Written by If you are asking yourself, “What is Upwork and why is she writing about it,” let me start by answering those questions.
Upwork, according to Wikipedia (the knower of all things), is a global freelancing platform where businesses and independent professionals connect and collaborate remotely.
Translation – it is an easy place for small businesses or growing businesses with a limited budget to outsource work to freelancers who are actively looking to bring on new clients.
Again…why am I writing about Upwork?
Upwork’s bad reputation continues to circulate, and as someone who has used the platform for many years, I have always felt obligated to say, “It really isn’t that bad – you just need to know how to use it.”
Pros and Cons of Upwork
First, every platform is susceptible to scams.
I have had people attempt to scam me on Angel.co, PowerToFly, and CareerBuilder – more times than I can count. Upwork is not unique in that regard.
Second, you get out of it what you put into it.
If you set up a profile and leave it untouched, yes – it will likely be disappointing.
Upwork has millions of freelancers and millions of clients on the platform. You are, quite literally, a needle in a haystack when it comes to being discovered organically.
Because of that, your profile has to do the heavy lifting. Make sure it clearly shows what you do, how you help, and how you stand out. Instead of relying on platform skill tests (many of which are no longer emphasized), Upwork now places much more weight on:
- Your profile clarity
- Portfolio examples
- Work history and reviews
- Ongoing activity and responsiveness
And yes – you still need to search for jobs and apply. You are given connects for a reason. Use them.
Cautions When Using Upwork
When offers start coming in – or while you are browsing opportunities – keep these cautions in mind.
Clients are reviewed in the same way freelancers are. Read the reviews. Pay attention to patterns. If multiple freelancers mention payment issues, unrealistic expectations, or difficult communication, move on. There is no reason to subject yourself to the same experience.
Check to see if payment is verified. New clients may post jobs before completing this step, which isn’t always a red flag – but you should not accept a contract until payment is verified or funds are properly placed in escrow. This is especially important for fixed-price work.
Also pay attention to client behavior. If someone posts a large number of jobs but has a very low hire rate or little to no spend history, proceed with caution. This can indicate poor follow-through or, in some cases, potential scam behavior.
If you receive an offer out of nowhere, request a video or phone meeting. There is nothing wrong with pushing back and asking for a conversation. It helps verify that the client is real and ensures you are aligned on expectations. Your reviews and ratings depend on this. Accepting a job you aren’t clear on can lead to unnecessary issues that could have been avoided.
Hourly vs. Fixed-Price Work
I still strongly encourage freelancers – especially those newer to the platform – to be cautious with fixed-price gigs.
Yes, milestones and escrow help. Yes, fixed-price work can be fine when scope is extremely clear. But disputes are still more common with fixed-price projects when expectations shift or scope creeps.
Hourly contracts offer stronger protection. Work is tracked, time is documented, and if a client disputes a charge, Upwork can review the work diary. In many cases, documented hourly work provides clearer support than subjective milestone satisfaction.
That doesn’t mean fixed-price work should never be taken – it simply means you need to be far more selective.
Upwork is a fantastic platform for freelancers just starting out.
The truth is, you may need to begin at a lower rate to build reviews and job history – but that doesn’t mean underselling yourself. If you have provable skills, build your portfolio, set rates you are comfortable with, and apply strategically. Over time, your experience, reviews, and positioning will allow you to raise your rates and be more selective about the work you take.
Upwork isn’t perfect – no platform is. But when used intentionally and with clear boundaries, it can be a valuable tool rather than the nightmare it’s often made out to be.
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