A lot of companies prefer a freelance content writer since they may not require an in-house one. And many writers prefer to freelance so that they can get varied exposure and work on their own terms.
Freelance writing websites take into consideration both these factors and help connect employers and freelancers with each other.
But which freelance site should you go for?
We’ll help you decide that in this article.
We’ll list out 11 best freelance writing websites with their key features, pricing, and user ratings. We also have a few tips for employers as well as freelancers.
This article contains:
(click on a link below to directly go to that section)
- 11 Best Freelance Writing Websites
- How to Hire the Right Freelancers: 6 Tips for Employers
- How to Choose Genuine Clients: 5 Tips for Freelancers
Let’s get started.
11 best freelance writing websites
Businesses today depend on good quality content marketing to increase their customer engagement and satisfaction.
However, not all can afford to hire, or require, a full-time writer. In such cases, a freelance writer can be the perfect solution.
If you’re wondering where to find a content writer, freelance writing websites can help you.
Here’s a list of some genuine freelance writing websites:
1. freelancer.com
freelancer.com is a freelance jobs website that allows employers to post their job requirements.
Freelancers can then bid to compete for the job.
Key features for employers
- Post jobs for free.
- Assistance for finding the right freelancers.
- The milestone payment system lets you pay only after the job is completed and you’re satisfied with it.
Key features for freelancers
- Filters to find the freelance writing work that matches your skills.
- 24/7 support to resolve any issues.
- Collaborate with clients using mobile and desktop apps.
Pricing
Employers are charged 3% or USD 3.00 (whichever is higher) for fixed-price projects and 3% for hourly projects.
Freelancers have to pay 10% or USD 5.00 (whichever is greater) for fixed-price projects and 10% for hour-based projects.
User ratings
- G2: 4.0/5 (50+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
2. LinkedIn Jobs
LinkedIn is a popular online professional networking platform where employers can post freelance writing jobs, and job seekers can find relevant ones.
Key features for employers
- Create your company’s business profile and post job alerts.
- Find candidates with specific skill-sets.
- Filter candidates by industry, experience, location, etc.
Key features for freelancers
- Create your Linkedin profile that acts as a professional resume.
- Grant writer access to thousands of job listings.
- Fill out applications directly on the site.
Pricing
LinkedIn offers a free basic membership with limited options. The paid plans for recruiters start at $99.95 per month, and for job seekers at $29.99 per month.
User ratings
- G2: 4.4/5 (600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.5/5 (4000+ reviews)
3. Contena
Contena is a freelance writing platform where business owners can post their content writing requirements on a job board.
The membership-based writing website also provides a freelance writing course to help a new freelancer start their writing career.
Key features for employers
- Hosts top 10% of all remote writers and editors.
- Doesn’t take any commission.
- Lets you pick between a full-time or part-time writer.
Key features for freelancers
- A writing job finder that accesses the best online writing jobs available.
- Large database of companies in addition to the existing ones on the job board.
- Dedicated coach for platinum members to help refine their portfolios.
Pricing
Employers can post jobs for a flat rate of $99 per job listing.
Contana doesn’t offer a free trial for writers — membership starts at $40 per month, when billed annually.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
4. Guru
Guru is a freelance website that helps businesses find the right freelancer for their requirements.
The job website provides freelancers for multiple industries, including online writing and translation.
Key features for employers
- Post freelance job listings for free.
- Four payment options – fixed price, hourly, task-based, recurring payment.
- WorkRooms to communicate, collaborate, and track the progress of your tasks.
Key features for freelancers
- Gives freelance job recommendations based on your skills.
- In-built time tracker to track hourly tasks and create invoices.
- Choose your preferred payment method – Payoneer, PayPal, etc.
Pricing
Guru charges a 2.9% handling fee for each invoice paid by an employer.
Freelancers can opt for a free basic plan or sign-up for paid plans that start at $11.95 per month.
User ratings
- G2: 3.0/5 (10+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
5. BloggingPro
BloggingPro is a job board that lets employers post remote writing jobs. The freelance writing website helps writers and bloggers find suitable writing opportunities.
Key features for employers
- Assistance for blogging, copywriting, and content marketing.
- High-quality writers and bloggers that fit your needs.
- Supports all types of writing jobs, including journalists, editors, copywriters, etc.
Key features for freelancers
- Only paid jobs for freelance writers.
- Tips for getting new clients, writing high-quality posts, etc.
- Provides WordPress tips for bloggers to grow their existing blogs.
Pricing
BloggingPro charges $30 for 30 days to business owners looking to post jobs.
The writer website service is free for a freelance writer and other writing job seekers.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
6. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is an online marketplace for business owners to post all types of remote and flexible job opportunities.
The job website aims to help freelancers (and those looking for full-time jobs) find any job or a writing gig.
Key features for employers
- Unlimited job postings and resume searches for a flat rate.
- Integrates with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) partners.
- Access a diverse audience like digital nomads, rural workers, etc.
Key features for freelancers
- Vets every job listing and company to prevent scams.
- Multiple courses and webinars to improve your writing skills.
- Access to career coaches to guide you in the job search.
Pricing
The freelance marketplace offers multiple pricing options for employers with plans starting at $299.00 per month. The pricing plans for job seekers start at $14.95 per month.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
7. ProBlogger
ProBlogger is a freelance writing site where employers mainly post blogging jobs.
You may also find some other freelance gigs like copywriting, social media management, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), etc., on this writing website.
Key features for employers
- Free registration.
- Notifies bloggers immediately after you post your job advertisement.
- Allows another job site to affiliate your postings, increasing the reach of your writing job.
Key features for freelancers
- Provides tutorials, podcasts, etc., to enhance writing skills.
- Helps create and grow your blogs along with finding blogging jobs.
- Free job browsing and applications.
Pricing
The pricing plans for job advertisers start at $75 for 15 days. It’s free for freelancers.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
8. textbroker
textbroker is a freelance writing job board that offers content for any industry.
Employers can find writers for product descriptions, social media posts, technical articles, etc. Freelancers benefit from thousands of content orders available on the site and reliable payment options.
Key features for employers
- Content writers in English, German, Dutch, etc.
- Multiple writing service levels and price points to suit all needs.
- Pick your quality level, price, and author.
Key features for freelancers
- Free registration.
- Regular feedback on articles and tips for improving them.
- Access to free content writing resources like tutorials, videos, and blogs.
Pricing
Employers can choose self-service plans (starting at 1.5 cents/word) or opt for managed service (starts at $2,500 for the entire project) on this freelance writing site.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
9. Fiverr
Fiverr is a well-known freelance job website that helps businesses find the services they need. It offers more than 300 categories of digital services, including freelance writing for white papers, case studies, transcripts, etc.
Key features for employers
- Project-based pricing.
- Allows you to check the freelancer’s writing sample.
- Releases payments to the freelancer only after you approve the writing work.
Key features for freelancers
- Promote skills and talent through Gigs.
- Introductory video to attract potential clients.
- Online video classes to boost your freelancing career.
Pricing
Fiverr doesn’t charge any subscription fees. However, a freelancer needs to pay 20% of each transaction to the freelance writing site.
Additionally, Fiverr Business plans cost $149 annually.
User ratings
- G2: 4.3/5 (120+ reviews)
- Capterra: NA
10. Upwork
Upwork (formed after the merger of Elance and oDesk) is another popular freelance website that connects individuals and businesses.
As a freelancer, you can find any remote job on the marketplace, including a freelance writing gig.
Key features for employers
- Advanced algorithms to find the best candidate for your freelance job.
- Check profiles, portfolios, and reviews before finalizing the freelancer.
- Monitor freelancers on hourly contracts to ensure they don’t waste work hours.
Key features for freelancers
- Display your writing skills, work history, and your photo on your free profile.
- Hourly as well as fixed-price projects.
- Multiple payment options including direct deposit, Payoneer, etc.
Pricing
The freelancing website charges freelancers and agencies a 20%, 10%, or 5% service fee based on the total amount they’ve billed.
User ratings
- G2: 4.6/5 (1600+ reviews)
- Capterra: 4.4/5 (60+ reviews)
11. Craigslist
Craigslist is primarily an advertisement platform and has a separate section for job ads.
Employers can post their job requirements for a specific location so that it reaches the right candidates. Job seekers can save time by searching for classifieds based on their preferred location.
Key features for employers
- Post free ads without an account.
- Send and receive messages on your own email ID with a 2-way email relay option.
- Report pranks or any other harassment through their abuse help page.
Key features for freelancers
- Flag suspicious or prohibited postings.
- Encourages employers to primarily post paid writing jobs.
- No charges for browsing and responding to ads.
Pricing
The cost of posting an ad varies according to your region. A job posting in the US and Canada may cost $10-75.
User ratings
- G2: NA
- Capterra: NA
How to hire the right freelancers: 6 tips for employers
All the platforms mentioned above will certainly help you find tons of candidates for your writing job requirement.
But how do you select the right fit?
Here are a few tips to help you out:
- Check portfolios and referrals: Portfolios will help you understand the candidate’s previous freelance work and areas of expertise. Talking to referrals will give you an idea about their work ethics, values, etc. Also, check their reviews and ratings on the writing job board.
- Look for proactive candidates: Proactiveness includes asking intelligent questions and clarifying doubts about your writing project. However, you should watch out for those who ask very basic or unrelated questions.
- Test their attention to detail: You can do this by giving the writer a test task before hiring them. It’ll give you a better idea of the quality of work, especially if it’s a new freelance writer.
- See how they respond to feedback: Any freelancer should be able to handle feedback and constructive criticism in a positive way. If they seem too defensive, it may be best to look for someone else.
- Check if they follow directions: Some freelancers may have issues respecting the client’s specifications and directions. It may lead to friction and result in a product that doesn’t meet your expectations.
- Look for their comfort with your preferred software: Tools like Asana, Slack, Zoom, etc., can enhance communication and collaboration. The freelancer should be willing to use these tools for the successful completion of your project.
Additionally, tools like Time Doctor can help you monitor the freelancer’s work hours and ensure productivity. The tool tracks time spent during work hours and generates detailed reports that provide insights into employee productivity, time spent on a particular task, etc.
Read about 68 other remote collaboration tools to manage your freelancers.
How to choose genuine clients: 5 tips for freelancers
As the number of job boards for freelancers increase, so does the chance of a scam.
So how do you save your freelance writing business from these scams?
Let’s look at some tips:
- Cross-check the company’s authenticity: You can check their website and social media pages for any red flags. Sites like Better Business Bureau (BBB) can help you understand if the company has scammed any other freelancers.
- Go through the job posting in detail: Ensure that the job details are specific and the deadlines are realistic. If the description is vague or it doesn’t seem like an actual job opportunity, you may want to skip it.
- Never pay for an interview or review: Legitimate companies won’t ask you to pay for anything. Be wary of companies that ask you to pay for software or any other work device.
- Differentiate between spec work and free work: Some clients may ask for ‘speculative work’, which is a small completed project to check your fit for the task. However, if this writing work seems too specific or detailed, it might actually be free work.
- Talk to someone from the company: Telephonic or video communication can give you an idea about the authenticity of the freelance writing work and the company.
Additionally, you should also stay away from content mills that offer extremely low-paying jobs to writers.
Here are some more tips to ensure that you always get paid as a freelancer.
Wrap up
As the number of startups and small businesses continues to increase, freelance writers and freelance writing websites have gained popularity.
The website’s features and pricing are an important consideration while making any business decision – as an employer or as a freelancer.
Use this list of freelance writing websites to choose the right platform to source talent for your business or to grow your freelance writing career.
Andy is a technology & marketing leader who has delivered award-winning and world-first experiences.