Top 5 Best Freelancing Websites in Kenya

Freelancing has become among the biggest employers in the country mostly to the youth. This is driven by growth in professional skills, access to computers, and internet services. Let us look at the top 5 best freelancing websites in Kenya.

Freelancing enables global access to skills despite the geographical location. This is made possible through various platforms/websites that connect both the supply(sellers) and demand(clients) for labor.

What is Freelancing?

Freelancing is a form of self-employment that allows you to offer skills to multiple customers. Normally the tasks and contracts are short-term. The payments are also based on the task undertaken. Mostly, these are negotiated before you can undertake the job.

Freelancing is a deviation from a traditional form of employment where you are engaged full time.

Through freelancing, you can outsource skills or supply them all over the world. The price of skills is also based on demand and supply elements. Hence, the rare skills you have, the higher the pay.

To make this possible, several platforms have come up to connect both employers and skills. Normally, these platforms make a commission by facilitating this exchange.

As a freelancer, these are the platforms that should be close to you as this is where the opportunities are.

Benefits of Freelancing in Kenya

Work Flexibility– Freelancing allows you to work from anywhere across the world as long as you can deliver on the job. This flexibility helps not only with job satisfaction but also minimizes some expenses such as travel costs.

Ability to set your price – In most freelancing platforms, you have the opportunity to set your rate. This is either done per hour or task. This makes it possible for clients to engage you based on price. Alternatively, you can bid for jobs that meet your pricing expectation.

Some of the factors that determine price rates include the experience and skills you are offering. Most experienced freelancers charge higher than beginners.

Multiple clients -Freelancing enables you to work with different clients with different expectations. This results in better experience and growth in Knowledge. It also ensures you have a job to do when some of the clients are offline.

Challenges of Freelancing in Kenya

Fluctuating jobs– Due to the nature of these jobs, you will find that some jobs are seasonal. This makes it hard financially especially when jobs are scarce and you still have bills to meet. Hence, most people tend to combine freelancing with other activities such as business.  

Commission sharing – The freelancing platforms/websites take part of your income in form of commission resulting in earnings reduction. The commission rate depends on the platform. However, the majority ranges from 5-20%.

Characteristics of a successful freelancer

Hardworking- In this job, you have to put in a lot of hours to produce quality work. Through this, you get better reviews that make it easier to get future jobs.  Some of the clients have very tight timelines that require above-average work hours.

Skills mastery– Success in freelancing depends on skill level. Hence, only bid for jobs that you have good skills in. Having the right skills will enable you to deliver your tasks fully. Freelancers with better skills tend to make more than low-skilled ones.

Patience– as a beginner, you will have challenges getting tasks as most clients prefer those sellers with experience. However, you need to be patient and focus on growing your portfolio. The more you do it, the easier it becomes.

Below is a list of some of the Top 5 best freelancing websites in Kenya

1. Upwork

Upwork tops this list due to its popularity both among sellers and buyers. It boasts of at least 5 million clients and over 12 million freelancers from all over the world.

It is good to note that the bigger the platform, the more jobs. Hence, thousands of Kenyans are using the platform to freelance daily.

Upwork specializes in various sectors such as Software development, content writing, and graphic designing. Hence, you should visit the platform to register based on your skills.

Below is the process of how to join Upwork

Step 1: log in to the Upwork portal and create an account. Some of the key details to facilitate this process include name, email address, and location.

Step 2: Include your skills. Some of these include education level and work experience. Your skills are what determine the jobs to apply for. The better skills you have, the higher the chances of getting jobs.

Step 3: Bid for jobs. This step involves going through the available jobs to see the one that suits you. Upon getting it, you should bid and wait to see if you qualify. Bidding doesn’t guarantee to get the task. The secret is to keep doing it until you succeed.

Step 4: Completing the task. Upon getting the job, you should complete it as per the requirements. Ensure to deliver the task in a complete and quality manner. This helps to make your profile more attractive to clients.

Step 5: Payment. Upon successful completion of the job, the client makes payments through the various available channels on the platform. The total payment is less than the platform commissions.

2. Fiverr

Fiverr is among the largest freelancing platforms globally. It works by connecting freelancers (sellers) to potential clients (Buyers)

Some of the skills you can sell on this platform include writing and translation, graphic designing, and video & Animation. Hence, as a Kenyan, if you have any of these skills, you should join the platform and start freelancing.

Below are steps on how to join fever.

Step 1: Log in to the Fiverr platform and create your seller account. Some of the information necessary in this process include your names and email address.

Step 2: Activate your account. This process involves activating your account from the link sent to your email address.

Step 3: Create a gig. In this step, you should include your skills and experience that can market your abilities. A good gig enables buyers to identify your services faster.

Step 4: Execute the task. Upon getting a buyer, you should ensure to deliver quality services promptly.

3. Freelancer

Freelancer works by connecting both the skill buyers and skill sellers. Some of the most sought skills in the platform include graphic designers, web developers, software developers, and Writers.

Freelancer charges 20% on the first 500 dollars you earn on the platform. Above that, the charges fall to 10% and further to 5% if you earn 10,000 dollars and above. Hence, the more you make it on the platform, the easier it becomes for you.

Below is the process of becoming a freelancer on freelancer.

Step 1: Log in to the Freelancer portal and sign up. The key information you need in this process is your name, location, and email address.

Step 2: Update your skills. This involves updating your skills and educational background. Ensure to capture your experience to make your profile stand out.

Step 3: Bid for the job. You should browse the available jobs based on your skills and needs. Upon getting it, proceed to bid.

Step 4:  Job execution. Ensure to deliver the task in a timely and quality manner. This way, you will get a better rating that will rank your profile higher. Freelancers with better ratings get jobs easily.

4. Guru

Guru offers freelancing jobs across all sectors. The platform boasts over 3 million members with the list expanding fast.

Some of the most available jobs on the platform include programming and development, writing and translation, sales, and marketing.

Process of joining Guru Freelancing.

Step 1: Log in to the platform and create your account. You will need your name and email to complete this process. After this, you should choose the freelancer option and input your password.

Step 2: Include your skills. This step involves including your skills and accomplishments on your profile to make it easier for clients to identify you.

Step 3: Bid for jobs. You should go through the job list and choose the one that best fits your abilities.

Step 4:  Job execution. Ensure to deliver the task in a timely and quality manner. This way, you will get a better rating that will rank your profile higher. Freelancers with better ratings get jobs easily

5. 99 Designs

99Designs is a freelancing site that focuses on designing jobs. Unlike the other platforms, this is a specialist website. Some of the most common opportunities include website, Logo, and software designing.

Below is the process of joining 99Designs.

Step 1: Log in to the 99Designs portal and select become a designer. Then sign up. You need your email address to sign up.

Step 2: Fill in your details. This step involves providing your basic details such as name, location, and image.

Step 3: Showcase Your Work. This step involves uploading your past designs as a way to showcase your abilities. You should also share your portfolio. This includes pages such as a website.

Step 4: Review and activation. After applying, the 99design team reviews your work and if satisfied, activates your account.

Step 5: Task execution. Upon activation, you are now ready to start receiving requests. Ensure to execute these tasks fully and timely.

Conclusion

The above represents the top 5 best freelancing websites in Kenya. If you have any interest in making money online, you should join one of these sites and start earning today.

Below is a recap of the top 5 best freelancing websites in Kenya.

1. Upwork
2. Fiverr
3. Freelancer
4. Guru
5. 99Designs