I'm looking to dive into freelance web development and I'm curious about how long it typically takes to snag that first gig on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork. I get that it varies from person to person, but I'd love to hear some personal experiences, especially since it seems like the web dev market is pretty saturated. Any insights or encouragement would be appreciated!
6 Answers
Honestly, I've only used these platforms to hire freelancers, not as a freelancer myself. But from what I hear, it's super competitive and a lot of folks are willing to work for next to nothing, which isn’t great for someone trying to earn a decent living.
I made my Upwork account three years ago, and I'm still waiting for my first client. If you're aiming for prices that make sense for where you live, good luck with that!
Honestly, my advice is to skip the freelancing platforms and try finding clients locally. Networking and connecting with nearby businesses might actually lead to better opportunities compared to the freelance sites.
I got my first job on Fiverr within the first month, but then I didn’t get anything for three whole months. It's really hit or miss!
I've been trying for about three months with no luck on either Fiverr or Upwork. It feels like those platforms are oversaturated and not worth the hassle. You're competing with developers from countries where they can charge less than $10 an hour, which makes it tough!
Exactly! Unless you're willing to lowball your rates, it’s really hard to find good opportunities.
I got my first gig on Upwork after about two weeks. I had one other interview, but then nothing else. I bid on a few more projects for a month and then just gave up. It's definitely lowball central out there!
Totally agree, it's like a race to the bottom in pricing. It feels pointless for anyone in areas with a higher cost of living.
100% agree. Meeting people face-to-face works way better than fighting for gigs online.