Fiverr

Most people don’t need any introduction to what is supposed to be one of the universally renowned & largest online marketplaces for digital services. However, in case you’re still oblivious, this brief guide will bring you up to speed with all you need to know about Fiverr’s offerings.

Established in 2010 by Micha Kaufman, this launched the world of microwork sites & freelance work online – and with a blast. Initially, with a quota of charging a maximum of $5 per assigned task (courtesy of the name), it now has unleashed virtually unlimited earning potential for the avid user who wishes to make a quick & lucrative buck within a given nominal timeframe. This has created a market of specialists & hobbyists who can offer their work & services to users throughout the world on demand. Specifically, services ranging from technical aspects such as coding, programming, music/video editing to general lifestyle & content writing are available.

Fiverr brings an array of positive points to the table, including:

Relatively nominal fees for services: good as supplementary income for sellers & theoretically affordable for buyers too. They pride themselves on transparency in this respect, with fees quoted upfront.

Access to the global market & talent at the touch of a button: so many projects are readily available

• User-friendly interface: no need to be an expert to grasp operating the site; mavericks are welcome!
• Extensive buyer support (this can actually be problematic for the other party, read on…) payment protection & 24/7 support claimed

Now here comes the ugly (sorry, no other way to put it really):

Unfortunately, many users have reported the unilateral bias towards buyers who appear passively encouraged to engage in unjust practices, such as holding a seller to ransom unless they offer extra work within the same fee. Otherwise, a negative review & trail of abuse ensues…not good at all

Inequality amongst the seller community in terms of fee commanded: experienced users are permitted to charge (much) larger sums for the same type & amount of work than their junior counterparts. Surely, there should be some regulation here?

This general feeling of being unsafe as a seller in the hands of ravenous buyers can be off-putting for many budding & aspiring sellers

Of course, fraudulent sellers & those who extend deadlines do exist
Extortionate charges by monopolizing services by sellers
Not very beginner-friendly, as per the aforesaid. Constant income for a seller can be challenging as well

Ultimately, depending upon what type of service you seek & the potential interactions between the buyer/seller, it’s yet to be seen how feasible this platform will prove for each individual. Whilst there are advantages, it appears that they are partly outweighed by the disadvantages, especially considering the somewhat apathetic nature of Fiverr’s support team in response to genuine concerns raised. This platform may work for some, whilst not for others…