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It takes a lot to run a business effectively. No matter how skilled and experienced your employees are, you’re bound to run up against something they can’t do or don’t have time for. In cases such as these, you’re going to need a freelancer. But how can you ensure you’re hiring one you can trust?
Fortunately, there are several reputable websites where you can find high-quality freelancers. That said, every site is a little different, so it’s crucial to find the one that works best for you and your company.
In this article, you’ll learn about some alternatives to Lemon.io and what they have to offer. This information should prove invaluable the next time you want to find the perfect match for your freelancing needs.
Toptal does a fantastic job of screening and vetting their developers. This means you get high-quality employees without the added time and stress.
Only 3% of developers who apply get accepted into their program. Further, their hourly rates are what you would expect for hiring a software developer.
To learn more, you can register with Toptal, read our comparison of Toptal and Lemon.io, or read our full Toptal review.
The truth is, every freelance marketplace caters to different niches in the industry. For Android developers, web development, and programmers for languages such as full-stack Javascript or Python, sites like Lemon.io or Toptal can help you find some of the best freelancers. However, other sites may offer more versatile freelancers or those with knowledge and experience in different areas.
When comparing a site like Lemon.io to other sites, it's crucial to know your specific needs for your project. For simple jobs, a website like Lemon.io or Toptal may be more than you need, and you might be able to hire developers from a less-expensive site, such as Fiverr.
Much like Lemon.io, Toptal has a rigorous vetting process for their freelancers. They hire only the top 3% of freelance talent, specializing in a range of talented experts. While Lemon.io specializes in software developers and designers, Toptal also includes financial experts and product managers you can hire for your project.
Toptal offers consistent quality. They require a $500 deposit, but it's fully refundable if you're not satisfied with the results. Also, their customer service is top-notch, rivaled only by Lemon.io.
What makes Toptal stand apart is its pool of financial experts and product managers. If you're looking for someone to organize and manage a particular part of your business, there's a good chance you can find a high-quality candidate on Toptal.
OnlineJobs.ph is a freelance resource for finding skilled staff located exclusively in the Philippines. Interestingly, it's a US-based company, but since there are many qualified freelancers in the Philippines that need work, it’s a great way to find workers for many of your projects.
The great thing about OnlineJobs.ph is that you can often find freelancers to help you scale your business while maintaining a strict budget. Although workers are not vetted through the site, you can still find highly-trained candidates for many types of jobs.
Codeable is a freelancer site that focuses exclusively on WordPress. Since many online businesses use WordPress, Codeable is an excellent way to find a developer for your needs.
If you need someone to handle 404 errors or broken plugins, Codeable is a handy resource. You provide Codeable with a short description of your needs and project details, and the site will connect you with freelancers qualified to complete the job.
For WordPress-related issues, Codeable is nice to have, but you're unlikely to find more diverse developers this way. For software development projects and design applications, Lemon.io provides a much more comprehensive list of developers to choose from.
Gigster is another excellent site for hiring freelance developers and software writers. It uses an internal software platform to make managing your freelancers convenient and easy, which is another plus.
What makes Gigster stand out from other sites is that it connects you with software development teams rather than individual developers. For sophisticated projects, this can be a real advantage as it can be a challenge managing a team of freelancers who have never worked together before.
For small business owners that need a freelancer or two to make up some work, you're probably better off with Lemon.io. But if you have a large project that requires a team to complete, Gigster is an appropriate option.
Gun.io is a relatively new website exclusively dedicated to freelance software engineers. Like Lemon.io, freelancers undergo a rigorous vetting process before they can be a part of the site. They give detailed interviews to ensure every freelancer on the site is highly-skilled.
All in all, Gun.io has excellent customer service, with fast response times, and can quickly find matching candidates for your job postings. With Gun.io, you know you’re getting serious software engineers for your project. The only catch is that you’re going to have to look elsewhere for other types of freelancers.
Arc.dev is dedicated to connecting employers with freelance developers all over the world. They have rigorous vetting standards where only 1.1% pass their technical and behavioral assessments.
Formerly known as Codementox, Arc.dev primarily focuses on finding coders and highly knowledgeable software developers for mentoring services. In other words, if you need someone to take a look at your project and offer some solid advice on how to improve it, you might want to give Arc.dev a try.
Andela is a platform for finding freelancers based out of Africa. It has a strict vetting process and only accepts 2% of those who apply to the site. Interestingly, the company has big investors, including Mark Zuckerberg and others. The goal is to organize Africa’s talent and make it available to the world.
That said, Andela has been struggling to maintain its quality standards. Unfortunately, the site fails to pay even the most highly qualified developers enough for them to make a decent living. For this reason, a lot of the best talent has gone to other sites.
If you’re looking for short-term freelancers to get a few things done, you might consider Andela. However, for more serious or full-time freelancers, you’re better off with Lemon.io.
Upwork is, perhaps, the most known of all freelancer sites. Because of this, it has one of the largest pools of freelancers anywhere on the net. Nevertheless, freelancers' caliber rangers from expert to just starting, so you'll have to be careful when using Upwork.
That said, there are many freelancers on Upwork, and to stay competitive, they often have to bid much lower rates than they might on other sites. Leveraged correctly, you might be able to hire freelancers much more cheaply than you would normally. However, the lower you go, the less quality you can expect.
For quick and simple jobs, you might consider Upwork. But if you're looking for high-quality work or someone for a long term project, particularly for software developers and designers, it may be best to turn to Lemon.io.
Hiring talented freelancers is an excellent way to scale your business. Many startups have had great success with outsourcing important work until they are ready to expand their staff.
For high-end developers and designers, Toptal is a safe bet. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly website for quick jobs, a site like Upwork may be sufficient.
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