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Finding a digital marketer experienced in all the needed areas can be challenging.
Whether you run a small business or you’re looking to scale your marketing efforts, you can’t afford to risk hiring the wrong person. If your budget is tight, it could be a wasted investment. A failed marketing campaign could also hurt your brand and online presence.
Ideally, your digital marketer will have the right combination of technical skills, creative ideas, and marketing know-how to put your business on the map – and allow it to stand out. I sifted through numerous platforms to guide you toward the top places for hiring freelance digital marketers.
With its low rates, friendly user interface, and useful work tools, Upwork stands out as the best choice for most businesses. Unsurprisingly, Fiverr remains a fast, effective solution for urgent, one-off marketing jobs.
Keep reading for more details on my top picks. You’ll also learn how I use Upwork to hire top digital marketing talent.
What We Look For in the Best Digital Marketer Marketplaces
I spent weeks testing the best websites for hiring freelance digital marketers, zeroing in on essential features for a smooth and successful hiring process. These are key to finding the right talent and ensuring an efficient, well-done job.
Talent pool. Digital marketing encompasses many categories, including social media, email, search engine optimization (SEO), content, and affiliate marketing. More choice means a better chance of finding a specialist who perfectly matches your project’s unique requirements. I only picked platforms with many active digital marketers.
Freelance portfolios. Digital marketing success doesn’t always translate well on paper. That said, I appreciate it when freelancers go the extra mile to share specific statistics and graphs on the impact of their work. This transparency is necessary to make an informed hiring decision, which is why services providing comprehensive portfolios made it to my list.
Ratings and reviews. Feedback from previous clients is a reliable indicator of a freelancer’s professionalism and skill level. This helps you sift through candidates efficiently, focusing on those with a proven track record of success and client satisfaction. My choices feature advanced rating systems.
Financial security. No one likes surprises when it comes to payments. Platforms that offer escrow services or options to reject work and request a refund provide a much-needed safety net. You should only pay for work that meets your standards, so I’ve included services that always protect you from fraud and deceit.
Use the advanced search function to find the perfect digital marketer for the jobUpwork is the best choice for hiring freelance digital marketers, offering an impressive range of marketing experts in various fields. The interface is intuitive and clutter-free, so you can quickly sign up and post your first job within just a few minutes.
I love how Upwork makes it easy to draft and keep track of work contracts, making it possible to start and manage long-term work relationships without leaving the platform. The time-tracking and Work Diary tools1 keep me in the loop about who’s doing what once the job is underway. Plus, since most freelancers are connected to the desktop app, I can easily contact them anytime.
On Upwork, I usually have someone working for me within hours of posting my job. Freelancers are reliable and tend to work quickly, which is another plus. As for bigger projects, I’m fully covered since Upwork supports (and encourages) long-term hiring.
Features
Many hiring options. Once you post your job, digital marketing freelancers will start applying within the hour. To speed things up, you have the option to browse profiles and invite qualified freelancers yourself. Alternatively, there’s always the Project Catalog filled with ready-made digital marketing packages at fixed prices.
Detailed profiles. Upwork shows detailed profiles for freelancers, including their past work and reviews from other clients. Most profiles include actual stats and milestones reached in previous marketing projects.
Easy communication. Think of Upwork’s desktop app as a central work hub for sending instant messages to your hires, scheduling video chats, and sharing files. Many messaging features, file-sharing capabilities, and tracking tools are also available via the mobile app.
Safe payments. The escrow system safeguards your funds and doesn’t release them until you approve the work. The Payment Protection scheme actually works, keeping scammers and fraudsters at bay.
Fiverr is excellent for smaller marketing tasks that need to be completed ASAPThe beauty of Fiverr lies in its simplicity. With just a few clicks, you can use the advanced filters to navigate through a huge list of digital marketing freelancers1. It’s perfect for quick marketing jobs that must be completed as efficiently as possible.
What strikes me most about Fiverr is the sheer variety of digital marketing services available. Whether you need SEO expertise, social media management, email marketing strategies, or pay-per-click (PPC) campaign management, Fiverr’s got it all.
And the best part? Most of these services are incredibly budget-friendly. For example, many freelancers with 5-star ratings offer complete marketing strategies for just $5. From my experience, many of these affordable options can deliver impressive results, especially for small businesses or startups looking to make a mark without breaking the bank.
Features
Broad range of services. Fiverr’s digital marketing category is vast. You’ll find freelancers specializing in many niche areas, such as influencer marketing and TikTok advertising.
Quick turnaround. Although jobs on Fiver don’t take long, many Fiverr sellers offer expedited services. For example, if you’re pressed for time and need a fast SEO site audit delivered within 24 hours, Fiverr can be a lifesaver.
Vetted experts. Verified professionals have a Pro badge on their profile. Pro services cost more, but they’re still affordable compared to the competition. Opting for a Pro seller is an excellent choice if you want some quality assurance.
Safe payments. Fiverr’s payment process is straightforward and secure. Much like Upwork, the platform holds your payment until you approve the delivered work – no unpleasant surprises!
Mayple’s list of vetted digital marketing experts is long and ever-growingMayple resembles a traditional digital marketing agency more than it does a freelance website. Unlike platforms where you sift through profiles and portfolios, Mayple matches you with one (or more) of over 600 vetted marketers1 proven to excel in their specific domains.
What sets Mayple apart is its commitment to aligning with your business goals. Their experts are adept at creating and adapting strategies as your business evolves. If you need to switch a marketer or add more to your team, your manager will help you find the right fit.
If you’re a medium-sized company and want to cut costs without sacrificing quality or risking important campaigns, Mayple might be the one for you. It’s cheaper than agencies, with no hidden fees or surprise charges.
Features
Expert matching system. Mayple’s matching algorithm is pretty sophisticated. The platform considers your unique needs, goals, and industry specifics to find the right marketer for the job.
Rigorous vetting. The marketers at Mayple are among the top in their field. They undergo a thorough vetting process to prove they can perform and deliver results consistently.
Transparency and communication. You get regular updates and insights into your campaigns. Mayple’s detailed reports will keep you in the loop about how your digital marketing efforts are performing.
Scalability. Mayple’s services are scalable and adaptable. As you grow, you can add services to your main package without the extra markups and fees that traditional digital marketing agencies often charge.
GrowTal’s custom teams of experts are pretty flexible
Much like Mayple, every freelancer on GrowTal goes through a rigorous selection process. I also like GrowTal’s personalized approach to digital marketing. They don’t just throw a list of freelancers at you. Instead, their team takes the time to understand what you need, your goals, and how much you plan to spend.
The talent pool on GrowTal is pretty impressive – from SEO wizards to user experience (UX) design gurus and content marketing experts. You can create custom teams for bigger, more complex projects, which is ideal when you need a mix of skills to get the job done right.
But here’s the thing: GrowTal isn’t cheap. Plus, the high-cost deposit might put GrowTal out of reach for small businesses. But for those who can afford it, the investment can be well worth it for the level of expertise and personalized service you get. It helps to think of GrowTal as the bridge between affordable freelance platforms like Upwork and agency-level services like Mayple.
Features
Rapid matching process. One of the platform’s key benefits is its quick turnaround in connecting businesses with professionals. It usually only takes a few hours to find a skilled marketer.
No commitments. With GrowTal, flexibility is key. You can switch freelancers if they don’t mesh well with your team, and there’s an option to get your deposit back if you decide to leave the platform, provided all payments are settled.
Custom teams. GrowTal offers the ability to assemble custom teams for large projects and tight deadlines. This flexibility is ideal for filling skill gaps, particularly during crunch times.
Accelerator packages. Hiring isn’t always an option. These fixed-price bundles, which include various services like SEO audits and social media support, help budget planning by providing clear cost expectations upfront.
You can search for local digital marketing experts with the click of a buttonBark functions like a traditional job board,with local freelancers bidding for specific gigs. Its unique pay-to-bid system ensures that only serious contenders respond to your job postings.
Bark’s strength lies in its automated matching system and extensive pool of profiles. The system will bring qualified freelancers who meet your criteria directly to you, but you’re also free to browse profiles and invite freelancers on your own.
Bark is ideal for small businesses looking to hire local digital marketing talent rather than outsourcing professionals from overseas – perfect if you need someone onsite to work with your team face-to-face. That said, it’s not particularly cheap, and it often takes time to find the right fitsince freelancers don’t display rates on their profiles.
Features
In-depth profiles. Although having to wait for custom quotes isn’t ideal, the profiles on Bark are pretty detailed. There’s information about the digital marketer’s past work, their formal education, and client feedback.
Simplified posting process. Setting up an account and posting jobs is straightforward. While waiting for freelancers to come to you, you can browse relevant profiles handpicked by the matchmaking system.
No additional fees. Bark doesn’t handle payments, so there are practically no fees for using the platform. Managing payments should be easy since you’ll primarily be working with local talent.
Great communication features. I’m all for quick and effective communication. Once a digital marketer replies to your listing, Bark reveals your phone number – there’s even an option to request a callback via the chat window.
OnlineJobs.ph will let you know how much the freelancer expects to be paid monthlyYou can only hire digital marketers long-term at OnlineJobs.ph. That’s particularly useful for strategizing, large campaigns, and any project that runs for a long time. It’s a decent Upwork alternative for those seeking to develop lasting ties with their digital marketing talent, especially if they are keen on tapping into the skilled Filipino workforce.
That said, if you want to access a wider pool of global talent (or can’t work with Filipinos for whatever reason), OnlineJobs.ph won’t cut it for you. I did find many exceptionally talented digital marketers, but I was also vigilant when hiring due to the platform’s limited vetting procedures. It doesn’t help that background checks are only available to Premium users.
Features
Diverse talent pool. Home to thousands of profiles, the platform allows for detailed searches with advanced filters. This ensures that you can find professionals who meet your specific requirements.
Additional work tools. OnlineJobs.ph offers two handy tools for improving hire management. EasyPay streamlines payments via payment processors like Payoneer or PayPal, and TimeProof is an easy-to-use time-tracking tool that runs on your browser.
No middleman fees. One distinct advantage is the absence of additional fees or cuts from your freelancer payments. You need a subscription to post jobs, but you can easily cancel once you find someone.
Recruitment services. For an extra fee, the OnlineJobs.ph team can search, perform background checks, and find the right fit for you. This service can come in pretty handy if you’re short on time.
Are You a Freelance Digital Marketer Looking to Sell Your Services?
After testing many freelance platforms, it became clear that Upwork isn’t just great for clients. It’s also the first choice for many freelance digital marketers seeking opportunities in 2024. Here’s why:
There are thousands of clients posting hundreds of digital marketing jobs every day.
The user interface is intuitive, ensuring a smooth experience.
You’re free to set your own rates.
You will always get paid on time.
The desktop application simplifies communication and includes a Work Diary and a time-tracking tool.
You can chat with clients and seal deals on the go with the mobile app.
Getting started on Upwork as a digital marketer is straightforward and takes roughly 10 minutes:
1. Go to Upwork’s official site. Hit “Sign Up” at the top right and select “I’m a freelancer looking for work.”
It all starts with that green button in the top right corner
2. Enter your details, including email, password, and username. You can expedite the process by signing in using your Apple or Google account.
3. Confirm your email and begin crafting your profile. Upwork will ask about your digital marketing experience and work objectives.
It takes only a few minutes to set up your profile
4. Polish your profile with a professional photo, educational background, and skills. Write a concise bio, set your hourly rate, and specify your availability.
5. Submit your profile for approval. Once accepted, you can start applying for digital marketing jobs. The Upwork team is selective because they receive thousands of applications daily, so provide detailed responses to enhance your chances of approval.
Where’s the Best Place to Hire a Freelance Digital Marketer?
Hiring a great freelance marketer is a real challenge, and it doesn’t help that you’re spoiled for choice. But if you stick to my top freelance platforms, you’ll increase your chances of finding digital marketers who can actually get the job done without breaking the bank.
For bigger projects and establishing long-lasting work relationships,Upwork would be my go-to website1. There are thousands of competent digital marketers on the platform with affordable rates, and you can easily prepare contracts and manage hires with advanced work tools.
If you have a relatively small yet urgent task at hand, you shouldcheck out Fiverr1. With its intuitive interface, low prices, and advanced filters, you can find the right fit for the job within minutes.
If you’re a medium-sized business looking for alternatives to traditional digital marketing, you shouldopt for Mayple1. It’s much cheaper than the alternatives, but it still comes with all the bespoke services and exceptional support you’d expect from top marketing agencies.
Let’s go over everything one last time:
Pricing
Best Feature
Best For
Upwork
$
Long-term contracts and advanced work tools
Anyone looking to hire digital marketers long-term
It’s straightforward if you use Upwork’s simple tools and interface. Create a new account, post your first job, and hire a top digital marketing expert at an affordable rate. Upwork also lets you browse the whole talent pool and invite freelancers to check out your job.
How to find clients for digital marketing as a freelancer?
The easiest way to find clients quickly is to create your freelance profile on Upwork. The process is streamlined and doesn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete. Once approved, you can begin applying for jobs right away.
How much does digital marketing cost?
It all depends on the scope of the digital marketing job at hand and the platform you choose. Upwork’s prices are great, and Fiverr can be even cheaper for quick one-off marketing jobs, such as ad copy or graphic design for social media ads.
Which freelancing platform is best for digital marketing?
Upwork and Fiverr are the best platforms for hiring digital marketers. Upwork is better for larger projects, while Fiverr is my go-to pick for quick jobs. Mayple and GrowTal are great for businesses with larger budgets. Check out our list of the best freelance websites for more alternatives.
A freelance writer and editor with experience in digital marketing, Alex has published over 40 product reviews and comparisons on Website Planet. He has tested email marketing services, freelance websites, social media management tools, and more. Before joining our team, he worked at an Australian agency where he experimented with all things digital marketing. In addition to his work, Alex enjoys cooking and writing about games.
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