A Practical Software Directory for Solo Builders
by Daniel Ong'era
The Last Guide You Need to Become a Self-Employed Freelancer, Working From Home while Making Your Dream Income “I just can’t handle this anymore! Is this all life has for me? All my dreams… all my hopes SOLD! For what… $150 a month salary. I need an escape plan or I’m going crazy!” That’s what I was telling myself every day while working as a security guard… and yes, this was my actual salary. I feel like this was a whole different person, living in a different world. Now, I’ve been a successful copywriter for almost a decade now. Making great living and being praised by my clients, some of who wouldn’t believe if they saw me with my security guard uniform. I found my escape plan and I’ve been actively helping others apply my field-proven blueprint for escaping the rat race and becoming self-employed freelancer earning 6 & 7-figures. Doing exactly what they love while eliminating the need of having a boss, annoying colleagues, alarm, or counting the minutes until the day end. No more ‘cold 6 AM winter mornings’ trying to chug a breakfast before work; or being stuck in the traffic on your summer commutes. What you’re getting is my personal step-by-step blueprint to become a self-employed and get the freedom lifestyle you deserve!
LEARN MORE →Finding clients and earning from your skills
Writing, design, technical knowledge and other practical skills can become services that you offer to clients.
Tools in this category will help you to...
Present your experience, find freelance opportunities, sell defined service packages and manage work through an online marketplace. Some platforms focus on clients finding your services, while others let you apply for advertised projects. Compare the type of work, application requirements and fees before choosing where to begin. A clear portfolio can help prospective clients understand what you can deliver.
New to offering freelance services? Read our short planning guide below →
The directory is developing incrementally. We’ll add research and first-hand testing as we carry them out, while keeping straightforward listings useful for discovery.
99designs connects freelance designers with clients for logos, branding, packaging, websites and other visual work. Create a portfolio, work directly with clients through one-to-one projects or submit concepts to design contests. Applications are free, with designers reviewed before acceptance and assigned a level based on their work. Direct projects carry platform fees of 5%–15%, depending on designer level, plus a new-client introduction fee of up to US$100 where applicable. Built-in messaging, file sharing and payment tools support client projects. Contest entries do not guarantee payment, so consider the time involved before preparing work for a competition.
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Fiverr lets you offer freelance services through listings called Gigs, covering work such as writing, design, programming, audio and video editing. Set out what clients receive, your delivery time, revision allowance and price, with packages for different levels of service. Clients can order a listed service or discuss a custom offer with you. Messaging, order tracking and delivery tools help keep the work organised. Creating an account is free, with freelancer accounts and Gigs subject to approval. Fiverr deducts 20% from completed orders, including extras and tips. Allow for that deduction when setting prices and deciding what each package includes.
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Freelancer.com offers project opportunities across writing, design, development, marketing and other skills. Create a profile and portfolio, browse jobs and bid for fixed-price or hourly work. Messaging, file sharing and Milestone Payments help organise projects. A free account initially includes six bids per month, but bidding normally requires an available account balance of US$20, with higher requirements possible. Standard freelancer project fees are 10%, with a US$5 minimum for fixed-price work; fixed-price fees are charged when you accept the project. Accounts unused for six months can incur maintenance fees, refundable on request after reactivation. Check these terms before depositing funds.
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PeoplePerHour connects freelancers with clients for writing, design, development, marketing and other services. Build a profile, apply for projects or publish fixed-price Offers that clients can buy. Its WorkStream brings proposals, messages, files and invoices together as you complete each job. Registration is free, but freelancer applications require approval and new accounts have an initial qualifying period. Freelancers receive 15 free proposal credits each month, with additional credits available to buy. Service fees range from 3.5% to 20%, excluding VAT, according to lifetime billing with each client. The highest rate applies to the first £250 billed to a client.
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Upwork helps freelancers find hourly and fixed-price work in areas such as writing, design, development, marketing and business support. Build a profile with work samples, browse opportunities and submit proposals explaining how you would approach a client’s project. You can also offer defined services through its Project Catalog. Messaging, contracts, time tracking and payment tools support the work once agreed. A Basic account is free, but most proposals require Connects credits, which may need to be purchased. Freelancer service fees range from 0% to 15% per contract, with the applicable rate shown before you submit a proposal or accept an offer.
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Choose a service that matches skills you already have and can demonstrate. A defined task, such as editing an article or preparing a presentation, is easier to explain and price than a broad promise to help with everything. State what is included, what you need from the client, the delivery time and how many revisions you will provide.
A few suitable work samples can help clients judge whether your approach fits their needs. If you have no client work to show, prepare examples and label them as personal or demonstration projects. Explain your contribution and only share work you have permission to display. The Portfolios section below covers tools for presenting your work in more detail.
Compare service fees, proposal credits, required account balances and withdrawal conditions before committing money. Include time spent discussing requirements and making revisions when setting your price. Agree the scope and payment arrangements before starting, and follow the platform’s procedures for funded milestones, recorded hours and disputes. Begin with a manageable service on one suitable platform, then adjust your approach as you learn what clients need.
Showcase selected work, skills and experience in a portfolio that helps prospective clients understand what you do and decide whether to work with you.
Browse Portfolios →