browse jobs without limits?
- Does the platform offer secure payment options, like escrow?
- Is the site overrun with ads from competitors?
- Is it easy to apply and get hired?
Once you’ve got answers to some of these, you’ll have a clearer sense of what platforms are worth trying. You might find that two or three platforms align with your goals, and that’s okay! But don’t spread yourself too thin in the beginning.
Most platforms are highly competitive, so it’s better to focus your time and energy on just one or two. That way, you can respond quickly to opportunities and build up your profile faster.
Final thoughts on freelancing websites for beginners
If you’re just getting started, I recommend beginning with Fiverr or Upwork. They’re beginner-friendly and offer tons of opportunities to practice your skills, build confidence, and get paid.
If you already have professional experience, platforms like Wellfound (formerly AngelList) or even Toptal (for highly skilled freelancers) might be a better fit. And if you’re in tech, definitely keep an eye on Wellfound, it’s still a great place to connect with startups.
For smaller, one-off gigs, Fiverr and TaskRabbit are solid options. But if you’re hoping to land longer-term projects, Upwork tends to offer more consistency. Most platforms are remote-friendly, but if you want in-person work, TaskRabbit is your best bet.
No matter where you start, freelancing can be a great way to build skills, earn extra income, and test out different types of work. I’ve used freelancing to try out new business ideas, land my first clients, and grow my confidence as an entrepreneur.
The most important thing? Don’t get discouraged if things move slowly at first. Focus on learning, stay consistent, and remember that every project is a stepping stone toward your bigger goals.
Do you want to start freelancing? What freelancing platforms do you think you will try? Leave a comment below!
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