How to Build a Freelance Marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr?

Published on August 3rd, 2023

If given a chance to freelance, who would not? Afterall, freelance work not just comes with a great pay, but also the boundless flexibility to work from anywhere and anytime in the world, a major reason why the gig economy has conquered the whole world in such a short span of time. 

It is estimated that the gig economy will soar to an all-time high $455.2 billion by the end of year 2023. Therefore, it will not shock us if you are someone with a strong urge to Build a Freelance Marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr. 

There is not a single person from the freelancer market who have not heard of or worked through Upwork. This is how Upwork has proved its mettle in the gig ecosystem. Likewise, Fiverr has also represented itself as a dynamic platform for freelancers. 

Get yourself ready because we are not going to waste anymore of your time and get started with apprising you of a full-fledged roadmap to Build a Freelance Marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr.

What is a Freelance Marketplace?

Simply put, a freelance marketplace is a meeting point for freelance job-seekers and job-givers. Anyone hunting for a freelance gig could look out for a job related to their concerned field in the freelance marketplace. Likewise, those looking for freelancers can offer specific jobs on the freelance marketplace.

We have stated below the benefits of a freelance marketplace to a business. Take a look –

• Better Talent Acquisition –

Businesses know that freelance marketplaces are the best platforms to get access to highly certified tech experts from around the world to do specific jobs for them.

• Low Cost –

With freelancers around, businesses do not have to hire employees for the long-term, hence cutting down their costs. Also, with huge competition in the freelancing ecosystem, the prices of the freelancers are reasonably low.

• Better Quality –

Freelancers are masters in their concerned arena and are least bothered about office politics. With such focus on their work, they perform tasks in a way that is simply the best.

What are the key features required to Build a freelance marketplace like Upwork?

Like Upwork and Fiverr, your freelance marketplace must have the following key features –

• Register and Login – 

Take extra care that you make the registration process easy and simple by allowing your users to login through mail ID, phone number, or social media account.

• User Profile – 

Allow your users to exhibit the list of services they offer via a user profile that is well-structured and detailed.

• Advanced Search Filters – 

It is your core responsibility to make certain that your users have accessibility to relevant filters for search such as service, payment, time duration, etc.

• Payment Gateways – 

It would be really convenient for your consumers to have numerous payment gateways for making payments to the consumers.

• Chat/Call Option – 

Obviously, it would be convenient for both the job seeker and job giver to be able to contact each other via a suitable messaging platform.

Steps to Build a freelance marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr?

Without wasting any more time, we are going to list down a step-by-step guide on how to build a freelance marketplace like upwork and Fiverr. Give it a read.

• Investigate the market –

It is always prudent to have an adequate knowledge of the market you are about to enter before you enter it. Keep the following factors in mind before you begin your research –

1. Study in detail the popular freelance marketplaces and their unique selling points 
2. Ascertain the loopholes existing in the popular marketplaces and solutions on how to fix them
3. Assess the behaviour of your target consumers and know their needs

• Select a business model – 

Apps run not just on features. Apps run on revenue. Choosing a right business model will help your freelance marketplace to grow worl-wide. Given below are the few of the business models for a freelance marketplace. Take a look –

1. Gigs and Packages Model
2. Commission Model
3. Deposit Model
4. Subscription Model
5. Advertisement Model

• Ascertain Core and Advanced Features – 

Obviously, the next important task will be to determine the features and functionalities that are fundamental as well as progressive. Given below are some of the advanced features that you must consider to include in your freelance marketplace. They are as under –

1. Give your users the ability to track the progress of the project
2. Video conferencing facility for smooth communication
3. Artificial intelligence for client match

• Hire Developers – 

Of course, you need an app development company to get your freelance marketplace developed. Keep in mind the following tips before you make a hiring decision – 

1. Check out the portfolio of the mobile app developers
2. Also, it would be great if the developer holds strong experience
3. Assess the development approach of the development company
4. Get to know the communication channel of the developers

• Design and Develop – 

Your hired developers are going to design and develop your freelance marketplace. Keep the following factors in mind – 

1. The design of the freelance marketplace must be structured, simple, and stimulating
2. Make sure that the development process is agile and effective
3. Keep in constant touch with your developers to track the progress of your app
4. Never forget to give feedback to your consumers

• Launch and Maintain –

If the freelance marketplace is ready, what are you waiting for? Get your app readily deployed on your chosen platform.

1. Constantly maintain your freelance marketplace 
2. Make sure to debug it from time to time
3. It is important to update it on a regular basis

How much does it cost to build a freelance marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr?

If you are keen to develop a systematic freelance marketplace, you need to know the cost of its development. The cost of development of a freelance marketplace is estimated to be more than $12000, which is a general idea of the cost of app development and is not representative of the factors mentioned below – 

• Obviously, the more the size and complexity of your freelance marketplace, the more the cost of developing it

• The category of the freelance marketplace highly influences the development cost – location, project type, target audience

• If you intend to use highly-complex technologies for the purpose of development, obviously the cost involved will be way more

• The higher the level of customisation in your app, the more will the cost of the app development

• The cost of the service of the maintenance and upgrade of the freelance marketplace app

• The more the number of third-party integrations, the higher will the development cost of the freelance marketplace

Before you hire an app development company, take into consideration the above-stated factors and then make a hiring decision.

Are you aspiring to build a freelance marketplace like Upwork and Fiverr?

With years of experience and a strong portfolio, iTechnolabs has been ruling the arena of app development for years. It has all it takes to build a powerful app experience – expert developers, advanced tech stack, and a determination to build the best.

iTechnolabs has developed blockbuster freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr that have been doing wonders in the market. Hire app developers from iTechnolabs and get aboard an amazing app development experience.