Forum Moderators: LifeinAsia
I started my own web design business not too long ago and have had a small amount of clients. I want to build up my portfolio first in order to secure more business.
I've been trying to freelance and secure leads through some online places like elance and guru. But it seems like all of these sites require some kind of paid subscription. Are there any sites out there that you can secure work without paying hefty fees?
Thanks for the help.
Can you sticky some URLs to me of any that you know? I'd appreciate it.
Thanks.
From my opinion, it`s almost impossible to find ANY serious job at freelance sites. Most "service buyers" are just looking for estimation of their ideas, most of them do not have real money. And lots of "service providers" are (it looks like it) teens with PHP and HTML knowledge, who just want to get a quick cash on easy scripts.
From my exp. it`s much better to find clients offline, and later make them return and tell their friends about you - this works in my situation.
Any comments?
Most "service buyers" are just looking for estimation of their ideas, most of them do not have real money
I know for a fact that this isn't true. They may not want to pay as much as you'd like to charge. But that's the reality of a competitive market. And once they know you do a good job you can charge more based on the fact they know they're not wasting their time. And when they refer you to their friends, you can probably quote your friends your standard going rates.
What I'm suggesting is that such sites are great to find new clients and increase portfolio and client breadth, if not for making serious income now.
You`re talking like owner of such site :-).
Anyway, you`re right and wrong. I have clients from geta# site, one of such cliens work with me for a year up to now.
But due to my exp. most customers come there to get a free estimation or adwise for their projets.
One example - we start to communicate with person, who state project as $500-$1000, but at the end he tells that he`s got no $$$ and just wanted to have an adwise from an experienced person. I have conversations with such "clients" every day.
If you have any examples of good sites of that kind, please stick me it`s name. I really dissapointed in their service :-)
When we get a site on our own we go to them to do the graphics and or marketing if necessary.
It's win/win.
One way of going about it is specialising in developing sites for specific content management systems - become an expert in them. Pick 1 or 2 (3, tops) content management systems out there and become really good at using them.
Ideally, pick CMSs that target slightly different groups so that you have a broader scope of potential clients.
Some CMSs let you become a partner and then channel customers to you but you normally have to pay upfront to become a partner (if it's one of the big guys in the biz).
Regards,
Dongan.
Few freelancer sites are getfreelancer.com, freelancerspace.com and freelancepoer.com, I think the best one is getfreelancer.com you should check with them.
Two decent sites I have found are guru.com and elance.com. I have not had to use either one, but if I was hard up for work, as a pro developer, those would be the two I would seriously consider trying.
Agree fully. Freelancer sites are for freelancers who wish to provide little scripts for $20-$100. There are VERY few serious bidders as well as serious developers on such sites.
I've spent over $15,000 on RentACoder.com as a buyer, and I personally love it allot. Takes all the risk out of outsourcing your work to a freelancer.
Just a last message from freelancer site:
Needed the ready PHP scripts:
b2b marketplace
trade portal
import export tender
auction center
Included payment systems automatization: PayPal, Visa for services on site
Mailing system
New companies and good subscribe
May be affiliate programm
Multilingual content
SEO optimization with greating of HTML pages and such as products(and companies) title links.
Such as:
alibaba
e21
Please suggest ready projects with links to DEMO.
! project cost : $100-$300!
Now tell me this guy is serious, real bidder.
DROvas: That is exactly what I've come across so far! Everyone wants the world in less than a week and for under a hundred dollars. I can't see the benefit of doing such a thing. I mind as well donate my time to a local nonprofit. I would probably get more out of that than trying my hand at some of these freelance sites.
You can post your credentials and Web Portfolio at:
www.DesignersCrib.org
100% FREE.... no subscribtion... no donation.... ZIP.
