Best Freelance Websites for Web Designers 2023

In today's digital age, the demand for skilled website designers has skyrocketed, leading to an influx of freelancers offering their services to a diverse range of clients. An already growing industry at the time, freelancing got significantly boosted after the pandemic, with stats now giving us crazy numbers to look at.

According to some recent statistics, there are over 1.57 billion freelancers today around the globe, with 73 million being only in the USA. This already high number is expected to rise to 90.1 million by 2028. 

The pace of these conversions from traditional jobs can also be seen in another study projecting that 71% of the employees in the United States are expected to engage in freelance by 2023.

With these trends ongoing, embracing the flexibility and independence of freelancing, website designers can now explore numerous opportunities across various platforms. 

This article aims to guide aspiring and established web designers in finding the right freelance websites to showcase their talent and connect with potential clients.

Advantages of Freelancing for Website Designers

Before delving into the best freelance websites, let's shortly explore some of the advantages of freelancing for website designers:

• Flexibility and Work-Life Balance: Freelancers can work on projects from the comfort of their homes or any location of their choice, allowing for a better work-life balance.

• Opportunity to Work with Diverse Clients: Being a freelancer gives you the possibility to collaborate with clients from different industries and regions, gaining exposure to various design styles and challenges.

• Skill Development and Portfolio Building: Freelancing enables designers to continuously hone their skills through a variety of projects, ultimately enriching their portfolios.

• Potential for Higher Earnings: Freelancers have the flexibility to set their rates, potentially earning more based on their expertise and the value they bring to clients.
  

Choosing the Right Freelance Websites

When it comes to selecting the best platforms, consider these factors to maximize your chances of success:

Reputation and Trustworthiness: Opt for reputable websites with positive reviews and a robust user base.

Project Types and Niche Focus: Choose platforms that align with your specific skills and niche to find relevant projects.

Fee Structures and Payment Methods: Review the platform's fee structures and payment options to ensure they are suitable for your financial preferences.

Client and Designer Support: Look for platforms that offer reliable customer support for both clients and designers.

Top 7 Freelance websites for web designers

Without further ado, let’s get started with the list of the best freelance platforms on the market right now:

1. Upwork

Upwork is one of the largest and most popular freelance platforms, boasting over 12 million registered freelancers and millions of jobs posted annually. It offers a wide range of projects for web designers, from small website revamps to large-scale web development projects. 

Upwork's user-friendly interface allows designers to create a compelling profile showcasing their skills and previous work, making it easier for potential clients to discover and hire them. The platform also includes a messaging system, time-tracking tools, feedback rating, and secure payment options, ensuring a smooth and transparent collaboration process between freelancers and clients.

With a vast user base and a wide array of web design projects, Upwork tops the list for freelance web designer jobs.

2. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is another major player in the freelance marketplace, with millions of registered users and a plethora of web design projects available. Web designers can browse through various job categories, including web design, graphic design, and UI/UX design, to find projects that match their expertise. 

The platform facilitates communication between clients and designers through its chat feature and allows for milestone-based payments, ensuring that freelancers are compensated for their work as they complete different project stages.

3. Fiverr

Fiverr stands out as a unique freelance platform known for its "gig" system, where freelancers offer specific services at set prices starting from $5 (hence the name Fiverr). Web designers on Fiverr can create customized service packages, known as gigs, based on their skills and expertise. 

The platform's straightforward approach attracts a wide range of clients seeking affordable and quick design solutions. Fiverr's review system and built-in communication tools foster trust and transparency between designers and clients.

4. Toptal

Toptal is a premium freelance platform that focuses on connecting high-quality freelance talent with top-tier clients, including Fortune 500 companies and startups. 

Toptal has a rigorous screening process for freelancers, ensuring that only the best web designers with exceptional skills and experience are accepted into the platform. 

This exclusivity allows access to high-paying remote web designer jobs providing challenging projects with prestigious clients. If you're a seasoned web designer looking for top-notch opportunities, Toptal may be the right platform for you.

5. LinkedIn

No matter what profession you have, you must have a LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn today is the world's largest professional network, offering a unique platform for anyone to showcase their skills and connect with potential clients and employers. 

As a website designer, you can leverage LinkedIn's extensive network of professionals to build meaningful relationships and attract high-quality projects. You can create a compelling profile that highlights your web design expertise, be in on Webflow, WordPress, Wix, or any other web design niche.

Engaging also in LinkedIn group discussions will increase your visibility and help you establish yourself as a reputable freelance designer. 

Moreover, Linkedin also provides a premium feature called Linkedin Profinder, which helps businesses find and recruit workers in an easy way. You just have to set up your profile for the work that you do and choose to show that you are looking for being hired, and your chat messages will soon enough be filled up with contact requests by different recruiters looking for talent!

6. We Work Remotely

We Work Remotely is a platform dedicated to remote job listings, including opportunities for web designers. The website features remote web design jobs that companies actively seek to fill with talented and skilled website designers. 

Freelancers can find various web design projects, including full-time remote positions and short-term gigs. 

The platform fosters a strong sense of community among remote workers, providing a supportive environment for freelancers to network and grow their careers. It is an excellent option for web designers who prefer remote work and want to explore long-term commitments with companies that embrace a remote work culture. 

7. Webflow Experts

Webflow Experts is a specialized platform designed specifically for Webflow designers and Webflow developers. If you excel in Webflow design, this platform allows you to connect with clients who seek expertise in this powerful web design and development tool. 

By joining Webflow Experts, you gain access to a targeted marketplace where clients are actively searching for talented freelance Webflow developers or designers. The platform offers opportunities to collaborate on exciting projects, such as Webflow website building and custom design work. 

As a Webflow freelancer, you can leverage the platform to establish your authority in the Webflow community, attract high-value projects, and connect with like-minded professionals.

Other promising platforms for website designers

Beyond the seven platforms mentioned above, you can also explore these additional platforms to showcase your freelance web designer portfolio and find your perfect match for remote web design jobs:

• Indeed
• Glassdoor
• SimplyHired
• 99designs
• PeoplePerHour
• Guru
• DesignCrowd

What about business owners?

Despite this article being mainly focused on freelance web designers looking for jobs out there, all of these websites, are also used by business owners to recruit and hire the talent they need. 

If you are a business owner and you are asking who are the best web designers “near me”, you can use these platforms to search with the same keyword, near me, and find your local website designers and hire designers with only a few clicks.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the freelance market for web designers is booming, with an increasing number of professionals opting for freelancing as their career choice. The statistics show that the freelance industry is projected to grow even further in the coming years, offering ample opportunities for website designers to showcase their skills and expertise.

The advantages of freelancing, including flexibility, diverse client opportunities, skill development, and potential for higher earnings, make it an attractive option for web designers looking to expand their horizons.

As the freelance market continues to evolve, it is essential for a website designer to stay updated with the latest trends and tools in the industry to remain competitive and relevant. By leveraging the power of these best freelancing websites and focusing on delivering high-quality work, web designers can create a successful and fulfilling freelance career in 2023 and beyond. Happy freelancing!