30 Best Sites to Find Freelance Jobs Online & Expert Tips

Freelance jobs offer some of the most flexible work arrangements in the modern job market, and many freelance careers are on the rise. As a freelancer, you have the freedom to make your own schedule, work on diverse projects from anywhere, and take on as many gigs as you can manage, potentially leading to unlimited income growth.

However, as Eleanor Roosevelt said, “With freedom comes responsibility.” Although freelancers have a great deal of freedom in their work lives, they’re also responsible for managing their businesses, including paying for home office expenses, handling self-employment taxes, marketing their services, and of course, finding freelance clients.

Whether you’re interested in becoming a freelancer, you’re looking for a side hustle, or you’re a seasoned freelancer seeking new opportunities, there are many freelance job boards catering to diverse skills that you can take advantage of in your search for freelance jobs.

To help you find freelance work suited to your interests and career goals, we’ve compiled 30 of the best freelance job sites and best practices for locating freelance gigs.

Note:

FlexJobs is the longtime leader in helping job seekers find the highest-quality remote, work-from-home, hybrid, and flexible jobs. You can sign up for premium-level access to our database of hand-screened job listings, as well as job search and career webinars, and many other great resources! Learn today how FlexJobs can empower your job search!

30 Best Sites to Find Freelance Work Online

The following freelance sites feature job postings in wide-ranging career areas. If you’re searching for freelance work online, start your research here.

1. 99designs

99designs connects businesses with designers in areas like branding, logo design, packaging design, and other design niches. Businesses use 99designs to connect with creative experts who bring their design visions to life, and the company’s goal is to help businesses and designers collaborate on custom logos, websites, and more.

2. Authentic Jobs

Authentic Jobs is an employment and hiring service used by businesses around the world to connect with designers, developers, and other creative professionals in industries like media and technology. Job seekers can search for freelance jobs and find job postings from companies seeking their skills.

3. Behance

Behance functions as both a freelance job board and a social network for creative professionals, such as artists, animators, illustrators, photographers, and digital designers. In addition to finding freelance jobs, freelancers use this site to create and share work samples, gain exposure, and connect with fellow creatives.

4. Codeable

Codeable caters to freelance WordPress developers by matching companies with experts who can “solve any WordPress problem.” With options for full-time, short-term, and recurring work, freelancers use Codeable to find gigs fixing minor issues, such as 404 errors, or longer-term projects, such as custom WordPress development.

5. DesignCrowd

DesignCrowd is an online creative marketplace connecting freelance design professionals and digital artists with businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups across the globe. Freelance designers, such as web designers and Photoshop designers, use DesignCrowd to showcase and pitch their services to potential clients through “design contests.”

6. Designhill

Designhill is a creative marketplace used by artists and designers to find design projects, promote their work, and join a global design community. Clients submit project briefs on Designhill, and freelancers apply for projects based on those briefs. Freelance jobs exist in areas ranging from email design to PowerPoint design.

7. Dribbble

Dribbble is a design portfolio platform and social network with freelance jobs for designers, web developers, marketing professionals, and other creative professionals. Access to freelance jobs is available to premium members, and freelance jobs are posted in areas like UI/UX, graphic design, and product design.

8. Fiverr

Fiverr is a freelance services marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers offering animation, content writing, photography, programming, and web design services, among many others. Freelancers (“sellers”) list their services and set prices, clients (“buyers”) purchase them, and Fiverr takes a commission.

9. FlexJobs

FlexJobs is a job search service specializing in flexible jobs, including freelance jobs. FlexJobs posts freelance jobs in over 50 career categories. Freelancers can sign up for a FlexJobs membership and get unlimited access to every job found, vetted, and posted by the company’s team of researchers.

10. flowremote.io

flowremote.io is an online job board for Webflow jobs. Agencies and businesses use flowremote.io to connect with freelance Webflow designers, project managers, engineers, UX designers, and developers, including junior developers, front-end developers, and Shopify developers, to name a few.

11. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is an online job marketplace that exclusively posts freelance jobs for data entry, internet marketing, mobile development, social media, and web development professionals. The site is free to use for freelancers, but Freelancer.com takes a 10% fee from all freelance earnings, including contests.

12. goLance

goLance is an online marketplace for remote freelance jobs. Businesses post jobs on the company’s platform, and freelancers submit proposals to apply for the jobs. Freelance jobs on goLance include accounting, administrative, creative, customer service, data science, engineering, IT, legal, marketing, sales, translation, and writing jobs.

13. Guru

Guru connects freelancers with employers looking for graphic design, programming, and project management experts. Freelancers use this platform to find and bid for jobs, including long-term and short-term projects, and get paid via one of four options: direct deposit, Payoneer, PayPal, or wire transfers.

14. Jooble

Jooble is an international job search engine that compiles freelance job listings from company websites, job boards, social networks, and other online sources. Freelancers use Jooble to find region-specific jobs in areas like writing, editing, graphic design, and marketing.

15. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform and job site. Freelancers use LinkedIn to create detailed professional profiles showcasing their education, experience, and skills to increase their exposure. LinkedIn posts freelance jobs in various fields, and through its Services Marketplace, businesses find freelancers with the skills they’re seeking.

16. OnSite

OnSite is used by businesses to find and connect with freelance talent in areas like interface design, JavaScript development, and motion graphics design. Businesses post jobs and get matched with freelancers, and OnSite is self-described as “an invite-only platform,” stating that “less than 5% of applications are approved.”

17. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a freelancer website using artificial intelligence (AI) to match freelancers with businesses offering project-based and hourly jobs. Freelancers must apply to join PeoplePerHour’s community, “buyers” post projects on the platform, and AI is used to match freelancers with projects in areas from brand marketing to technology.

18. Remote.co

Remote.co is an online resource for companies that are exploring or embracing remote work and job seekers looking for remote work, including remote and work-from-home freelance jobs. Freelance jobs are posted in areas like accounting, editing, healthcare, HR, quality assurance (QA), sales, teaching, virtual assistance, and more.

19. RemoteJobs.io

RemoteJobs.io posts work-from-home freelance jobs in the United States and internationally. Freelance jobs on RemoteJobs.io are posted in areas like bookkeeping, chat support, communications, compliance, consulting, copywriting, cybersecurity, data science, design, editing, and education.

20. ServiceScape

ServiceScape is an online job board for freelance writers, editors, graphic designers, and translators. Freelancers don’t bid for jobs; clients buy freelance services directly. Project earnings are divided between freelancers and ServiceScape, and freelancers must submit taxpayer information to receive monthly payments.

21. SimplyHired

SimplyHired is a job board that aggregates job postings from across the internet. Freelance jobs are posted in categories like administration, finance, interpreting, marketing, search engine optimization (SEO), and writing. A profile isn’t needed to browse freelance jobs.

22. SolidGigs

SolidGigs is a lead generation tool that combines AI with “gig hunters” to match freelancers with jobs based on their search parameters. Freelance jobs are pulled from various online sources and posted in areas like blogging, design, editing, writing, and SEO. SolidGigs requires a paid subscription, but freelancers keep their earnings.

23. TaskRabbit

TaskRabbit is an online gig marketplace that freelancers use to find local odd jobs and short-term gigs for everyday tasks and same-day services, such as assembling furniture, household maintenance, and shopping. Freelancers, or “taskers,” pay a registration fee to create a profile, set their rates, and list their services.

24. Toptal

Toptal is a freelancing platform through which businesses find freelance designers, finance consultants, marketing experts, project and product managers, and software developers and engineers. Freelancers must go through a screening process to join the platform, and Toptal states that it only selects “the top 3% of freelance talent.”

25. Upwork

Upwork is a freelancing platform that connects businesses offering hourly, fixed-price, and project jobs with freelancers with various skills, such as accounting experts, copywriters, customer service professionals, and developers. Upwork charges freelancers a 10% service fee on their earnings.

26. Webflow Experts

Webflow Experts connects clients looking for web design and development services with Webflow freelancers. Freelancers must apply to join the company’s network of “Webflow Experts” and must be able to demonstrate their Webflow expertise and past experience with building sites for clients.

27. Wellfound

Wellfound connects freelancers with jobs with startups. Freelance jobs are posted in areas like data and analytics, design, engineering, finance, HR & recruiting, legal, marketing, operations, product, and sales. Freelancers do not have to pay to find freelance jobs on Wellfound and are able to apply for multiple jobs through one application.

28. Workhoppers

Workhoppers is an online marketplace that uses algorithms to match clients with local freelancers based on their education, experience, skills, and availability. Workhoppers doesn’t charge commission fees, and freelance jobs are posted in categories like administration, consulting, health, media, software, and translation.

29. Working Not Working

Working Not Working offers a job board with freelance job listings for creative professionals in areas like content creation, design, illustration, UX research, and video editing. Creative freelancers can join and use Working Not Working for free to find opportunities with brands and agencies seeking their skills.

30. YunoJuno

YunoJuno is a freelance marketplace that posts freelance jobs for creative professionals, such as designers and marketers, based in the United Kingdom. YunoJuno is free to use for freelancers and features jobs in areas like data, film, market research, public relations, QA, social media, strategy, and UX.

10 Expert Tips for Finding Freelance Work Online

As we mentioned earlier, managing your freelance career means being a business owner and requires the self-motivation to find and retain freelance clients. In addition to sourcing jobs from freelance sites and marketplaces, the following tips can also help you find freelance jobs.

1. Understand and Target Your Audience

Before you begin marketing and promoting your freelance services, you should be crystal clear on who you’re targeting as your potential clientele, and this will likely involve some market research.

For starters, identify your niche, or the specialized services you offer. Whether you’re skilled at producing content for social media platforms like Instagram or you’re an experienced virtual assistant offering admin support for busy professionals, you should be able to pinpoint and highlight your strengths and services so you can successfully identify prospective clients seeking your services.

To that end, consider what makes your services unique. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, ask yourself what abilities you possess that distinguish you from your competition. Go beyond the basics, such as creativity, and highlight your distinct skills, such as knowledge of specific design software or UX design skills, for instance.

Once you’ve targeted your audience, you can leverage your professional networks and social media platforms in addition to job sites to find and connect with individuals or businesses offering freelance work or needing freelance assistance in your specialty area(s).

2. Perfect Your Freelance Pitch

Freelance job advertisements often come with a lot of competition, so you’ll want to perfect your freelance pitch to position yourself as the top candidate for available opportunities.

Alternatively, preparing a freelance pitch with a solid understanding of your target audience can help you find freelance clients who aren’t necessarily advertising jobs. For instance, if you come across a small business or a local business that could benefit from your services, you can use your practiced pitch to demonstrate how your skills and services would be useful to them.

Revisit and refine your pitch as needed, and make sure you’re considering your audience’s needs, pain points, and any gaps in their current services that you could potentially fill.

3. Network Strategically

Networking plays a key role in all modern job searches, but it can be especially crucial for freelancers who need to increase their exposure in order to find work.

Networking as a freelancer comes in many forms. You can join industry groups to showcase your personal brand. You can attend trade shows and networking events and strike up conversations with fellow attendees. You can also pursue a freelance mentor who can offer advice based on their own personal experience as a freelancer.

All of these efforts can help you build an influential network, which can lead to new opportunities and even help you tap into the hidden job market to find unadvertised jobs.

4. Optimize Your Online Presence

It’s essential to scrutinize your online presence to make a good impression on prospective clients and to ensure that clients and businesses looking for your services can find you online.

If you don’t already have one, create a personal website or portfolio to distinguish yourself from your competitors. Highlight past achievements and provide samples of your work to give clients an idea of what you have to offer.

Another part of optimizing your presence online involves protecting your personal brand on social media. Carefully review your social media channels, including your LinkedIn profile, to ensure that potential clients only see what you want them to see. If there’s anything you want hidden, adjust your privacy settings so it isn’t visible to the public.

5. Seek Out Long-Term Clients

To avoid the freelance feast-or-famine cycle, in which freelance work ebbs and flows and potentially impacts your income, it’s wise to seek long-term clients and cultivate client relationships to ensure consistent work.

In addition to looking for long-term projects on freelance job sites, you can nurture existing client relationships. For example, if a client hired you for a one-time freelance gig, it never hurts to follow up, request feedback, and offer additional services. Even if they don’t have any extra work for you at the moment, you’re more likely to stay top of mind in the future if they need your services again.

6. Keep Up With Industry Trends

To remain competitive in the freelance job market, it’s crucial to keep up with industry trends.

To stay on top of trends relevant to your business, you can follow industry leaders on platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn to learn more about the topics or ideas they’re highlighting.

Likewise, you can read industry publications and news articles to learn about popular tools related to the services you offer. If you encounter any tools that you’re not yet familiar with, consider whether they’d benefit your business. If so, take the time to learn how to use them.

7. Market and Promote Your Services

There are a variety of ways to promote your freelance business. For one, some job sites allow you to market your services and showcase your portfolio to promote your brand.

Beyond freelance job boards, you can market your services by asking for referrals and testimonials from clients. Word of mouth could lead to hidden job opportunities.

Sharing a link to your personal website on all of your social media platforms is another great marketing tool. Likewise, enabling the “#OpenToWork” feature on your LinkedIn profile will notify others that you’re looking for new freelance work, possibly delivering jobs directly to you.

Promoting the work of other freelancers can sometimes lead to new opportunities as well.

8. Build Trust Through Reviews and Testimonials

In addition to being an effective tool to promote your freelance business, obtaining client reviews and testimonials can build trust in your brand.

When a client is happy with the work you’ve done for them, ask for a testimonial. You can display their testimonial on your personal website or other online profiles, thereby providing “proof” to prospective clients that there are benefits to working with you. Before you publicly share any testimonials, however, be sure to ask for your client’s permission first so you don’t do any unintentional damage to the relationship you’ve built.

9. Invest in Continuous Learning and Development

Upskilling is an important aspect of every professional development plan, but for freelancers, it’s arguably even more critical to invest time in developing new skills. After all, lacking in-demand skills could potentially cost you jobs.

There are many online courses you can pursue in your quest for professional development, whether you want to polish your technical chops with a new hard skill or improve upon a soft skill, such as emotional intelligence.

Another great way to learn new skills is through volunteering, particularly if you want to test-drive a new industry or get your foot in the door.

10. Track Your Progress and Adjust Strategies

No two freelancers have the exact same career journey, and what works for one freelancer might not be effective for another. Throughout your freelance career, you’ll likely need to revisit and review your job search strategies from time to time to consider what’s working and what isn’t.

To make this process easier, track and monitor the strategies you’ve implemented so you can review and optimize them as needed. If one of your strategies isn’t delivering any results, don’t hesitate to replace it with a new strategy that might be more beneficial to your business.

Use FlexJobs to Find a Freelance Jobs Online

Whether you’re just starting out as a freelancer or you’re a seasoned freelancer on the hunt for new or high-paying freelance jobs, there are opportunities for you in the FlexJobs database. With new jobs posted daily in over 50 career categories, there’s something for everyone.