PeoplePerHour Review: Is it worth it?

In many ways, it’s easier than ever these days to go freelance. Technology means that it’s now possible for much work to be done remotely, and it’s simple to connect with businesses and individuals from all around the world in moments.

What’s more, there have been many tech startups keen to use this new wave of freelancers, or ‘digital nomads’ as they’re sometimes called, by facilitating their connections with potential clients. PeoplePerHour has been going since 2007, so is one of the most established platforms through which freelancers can find work online – and through which businesses can find freelancers.

This review will take a look at PeoplePerHour from your perspective as a freelancer, and give you the key info on how it works and what you can get out of the experience.

What is PeoplePerHour?

PeoplePerHour calls itself ‘the longest running freelance service in the UK’.¹ Since 2007, it has offered individual freelancers the opportunity to connect with its list of businesses. In a nutshell, the platform lets businesses post projects, and freelancers can respond to these projects with proposals. The business can then select which freelancer they want to work with.

Need to pay invoices abroad and receive international payments like a local? Meet Wise Business

Before you get started, a word.

Banks and money transfer providers often don’t convert your money with the mid-market exchange rate when you make or receive an international payment. Instead they add a mark-up and charge you a hidden fee that way.

Wise Business is different. Its smart technology skips hefty international transfer fees by connecting local bank accounts all around the world. Which means you can save money using Wise rather than your bank when you send your money abroad.

Check out Wise Business multi-currency account, to invoice like a local around the world and receive multiple currencies with small and transparent fees.

Wise also has a lot of additional features for business users. You can connect with Xero to make your life easier, upload a batch of payments in one go or even automate your payments by integrating with our API. And there’s more to come in the future.

Now, back to what you came here to read.

How does PeoplePerHour work?

Here’s a guide to how to get set up and start earning on PeoplePerHour.

1. Apply to join You need to get “certified” before you can join the team of PeoplePerHour freelancers. PeoplePerHour takes pride in reviewing all its applications – rightly so, as they describe their freelancers as “experts”.
2. Make a profile Like with many platforms, your personal profile is at the heart of your PeoplePerHour account. Set it up with a professional-looking picture and details of your expertise and experience. You also set a sample per-hour rate, which they call a “rough estimation”.
3. Find projects PeoplePerHour uses AI to match you with projects that appear to match your skills and expertise. You can look for such projects yourself, or set up notifications for whenever they’re added.
4. Make proposals You respond to projects with “proposals”: tailored responses to the potential client that explain why you are the perfect person for them to trust with the work.
5. Make “offers” You can be proactive as well as reactive by making “offers”: jobs that you as a freelancer can provide to anyone who’s looking. Businesses may then find your offer while browsing.
6. Invoice and get paid Once you have a completed project, it’s time to get paid. Sending invoices is done within PeoplePerHour: your client is notified straight away, and you should receive your money relatively smoothly.³

How do you get paid on PeoplePerHour?

That’s all very well, but how do you get paid? Here’s a look at how it works.

• The fee (or rate) should be agreed on before you begin a project, reducing the likelihood of awkward conversations later on.
• Clients have to pay a deposit into an escrow (secured) account, so that some of their money is protected while you complete the project.
• You can invoice clients for work done directly through PeoplePerHour. The client then has to authorise payment, and once that’s done the money should come through to your PeoplePerHour account.
• Then it’s up to you: you can leave money in your PeoplePerHour account, or – probably more useful – you can withdraw funds to your bank account.

PeoplePerHour lets you get paid in various currencies: British pounds, euros, or US dollars. You can withdraw funds in any of those currencies, and also convert funds between the currencies. Is there a fee for currency conversion? You bet. There are other fees, too. Read on for more info on all of them.²

PeoplePerHour fees

PeoplePerHour doesn’t just set freelancers up with clients. It offers a whole platform through which the work transaction and payment can take place. As such, there are quite a few fees that might come up. Here’s an overview of the key fees to know about. The table below only concentrates on fees for you as a freelancer, but of course buyers face various fees too.⁴

The fees are correct at the time of writing but may change. Check with PeoplePerHour directly if you’re unsure of anything.

There may be other fees too, for instance if something goes wrong with your bank details and a bank transfer is reversed or investigated.⁴

It’s looking closely through PeoplePerHour’s fees, especially if you’re likely to end up with money in foreign currencies in your account. Try and figure out exactly how you’d get paid and what fees you’d end up having to pay. When you’re working out how high to set your estimated hourly rate, don’t forget to factor in all the fees that you’ll have to pay along the way.

Advantages and disadvantages of using PeoplePerHour

Here’s a closer look at some of the pros and cons of PeoplePerHour.

PeoplePerHour alternative: Are there other options out there?

It’s well worth casting a wide net to increase your exposure, which may involve signing up for several freelancing platforms, as well as seeking out “private” clients. Here are a few of your other options when it comes to freelancing sites.

• Freelancer.com: helps freelancers easily connect with clients on projects ranging from mobile app development to graphic design.
• Fiverr: connect effortlessly with clients to provide professional services from voice overs to translations.
• Upwork: offers a wide range of opportunities for freelancers, from web development to producing content for clients.
• Outsourcely: specifically aims to connect companies with freelancers for long-term projects.
• Task Rabbit: for people looking to do odd jobs locally.

Overall, PeoplePerHour is well worth considering if you’re looking to build up a freelancing portfolio - but don’t forget that there are also alternatives to consider.

Freelance platforms provide the opportunity to connect with clients all over the world, meaning that you may need to receive payments for your work in a currency other than your local one. Specialist providers, such as Wise can help with that - offering low conversion fees and the real market exchange rate on international transfers.

PeoplePerHour can help you earn money for your work, but take the time to do your research and make sure that you choose the freelance platform that works for you.

Sources used:

Sources checked on 27 June 2019.