Web development is among the most in-demand and highest-earning skills right now, but finding work has become challenging, especially for African freelancers. There are lots of freelance websites for web developers, each with its strengths and specializations.
In this article, we’ll share the top 10 freelancing sites for web developers, whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced levels where you can find high-paying freelance jobs.
Top 10 Freelancing Sites for Web Developers
If you're a web developer looking to become a freelancer, here are the top 10 freelancing sites for you;
1. Toptal
Toptal pitches itself as a place to find the top 3% of freelance talent. Their screening process is so rigorous that out of the thousands of monthly submissions, they only accept less than 10% into their system. This exclusivity sets them apart from other freelance job sites.
While the process can be intense, getting hired as a freelancer on Toptal allows you to work with some of the biggest companies in the world such as Airbnb, Duolingo, and Shopify. All these companies use Toptal to share job opportunities for software developers.
Key Features: Toptal focuses on quality projects, personalized client matching, long-term opportunities, and no bidding. They simply match your profile to clients in need of your skills.
Fees and Payment Structure: Toptal doesn’t charge freelancers a fee; the clients are charged instead.
2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the most popular freelance platforms to find work irrespective of your skills or niche. But first, you’ll have to learn how to write effective proposals that get you hired immediately.
Due to its highly competitive nature, it can be difficult to get jobs on Upwork, especially as a beginner with no reviews or portfolio. However, as you spend more time on the platform and eventually get hired for gigs, your profile begins to grow.
One way to stand out on Upwork is to include your portfolio. That is links to completed projects you’ve worked on, especially if you’re new to Upwork. This increases your chances of getting hired even without client reviews.
Key Features: Upwork offers hourly and fixed-price contracts, access to global clients, and detailed profiles for showcasing portfolios.
Fees and Payment Structure: Upwork charges a 10% freelance fee on all your earnings.
3. Expaat
Expaat is a premium network of freelance professionals for accessing the top 5% of tech talent from different disciplines such as software development, design, research, and marketing.
They guarantee the quality of talent, efficiency, and talent fit to deliver high-quality results and optimized resources. Getting solid talents on Expaat is easy.
After posting your job description, Expaat matches you with a talent in less than 24 hours with a trial period included to ensure you only get the best of the best.
Key Features: Expaat only has the top 5% of tech African talent and offers access to global clients.
Fees and Payment Structure: Expaat doesn’t charge freelancers, only clients.
4. Freelancer
Freelancer covers many different facets of freelance work — everything from design work like graphic and logo design to marketing work such as SEO and copywriting jobs.
The wide variety of specializations makes Freelancer one of the best freelancing sites to search for web development opportunities.
Freelancers can filter jobs by several categories including fixed-price projects, hourly rate projects, contests, skills, and languages.
Every job listing shows an average bid along with the current number of bidders, so you know what to expect before applying.
Key features: Freelancer features a bidding system, design contests, and milestone payments for longer projects.
Fees and payment structure: Freelancers pay 10% on fixed-price or hourly projects, with additional fees for premium membership plans.
5. Fiverr
Fiverr got its name because it originally facilitated quick freelance gigs for five dollars — but it’s grown quite a bit since then.
Now, you can set your starting prices, packages, and add-ons. Many freelancers use lower prices for small projects to lure in new clients. It’s just like giving them a small sample so they’ll work with you for larger projects.
It’s worth noting that Fiverr also builds payments right into the platform, so you don’t have to worry about invoicing your clients or sending them PayPal reminders.
Once you complete the buyer’s order, the money is transferred to your account. It’s a great freelance website for beginners as well as anyone willing to offer a range of rates for different work.
Key features: Create customized service packages, set your rates, and work with various clients
Fees and payment structure: Fiverr charges a flat 20% fee on all transactions.
READ ALSO: 20 Highest-Paying Freelance Jobs in Nigeria
6. PeoplePerHour
With the help of artificial intelligence, PeoplePerHour brings freelancers and clients together in a more streamlined, precise way.
Once clients submit the project scope, the artificial intelligence system analyzes the details and matches the project with qualified freelancers.
Selected freelancers are invited to submit their proposals — setting their prices while clients choose from a curated selection.
PeoplePerHour helps you save more time because clients and freelancers alike can avoid wasting their time searching for the right fit. Also, there is an in-built payment structure in the system to protect both parties from messy payment disagreements.
Key features: Hourly and project-based contracts, featured freelancer opportunities, and client feedback system.
Fees and payment structure: PeoplePerHour takes a 20% fee for earnings up to £250, 7.5% for £250–£5,000, and 3.5% beyond that.
7. SimplyHired
If you’re still figuring out how to get work as a freelancer, SimplyHired has a lot of great resources that go beyond a simple freelance job board.
You’ll find guides on resume writing, cover letter writing, and other information to help you out. SimplyHired even has a free online resume builder if you need to revamp yours.
It is free to post a job on SimplyHired. Freelancers, on the other hand, can easily upload their resume and portfolio to get their profile up and running. It also has a job search function that allows you to narrow down your searches only to what you’re interested in.
Key features: Job aggregation from various sources, location-based search, no bidding system.
Fees and payment structure: SimplyHired is free for freelancers, as it directs users to third-party platforms where jobs are listed.
8. Guru
Guru has a built-in vetting process for freelancers, which helps freelancers prove their credibility to potential clients and simplifies the hiring process.
Invoicing for your work is simple too, with multiple payment terms and secure payments integrated into the site making Guru a reputable source for new freelance web development work.
Key features: Secure SafePay system, flexible project options, and ability to collaborate with teams.
Fees and payment structure: Guru charges between 5%-9% based on membership levels.
9. Hired
Hired links web developers with suitable potential clients. The website’s algorithm sources for contracts that fit with your skills and preferences. When the system matches you with a potential client, they request an interview for more details on the project.
Through this process, web developers can choose the most suitable contract based on their capabilities.
Key features: Job aggregation from various sources, location-based search, no bidding system.
Fees and payment structure: Hired is free for freelancers, as it directs users to third-party platforms where jobs are listed.
10. X-Team
X-Team is a dynamic freelance platform that connects companies with skilled developers and engineers from around the world. Unlike traditional freelance marketplaces, X-Team focuses on creating a community-driven, long-term approach to remote work, bringing together individuals who thrive on learning, collaboration, and growth.
Freelancers on this platform have access to a supportive community, resources, and rewards to develop their skills, making it an attractive option for talented professionals looking for a structured remote work experience.
Through X-Team, companies gain access to a reliable pool of pre-vetted talent, ensuring high-quality results and a seamless hiring experience. By working with X-Team, you can potentially work with companies such as Riot Games and FOX Broadcasting.
Key features: Focus on web developers with a variety of skill sets, pre-screened clients, and a fair pricing model.
Fees and payment structure: They take a flat 15% commission on all projects.
How to Optimize Your Profile on These Platforms
Your profile showcases your portfolio and gives a first impression to any potential client. Thus, it should be attention-grabbing enough to help you land your dream clients.
Here are some tips to make an impressive profile;
1. Your profile summary should be a summary of your strengths
A summary of your profile is likely the first thing clients read. Make it engaging, concise, and informative, highlighting your top skills and why it makes you a key player.
2. Have a strong portfolio
Every successful freelancer will tell you this “Your portfolio is the single most important part of your job application.” For web developers, it helps you show clients your skills and the products you’ve helped to build. It also shows your style of work, allowing clients to decide if it aligns with them.
3. Skills verification through certification
Many freelancing platforms support the verification of your skills through certifications or tests. So feel free to upload your certifications to these freelance platforms to make your profile stronger.
4. Be active
Being active within a freelancing platform signals to clients that you are available for new projects. Your visibility to the search rank will also improve by regularly updating your profile.
Conclusion
Choosing the right freelancing platform and putting together an optimized profile are two huge steps toward a successful career as a web development freelancer.
Each one of the available platforms has something unique regarding features, payment structures, and even clientele, so feel free to explore all the sites listed above to find one that best aligns with your expertise, goals, and the type of projects you prefer.
When you find one that works for you, create a high-end profile, and start applying to jobs that fit your skill set. To make things easier for you, we recommend using Expaat, as an African freelancer to get connected to global clients.
Remember, the more clients you work with and the better you perform, the more your reputation will build.
