Finding freelancers online can be a challenge, however, in this guide, we will explore how to make what seems a hardship a seamless process.

Whether you’re running a business with several teams or you run a business solo, you may come to the point where hiring a freelancer is beneficial, especially if you need some extra help but aren’t quite ready to employ someone.

Photo by Ryan Mendoza and blog by Catherine Joseph

Find freelancers online today!

A freelancer is an individual who is self-employed and not likely to be tied to one employer long-term. They will often be based at home and may work on several tasks for different clients at any one time.

Freelancing is most commonly used in the creative industries, such as music, writing, design, illustrating and film/video productions.

To begin with, you may want to hire from a large freelancer marketplace, such as PeoplePerHour, Upwork or Skillbox. These sites provide Freelancers with a broad range of specialities and are where those who have just started freelancing will advertise, meaning you could hire someone for a low price. However, it is often the case with freelancing that you get what you pay for, so you may want to consider paying a higher price to ensure the task is completed to the standard that you desire.

Another option is advertising on sites such as Indeed or Reed, and they’re not known for low rates, so they may be more likely to attract the right people for you. Also, social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram can be great as adverts and businesses reach large numbers of people daily, making them the ideal place to find the right individual.

The cost of freelancers can vary hugely and will depend on the experience of the individual; those who have more experience will most likely charge higher rates.

The likelihood is that your budget will help you decide on a freelancer. Once you know how much you can and are willing to spend, you can look at hiring someone who fits those requirements.

When it comes to the payment of a freelancer, there are also several methods. For example, paying by the hour, paying upfront or paying per milestone achieved. They will send you invoices for the work they have completed, and you can pay those invoices, usually completed through escrow payment plans. If you’re hiring a freelancer through a large marketplace, then the payment will be processed through the website, and it is essential to do this rather than paying directly to the individual to protect yourself.

The payment and payment timeframe must be agreed by both parties to avoid confusion or miscommunication.

Positives:

-They will be experienced in their field, and therefore, you can rely on them to complete the task independently.

-As an employer, you are not required to give holiday or sick pay, meaning freelancers are less costly than employers.

-You don’t need employer’s insurance as they are not employed by you long-term.

Negatives:

It’s worth considering both sides of the coin before deciding to hire a freelancer.

-Freelancers with a lot of experience are likely to ask high prices, and therefore if you want a task done to a specific standard, it’s expected to cost you.

-They may be juggling several other jobs so may not be available when you need them.

-As an employer may be asked to work on several jobs or help with things they wouldn’t usually do, a freelancer will only work on the task you’ve asked of them. As a result, you could have to hire several freelancers at one time which could become costly.

Although freelancers are self-employed and therefore look after their taxes, there are some things to be aware of:

It is essential to create a written contract between the freelancer and employer to protect both parties legally. For example, if the freelancer disappears having only completed half the task but has received the money, a contract will ensure they are held legally responsible. If the freelancer is working on your premises, it is vital to have them covered for health and safety should any harm come to them in your working environment. Also, when an employer works for you, their work belongs to the business. However, this is not the case with freelancers. If you want the right of ownership of the intellectual property, then this needs to be agreed in the contract.

Skillbox allows you to pay using an escrow payment solution keeping both parties protected and the outlines of the project can be detailed before work commences. Start searching for freelancers with us in a safe and secure environment.