I posed the age-old question, convinced that it would put my argument to rest. Nix, a freelancer on Legiit, merely grinned and replied, “It’s not about the size but what we can do with it.”
“But how does Legiit even compare to a freelance marketplace like Fiverr? It has more than 4 million members while Legiit is only a fraction of its size—less than 5%, to be precise,” came my instant response.
“Less is more.”
“C’mon, surely Fiverr’s broader range of offerings means more opportunities for freelancers to sell their services, right?” I asked smugly, still unconvinced by his one-liners.
“Do you know the percentage of freelancers who’re able to secure jobs on most freelance platforms? It’s not great. At Legiit, these guys are committed to giving every member that chance—they even have an affiliate plan for members to upsell services.”
This time there was a momentary silence as I pondered over his words. Seeing my reaction, Nix summed it up succinctly. “I like Legiit because it stays focused. Working around a set of related services means members can engage with one another easily. It helps us do our job well—as a community. I’d say this mindset is the cornerstone of the platform.”
Legiit brings a refreshingly unpretentious vibe to the marketplace and, judging from the reviews it gets, the platform comes across as a very close-knit community, giving one a sense of belonging. This is how another member I spoke with put it: “We’re a tribe!”
Founded by a notable SEO guru, it’s his personal touch that makes this platform distinct from others. The founder generously shares his wealth of SEO-related knowledge on the platform and through his social media. But there’s a benefit to this sharing-of-wealth philosophy, for when members prosper, so does Legiit. And by doing so, there is no denying he lives his brand—it’s a platform for freelancers, by freelancers!
The Growing Freelance Base
The gig economy will soon be worth over $455 billion. These days, almost 60% of design and tech work is being outsourced to freelancers globally. Freelancing is already considered the new working-class norm and is forecasted to grow to at least 90 million in the U.S. alone by 2028.
But oversaturation of the freelance market does cause a degree of consternation. The law of supply and demand dictates that this will lead to a drop in service fees as more people choose to work independently. This further exacerbates the challenge many freelancers already face— statistically, earnings within an eco-system reveal that the top three percenters typically get the most exposure (and better-paying jobs), leaving what little is left behind for the bottom feeders to survive on—it doesn’t auger well for those just starting out as freelancers.
Choosing the Right Platform
If you have adequate industry experience and a decent cv to boot, you will probably stand a better chance of getting some success on the larger freelance platforms. But if you don’t, you’ll likely compete for only the low-paying jobs, if your registration doesn’t get rejected in the first place.
While Fiverr—home to about 830,000 freelancers—offers over 500 diverse job categories, it comes with its own set of challenges. Despite providing its sellers with a comprehensive list of guides and tutorials to engage prospective buyers effectively, a Priceonomics report reveals that 96.3% of sellers make $500 or less per month and 70% only make under $100. It's estimated that only 1% of sellers earn above $2,000 monthly. Unrealistic buyer expectations are among the reasons 70% of members fall in the $0 - $100 earnings bracket. Fiverr charges a flat rate of 20% for all jobs.
In comparison, Legiit comprises just under 300,000 active members and offers some 80 services across 9 job categories. The platform stays focused on core services (primarily digital marketing and SEO) and has earned itself a legendary reputation for its customer service, all thanks to a strict quality policy designed to protect its buyers' interests. It runs a responsive customer support team that monitors each transaction closely—setting stringent guidelines for its seller ensures buyers get the quality they pay for.
This is made possible because Legiit extends a range of seller support tools to its members. Its Legiit Premium subscription offers value for money with services like selling analytics, bundled services, and even volume discounts. A unique feature of this platform is that members can even earn commissions as an affiliate (it offers higher rates than Amazon). Touted as a great alternative platform for sellers and a top SEO marketplace, upselling opportunities abound on Legiit and it’s not unusual for members to rake in 5-6 figure earnings. The platform charges a flat 15% fee.
From a freelancer’s perspective, joining a community-based freelance marketplace like Legiit makes sense. Success may come in myriad forms, and the path they choose to get there is equally diverse. They may find instant success or embark on a long journey of discovery and learning along the way. Either way, the question is where do they start? Are they better off being a small fish in a big pond, or a big fish in an optimally sized pond?
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This article was written in cooperation with Maria Williams