As the world is going through a digital age, means of earning money are also changing with the emergence of several online working platforms, also known as ‘freelancing platforms’.

The platforms are websites or apps that connect individuals or businesses with freelancers, independent service providers, or temporary workers who can perform various tasks or provide specific services.

These platforms have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering flexibility for both workers and employers.

Here are some well-known online working platforms you can explore if you have the skills that are required by employers.

Whenever freelancing is discussed, Upwork tops the list of platforms that offer freelancers opportunities to earn money while polishing their skills.

The site helps professionals find projects in several fields including writing, web development, design and creative work, sales and marketing, customer service, virtual assistance, accounting, and business consulting.

Upwork

To join Upwork as a freelancer, create an account using a Google account and fill out the job type you’d like to do. Specify the areas in which you are skilled and your level of expertise.

Set up a profile: Your profile serves the same purpose as a general résumé for potential employers.

To complete your profile, you will have to add a photo and a detailed description of your background. You can include links to a portfolio or to specific work samples. You can also fill in your education, how many hours per week you can work, your location, and your preferred rate.

Usually, Upwork approves a profile within 24 hours, assuming the profile is verifiable and accurate.

Fiverr

Sign up on Fiverr: The platform is only available to registered users. You will need to sign up as a seller by filling out your personal information. Fiverr will send you a confirmation link via email. Once you confirm your account, you can go ahead and create a seller profile.

Set up a seller profile: Your profile serves to showcase your skills and experience to potential buyers. The way you present your profile determines whether buyers will order your gigs. Therefore, use this chance to impress buyers by proving to them that you’re the right freelancer.

Create a Gig: Once you complete your profile, create your first gig. A gig is a job description you can use to showcase your services to buyers, and you’ll have to create it on a desktop or laptop computer. Each gig requires you to fill out basic information about your services, including the following.

Get paid: While major freelancing platforms offer multiple choices for withdrawing your funds. Payoneer remains the most commonly used one in Pakistan as PayPal does not operate in Pakistan.

Create Payoneer account: You can create an account on Payoneer by visiting their website and transferring funds from Upwork and Fiverr to your account that usually takes 48 hours but it can take longer based on your Payoneer account and policies.

The Payoneer account is connected to your local bank account where you will get your receipts after conversion to the local currency based on your choice. The total sum you will get will depend on the conversion rate of the dollar on the day of the withdrawal.

Freelancer

Freelancer is another outsourcing website that is in competition with Upwork. Similar to Upwork, it helps freelancers find jobs in software and mobile development, writing, designing, accounting, marketing, data entry, and virtual personal assistants.

Freelancers will have to build a profile that includes 20 of their most relevant skills, but both clients and freelancers are charged a fee for listing and accepting work.

Set up your profile: It showcases your personality, resume, portfolio, and skills all rolled into one. It’s also an important tool for persuasion: an employer may completely base his judgment on whether to hire you or not on how well you present yourself.

Find projects and start bidding: Hundreds of projects and contests in different categories are posted each day. Find the ones you want to work on by regularly checking the Jobs or Contests page. On the jobs page, you’ll see suitable projects open for bidding. For contests, you simply submit an entry.

Guru

The platform connects clients and companies to designers, developers, accountants, administrative professionals, writers, translators, marketers, and legal specialists.

Other than the platforms listed above, PeoplePerHour and DesignCrowd are also among the platforms that connect skilled individuals to potential clients.