The Best Freelance Websites for Designers and Artists in 2023: Where to Find Your Next Gig

The Best Freelance Websites for Designers and Artists in 2023: Where to Find Your Next Gig. 

As a freelance designer or artist, finding the right platform to showcase your skills and talents while connect with clients can be a challenge. With so many freelancing websites cropping up everywhere, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your time and effort. That's why I thought of enumerating a list of the best freelance websites for designers and artists in 2023.

This blog post is a nugget of wisdom for any creative being who wants to explore the world of design. These platforms have proven to be reliable, user-friendly, and effective at connecting freelancers with clients.The synergy is all that matters here.

If you are looking for opportunities in freelancing you can surely go ahead and dive right in.

As a bonus, I have also discussed a little about the commission rates and charges for each of these options so you can have a ball park figure in mind. 

So let's get on with our super list right here!

1. Upwork 

• Upwork: https://www.upwork.com/ 

Upwork is one of the most popular freelance websites for designers and artists, with over 18 million registered freelancers and more than 5 million registered clients. It offers a wide range of job categories, including graphic design, illustration, animation, and more. Upwork's platform allows you to create a profile, showcase your portfolio, and apply for jobs that match your skills and experience. 

Commission structure: 

Upwork charges freelancers a sliding service fee based on their lifetime billings with each client. The service fee starts at 20% for the first $500 billed with a client, then drops to 10% for total billings between $500.01 and $10,000, and further drops to 5% for total billings above $10,000 with a client. 

2. Freelancer 

• Freelancer: https://www.freelancer.com/ 

Freelancer is another well-known platform for freelancers, with over 50 million users worldwide. It offers a variety of job categories, including graphic design, web development, and photography. Freelancer allows you to create a profile, bid on projects, and communicate with clients directly through the platform. 

Commission structure: 

Freelancer charges freelancers a project fee based on the value of the project. The fee ranges from 10% to 20% depending on the total project value.

3. 99designs 

• 99designs: https://99designs.com/ 

If you're a graphic designer, 99designs may be the platform for you. It specializes in graphic design projects, including logos, branding, and marketing materials. 99designs offers a unique contest-based system, where clients post their design needs and freelancers submit their ideas. The client then chooses the winning design and pays the freelancer for their work. 

Commission structure: 

99designs does not charge freelancers any commission fees for their work. However, the platform does deduct a small fee from the total prize amount when a freelancer wins a design contest.

4. Toptal 

• Toptal: https://www.toptal.com/ 

Toptal is a platform that specializes in connecting top-tier freelancers with high-quality clients. It offers a variety of job categories, including design and creative services. Toptal's application process is rigorous, with only the top 3% of applicants accepted into the platform. However, if you're accepted, you can expect to work on high-paying projects with top clients. 

Commission structure: 

Toptal does not charge freelancers any commission fees for their work. Instead, the platform charges clients a monthly subscription fee to access the network of top-tier freelancers.

5. Fiverr 

• Fiverr: https://www.fiverr.com/ 

Fiverr is a platform that offers a variety of freelance services, including design and creative services. It's known for its "gig" system, where freelancers create pre-packaged services that clients can purchase directly. Fiverr's platform allows you to create a profile, showcase your services, and communicate with clients directly. 

Commission structure: 

Fiverr charges freelancers a service fee of 20% for orders up to $500 and 5% for orders above $500.

6. Guru: https://www.guru.com/ 

Guru is a freelance platform that offers a range of creative and design-related jobs, including graphic design, web design, and animation. It also allows freelancers to create a profile, bid on projects, and communicate with clients directly. 

Commission structure: 

Guru charges freelancers a service fee of 9% for their work.

7. DesignCrowd: https://www.designcrowd.com/ 

DesignCrowd is a design-focused freelance platform that specializes in graphic design projects. It offers a contest-based system where clients post their design needs, and freelancers submit their ideas. The client then chooses the winning design and pays the freelancer for their work. 

Commission structure: 

DesignCrowd charges freelancers a commission fee of 15% for their work.

8.PeoplePerHour: https://www.peopleperhour.com/ 

PeoplePerHour is a freelance platform that offers a range of creative and design-related jobs, including graphic design, web design, and video editing. It allows freelancers to create a profile, bid on projects, and communicate with clients directly. 

Commission structure: 

PeoplePerHour charges freelancers a service fee of 20% for orders up to £250 and 5% for orders above £250.

9. Dribbble: https://dribbble.com/ 

Dribbble is a community for designers to showcase their work, connect with other designers, and find freelance opportunities. It's a great place to build your portfolio and connect with potential clients. 

Commission structure: 

Dribbble does not charge freelancers any commission fees for their work. However, the platform offers premium features for a fee.

10. Behance: https://www.behance.net/ 

Behance is another community for designers to showcase their work and connect with potential clients. It's owned by Adobe, so it integrates well with Adobe's suite of design tools. 

Commission structure: 

Behance does not charge freelancers any commission fees for their work. However, the platform offers premium features for a fee.

And here is a 'Star Bonus' site that I'm enlisting for all your freelance related networking and that is none other than our very own LINKEDIN.

LinkedIn is a popular social networking site that allows professionals to connect with one another, find job opportunities, and showcase their skills and experience. While it is not specifically a freelance platform like some of the others we've discussed, it can be a great way for freelancers to find new clients and projects. 

LinkedIn does not charge freelancers any commission fees for their work. However, the platform does offer premium features for a fee, such as access to more job listings, enhanced search capabilities, and the ability to send InMail messages to people outside of your network. 

To use LinkedIn as a freelancer, you can create a profile that highlights your skills, experience, and portfolio. You can also join relevant groups and engage with other professionals in your field to build relationships and find new opportunities. 

Here's the link to LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/ 

You must Note that while LinkedIn does not charge freelancers any commission fees, you may still need to pay taxes on the income you earn through the platform, depending on your country's laws and regulations. 

In a conclusive tone of voice we can safely say that all these sites are a gem in terms of finding gigs that matter and they help designers to find their own clients and make an impact.

As a freelance designer or artist, finding the right platform can make all the difference in your success. 

Moreover, for the commission rates and charges, you need to keep in mind that these factors are subject to change and you need to check thoroughly with each website and read the narratives under the terms and condition panel before deciding to register and start freelancing.

The freelancer's gig economy is growing at a great pace and what will get you ahead is persistence and consistency of bidding for projects.

Whether you're looking for a wide range of job categories, a specialized platform for graphic design, or access to high-quality clients, there's a freelance website out there that can meet your needs. By utilizing the best freelance websites for designers and artists in 2023, you can take your career to the next level and find your next great gig. 

This will impact your learning curve in a lucrative manner as a freelancer and you can leverage that into a full-time business model as soon as the revenues match your goal. 

So what are you waiting for?

Get set and explore the world of Freelancing in Design. 

If you happen to find value in my content, you can save this post, share it and apply it in your career.

You can also message me for more queries at chynellestephen@gmail.com and I will be happy to answer them.