I’ve been using Fiverr for a really long time and did have my own set of challenges, but then again, that happened with every freelancer platform I used so I chock part of that up to my own learning curve. But now, I’m happy to report that it’s generally smooth sailing whenever I put in an order. So, if you’ve had your own struggles, just know that just like anything else, you need to do your due diligence and learn the ins and outs of the system and you’ll get much better results. I’ll share where you can learn more about that later.
Fiverr launched in 2010 and began as a simple platform to hire freelancers from all over the world where services, known as ‘gigs’, were available for a flat rate of five dollars, hence the name. Fast forward to today, and it has evolved into a sophisticated system where diversity and expertise come together in a beautiful way to help those in need of professional services find just about anything they need.
Whether you’re looking for your first freelancer to help take work off your plate or an entire team to handle various tasks and projects, Fiverr offers a multitude of skilled professionals ready to turn your business dreams into reality.
With a user-friendly interface, transparent pricing, and an abundance of services, it’s no wonder that Fiverr has become a go-to website for business owners seeking quality, reliability, and efficiency. In a nutshell, Fiverr isn’t just a freelancer platform; it’s a robust system that offers so much opportunity for both buyers and sellers.
Let’s take a look at how Fiverr has grown over the years and why it’s become the powerhouse it is now.
The Evolution of Fiverr
If you did venture into the world of online freelancing back in 2010 and shortly thereafter, you might recall when Fiverr was synonymous with $5 gigs. It was a place where you could get a quick logo design or a brief voiceover, all for the price of a fancy coffee. However, there were also complaints about the quality of the sellers. But if that’s the last perception you have of Fiverr, you’re in for a surprise.
Here’s a snapshot of the interface over the years courtesy of Archive.org and The Wayback Machine. I actually remember this!
2010
2013
2016
And Fiverr today
You can really see how they’ve upgraded over the years.
Since its inception, Fiverr has undergone some huge changes. The platform recognized early on that the needs of businesses were evolving – they required more than just budget services; they needed quality, reliability, and a range of options to match their growing demands.
To meet these needs, Fiverr expanded beyond the $5 price tag. Today, you’ll find plenty of offers, from entry-level services for budget-driven needs to high-end professional solutions for established brands. This shift diversified the talent pool, created more service categories (and sub-categories), and allowed for flexible pricing options.
The evolution of Fiverr is also marked by an impressive diversification of services. Fiverr started off with just eight categories but that’s grown into hundreds of categories and sub-categories such as:
- Graphics & Design
- Programming & Tech
- Digital Marketing
- Video & Animation
- Writing & Translation
- Music & Audio
- Business
- Data
- Photography
- AI Services
If you want to see all that’s available, check out the Directory here.
Fiverr Sellers
You may still see the occasional $5 gig but keep in mind, you’re not going to find a lot. Think about it this way, what was your own salary a dozen years ago? Would you still want to work for that same amount?
Sellers are building up their profile and portfolio and as they get more orders, it’s only natural that they would raise their price.
That said, Fiverr does have a great system to help you find gigs that fit your budget. Generally, the newer a seller is to the platform and the less orders they have, the lower their gig price is. That’s not an absolute though. And it doesn’t mean they don’t’ have experience, it just means they are new to the platform. You can find out more about the Seller levels here.
If you’re still a little nervous about finding someone who can truly get the job done, then you should consider Sellers at the Pro level. These are Sellers who have been vetted for quality and service.
There’s even an option to toggle to only see Pro Services which drastically reduces the number of results. Do keep in mind that these sellers gig process are higher than other sellers. Sometimes quite a bit, but it can offer you more peace of mind working with someone who has proven they can do the job well.
You’ll still want to review a few profiles to see which seller is the best fit. I highly recommend reaching out to a few with questions about your project and see how the communication flows and make sure they understand your needs.
Gone are the days when Fiverr was just for graphic design and content writing. Now, it’s a bustling hub for a myriad of skills – think advanced digital marketing strategies, cutting-edge web/app development, specialized consulting, and even AI and machine learning expertise.
This expansion has been a game-changer for business owners like me. It means that no matter how niche or specialized your requirements are, the chances are high that you’ll find a freelancer on Fiverr who not only understands your needs but can deliver results that exceed expectations. What more could you want from a platform when you need help?
My History with Fiverr
I started using Fiverr in its first year. My first impressions were how much easier it was to scroll through profiles than other sites I’d used to hire freelancers. Plus, it was far simpler to put an order in. But overall, I still didn’t have a process to follow to find the best freelancers.
Basically, I found a gig that looked like a good fit and ordered. That’s probably why I canceled four out of my first ten orders. So, my initial experience wasn’t really the best. It was pretty hit and miss for a while. But as I started refining my own process, things continued to improve until finally one day I realized I had a process where I was able to have successful orders every time.
When you have a system that works, it’s easy to stick with it.
As I mentioned, I’ve been using Fiverr since October of 2010. As of this writing, I’ve ordered 1,047 gigs. Of those orders, I have cancelled 71. But most of those were from my early days on the platform. This year alone, I’ve only canceled two, and that was with the same seller. I attribute this to both the platform and I coming a long way with outsourcing. We’ve both improved. To date, I’ve worked with 354 different sellers on Fiverr.
To put that in perspective, there’s another popular platform that I used in the past (although not since 2016), the total number of freelancers I worked with there is 40. The thing is, I can find who I’m looking for faster, the ordering process is much easier, and I find the quality of the work to be better. That’s why Fiverr is my favorite platform for my outsourcing needs.
Here’s just a few people who have helped me over the years:
- Top-notch writers that have helped me with everything from social media posts to sales copy for funnels and everything in between.
- Lead generation experts that have set appointments for clients that turned into business (and made me look like hero),
- A Quickbooks consultant to helps me keep my accounting in order and I no longer have to pay a recurring expense for a bookkeeper.
- Data mining for lead lists
- Technical help for setting up any type of system you can imagine
- Voice over talent
- Admin stuff like creating a fillable pdf
- And just so much more
One of my favorite wins was finding a gig that took a super time-consuming task off our plate. It would take my team several hours to get one particular project done each month. But that task was this seller’s specialty, and they were willing to do it for $5. How could I say no to that? It was a great experience.
In fact, now anytime I have any type of time-consuming task, I always look on Fiverr to see if there is a gig that fits with what I’m looking for. I don’t think there’s been a time where I couldn’t find something.
The amount of time I’ve saved from handling every task in-house is enormous. And the fact that I can order whatever I want, whenever I want, and not have to have more employees to tackle everything is a game-changer. I’ve actually saved so much money over the years. And as a small business owner, that’s really important.
Hiring Freelancers on Fiverr
Having been on the platform for so long and ordering so many times, I’ve definitely learned a thing or two when it comes to hiring freelancers on Fiverr. Here’s the thing. If you want the best results, you do have to spend some time searching for the right person.
Don’t just look at one or two profiles. Use the filters to narrow down you search as best you can. You simply can’t sift through thousands of profiles. You really want to find the one that is the best match for your needs, your budget, and your timeline. And if you want to only deal with sellers who speak your native language, you’ll want to filter that in as well.
Fiverr’s Commitment
I’ve seen firsthand Fiverr’s commitment to making sure the platform is always growing to make sure it can meet the needs of buyers and sellers who count on It to meet their business needs.
I’ve been honored to participate in Focus Groups Fiverr has offered to get insight from buyers and sellers. I even had the pleasure of speaking with the CEO, Micha Kaufman, and a couple of other top execs. It’s super evident that from the top down, Fiverr really wants everyone to have the best possible experience. I’m not a seller so I can’t speak to that side. But from a buyer’s perspective, I truly appreciate a company that continually strives to be the best it can be.
Here is a quick look at some of the features that Fiverr has added over the years:
- Video calls via Zoom (need to be initiated by the seller but buyers can request that)
- A section on seller profiles to share featured clients they’ve worked with
- Seller popularity notating many repeat buyers
- Discounts and subscriptions that can be offered by sellers
- “Fiverr’s Choice” designated sellers
- A robust Reviews system
- Fiverr Pro – a service used by well-known brands with multiple team members accessing one account to find vetted talent.
- Fiverr Certified
- A referral and affiliate program
- AI assistant
- The Community
- Fiverr’s Forum for Q&A
- And more!
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Fiverr’s Customer Support. It’s truly the best I’ve seen in a long time. Everything from the Client Success Team to the support desk is amazing. I’ve not had many issues with sellers, but the couple of times I have, Fiverr support has been there for me. It’s really gratifying to know that when I have a question, I can reach out and get answers quickly. Stellar service like this is not always the norm with online platforms so it’s really refreshing to see the commitment Fiverr has in place to assist their customers.
If you don’t have a Fiverr account and would like to test the waters, use this link to create your account and get 10% off your first order. Full transparency, I’ll also get a credit to my account as well.
If you’re looking for more help, download my Free Guide.