Look, I'm going to be straight with you right from the start. Three years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table at 11 PM, laptop burning my thighs, frantically Googling "Best Freelancing Sites" to find my first freelance clients. I'd been telling my friends for months that I was "going freelance," but secretly? I had no freaking clue where to actually find clients.
Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so.
Here's the thing nobody warns you about: there are literally hundreds of freelancing sites out there, and 90% of them are either complete garbage or designed for people who already have established businesses. When you're starting from zero—no portfolio, no testimonials, no clue what you're doing—most of these platforms feel like trying to break into an exclusive club where everyone knows the secret handshake except you.
I wasted three months bouncing between random job boards, sending out proposals that went straight to digital heaven, and starting to wonder if maybe my mom was right about getting "a nice stable job with benefits." The turning point came when I finally figured out which platforms actually give beginners a fighting chance.
Fast-forward to today: I've made over $400,000 freelancing, tested pretty much every platform that exists, and helped hundreds of people land their first clients. More importantly, I remember exactly what it feels like to be where you are right now—excited, terrified, and tired of watching other people succeed while you're stuck on the sidelines.
So let's fix that, shall we?
What You're Actually Going to Learn Here
- The 5 platforms where I've personally seen complete beginners land clients within their first month
- Which sites are basically scams designed to take your money (yeah, they exist)?
- The exact strategy I used to go from zero to $3,000/month in my first 90 days
- Why your competition isn't as scary as you think (seriously)
- The one mindset shift that changes everything about how clients see you
Why Finding Your First Client Feels Impossible (Spoiler: It's Not Your Fault)
Before we dive into the platforms, can we talk about why this feels so damn hard? Because I get emails every week from people who think they're somehow defective because they can't figure this out.
Here's the brutal truth: most advice about freelancing comes from people who started years ago when competition was lighter or from established freelancers who've honestly forgotten what it's like to have an empty profile. They'll tell you to "just create great proposals" without mentioning that on some platforms, your proposal is competing with 50+ others within the first hour.
But here's what I figured out that changed everything: you don't need to beat experienced freelancers at their own game. You need to find the places where being new is actually an advantage. Where clients are specifically looking for fresh talent, lower rates, and that hungry-to-prove-yourself energy that only beginners have.
Those places exist. I'm about to show you exactly where they are.
The 20 Freelancing Sites, Ranked by How Much They Actually Help Beginners
Alright, let's get into it. I'm organizing these based on one thing: how likely you are to actually land a client if you're starting from scratch. Not how prestigious they are, not how much the top earners make—just cold, hard "will this work for someone with zero experience" reality.
The "Start Here or You're Making This Harder Than It Needs to Be" Tier
1. Upwork - Yeah, I Know Everyone Says This, But There's a Reason
Okay, I can already hear you groaning. "Upwork again? That's what everyone says!" Trust me, I get it. But stick with me for a minute.
I landed my very first freelance gig on Upwork—a $75 blog post about digital marketing trends. Was it glamorous? Hell no. Did I have any idea what I was doing? Absolutely not. But you know what? That client gave me my first five-star review, which led to my second client, which led to... well, you get the picture.
Here's why Upwork actually works for beginners: they have this thing called "Rising Talent" badges that they give to new freelancers who show promise. I got mine after completing two small projects, and suddenly I was getting invited to apply for jobs I never would have been considered for otherwise.
The brutal reality check: Yes, they take a 20% cut initially (drops to 10% after $500 with each client). Yes, you're competing with people from countries where $5/hour is decent money. Yes, you have to pay "connects" to apply for jobs. But here's what nobody tells you—there are thousands of clients on Upwork who specifically filter for new freelancers because they want someone hungry and affordable.
My beginner strategy that actually worked: I ignored every job over $500 for my first month. Instead, I went after tiny projects—$25 product descriptions, $50 social media posts, and $100 blog articles. These projects had way less competition, and clients were willing to take chances on unproven talent.
2. Fiverr - Where You Control the Game Instead of Chasing It
Fiverr feels completely different from the traditional "apply for jobs" platforms, and that's exactly why it works for beginners. Instead of competing for posted jobs, you're creating your own little storefront and letting clients come to you.
I'll be honest—I was skeptical at first. The name "Fiverr" made me think everything had to be five bucks (it isn't), and I worried about the quality of clients. But then I watched my friend Sarah go from zero to $2,000/month in three months, selling basic logo designs. Her secret? She started with super simple gigs and gradually worked her way up.
Here's the beautiful thing about Fiverr: you don't need to write proposals. You don't need to convince anyone to hire you. You just need to create gigs that people want to buy. And if you're willing to start small and provide good service, clients will find you.
The reality of Fiverr fees: They take 20% of everything. Ouch, right? But here's the thing—successful Fiverr sellers often charge higher rates than freelancers on bidding platforms because clients come to Fiverr expecting to pay for convenience.
Best beginner gigs I've seen work: Basic logo design, social media graphics, product descriptions, proofreading, simple video editing, and Pinterest pin creation. Notice a pattern? These are all things you can learn well enough to charge for in a matter of weeks, not years.
3. PeoplePerHour - The Platform Nobody Talks About (Which Is Why It Works)
PeoplePerHour is like the middle child of freelancing platforms—not as popular as Upwork, not as quirky as Fiverr, but honestly? That's exactly why it's great for beginners.
I stumbled onto PeoplePerHour by accident when I was researching competitors to Upwork. What I found was a platform with way less competition but still plenty of legitimate clients. It's especially popular in Europe, so if you're comfortable working with international clients, this could be your goldmine.
They have this AI matching thing that actually helps new freelancers get discovered. I know, I know—AI matching sounds gimmicky. But I've seen it work. The algorithm seems to give newer freelancers a boost if their skills match what clients are looking for.
Why beginners succeed here: Lower competition means higher response rates. Where you might need to send 20 proposals on Upwork to get one response, you might only need 5 on PeoplePerHour.
The "Once You Get Your Feet Wet" Tier
4. Guru - For People Who Want to Feel Professional
Guru has always felt like the more "professional" cousin of the major freelancing platforms. It's not as crowded, the interface is cleaner, and they have this WorkRooms feature that makes you look like you know what you're doing even when you don't.
I used Guru for my first "real" project—a $1,500 website redesign that honestly scared the hell out of me. But the WorkRooms feature helped me stay organized and communicate professionally with the client. Looking back, I think that the project management system is what convinced the client that I was worth the risk.
The catch: Fewer total jobs than Upwork, so you need to be patient. But the jobs that are there tend to be higher quality, with clients who are serious about finding good freelancers.
5. Freelancer.com - The Boot Camp Nobody Wants
I'm going to be real with you—Freelancer.com is brutal. The competition is insane, the race to the bottom on pricing is depressing, and I've seen grown adults cry over the bidding system (okay, maybe that was just me).
So why am I including it? Because if you can succeed on Freelancer.com, you can succeed anywhere. Think of it as a proposal writing boot camp. The volume of projects means you can practice writing proposals without worrying about "wasting" good opportunities.
My advice: Use Freelancer.com for practice, not as your main income source. Write 20 proposals there to figure out your voice, then take that skill to better platforms.
6. FlexJobs - Where You Pay to Play (And It's Worth It)
FlexJobs costs about $15/month, and I can already hear some of you closing this tab. But hold on—this might be the best $15 you ever spend on your freelancing career.
Every single job on FlexJobs is hand-screened by real humans. No scams, no "make $5000 in your first week" garbage, no clients who want you to work for free. Just legitimate companies looking for legitimate freelancers.
I found one of my best long-term clients through FlexJobs—a marketing agency that hired me for $35/hour and kept me busy for eight months. That one client more than paid for my yearly FlexJobs subscription in the first week.
Why it works for beginners: Many clients on FlexJobs prefer newer freelancers for long-term projects because they're more available and less expensive than established agencies.
The "Build Relationships, Not Just Applications" Tier
7. LinkedIn - Your Secret Weapon
LinkedIn isn't a job board, but it's where I found some of my highest-paying clients. The key isn't applying for jobs—it's building relationships.
Here's what I did that changed everything: instead of just connecting with potential clients, I started sharing helpful content about my area of expertise. Nothing fancy, just "here's what I learned this week" posts. Within three months, I was getting messages from people asking if I offered freelance services.
The beginner's LinkedIn strategy: Follow companies you want to work with, engage with their posts (thoughtfully, not just "great post!"), and share one piece of helpful content per week. Be patient—this is a long-term play.
8. Facebook Groups - Where Magic Happens
Facebook groups are where I found my first $5,000/month client. Not kidding. I was hanging out in a digital marketing group, answered a question about email marketing, and the person who asked ended up hiring me for ongoing work.
The key is providing value before ever mentioning your services. Join groups related to your target market, answer questions helpfully, and let people come to you. It takes longer than applying to job boards, but the clients you find this way tend to pay better and stick around longer.
The "You Need Skills First" Tier
9. 99designs - Designer Hunger Games
99designs is basically a design contest platform where you create work upfront with no guarantee you'll get paid. It's like American Idol for graphic designers, except instead of singing, you're designing logos for free and hoping you win.
I tried 99designs early in my career and got my ass kicked. Hard. But I learned two valuable things: one, my design skills needed work, and two, I hate working for free. Some people thrive on 99designs, but go in with your eyes open—you'll be competing with incredibly talented designers, many of whom are way better than you.
10. Dribbble - The Portfolio Paradise
Dribbble is less about finding jobs and more about showcasing your work and getting feedback from other creatives. Think of it as Instagram for designers.
I use Dribbble to see what good design looks like and to share my work for feedback. The job board is okay, but the real value is in the community and inspiration.
The "Advanced Players Only" Tier
11. Toptal - The 3% Club
Toptal only accepts the top 3% of applicants. I applied twice and got rejected both times. Their screening process is more thorough than some college applications, and honestly, it should be—clients pay premium rates for Toptal talent.
Don't waste your time here unless you have serious skills and a portfolio to prove it. Come back to Toptal in a year or two.
12. Codeable - WordPress Wizards Only
If you're a WordPress developer with serious skills, Codeable is pure gold. They're extremely selective about who they accept, but if you make it in, you'll work with high-end clients who pay accordingly.
Not for beginners, but definitely a goal to work toward if you're interested in WordPress development.
The "Job Board Jungle" Tier
13. We Work Remotely - Clean and Simple
We Work Remotely does one thing well: they curate legitimate remote jobs and present them without clutter. No scams, no fluff, just real companies hiring real people.
The jobs tend to be more "employee-like" than pure freelancing, but if you're looking for stable contract work, this is a solid option.
14. JustRemote - The Hidden Opportunities
JustRemote's Power Search tool is actually pretty clever—it finds jobs that companies post on their own websites but don't advertise on major job boards. Less competition, more opportunity.
15. SimplyHired - Good for Research
I use SimplyHired more for market research than job hunting. Their salary estimates are helpful for understanding what different types of freelance work actually pay in your area.
The "Local and Hands-On" Tier
16. TaskRabbit - Real World Tasks
TaskRabbit is more about physical tasks than online freelancing, but it can provide immediate income while you build your online skills. I know people who started with TaskRabbit and gradually transitioned to online work.
The "Micro Tasks and Tiny Earnings" Tier
17. Amazon MTurk - Pennies for Your Thoughts
Amazon MTurk pays terribly—we're talking $2-5/hour for mind-numbing tasks. I include it because some people use it to understand how online work platforms function, but honestly, your time is better spent literally anywhere else.
The "Proceed with Caution" Tier
18. Indeed - The Wild West
Indeed has legitimate jobs buried among thousands of scams and MLM schemes. The signal-to-noise ratio is so bad that I stopped using it entirely. Life's too short to filter through that mess.
19. Behance - Portfolio Platform
Behance is great for showcasing creative work, but the job opportunities are limited. Use it to build your portfolio, not to find clients.
20. Jooble - The Aggregator
Jooble pulls jobs from multiple sources, which sounds useful but often results in duplicate listings and outdated posts. Better to go directly to the source platforms.
My "I Wish I'd Known This When I Started" Advice
Okay, now that we've covered the platforms, let me share the stuff I learned the hard way so you don't have to.
Start with Two Platforms, Maximum
I made the mistake of trying to be active on six different platforms simultaneously. It was chaos. I couldn't keep track of which proposals I'd sent where, my profiles were half-assed across all platforms, and I burned out within a month.
Pick one primary platform (I recommend Upwork) and one backup (Fiverr or PeoplePerHour). Master those before adding others.
Your Competition Isn't as Scary as You Think
When I started, I'd look at other freelancers' profiles and feel completely intimidated. "Look at all their experience! Look at their perfect portfolios! I'll never compete with that!"
Here's what I discovered: half of those impressive profiles belong to people who are too expensive or too busy to take on small projects. And small projects are exactly where beginners can shine.
While established freelancers are competing for $5,000 website projects, you can dominate the $200 blog post market. There's nothing wrong with starting small—in fact, it's the smartest strategy.
The Magic Number is Five.
After completing five small projects successfully, everything changes. You have reviews, you understand how the platforms work, and you can start charging higher rates. But those first five projects? They're your investment in your freelancing education.
Don't focus on making money on your first five projects. Focus on getting five-star reviews, learning how to communicate with clients, and figuring out what you actually enjoy doing.
Treat Rejection Like Data, Not Personal Attacks
In my first month, I sent 47 proposals and heard back from exactly three clients. Two of them said no, and one hired me for a $35 project. I felt like a complete failure.
What I didn't understand then: that's actually a pretty normal success rate for beginners. Most experienced freelancers still only win 10-20% of the projects they apply for. Rejection isn't personal—it's just math.
Your 30-Day "From Zero to First Client" Plan
Alright, enough theory. Here's exactly what you're going to do for the next 30 days. I've tested this plan with dozens of people, and it works if you actually follow it.
Week 1: Foundation (The Boring But Essential Stuff)
Day 1: Set up your Upwork profile. Don't overthink it—you can improve it later.
Day 2: Set up your Fiverr profile and create one basic gig.
Days 3-4: Research 20 completed projects similar to what you want to offer. Study their descriptions, pricing, and client feedback.
Days 5-7: Send 5 proposals on Upwork for projects under $200. Focus on quality, not quantity.
Week 2: The Hustle Begins
Daily goal: Send 3 proposals per day on Upwork.
Weekly goal: Get your first response, even if it's a "no thanks."
Learning focus: Track which types of proposals get responses and which don't.
Week 3: First Success
Primary goal: Land and complete your first project, no matter how small.
Communication rule: Update your client every 24 hours, even if you're just saying, "making good progress; will have this done tomorrow."
Quality obsession: Deliver work that's 10% better than what they asked for.
Week 4: Building Momentum
Goal: Use your first review to land 2-3 more small projects.
Strategy shift: Start applying to slightly larger projects ($300-500 range).
Profile optimization: Update your profiles based on what you've learned about what clients want.
The Stuff That Actually Matters (Beyond Just Platforms)
Here's what nobody talks about enough: success on freelancing platforms isn't really about the platforms themselves. It's about understanding what clients actually want and positioning yourself as the solution to their problems.
What Clients Really Want (Hint: It's Not What You Think)
I used to think clients wanted the cheapest option or the most experienced freelancer. After working with hundreds of clients, here's what they actually want:
- Communication: They want to know what's happening with their project.
- Reliability: They want someone who does what they say they'll do.
- Problem-solving: They want someone who makes their life easier, not harder.
- Peace of mind: They want to trust that their project is in good hands.
Notice what's not on that list? Years of experience, fancy degrees, or rock-bottom prices. You can deliver all four of those things as a complete beginner if you're willing to over-communicate and under-promise.
The "Beginner's Advantage" Nobody Tells You About
Being new actually gives you some advantages that experienced freelancers don't have:
- Availability: You can take on projects with tight deadlines.
- Attention to detail: You're not juggling five projects at once.
- Enthusiasm: You actually care about doing good work (some veteran freelancers are burned out).
- Price flexibility: You can afford to charge less while building your reputation.
The key is positioning these advantages properly in your proposals. Instead of apologizing for being new, emphasize that you have the time and energy to give their project the attention it deserves.
Red Flags That Will Save You Hours of Wasted Time
I've been scammed, ghosted, and jerked around more times than I care to count. Here are the warning signs I wish I'd known to watch for:
Platform Red Flags:
- Any site that charges you money up front to join
- Platforms with more freelancers than active jobs
- Sites that don't show you client information until after you pay
- No dispute resolution or payment protection
Client Red Flags:
- Asking for work samples specific to their project before hiring
- Extremely vague project descriptions
- Promising way more money than the project is worth
- No previous hiring history on the platform
- Asking you to communicate outside the platform immediately
Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is. There are plenty of legitimate clients out there—don't waste time on the sketchy ones.
Frequently Asked Questions (The Stuff You're Probably Wondering)
How much should I charge as a complete beginner?
This is the question that keeps everyone up at night. Here's my honest advice: start lower than you think you should, but not so low that clients question your quality.
For most skills, I recommend starting at $15-25/hour or equivalent project rates. Yes, you're worth more than that long-term, but you need to build credibility first. Once you have 5-10 completed projects, you can start raising your rates.
Should I specialize or offer multiple services?
Start broad, then narrow down. Offer 2-3 related services initially (like "content writing, social media, and email marketing"), see what gets the most interest, then gradually focus on your strongest area.
I started offering everything from blog writing to web design to social media management. After a few months, I realized I enjoyed project management the most and was best at it, so that's where I focused my energy.
How long should I wait before raising my rates?
After every 3-5 projects, evaluate whether you can charge more. Don't stay at beginner rates longer than necessary—you're doing yourself and other freelancers a disservice.
What if I don't have any relevant experience?
Nobody cares about your relevant experience if you can solve their problem. I got my first social media management client despite never having managed social media professionally. I just studied their industry, created a sample content calendar, and showed them I understood their needs.
Create your own experience through practice projects, volunteer work, or personal projects. Document everything you do—it all counts as experience.
Your Next Move (And Why It Needs to Happen Today)
Okay, we've covered 20 platforms, shared strategies, and talked through all the potential obstacles. You know what separates the people who successfully start freelancing from those who spend months "getting ready to get ready"?
Action.
Right now, before you click away to read another article or watch another YouTube video about freelancing, I want you to do one specific thing:
Pick either Upwork or Fiverr, and spend the next hour setting up your profile.
Not tomorrow. Not this weekend. Right now.
Your profile doesn't need to be perfect. You can improve it as you learn more about what clients want. But you can't land clients with a profile that doesn't exist, and you can't improve a profile you haven't created.
I know you're scared. I know you feel like you're not ready. I know there are a thousand what-ifs running through your head. I felt all of that too. The difference between successful freelancers and everyone else isn't that they weren't scared—it's that they started anyway.
Your freelancing career begins with one profile on one platform. Everything else—the skills, the confidence, the success stories—comes after you take that first step.
So what are you waiting for? Go start your profile. I'll still be here when you're done, probably writing another ridiculously long article about freelancing (it's what I do).
Your first client is out there looking for you. Make it easier for them to find you.
Let's Keep This Conversation Going
Which platform are you planning to start with? What's your biggest fear about freelancing? Drop a comment below and let me know—I read every single one and reply to most of them. Sometimes the best advice comes from the conversations we have after the article ends.
And hey, if this helped you, share it with someone else who's thinking about freelancing. We're all in this together, and there's enough work out there for everyone to succeed.
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