Read the Freelancer.ph FAQ

About Freelancer.ph

• What is Freelancer.ph?

  Freelancer.ph is an online outsourcing platform that puts businesses and employers in contact with a global network of Freelancers. Any member can post a project, whether a short- or long-term job, and choose from skilled freelancers who offer rate quotes and time estimates for completing the work. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement.

  Employers can have their pick of thousands of freelancers who have the exact skills needed to get the job done, without undertaking the expense and commitment of hiring full-time employees.

  Freelancers can tap into a readily available source of constant part-time and full-time work opportunities from employers who are specifically seeking them out.

  Learn more here.

• How do I sign up?
  1. Fill out a short registration form. You'll be asked to create a unique username to identify you on our system. You'll also need to provide a valid email address and confirm that you've read the Terms and Conditions. That's it. You don't need to give any personal information to start your Freelancer.ph membership.
  2. Confirm your email address. When you submit the registration form, we will send a message to the email address you provided at sign-up. Follow the link in the email to activate your Freelancer.ph account.
  3. Create your profile. Take a few minutes to provide some information about yourself and/or your business. This is an opportunity to let the Freelancer.ph community know who you are as a person and what you're looking for professionally, so fill out your profile completely, and make sure it is free of typos, spelling mistakes, and grammatical errors.

     Users with incomplete profiles will not be allowed to bid on projects. Here are a few tips to complete your profile and get noticed:

     • Be sure to upload a photo to your profile. It's much easier to recognize and relate to a face than a username. You might also consider using your full name or company name for your display name.
     • The subheading is a good place to make a solid first impression. It might be your company slogan or a list of the top skills you can offer to an employer. The subheading should make other users want to know more about you.
     • Use the summary section to give more detail about yourself. This is your chance to really make your profile stand out from the crowd.Talk about your company mission or your work history. Highlight your skills and let people in the Freelancer.com community know why you're the best Freelancer for the job.
     The information you provide will be stored in your profile to give other members an overview of your skills and/or needs. Freelancer.com does not share your personal or contact information with anyone.

• What fees does Freelancer.ph charge?

  Joining Freelancer.ph is FREE. Set up a profile, post projects, upload a portfolio, browse available jobs, and make up to 20 bids per month for nothing at all. Employers only pay a 3% commission (₱130 PHP minimum) when a project is awarded. Freelancers only pay a 10% commission (₱220 PHP minimum) when they accept a project.

  Goods and services tax will be added to these fees as required by law.

  Learn more about fees and charges here.

• I am an Employer, how will Freelancer.ph work for me?
  You can gain a competitive advantage over your competition by tapping into a skilled global workforce on demand.

  
  If you are a small business and can't afford to hire a full time staff, don't fret! The power of Freelancer.ph is available for small to medium businesses! Whether it's a website that needs building, business cards or stationary that needs designing, a product that needs to be designed or manufactured, or research that needs to be done, this is your place!

  
  Thousands of skilled workers are ready to start working right now! All you need to do is post a project!

• I am a Freelancer, how will Freelancer.ph work for me?
  With Freelancer.ph, you can tap into a global network of businesses and projects, the ultimate opportunity in job flexibility!

  
  Work on what you want, when you want and where you want to! The lifestyle of a Freelancer is taking off and gives unparalleled job flexibility.

  
  By working as a Freelancer online, you can greatly increase your client base and job throughput.

  
  You can work at home and tap into a global pool of employers across a huge range of industries!

  
  To start, all you need to do is signup and start bidding. It's FREE!

• Is Freelancer.ph going to provide work for me?
  Freelancer.ph doesn't offer any work, but we give you a system to find work.

  
  Read the articles below on how you can use Freelancer.ph to look for work.

  • Looking for work?
  • Successful Freelancing with Freelancer.com

Employer Following

• What is Employer Following?

  Employer Following is a feature that lets you know when your favourite Employers post projects or contests, by ‘following’ them on Freelancer.ph. You’ll receive an email when they post a project or contest so you can bid or enter immediately. Employer Following is available to Basic, Standard and Premium members. Upgrade Now!

• How do I start or stop following Employers?

  To start or stop following an Employer:

  1. Go to their profile by clicking their username or follow them from the project page itself.
  2. Click ‘Follow’. The button label will change to ‘Following’, indicating you are now following that Employer.
  3. To stop following an Employer, click ‘Following’. You can also do this on the project view page.

  Note: An Employer can choose to prevent Freelancers from Following them, for privacy reasons.

• How many Employers can I follow?

  The number of Employers you can follow depends on your membership type. Basic members can follow 5 Employers, Standard members can follow 20, and Premium members can follow as many Employers as they like (Unlimited)!

  To manage the list of Employers you are following, click Employer Following in the navigation menu under Profile.

  Manage your Employer Following now.
• How will I know when an Employer I'm following posts a project or contest?

  You'll receive an email notification from Freelancer.ph when an Employer you're following posts a project or contest.

  Note: You will not be notified if the Employer posted a project or contest.

• Why am I unable to follow an Employer?

  You may be unable to follow an Employer for the following reasons:

  • Only Basic, Standard and Premium members can follow Employers. Upgrade now!
  • You may have reached your limit for the number of Employers you are allowed to follow. To manage the list of Employers you are following go to your Profile > Employer Following. Manage your Employer Following now.
  • The Employer may prevent Freelancers from following them for privacy reasons.
• How do I prevent Freelancers adding me to their Employer Following list?

  To prevent Freelancers from following you:

  1. Go to your Settings page.
  2. Under ‘Follow settings’, deselect the option enabling Freelancers to follow you.
  3. Save your changes
• I wasn't notified of a project posted by an Employer I'm following

  You will not be notified if the Employer posted a project or contest. A Private contest or project is designed to protect the Employer's confidentiality, by hiding their project details from search engines and users who are not logged in.

Contest - Choosing a design

• How do I create a Poll?
  All you have to do to create a poll is select “Launch Poll” on the Contest View page, followed by “Create Poll”.
  You can then share the poll link through Email, Facebook, Twitter, your blog and any other way you like. It’s a great way to get your friends to help you by voting on up to 8 designs!
• How do I choose the contest winner(s)?
  You can select the winner(s) at any time during the contest. If the contest ends, you have 14 days to select one or multiple winners. The first design you choose wins the prize money. You can also offer to buy additional designs from other designers. When you’re ready
  

  • Go to your contest page
  • Hover over the entry you want to declare the winner
  • Click "Award Prize" on the designer's entry.
  • Follow the steps to finalise payment of your prize.
  • Congratulations, you’ve just chosen your winner!
• How long do I have to choose a winning design?
  You can choose a winner at any time when the contest is active and within 14 days after the contest ends. If you need help, create a poll and get your friends to vote on up to 8 designs!
  
  Note: If your contest was guaranteed the prize money will be automatically shared between freelancers if you do not award the prize within 30 days.
• What happens after I've chosen a winner?
  After choosing your winning designer, both of you enter the Design Handover. It’s a short process in which you and the designer agree to transfer ownership of the design from them to you. Once it’s over, you will be the owner of the design and the designer will receive their prize money!
• Can I ask for changes to the design after selecting the winner?
  Yes, you can ask Freelancers for revisions by private message or during the Design Handover.
  
  Note: We recommend that designers try and accommodate minor revisions but anything else is up to them.
• What happens if I'm selected as the winner?
  After you’re selected as the winner, we will send an email to you with instructions on how to complete the Design Handover. It’s a short process in which you and the contest holder agree to transfer ownership of the design from you to them. Once it’s over, the prize money is all yours and the contest holder becomes the proud new owner of your design!
• Why is it taking so long for the Employer to declare a winner?
  Sometimes it can be hard choosing a winner from so many quality entries, which is why the contest holder has up to 14 days after the contest closes to declare a winner. The good news is they can always choose more than one winning design!
• I was promised the prize, but it was awarded to another Freelancer. What can I do?
  Designers, it’s ultimately up to the contest holder to decide who wins their contest. The good news is they can always choose more than one winning design!
  
  However, even if someone else wins the prize, the contest holder can still purchase additional designs while the contest is still active.

Contest - Compliance

• How can I check that a designer's work is his or her own?
  Each designer is required to confirm that all work submitted is their own before they submit an entry. Every designer and contest holder can cooperate to ensure all entries are original by taking the following steps:
  

  • Read comments from other designers identifying any copyrighted material
  • Ask designers about their submission and whether any photos, fonts or clipart were used.
  • Use image search sites such as TinEye.
• What happens after I report a design or designer?
  All reports are confidential and are reviewed by Freelancer support staff. If the report is valid, we will take action against the design or designer
• How do I report a design or designer?
  To report a design, hover over it and click “Report” on the top left corner of the image.
  Only the contest holder can report a designer. Click on the design to go to the designer’s page and then click “Report Designer”.
  
  Note: You must provide a valid reason for reporting a design or designer.
• Why should I report a design or designer?
  Valid reasons for reporting a design include: copying another design, using unlicensed stock imagery or copyrighted material and including explicit content or advertising.
• What happens if I infringe copyright?
  Copyright infringement is a serious offence and will result in immediate disqualification from the contest. Further action may also be taken.
• How are my designs protected on Freelancer.ph?
  Your designs are protected by the fact that employers are only able to preview a low resolution image for contest purposes and they must complete the design handover to legally own the design you created.
• What if my design is copied?
  • For designs that are partially copied or used as “inspiration”, Freelancer.ph will review and provide an outcome at our discretion.
  • For designs which are substantially or entirely copied the designs, Freelancer.ph will remove the design and issue the designer issued a warning.

Contest - Deadlines

• Why is my contest locked?
  If you do not select a design after 14 days of the contest closing, your contest will be locked and you must either request a refund (if eligible for the Money Back Guarantee) or pay an unlock fee of US$5 to access your contest and award a design.
  
  Note: Guaranteed contests may not be refunded as you have guaranteed the designers that a winner will be chosen.
• What is a Closed contest?
  A closed contest just means that no more entries can be submitted because the closing date for that contest has passed. Check your contest details for the exact date and, once your contest is closed, please select your winner within the next 14 days.
• Why is my contest closed?
  Your contest was closed after the contest deadline and means that no more designs can be submitted. You have 14 days, once it’s closed, to review the submitted entries and select a winner.

Contest - Entries

• Am I eligible to enter?
  To enter a contest you need to be a registered Freelancer.ph user and have the specific skills required for that contest in your My Qualifications page, such as Graphic Design or Logo Design. If you’re not registered sign up now, complete your Profile, and then read the contest holder’s design brief. You’re now ready to start submitting your contest entries! Good luck!
• How will I be notified when new entries are submitted?
  We’ll let you know by posting an item on the newsfeed in your Freelancer.ph Dashboard, and by email, when a designer submits their first entry to your contest.
• How do I provide comments to designers for submitted designs?
  Only the contest holder can leave private comments for designers. No one else can read them. To provide comments, click the "Message" button on a design entry or navigate to the designer’s page.
  
  To leave comments that can be viewed and responded to by everyone, use the Public Clarification Board at the bottom of the contest page.
• How do I rate a design?
  Each entry has stars in the bottom right corner that you can hover over and click to rate that design (maximum 5 stars).
  
  We recommend rating each design to let all contest participants know what you like and how they should alter their future designs. To remove a design from your contest click “Reject”. If you change your mind and want to reconsider it click “Reconsider”.
• A design I liked was withdrawn, what can I do?
  You can try sending the designer a private message and ask them to resubmit their design. Just click the designer’s name and then contact them through their design page. Ultimately though, it’s up to the designer to decide whether they resubmit that design or not.
• Why do designers withdraw entries?
  Some designers may no longer wish to be involved in a contest or feel they no longer are in the running for the prize. They may change their mind about a design idea and would like to resubmit an updated version. The best way to minimise the risk of withdrawals is by providing written Feedback for designs you like best as well as using the star ratings so designers can revise their entries accordingly.
• How do I withdraw my entry from a contest?
  To withdraw your design from a contest just hover over your entry on the contest page and click “Withdraw”. If the contest is still active you may still have time to submit another design.
• Can I contact designers?
  Yes, if you are the contest holder you can send designers private messages through their individual design pages. Click their username in the contest view page to navigate to that designer’s design page. Note: Please do not ask for private contact information prior to the end of the contest, as it is against Freelancer.ph’s Terms of Service.
• How do I reject a design from my contest?
  To reject a design, hover over it and click “Reject”. If you change your mind and want to reconsider the design click “Reconsider”.
• How do I stop a designer from entering my contest?
  To prevent a designer from entering your contest, click their username on any of their designs then, click “Reject Designer” on their design page. This will prevent them from entering any of your contests, not just this one!
• How can I refer to a design in my comment?
  You can reference each design by putting the hash symbol “#” in front its entry number, located in the top left corner of the entry, e.g. #3.
  To reference multiple designs please place hash tags in front of each of them, e.g. “#4, #80 and #120”.
• How do I refer to a particular designer in the public comments?
  Use the '@' symbol followed by the designer's username, eg. @designUser.
• How do I submit my contest entry?
  Click “Submit Design” on contest view page. When you’re ready to enter the contest with your design, we’ll ask you to upload a small image of your design and agree to the Freelancer.ph Terms and Conditions before clicking “Submit”.
  
  Note: You must have the relevant design skills in your My Qualifications page before the contest began in order to submit an entry. You may not be able to enter the contest if you added these skills after it began.
• Can I use stock images or clipart?
  Designers, please only use images for which you have copyright, to ensure your entry is not rejected!
• Which fonts can I use in a design?
  We recommend checking the design brief for the contest holder’s specified font. If there is none, please only use fonts which you are legally able to use to avoid your design being rejected!
• What file format should I submit my entry in?
  Entries can be submitted as JPEG, GIF or PNG images. Designers should also ensure their submissions are in an aspect ratio of 6:4.
  
  If you win a contest you need to upload the original submission in the contest holder’s requested file format, which is specified in their design brief on the contest page.
• What should I upload when submitting my design?
  The contest holder's design brief on the contest page will specify what you need to upload.
• Why was my entry rejected?
  Entries are usually rejected if the design is not what the contest holder is looking for in their design brief. There may also be constructive feedback from the contest holder to explain their decision. Remember, you can enter multiple designs while the contest is active, so don’t give up!
  
  Note: Sometimes, even if you follow the design brief, the contest holder may give it a low rating or reject it if it’s not to their liking.
• Why did my entry get a poor rating?
  A low rating indicates that your design is not what the contest holder is looking for in their design brief. There may also be constructive feedback from the contest holder to explain their decision Remember, you can enter multiple designs while the contest is active, so don’t give up!
  
  Note: Sometimes, even if you follow the design brief, the contest holder may give it a low rating or reject it if it’s not to their liking.
• Can I contact the contest holder?
  Designers, you can leave a comment for the contest holder on your private message box.
  
  Note: Please do not request any contact information as it is against Freelancer.ph’s Terms of Service.
• Can the contest holder ask me for a copy of my design before the contest ends?
  No, designers, please do not comply with these kinds of requests. The contest holder should only preview your design on the contest page.
• What happens to my entry when a contest is refunded or closed or no winner is declared?
  In the unlikely event that this happens, it basically means the contest ends without a winner being selected. The contest holder is unable to use your design or any other entry, since they did not acquire it from you. The contest will become locked after 14 days of a contest closing.
  
  If the contest is guaranteed, and a winner has not been awarded, the prize will be shared amongst the top entries after 30 days of the contest closing.

Contest - General

• Can I extend my contest?
  Yes, you can extend your Contest at any time while your Contest is active or for up to 24 hours after it closes.
  
  Please note that there is an additional fee for extending your contest. Half of this fee will be added to your contest prize to reward freelancers for the additional work they will do for your contest. The fee is proportional to the contest prize, and is calculated as follows:
  
  3 day extension - 15% of contest prize
  5 day extension - 20% of contest prize
  7 day extension - 30% of contest prize
  
• Why should I create a contest?
  Your best reason for creating a contest is that it’s an extremely cost effective way to receive and preview potentially thousands of original designs, from professional freelance designers, and only pay for the ones you like!
  
  By posting a design brief, and providing feedback to the designers, you give yourself the best chance to find your perfect design!
• How much does a contest cost?
  You can hold a basic contest for as little as US$90! The more prize money you offer, the more entries you’re likely to attract and if no one wins, you get the prize money back! (Excludes Guaranteed Contests). Refer to the Money Back Guarantee for more information.
• How do I create a contest?
  • Go to the Contest Page
  • Select the type of contest you would like to create
  • Write up your design brief. It’s helpful to include images and influences that show designers what you’re after.
  • Select the contest package you want.
  • You can also choose additional Upgrades to promote your contest.
  • Launch your contest
• When do I pay for the contest?
  You only pay 50% of your selected prize package (and any additional upgrades) to start your contest. We’ll request the remaining funds (prize money) when you award your favourite entry. Only then will we release the prize money to the contest winning designer.
  
  Guaranteed contests must have the prize paid in full when launching your contest, as you are guaranteeing designers that an entry will be awarded.
• Can I get a refund for my contest?
  Yes refunds are available for the prize money, but you must close the contest first and must be eligible for the Money back guarantee. When you’re ready, please Contact Support to organise your contest refund.
  
  Note: Refunds are not available on 'Guaranteed contests'. The refund does not include any upgrades that you may have selected. If you’ve already selected a designer and released the funds, you are not eligible for a refund.
• What is the "Money Back Guarantee"?
  The Money Back Guarantee entitles you to get your money back for up to 30 days from contest closing. Please Contact Support for your money back.
  
  Note: Refunds are not available on 'Guaranteed contests'. The refund does not include any upgrades that you may have selected. If you’ve already selected a designer and released the funds, you are not eligible for a refund.
• What is a Design Brief?
  A design brief is a document you create to explain your business and the type of design you need. You can tell the designers exactly what you want (or don’t want) in your design, such as colours and fonts. Your information should be detailed and clear so it’s easily understood, which is why we also recommend providing supporting images, sketches or influences if you can.
• How can I write a good Design Brief?
  You can write a good design brief by thinking about what you want your design to include such as colours, fonts and images, as well as what you don’t want. Details are important! If you don’t include much information the designer will rely on their own skill and instincts. We also recommend providing sample images or sketches of designs you like.
• Can I upload images or files to support my contest?
  That would be great! We recommend uploading sketches for your contest to complement your design brief and help designers understand what you’re looking for.
  
  You can attach files when creating your contest or once it is live. Just click “Edit Brief” and attach files under ‘Do you have any images that might be helpful?’
• Can I change the details of my contest after it starts?
  Yes, you can edit the design brief and contest details at any time during the contest. Just click “Edit Brief”, make your changes and then save them.
  
  Note: You cannot make any changes after the contest closes.
• Where is my contest?
  To view your contest, go to the Projects and Contests Table on your Dashboard and check the Employer View radio button. Your contest will appear under the Open Contests tab.
  
  We want every designer to find your contest, which is why it can be accessed several ways including via the Browse Jobs page, every designer’s My Skills page and on the specific design category. We also promote your contest through our Twitter feed (Private contests are excluded).

Contest - Handover

• Can the designer email me the design?
  No, and here’s why. For your protection, and in order to release the prize money to the designer, both of you must legally transfer ownership of the design. The Design Handover enables you to do that easily.
• What should the winning designer provide?
  The design brief specifies the file types that need to be provided. Here’s a quick recap:
  

  • To use the design online on a website, as a banner or other advertising we recommend PSD and JPG file files.
  • To use the design for print as a letterhead, business card or for t-shirts we recommend AI and EPS formats.
• How does the design handover work?
  Here?s how the Design Handover works:

  • First, the designer signs the IP Transfer Agreement and uploads the designs files to Freelancer.com
  • The contest holder then has 7 days to download, review and accept the files and sign the IP Transfer Agreement. The prize money is released to the designer when the contest holder accepts the files.

  Note: If the contest holder does not review the files within 7 days of them being uploaded, the prize money will be automatically released to the designer.
• How do I sign the IP Transfer Agreement?
  To sign the IP Transfer Agreement, carefully review your details, then check the box beside ‘I agree to sign the IP Transfer Agreement’ and click “Sign Contract”.
• Should I provide revisions after my design is selected as the winner?
  Designers, we recommend trying to accommodate minor revisions requested by the contest holder, but anything else is up to you.
• Should I email the contest holder my design when chosen as the winner?
  No and here’s why. For your protection, and in order to release the prize money to you, you must legally transfer ownership of the design to the contest holder by completing the Design Handover. It’s the only way the prize money will be released to you and is easy to complete.

Contest - Payment

• Do I have to pay to enter?
  No, entry is free for designers. The contest holder has paid to organise this contest and strongly encourages you to participate!
• What currency is accepted for payment?
  Contests support all the Freelancer.ph currencies including; USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, HKD, NZD, PHP, SGD, ZAR
• What payment methods are accepted?
  Here are Freelancer.ph’s accepted payment methods.
• When do I get paid?
  Designers, the prize money is released once the contest holder accepts your design files and completes the design handover process.
• Can I choose the currency I get paid in?
  You will be paid in the currency in which the contest is listed.
• How can I be sure I'll get paid after completing the design handover?
  Designers, as soon as the contest holder downloads the design files the prize money is automatically released to you! Either party is able to Contact Support if they encounter any problems during this process.
  
  Note: If the design files are not accepted within the 7 day deadline, the prize money is released to you on the 8th day.
• What can I do if the contest holder doesn't pay me?
  If contest holder declared you the contest winner but hasn’t completed the design handover please Contact Support so we can investigate for you.

Contest - Tips

• Have you any tips for running a successful contest?
  Here are Freelancer.ph's tips for a successful contest:
  

  • Write an informative design brief. Describe what you want in your design and provide sample images or sketches if you can.
  • Consider creating a Guaranteed Contest to attract more entrants.
  • Offer an attractive prize amount.
  • Log-in every day and respond to comments as often as possible.
  • Give good feedback to designs you like.
  • Provide constructive feedback for designs that aren’t what you’re looking for.
  • Treat everyone with respect.
• Have you any tips for attracting contest entries?
  Here are Freelancer.ph's tips to attract contest entries:
  

  • Check that your design brief is easy to understand and contains information a designer needs. We recommend including examples of what you’re looking for such as images and sketches, if possible.
  • Ensure your contest title adequately describes and promotes your contest.
  • Consider increasing the prize money or upgrading it to a Guaranteed Contest.
  • Don’t wait for contestants! Use your social networks to spread the word and bring the competition to you! Post a short message and your contest link on your blog, Facebook and any other social networking site you use. Ask your networks to do the same!
  • Tweet about your design contest and include a short link to it. Ask your followers to retweet it.
  • You can also check out other active contests that are similar to yours and have lots of entries. Read their design briefs, contest titles and check the contest details for ideas.
• I need help with my contest!
  Please contact our friendly support team for any help with your contest. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Contest - Upgrades

• How do I upgrade my contest?
  Just select an upgrade feature while creating your contest or click “Edit Contest” to upgrade once it’s active:
  

  • “Guarantee” that you will select a winner and award the prize money to him, her or them.
  • “Highlight” your listing, with a blue border and bold text, to attract more attention.
  • “Feature” your contest by having it prominently displayed on the home page.
  • “Private” contests are hidden from search engines. Only logged in users can view them. Use this upgrade when confidentiality is a must.
  • “Sealed” contests mean designers can only see their own entries and no one else’s. Only you can see ALL the designs.
• What is a Guaranteed Contest?
  A Guaranteed contest attracts more designs by committing to select a winner and awarding the prize money.
  
  It’s FREE to guarantee your contest before it begins, on the “Contest Details” page, but once the contest is already underway it costs US$15 to upgrade. Just click “Upgrade Contest” and follow the prompts.
  
  Note: The Money Back Guarantee does not apply to a Guaranteed contest as you are assuring the designers that you will be awarding the prize. If you do not award a winning design by 30 days after the contest closing, the prize money will be automatically shared between freelancers.
• What is a Featured contest?
  It’s an affordable and easy way for you to attract designers by having it prominently displayed on the home page.
  
  You can upgrade to a Featured contest using the “Promote Contest” page before your contest begins or click “Upgrade Contest” once it’s underway.
• What is a Private contest?
  A Private contest is an optional upgrade you can use to prevent your contest from being found on Internet search engines. We recommend using it when confidentiality is essential.
  
  Private contests can only be viewed when you or any other user is logged in to Freelancer.ph. To use it, select the Private Contest upgrade when creating your contest or click “Upgrade Contest” while it’s active.
  
  Note: A Private contest cannot be reversed once the contest is active.
• What is a Sealed Contest? Why are the other contest entries hidden?
  A Sealed contest is an optional upgrade you can use to ensure designers submit original contest entries. Whereas a normal contest enables designers to view all the submitted designs, a Sealed contest means only you, the contest holder, can see all the entries.
  
  A designer cannot see another designer’s entries, which also minimises disputes over copied entries.
  
  To use it, select the Sealed contest upgrade when creating your contest or click “Upgrade Contest” while it’s active.
  
  Note: A Sealed contest cannot be made public once the contest is live.
• Can I remove my contest from search engines?
  Yes. You can hide your contest from search engines at any time by upgrading it to a Private contest! Only users logged in to Freelancer.ph can see it!
  
  Select the Private Contest upgrade when creating your contest or click "Upgrade Contest" while it's active.
  
  Note: A Private contest cannot be reversed once the contest is active.
• Can I make my Private Contest public?
  Unfortunately it’s not possible to make a Private contest public. Some designers specifically enter private contests because their designs are “protected” by being inaccessible to search engines and users who are not logged in.
• Can I increase the prize I'm offering?
  Yes, you can increase the contest prize as long as you have sufficient funds.

Invoicing

• What is an invoice for an external client?
  This feature allows you to create invoices on Freelancer for any client - even if that client is not currently a Freelancer member. The advantages of invoicing all your clients through Freelancer are:

  • Allow your clients to easily pay through Freelancer and receive the money directly into your Freelancer account
  • Freelancer will do all your accounting for you, so you don't have to worry about reconciling your accounts from multiple platforms
  • Use a consistent Invoicing platform and tailor your Invoices to your brand
• How can I create an invoice for an external client?
  To create an invoice for an external client follow these easy steps:

  • Go to your Financial Dashboard by selecting Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu
  • Select the Invoices tab
  • Click the Create Invoice button
  • In the Select Project or External Client search box select an existing external client or click on Invoice new External Client to create an invoice for a new external client
  • On the create invoice form you can edit your personal details, your client details, add your logo and fill in your billable hours as well any expenses you incurred in carrying out the work for the client
  • Once you're happy with your invoice simply click Create Invoice and the invoice will be emailed to your client. Easy!
• How much does invoicing for external clients cost?
  Invoicing external clients incurs no additional costs, specifically, there are no project commissions payable on invoices created for external clients. However, in order to use the feature you must have a Standard or Premium Membership. Also, the standard Freelancer deposit and withdrawal fees apply.

Hourly Projects

• What is an Hourly Project?
  It’s a project in which you pay your Freelancer by the number of hours they work on the project. The Freelancer will invoice you for payment. Hourly projects are suitable for all types of projects, especially those which require a Freelancer to work specific hours, ongoing engagements, and projects where the scope is not clearly defined.
• How do I post an Hourly Project?
  • Click the Post Project link
  • Select “Hourly Rate” under Project Type.
  • Provide specific Hourly project details.
• How many hours can I hire a Freelancer for?
  You can hire a Freelancer for as many hours as you need. While creating your project, under "Hours of Work Required", specify the number of hours you would like to hire your Freelancer for and whether those hours are per week or month.

  
  If you are unsure how long your project will take to complete, simply select “Not Sure” and Freelancers will provide their estimates on how long it will take. You can then select the Freelancer appropriate for your project.

• Can I specify how long my Hourly Project goes for?
  Yes, you can specify your project duration in Days, Weeks and Months, or select Ongoing if it’s an indefinite work engagement.

  
  If you are unsure how long your project will go for, simply select “Not Sure” and you can negotiate the duration directly with Freelancers.

• How do I request a Milestone payment for an Hourly Project?
  • Go to your Project Details page
  • Select the Milestones tab under Awarded Bids
  • Click “Request Milestone”.
  • Create and send your request to your Employer

  
  Note: Employers do not have to accept your request. We recommend requesting Milestones so you can increase your Feedback and Reputation, and be protected in case an issue arises involving the project.

• How do I create an invoice for an Hourly Project?
  You can create an Invoice directly from the Project Details page or the Financial Dashboard.
  
  Project Details page:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Go to your Project Details page
  • Select the Invoices tab under Awarded Bids
  • Click “Create Invoice”

  
  Financial Dashboard:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Go to your Financial Dashboard
  • Select the Invoices tab under Manage Transactions
  • Click the “Create Invoice” button

  
  Note: You can only create one Invoice at a time. If there is an unpaid invoice it must first be paid by the employer before you can create a new one.
• How do I pay an Invoice for an Hourly Project?
  You can pay an Invoice from the Project Details page or the Financial Dashboard.
  
  Project Details page:
  

  • Go to your Project Details page
  • Select the Invoices tab under Awarded Bids
  • Click “Pay” next to the invoice you wish to pay for.

  
  Financial Dashboard:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Go to your Financial Dashboard
  • Select the Invoices tab under Manage Transactions
  • Ensure the Incoming tab is selected to see incoming Invoices.
  • Click the Action drop down on the right of the Invoice you wish to pay
  • Select Pay in the drop down.

  
  You can pay an Invoice in 3 easy ways:

  1. By creating and releasing Milestones
  2. Direct Transfer
  3. A combination of Milestones and Direct Transfer

  
  Note: For Hourly Projects, Milestones can only be released to pay for an Invoice
• Can I request changes to my Freelancer’s Invoice?
  Yes. On your Project Page:
  

  • Click “Request Change” next to the Invoice
  • Specify the amendments you would like made to the invoice
  • Click “Request Change”

  
  Alternatively, you can request a change through the Financial Dashboard:

  • Select the Invoices tab under Manage Transactions
  • Ensure the Incoming invoices tab is selected
  • Click the Action drop down on the right of the Invoice you wish to request a change for
  • Select Request Change in the drop down menu
  • Specify the amendments you would like made to the invoice
  • Click Request Change
    

  
  The Freelancer will receive a message containing your requested changes, which they can choose to modify before reissuing the invoice.
• An employer has only paid a portion of my invoice. What can I do?
  If you are satisfied with the employer’s payment you can click “Accept Payment” in your Invoices tab. This will mark the invoice as paid and you will be able to raise further invoices.

  
  If you don’t agree with the payment made by the employer you can lodge a Dispute with Freelancer.ph Support.

• How do I provide feedback for an Hourly project?
  You will be prompted to leave Feedback whenever an invoice is paid, whether you are the payer or recipient.

Messaging

• How do I send a message?

  To send a private message:

  1. Hover on the Dashboard menu from the top of the page and select My Messages.
  2. Select the user you wish to message from the conversations listed on the left side of the page.
  3. Type your message and hit Reply.

  To start a new conversation, select the Envelope icon within the bid area on the project's view page.

• Who can I message?

  Employers can send a private message to any Freelancer who has bid on their project.

  Freelancers can send a private message to any Employer whose project they have bid on, until the project is awarded, at which point only the winning Freelancer will be able to continue messaging the Employer.

• What happens when I message someone?

  When you message someone, the message will be delivered to their Messages page and they will receive a notification.

  If the message is sent to a Freelancer, the message will also appear as a chat to the Freelancer.

• Can I unsend a message once it has been sent?

  No, messages cannot be unsent or removed from the recipient's inbox. They will also receive the message as an email if they are set up to receive email notifications.

• How do I add an attachment to my message?

  To add an attachment, simply click the + Attach Files button and click Reply. You may send multiple attachments at a time. Image files will also display a preview within the conversation.

• Where can I find my messages?

  To view your messages, hover over the Dashboard menu at the top of the page and select My Messages. From there, you can read and send messages.

• How do I archive a conversation?

  To archive a conversation, go to your Messages page and click the 'wheel' icon next to the message and select Archive. This will hide the conversation from your main messages view. If the same person sends you a message later, the archived message will reappear with the new message added to it.

• How do I view archived conversations?

  To view an archived conversation:

  1. Hover on the Dashboard menu from the top of the page and select My Messages.
  2. Click on the Archived link in the top left of your Messages table to view archived conversations.

• How does chat work with messages?

  Chat and messaging are threaded together - When you open a conversation you will see all your messages along with your entire chat history. If you send a chat message to someone, it will be logged within your Messages for your reference later.

• How do I open a chat?

  To pop out a conversation into a chat, click the Chat icon just above where you enter a message in the top right corner.

  You will also enter that chat view when selecting a message from the the Message notification drop-down from the top of the page.

• How do I report a message?

  To report a message:

  1. Hover on the Dashboard menu from the top of the page and select My Messages.
  2. Select the conversation listed on the left side of the page containing the message you wish to report.
  3. Hover over the message and click the ‘x’ icon; then select Report.
  4. From the Report window, select the reason that best matches the issue you wish to report and provide details regarding the violation. Then press Submit to notify support.

Freelancer Rewards

• What is Freelancer Rewards?

  The Freelancer Rewards feature provides you with additional rewards and benefits just for using Freelancer.com the way you ordinarily would. As you complete certain tasks and accomplish certain goals, you will earn experience points (XP) that go towards increasing your Rewards Level. As you advance through the levels, you unlock rewards and perks that boost your earning potential and chances to win projects.

  
  

  You also earn Freelancer Credits to spend in the Credit Shop, which you can use to purchase free project and promotional upgrades to save you money.

  
  

  While everyone can accumulate XP and rewards, you can only benefit from rewards and spend credits if you have a Basic, Standard, or Premium membership plan. Visit the Freelancer Memberships page to upgrade.

• How do I earn Rewards?

  Earn rewards by increasing your Rewards Level. Your current level and the number of points needed to advance to the next level are displayed on your Level Bar, which you can see at the top of the page next to your username or on your Freelancer Rewards page.

  
  

  To level up, complete objectives from the list in the dropdown menu next to your Level Bar to earn experience points (XP). When you earn enough points, you will level up.

• What are experience points (XP)?

  Experience points (or XP) are points earned for completing actions or objectives when using Freelancer.com. They contribute toward increasing your Rewards Level. The total XP required to level up is displayed on your Level Bar at the top of the site and on your Freelancer Rewards page.

• What are objectives?

  Objectives are found in the dropdown menu next to your Level Bar at the top of the page. They are just a few suggested actions you can complete to earn XP to progress toward the next Rewards Level.

• What are Reward Levels?

  As you complete actions and objectives using Freelancer.com, you earn XP that contribute towards your Reward Level. As you advance to each new level, you earn rewards and bonuses to boost your chances to win and complete projects.

• What are Freelancer Credits?

  Freelancer credits are a virtual currency you earn for completing objectives and actions on site. You also earn bonus credits when you increase your Rewards Level. These credits can be spent in the Credits Shop on various items, such as free project upgrades, extra bids, faster bid replenishment rates, plus more!

  Note: Freelancer credits can not be converted into real money or funds, and cannot be used as payment for projects. They can only be spent in the Credit Shop.

• Who is eligible for Freelancer Rewards?

  All members will receive experience points (XP) to increase their Rewards Level, unlock rewards and earn credits and badges. However, only Basic, Standard and Premium members can actually benefit from the rewards or spend their accumulated credits in the Credit Shop. Visit the Freelancer Memberships page to upgrade.

• Why can't I spend credits in the Credit Shop?

  Either you do not have the required amount of Freelancer credits to purchase the required item or you are not on a Basic, Standard or Premium membership. Visit the Freelancer Memberships page to upgrade.

• What is the Credits Shop?

  The Credit Shop is a virtual store where you can spend credits earned in the Freelancer Rewards program. You earn these credits when you complete certain actions or objectives, and when you advance to the next Rewards Level. At the Credit Shop, you can buy items such as project upgrades, extra bids, faster bid replenishment rates, plus much more! New items are added regularly and some are only available for a limited time while stocks last.

• Why are some Items listed as 'Limited'?

  Some items are limited in stock and are only available for as long as supplies last. These items are listed as ‘Limited’ and will become unavailable once stock runs out. These items provide super benefits that are unfortunately too hot to give to everyone. Better grab them before they run out!

• I bought an item from the Credit Shop but didn't receive the benefit?

  Purchased items from the Credit Shop will be transferred to your Reward Inventory, where you can activate them when you're ready. You will receive the benefit of the item after you activate it.

• Where do I find my Freelancer Rewards?

  You can see your progress for Freelancer Rewards by going to the Profile menu then selecting 'My Rewards' or by clicking here.

• Does my Rewards Level affect my reputation?

  No, your Reward Level has no effect on your reputation. Your Freelancer Rewards Level is a measure of your engagement with Freelancer.com based on the actions and objectives you’ve completed. While accomplishing the objectives can help you become a more experienced user and allow you to win rewards that boost your chances of winning projects, the Rewards Level does not measure the amount or quality of the work done on the site.

• What are Reward Badges?

  You collect Reward badges when you reach certain achievements on Freelancer.com. There are 3 badge categories - Standard, Pro, and Elite, in order of increasing difficulty. Standard badges are the most common and are the easiest to obtain. Pro badges are a bit rarer but can be obtained with a little effort. Elite Badges are very difficult to earn, accessible to only our most dedicated users. Find out how to earn these badges by visiting the Badges tab.

• Where are Reward Badges displayed?

  Badges, unlocked through Freelancer Rewards, are displayed on your profile page under the Badges menu. You can choose which badges to display publicly by using the 'Display Publicly' checkbox option to the right of your Badges tab under Freelancer Rewards.

• Why am I not receiving the benefits of an unlocked Reward?
  While everyone can accumulate XP and rewards, you can only benefit from rewards and spend credits if you have a Basic, Standard, or Premium membership plan. Visit the Freelancer Memberships page to upgrade.

Design Studio

• What is Design Studio?
  It's an integrated project management and collaboration platform to help you and your Designer work more efficiently together. Design Studio allows you to efficiently communicate, review designs and provide detailed feedback, resulting in higher quality designs and faster turnaround time.
  
  Design Studio costs just $9.95 USD and includes an easy to use Contract Management System for Employers to select their design(s) and transfer legal ownership fast. Learn more
• What are the benefits of a Design Studio?
  Design Studio enables Employers to:

  • Get better designs by giving designers targeted feedback and comments about specific entries
  • Receive designs faster by reducing turnaround times between leaving comments and getting updated designs
  • Quickly go from selecting design(s) to becoming a legal owner using our easy, built in Contract Management System
• How do I get my final designs and complete my project?
  Once you’ve decided which design(s) you want:
  

  • Select "Choose Design" for each design you want to assume legal ownership. Pick as many as you want!
  • Click "Finish Project". The next step is to own your design(s).
  • You will be prompted to sign the IP Transfer Agreement. Your designer will then be asked to upload the design files.
  • Download and Review the design files.
  • Accept the files when you’re happy. You now legally own the design(s)!
  • Complete your project by completing payment to your designer, if you haven’t already.
• Are Design Studios available for all projects?
  Yes

Freelancer Memberships

• What are Freelancer.ph memberships?

  A Freelancer.com membership is your way to benefit from using Freelancer.ph. You can be a Free member or paid member (Basic, Standard and Premium), and get additional benefits starting at just US$4.95! These benefits help increase your earning opportunities and can even reduce your fees!

  View the complete list of benefits by membership type

• What benefits do Freelancer.ph Members get?

  The main advantages are:

  
  

  For Employers:

  • Zero project fees (Standard and Premium members)!
  • Save US$5 on every project posted with Priority Projects (Premium members)! This feature ensures every project posted goes live instantly. No waiting for approval by Freelancer.ph customer service staff!

  For Freelancers:

  • Heavily discounted fees! Standard members get half price fees; 5%. Premium members save even more with 3% fees (normally 10%)!
  • Withdraw your earnings faster! Express Withdrawals enables Basic, Standard and Premium members to withdraw their earnings straight into their bank account (where available)
  • Provide samples of your best work: Everyone gets a personal online Portfolio to showcase examples of their past work, including designs, code, text, audio and video! You can display even more samples by upgrading your membership!
  • Instant Email and real-time notifications when your favorite Employers are hiring! Employer Following enables Basic, Standard and Premium members to nominate their favorite Employers. You’ll receive emails when they post projects and can make a strong bid before everyone else!
  • Never miss another earning opportunity! Project Bookmarking enables Basic, Standard and Premium members to flag projects they are interested in, to bid on later.

  View the complete list of benefits by membership type

• How much does a Freelancer.ph Membership cost?

  Membership costs are as follows:

  Free (no cost),

  Basic (US$4.95/ month),

  Standard (US$24.95/ month)

  Premium (US$49.95/ month)

  View the complete list of benefits by membership type

• I've deposited funds for a Freelancer.ph Membership but haven't been upgraded yet.

  Please click here to upgrade your membership.

• How will my membership be renewed?

  Your membership will automatically renew at the end of your 30 day subscription, if you have funds available.

  If you haven't cancelled the membership, we will try renew your membership everyday for 30 days from the day it ends.

• How do I upgrade my membership?

  Visit the membership page and select the plan you wish to upgrade to, then click ‘Choose Plan’. You’ll be upgraded instantly on a new 30 day subscription, plus, we’ll refund the remainder of your previous membership plan!

• How do I downgrade my membership?

  Visit the membership page and select the plan you wish to downgrade to, then click ‘Choose Plan’. Your new membership will begin once your current plan expires. That way, you’ll still get all the benefits of your current plan until your new plan becomes active.

  We’ll also save your old membership details, in case you decide to upgrade your membership at a later date.

User Profile

• Can I change my username?
  Your username is permanent and cannot be changed.
• The profile progress bar indicates my Profile is incomplete. How do I complete it?
  We will suggest a list of steps you can take to complete your profile:

  • Login to your Freelancer.ph account.
  • Click Profile from the navigation menu.
  • Click My Address to change your full name and address details.
  • Click My Email/Password to change your email or your password.
  • Add your Profile Photo.
  • Set your Hourly Rate.
  • Add your Summary and Headline.
  • Fill in your Resume details.
  • Add items to your Portfolio
  • Edit your Settings such as time zone, currency and email notifications.
• How do I edit my Profile?
  To edit your Profile:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.ph account
  • Click Profile on the navigation menu
  • Click View Profile
  • You can then edit any section in your Profile
  • Click Save when done

  
  Freelancer Profiles enable in-page editing, so you can edit all your information directly on your Profile page.
• How do I add a Portfolio to my Profile?
  Every Freelancer.com user gets their very own personal portfolio. To add Images, Video, Audio, Text or Code to your Portfolio:

  • Log in to your Freelancer.ph account
  • Click Profile on the navigation menu
  • Click Portfolio from the menu on the left
  • Click Add Item
  • Fill in the Add Portfolio Item form
  • Click Save when done
• How do I change my display name in my Profile?
  Freelancer Profiles allow you to customize your display name in your Profile. Your default display name is your username. To change your display name:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.ph account
  • Click Profile on the navigation menu
  • Click Edit on your display name
  • Update your display name
  • Click Save when done

  Note: Your modified display name will only appear in your Profile. Your username will still appear alongside your bids.
• Why is my account suspended?
  There are several possible reasons for suspending a Freelancer’s or Employer’s account.
  

  • Posting contact information, or links to contact information, in a project description, bid or on the message boards. This is the most common reason for project removal and account suspension. Contact information can only be posted for Full Time projects.
  • Posting invalid or improper content in a project description, bid or on the message boards: This may include advertisements and illegal or inappropriate information.
  • Posting a request to exchange funds between accounts without a valid project. Freelancer.ph is not a money transfer service, and any such transactions will be reversed.
  • Creating multiple accounts. Members can only have ONE Freelancer.ph account, which they can use to both hire, and bid for, jobs.
  • Your account balance has been negative for 35 days or more.
  • Violating the Freelancer.ph Terms of Service. This may also result in account termination. Please read and understand our Terms of Service before using the site.

  If you believe your account has been suspended in error, please submit a ticket through our Online Help Desk.
• Why is my account closed?
  There are several possible reasons for terminating a Freelancer’s or Employer’s account, including:

  • Falsifying your identity, or impersonating someone else’s identity
  • Incurring legal liabilities (actual or potential)
  • Infringing someone else's intellectual property rights
  • Engaging in fraudulent, immoral or illegal activities, and other similar reasons
  • Violating the Freelancer.ph Terms of Service. Please read and understand our Terms of Service before using the site.
• How do I close my account?
  You can close your account by submitting a ticket through our Online Help Desk.
  
  Note: If your account balance is negative, you will be required to deposit funds before your account can be closed.

Employers

• How does Freelancer.ph work for Employers?
  Freelancer.ph provides a convenient, safe environment for service buyers and skilled workers around the world to conduct business. Use the guidelines on this page to see just how simple outsourcing your projects can be.
• What fees will I pay?

  You can post your project, and make an offer to a Freelancer, for FREE! Once they accept your offer you will be charged the following fee, depending on your membership type:

  • Free members pay ₱130 PHP, or 3%, whichever is higher
  • Basic members pay ₱130 PHP, or 3%, whichever is higher
  • Standard members don't pay any project fees!
  • Premium members don't pay any project fees!

  Reduce your fees by becoming a Standard or Premium member! Upgrade now!

  
  

  Hourly Projects are only charged the percentage rates shown above, not the dollar amount. Full-time Projects are only charged the above fees once the project value exceeds ₱200000 PHP.  The minimum value for a Fixed Project is US$30.

  
  

  You can pay by Credit Card, Paypal, Skrill (formerly Moneybookers), WebMoney, Wire Transfer and many other regional banking methods.

  
  

  You may check the complete list of fees here.

  Note: Australian members pay 10% GST on all fees

• How do I post a project?
  Please go to this page to post a project. You may also check this short video tutorial on how to post a project.
• What is an NDA Project?

  For Employers who value privacy of their project details, an NDA Project is a great way to list your project and discuss project requirements with Freelancers.

  Freelancers must agree to a Non-Disclosure agreement (NDA) before placing a bid on your project. Freelancer.ph provides a default NDA though we recommend you should always get legal advice on important documents like this. Otherwise, you may upload your own NDA which Freelancers will sign and agree to instead.

  Once the Freelancer has digitally signed and agreed to the NDA, they agree to keep details discussed through private messages and files confidential.

  The NDA project option must be selected during the project posting process; it cannot be applied once the project is live.

  Note: NDA projects will still display your project's description and project clarification board comments publicly.

• What is a Featured Project?
  Featured Projects incur a one time fee of ₱1,140.00 PHP. Featured Projects attract more, higher quality bids. They appear prominently on the home page.

  
  These types of project appear with the graphic appearing next to the title of the project.

• What are Sealed Bids?
  You can hide all bids for a one time fee of ₱400.00 PHP. Sealed Bidding may lead to lower bids for your project!

  
  These types of project appear with the graphic appearing next to the title of the project.

• What is an Urgent Project?

  Urgent projects skip the admin queue and are listed immediately, receiving a faster response from Freelancers to help get your project started within 24 hours!

  You can mark your project as Urgent for ₱400.00 PHP. Your project will be listed for bidding for 24 hours and will also be displayed in the Ending Soon table

• What is a Private Project?
  Private hides project details from search engines and users that are not logged in for ₱800.00 PHP. This feature is recommended for projects where confidentiality is a must.

  
  These types of project appear with the graphic appearing next to the title of the project.

• What is a Full-Time Project?

  This type of project is for hiring a full time or commission-based position (e.g. Sales) and you will save money if you have ongoing work. Fees are only charged on payments if the project value exceeds ₱200000 PHP.

  
  

  Full Time projects cost ₱8,500.00 PHP, payable by the Employer and are displayed in the job listings with a      label.

  
  
• Why is my project invalid?
  We do not allow projects whose content may create liability for Freelancer.com, harm its business operation or reputation, or cause Freelancer.com to lose the services of its suppliers. We consider the following projects as invalid and do not refund fees:

  • PVA related projects
  • eBay account creation
  • Email account creations - includes social network accounts, etc.
  • Money transfer and exchange
  • Cloning of websites
  • Captcha Projects
  • Hacking
  • Selling of end products
  • Advertising services
  • Selling of stolen scripts
  • Buying/Selling of Accounts
  • Craigslist Projects
  • eBay Scam Projects
  • Generation of fake reviews

  Please read more about our Terms of Service.

• How do I hire a Freelancer directly for my project?
  Hire a Freelancer in 3 easy steps:

  • Find a Freelancer searching our database or by browsing Freelancer.com.
  • Click a username to visit their Profile page.
  • Click 'Hire Me' and complete a short form to offer them your project.

  You can also hire Freelancers who have previously worked for you. Just go to your Contact list, select the Freelancer you want and click 'Hire Me' to fill out the form.

Employers - Milestone Payments

• What is a Milestone Payment?
  Freelancer.com has a special, non-compulsory feature, which allows controlled payments to be made with respect to a project to a Freelancer. At your request, Freelancer.com will accept an advance payment from an Employer for a project. We will hold such funds ("Milestone Payments") until the Employer and the Freelancer agree that the funds should be released to the Freelancer or until the Employer and the Freelancer have concluded the process of the Dispute Resolution Services. Once an Employer instructs Freelancer.com to pay a Freelancer that performed a service for him/her, the Employer acknowledges that the Freelancer has completed the service fully and satisfactory.

  
  Freelancer.com will then disburse the Milestone Payment to the Freelancer. If a Employer does not approve of the Freelancer work product, the Parties agree to be bound by the terms of the Dispute Resolution Service.

• Why use Milestone Payment?
  • It is too risky for Employers to pay outside of Freelancer.com. 
  • Freelancer.com offers protection if something goes wrong.
  • This will help build the Employers reputation and the only way to do this is to pay using our Milestone Payment System.  Reputation will entice more Freelancers to bid on your projects, and you will gain status
• Why should I create a Milestone immediately after awarding my project?
  Creating one or more Milestones up front makes your project start faster. Freelancers can start work immediately knowing they'll get paid once you're happy with their work. You can cancel Milestone(s) before your project is accepted but we don't recommend this because it will delay your project's start date.
• How do I make a Milestone Payment?
  To send money to your Freelancer using our Milestone Payments, please follow the steps below:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Click New Milestone Payment on the Finances menu
  • Click Create Milestone under the Milestone tab in the Manage Transactions section
  • You can either create a Milestone for an active project or directly for a user. It is strongly recommended that you always create a Milestone Payment for a project rather than directly for a freelancer. In the search box type in the name of the project or Freelancer you wish to create the Milestone Payment for.
  • Select a project or Freelancer from the list
  • Enter the amount to be transferred
  • Enter a descriptions for the Milestone Payment
  • Click the Create Milestone button
• Can I make an advance payment to a Freelancer?
  While it is not unusual for Freelancers to request an advance payment, particularly on large-scale projects, Employers are under no obligation to provide one and should only consider this option with well-trusted Freelancers. Freelancer.com assumes no responsibility for any loss of funds due to advance payments.

  
  If an advance payment is agreed upon, we highly recommend using our Milestone Payments system to transfer funds to the Freelancer. In addition to providing more security for both parties, this allows the use of Freelancer.com's Dispute Resolution Services if problems arise.

• How do I release a Milestone Payment?
  To release a Milestone Payment, please follow the steps below:
  
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Click Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu
  • Under the Milestones tab in the Manage Payments section ensure “Outgoing” is selected in the top right to see list of Milestone Payments you have created
  • Click the Action drop down on the right of the Milestone Payment you wish to release
  • Select Release from the menu
  • This will display a box where you can specify how much of the Milestone Payment you would like to release. You can release the entire Milestone Payment or only a portion
  • Click the Release button

  
  Once the Milestone Payment is released there's no way for us to recover the funds. Make sure that the project has been completed and you are satisfied with the results before releasing your pending Milestone Payment.
• How do I divide a Milestone Payment into parts?
  You can release a partial amount of the Milestone Payment to the provider, as follows:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Click Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu
  • Under the Milestones tab in the Manage Payments section ensure “Outgoing” is selected in the switcher to see list of Milestone Payments you have created
  • Click the Action drop down on the right of the Milestone Payment you wish to release
  • Select Release from the menu
  • This will display a box where you can specify how much of the Milestone Payment you would like to release. You can release the entire Milestone Payment or only a portion.
  • Click the Release button

  
  Do not release the payment if you are not 100% happy with the agreed deliverables or not satisfied with the development of the project. If you decide to finish the payment before the job or milestone is complete, you will be responsible for any loss of funds.
• How do I cancel a Milestone Payment?
  For the protection of Freelancers, Milestone Payments cannot be cancelled by the Employer. If you feel a Freelancer isn't entitled to a Milestone Payment, you should first contact the Freelancer to request a refund. If an agreement cannot be reached, please consider using Freelancer.com's Dispute Resolution Services.
• I already released my Milestone Payment, is there a way for me to get my money back?
  Unfortunately, once the Milestone Payment is released there's no way for us to recover the funds. We suggest that you work with the Freelancer to resolve the situation.

Employers - Projects

• How do I edit a project after bidding starts?
  Changing your original project description after bidding starts is prohibited because Freelancers base their bids on your description. You may, however, add additional information to your description to help Freelancers better understand the project. You may want to consider this if you've received several questions via the Project Clarification Board or private messages.
• How do I put additional information after the bidding starts?
  To add an additional description to your project, please do the following:

  
  

  • Login to your account.
  • On your Freelancer.com Home Page, go to the Projects Table at the bottom of the page, and then click "Employer View."
  • Click the "Open for Bidding" tab.
  • Select the project title; on the drop down menu, choose the "Edit" option.
• How do I invite a Freelancer to bid on my project?
  To invite a Freelancer please go to his profile page and click "Invite Provider."

  
  You can use this form to search Freelancers by skills, country or rating.

• How can I ask questions before selecting a Freelancer?
  You can send a private message (PM) to discuss any detail with potential Freelancers. To send a private message:

  
  

  • Log in to Freelancer.com
  • On your Freelancer.com Home Page, go to the Projects Table at the bottom of the page, and then click "Employer View".
  • Click the "Open for Bidding" tab.
  • Click the project title to go to the project page.
  • Use the "Messages" button next to the Freelancers username to send a private message.
• How do I accept a bid from a Freelancer?

  When you're ready to select a Freelancer or Freelancers, follow these simple steps:

  • Log in to Freelancer.com
  • Go to your My Projects Page, then select Employer View.
  • Click the Open for Bidding tab.
  • Select the Project that you want to award to a Freelancer and then select Award.
  • Pick your selected Freelancer(s) and then click the Award Project button. The chosen Freelancer will have 36 hours to accept or reject the job before the offer expires.

  When the project is accepted, both employer and freelancer commission fees will be deducted from the user accounts and bidding is closed.

  For some tips on choosing the best Freelancer, we recommend reading "Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Selecting a Bidder".

• Do I have to deposit funds to select a Freelancer?
  If you do not have any Feedback, you must have at least 20% of the value of the bids that you select as winning. You will be prompted to deposit funds with the amount when you select the winner/s.
• Do I need to have sufficient funds in my account to accept a bid?
  No, you don't have to have the funds in your account before you accept a bid. However, Freelancers may require you to put up a Milestone Payment in part or in full before they will start work.

  
  Additionally, Freelancers that have been chosen with winning bids will see an icon on the final accept page of whether there are sufficient funds in your account to pay for the project in full or not before they complete acceptance.

• How do I cancel a project?

  To close or cancel a project, please do the following:

  • Login to your account.
  • On your Freelancer.com Home Page, go to the Projects Table at the bottom, click "Employer View."
  • Click the "Work-in-Progress" tab.
  • Select the project you want to close; on the drop down menu, choose the "Cancel" option.

  Please be aware that we do not refund commissions when the project has been awarded already.

  
  Our project commission is an introduction fee. Once someone's bid is selected and accepted, at that point email addresses and contact details are traded.

  
  It's our part to introduce the two parties but the project's success lies only between the Employer and the Freelancer.

• How do I delete a project?
  You may delete a project but it will cost $5. When the project is deleted, no one will be able to view the project, the attached files nor any of the bids on the project. The information will be unavailable to affiliates and the API. This should also remove it from the search engines next time they re-index our site.

  
  To delete a project, please do the following:

  • Login to your account.
  • On your Freelancer.com Home Page, go to the Projects Table at the bottom, click "Employer View."
  • Click either the "Open for Bidding", "Work-in-Progress" or "Past Projects" tab (depends on the state of your project).
  • Select the project title; on the drop down menu, choose the "Delete" option.

Employers - Feedback

• How do I rate and write a review for a Freelancer?
  After a project is completed and the Freelancer is paid the full amount of his or her winning bid (through Freelancer.com), the feedback system for that project will become available. The Notification Box will display all the completed projects that you need to leave a feedback on your Home Page. Click on the project name to leave a feedback to the Freelancer.
• What if a Freelancer fails to complete my project?
  Employers may submit an Incomplete Project Report if a Freelancer fails to complete a project after a reasonable amount of time. This report provides an option for Employers to rate a Freelancer when the option of feedback isn’t available because payment has been withheld. The Freelancer may also respond to the report.

  
  Please note that Freelancer.com recommends making every attempt to resolve any issues before submitting an Incomplete Project Report. If you find it necessary to submit a report, keep your comments at a professional level and refrain from derogatory statements.

  
  Incomplete Project Reports can be submitted on this page.

Employers – Contact Lists

• Can I rehire a freelancer for a similar project?
  Yes. Select any Freelancer in your contact list to view past projects they have completed for you. Click 'Rehire' if you wish to hire them again for a similar project. This allows you to re-use details from past projects!
• What is my contact list?
  Your contact list is like an address book which automatically adds the names of Freelancers who you have awarded projects to. It helps you contact or hire them quickly for future projects you may have.
• How do I add Freelancers to my contact list?
  Freelancers will be automatically added to your contact list once you have awarded a project to them.
• How do I hire freelancers from the contact list?
  There are 2 ways to hire Freelancers from your contact list

  • Hover over the option icon next to their username and click 'Hire Me'.
  • Click their name and then 'Hire Me' in the detailed contact view on the right.

  Once you've offered them your project we'll notify them to accept or reject the offer.
• How do I add a contact to ‘My Network’ group?
  Hover over the Freelancer you want to add to 'My Network' and click the Network icon on the left hand side of the contact. The Freelancer will then be added and appear at the top of your group list.
  
  Note: You are allowed up to 3 contacts in your Network group. If you already have 3 contacts and want to add another, you will be prompted to select a Freelancer to be replaced.

Freelancers

• I received a project offer from an Employer, but didn't bid on their project. How did this happen?
  You can now get hired without bidding on a project! From October 2011, Employers are able to hire you directly using Hire Me or from the Find Freelancers directory. To confirm your offer: Log in to your Freelancer account and look for the offer in your Dashboard. You can Accept or Decline but act fast so you don't miss out!
• How does Freelancer.ph work for Freelancers?
  Freelancer.ph opens the global job market to freelancers in all trades and professions. Our unique platform eliminates the need for expensive advertising and lets you offer your talents and skills to the world without ever leaving your home or office.

  
  For more details on finding and obtaining work, see our article entitled "Successful Freelancing with Freelancer.com".

• What are the fees for Freelancers?

  You can bid for projects for FREE! When you receive and accept an offer you will be charged the following fee, depending on your membership type:

  • Free and Basic members pay ₱220 PHP, or 10%, whichever is higher
  • Standard members pay ₱180 PHP, or 5%, whichever is higher
  • Premium members pay ₱130 PHP, or 3%, whichever is higher

  Reduce your fees by becoming a Standard or Premium member! Upgrade now!

  
  

  Hourly Projects are only charged the percentage rates shown above, not the dollar amount.
  Full-time Projects are only charged the above fees once the project value exceeds ₱200000 PHP.

  
  

  You can pay by Credit Card, Paypal, Skrill (formerly Moneybookers), WebMoney, Wire Transfer and many other regional banking methods.

  
  

  You may check the complete list of fees here.

  Note: Australian members pay 10% GST on all fees

Freelancers - Bidding

• How do I submit a bid?
  Before placing your first bid, we recommend reading “10 Tips for Writing an Effective Bid”. When you find a project you’d like to bid on, simply click on the “Bid on This Project” button at the top or bottom of the bid listing to access the bid form for the project. Enter your bid amount, the number of days for delivery, and any necessary details, then click the “Place Bid” button. Follow up with a Private Message to provide more information or upload samples.
  
  

  See also:

  • Sponsored Bid
  • Highlighted Bid
• Is there a fee for bidding?

  No. You can bid for free regardless of your membership level. Instead, you get a specific number of bids each month (your bid limit), which you can use to bid for work on Freelancer.ph. Your bid limit depends on the type of membership you have.

  Get a detailed explanation of bid limits

• What are Highlighted Bids?
  Highlighted Bids is an option for Freelancers to feature their bids, highlight it and make it stand out from all the other bids. It incurs a onetime fee of ₱40.00 PHP.

  
  When you want to highlight your bid, tick that option in the bid creation page. If you don't have funds in your account, you will get an "Insufficient Funds" error.

• Can I modify a bid I've already submitted?
  Yes. You may edit your bid on any active project. Please follow the instructions below:

  
  

  • Log in to Freelancer.com
  • Click "Projects".
  • Click the "Projects Bid On" button.
  • Click on the project name in the list
  • Locate your bid (it will be the only one with buttons)
  • Click the “Edit Bid” button
• What is my "bid limit"?

  Your bid limit is the number of bids you can use each month to bid for work on Freelancer.com. Your exact bid limit depends on your membership type:

  • Free Members get 10 bids per month.
  • Basic Members get 50 bids per month.
  • Standard Members get 150 bids per month.
  • Premium Members get 500 bids per month.

  Your bid limit increases by one bid for each review you receive (up to a maximum of 50 bids).

  
  

  Additionally, your bids are also replenished periodically, according to your membership.

• How often are my bids replenished?

  On Freelancer.com your bids are returned to you periodically. This means that as you use your bids, you will be returned a bid at a set interval according to your membership plan. For example:

  1. Free members receive 1 bid every 72.5 hours (10 total bids per month)
  2. Basic members receive 1 bid every 14.5 hours (50 total bids per month)
  3. Standard members receive 1 bid every 5 hours (150 total bids per month)
  4. Premium members receive 1 bid every 1.5 hours (500 total bids per month)

  
  

  Additionally, 1 bid will be returned to you for:

  1. Every project that you are awarded and then accept.
  2. Every project you bid on that expires, or is canceled by the employer.

  
  

  You can view your remaining bids and the time left until you get your next bid back in the top right of your Dashboard.

  
  
• Why can't I bid on a project?

  You may be unable to bid on a project for the following reasons:

  1. The project does not match the Skills you listed in your profile.
  2. The project was posted before you added the required Skill to your Profile. You can only bid on projects posted after you updated your Skills.
  3. You have used up your total number of bids

  If none of the reasons above apply, please submit a support ticket through our Online Help Desk

  .
• How do I deliver a project?
  You may deliver a project by any method agreed upon by you and the Service Buyer. Depending on the project type, options may include upload to the Buyer’s hosting account, email, and more. You may, of course, use the Freelancer.com Private Message board to deliver individual files as well. We recommend using our Milestone Payment System to ensure payment on delivery of the finished project.
• How do I abort a project?

  To abort a project, please do the following:

  • Login to your account.
  • Click "Freelancer View" from the Projects Table at the bottom of your homepage.
  • Click the "Current Work" tab.
  • Select the project you want to close and choose "Abort" from the drop down menu.

  
  Please be aware that we do not refund commissions once the project has already been awarded.

• What does it mean when a project is Frozen?
  When a project's status is Frozen it means:
  
  

  • The Employer, or bidder(s), must take action for the project to progress
  • No one else can bid on the project

  
  A project becomes Frozen when the Employer selects one or more bidders, and is waiting for them to accept the project. Once the project is accepted, the project status changes to Closed.
• How do I bookmark projects?

  To bookmark a project, click the Bookmark icon to the right of the project listing or on the top right of the project view page. Project bookmarking is available to Basic, Standard and Premium members. Upgrade Now!

• How do I view my bookmarked projects?

  To view your bookmarks, click Bookmarked Projects in the navigation menu under Browse Jobs. View your bookmarked projects now.

• Why am I unable to bookmark projects?

  Project bookmarking is available to Basic, Standard and Premium members. Upgrade Now!

Freelancers - Milestone Payments

• How do I get paid?
  We recommend the use of our Milestone Payment. We also recommend Freelancers to ask for the Milestone Payment first before doing any work. Feedback is also available only if the Freelancer is paid in full using the Milestone Payment system.

  
  Please read more about Milestone Payments here.

• Why use Milestone Payment?
  • This will help Freelancers build reputation.  Reputation puts a Freelancer higher in the bid rankings. The higher you are, the more likely you will be picked and the more money you will earn.
  • This will help Freelancers with their Completion Rate.  Employers will have the security of knowing that their projects will be completed and will not be abandoned by an unreliable Freelancer.
• How do I check if the Employer sent a Milestone Payment?
  You may check your incoming Milestone Payments by doing the following:

  • Log into your Freelancer.com account
  • Click Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu
  • Under the tab in the Manage Payments section ensure “Incoming” is selected in the switcher. This table lists all your incoming Milestone Payments
• How do I cancel a Milestone Payment?

  To cancel a Milestone Payment, please follow the instructions below:

  • Log in to Freelancer.com.
  • Click "Financial Dashboard" on the Finances menu.
  • Click the "Milestones" tab and choose "Incoming."
  • Look for the Milestone Payment that you want to cancel and choose "Cancel" under Actions.
• Can I receive payments outside of a project?
  No. Fund transfers from one Freelancer.com account to another should be in payment for services received or refunds of said payments, etc.
• Can I receive payments outside of Freelancer.ph?
  It is highly advisable to transact using Freelancer.ph's Milestone Payment System.

Freelancers - Feedback

• How do I rate and write a review for an Employer?
  After a project is completed and the you are paid the full amount of your winning bid through Freelancer.com, the feedback system for that project will become available. The Notification Box will display all the completed projects that you need to leave a feedback on your Home Page. Click on the project name to leave a feedback to the Employer.
• What is "Completion Rate"?

  Completion rate is a measurement based on the volume of project that have been successfully completed within the agreed time, and the extent to which payments for those projects have been made through Freelancer.com's Milestone Payment System.

  
  

  To achieve a high completion rate Freelancers should complete projects on time, and ensure they are paid in full through Freelancer.com's Milestone Payment System.Using Milestone Payment is an excellent way to ensure payments are made in full when the work has been completed, and provides the additional protection of the Freelancer.com Disputes Resolution System.

Freelancers - Sponsored Bidding

• What is a Sponsored Bid?
  A sponsored bid is a way to get noticed immediately by Employers, over competing Freelancers. Use it to move your bid to the top of the bid list by paying a sponsorship amount.

   

  Sponsored bids are ranked in the bid list by highest amount paid then by reputation. If your bid is selected and you accept the project, you’ll get a full refund!
• How do I Sponsor my bid?
  When placing your bid, the 'Bid Rank' section in the form will indicate your estimated bid rank for the project based on your reputation. 

  • Select the checkbox to Sponsor your bid for the amount displayed, which will then calculate your bid rank compared to other bidders. 
  • Increase your sponsor amount to further increase your rank. 
  • The minimum amount to sponsor is $1 USD and can be increased in 1c increments.
  • The amount sponsored will be deducted from your existing Freelancer balance.

  If your bid is selected and you accept the project, you'll get a full refund!

  
  
• How many sponsored bids can there be on one project?
  There is no limit to how many freelancers can sponsor their bid.
• How much should I sponsor my bid for?
  The minimum amount to sponsor your bid is $1 USD. If competing freelancers have sponsored their bids for higher amounts, you can increase your sponsorship to compete and improve your bid rank above them. 

  
  

  The amount sponsored will be deducted from your existing Freelancer balance and will be refunded if you are awarded and choose to accept the project.
• What if my sponsored bid is selected for the project?
  If your bid is selected, and you accept the project, you will be refunded the amount sponsored.

Dispute Resolution Services

• What is Freelancer.ph's Dispute Resolution Service?

  The Dispute Resolution Service is offered by Freelancer.ph to users who wish to contest the return or release of an existing Milestone(s). This service is offered only for users who have elected to use the Milestone Payment System.

  
  

  If an issue arises where you wish to negotiate the return or release of a Milestone, you should file a dispute.

  
  

  In all circumstances, we encourage users to resolve disputes between themselves rather than use this service; however, it is provided as an alternative of last resort should the parties are unable to reach agreement.

• How do I file a dispute against a user?

  Any Freelancer.com user can file a Dispute against another user, as long as the project has a related Milestone payment.

  
  

  To lodge a dispute over a payment, mouse over the "Disputes" link at the navigation bar on your Freelancer.com home page and click the "New Disputes" link.

  
  

  Select the project to dispute and the user; then tick the Milestone Payment you wish to dispute and type down why you want to dispute the Milestone Payment. You are allowed to contest all the Milestones related to a single project in one dispute.

  
  

  You then need to describe your issue in detail and attach any supporting evidence you may have (from Stages 1 through to 3, you are encouraged to attach any files that could support your claims).

  
  

  Finally, you should enter the amount you are prepared to pay for the project (if an Employer) or wish to receive for the project (if a Freelancer). The amount could be between 0 and the total amount of Milestone Payments in question.

  
  

  The other party has a number of days (4 if the other party is a Freelancer, 7 if the other party is an Employer) to respond to the claim made by the complainant. If the party does not respond within the given days, the Dispute closes in your favor.

  
  

  For more information, please read Section 11.4 of the Terms.

  
  
• Can I dispute work that does not relate to a project?
  No. You can only dispute a Milestone(s) related to a project. Milestone Payment sent through the "Other reason" option also cannot be disputed.
• I released the Milestone but the Freelancer did not finish the job! Is there a way to file a dispute against the Freelancer?
  No. The Dispute Resolution Service is only for pending Milestone payments related to projects. For all projects with Milestones, Employers are advised to release a Milestone payment only after the requirements of a Milestone have been fully and satisfactorily met. Freelancer.com cannot reclaim a Milestone that has already been released.
• Can I submit more evidence after the Dispute has been escalated to arbitration?
  No. You are free to submit evidence via the Dispute System from Stage 1 to Stage 3. Once the dispute has proceeded to Stage 4, further evidence will no longer be accepted.
• I accidentally clicked on the wrong button/wrote the wrong amount! Could you change it back?
  No. All actions made on the dispute system are final, binding, and irreversible. You are advised to be very careful before pressing a button or typing an amount. If you are unsure about what to do on your dispute, feel free to contact the Support Team.
• I lost the dispute! Can I file for reconsideration?
  No. All dispute verdicts are final, binding, and irreversible.

Feedback

• Is there a time limit to leave feedback?
  A review must be entered within 90 days after the project completion and payment. Within the 90 day period, if a member submits feedback, it becomes publicly available when one of the following occurs:

  • The other member submits feedback
  • 14 days elapse
• Why can't I find the option to rate a user?
  Users may only leave a Feedback if the following conditions are met:

  • The project is paid in full.
  • The project is paid using Freelancer.com's Milestone Payment System.

  If the full amount of the bid was not transferred through our system, the Feedback option for that project will not be activated. For this reason, we recommend that the Employer and the Freelancer mutually agree on the final bid price and make adjustments accordingly before awarding and accepting a project.

Payments and Billing

• How do I deposit money into my account?
  You can deposit funds to your Freelancer.com account using Credit Card, Direct Deposit, PayPal, or MoneyBookers.
  
  To make a deposit:

  1. Log in to Freelancer.com
  2. Click on “Deposit Funds” in the Finances menu
  3. Select the funding source.
  4. Enter an amount. (Minimum is $10)
  5. Select the currency you wish to deposit funds in. (Note: Not all currencies are available for each payment method.)
  6. Click the Deposit Money button and follow the on-screen instructions.
• Can I use Direct Deposit to deposit funds?
  You can deposit funds to your Freelancer.com account through Direct Deposit (Wire Transfer):
  
  To make a deposit:

  1. Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  2. Click “Deposit Funds” from the Finances menu
  3. Select Direct Deposit as the funding source.
  4. Enter an amount. (Minimum amount will depend on your currency)
  5. Select the currency you wish to deposit funds in. (Note: Not all currencies are available for each payment method.)
  6. Click the “Next” button.

  
  Please copy and supply your bank with the Deposit Details.
  Deposited funds will be added to your balance as soon as we receive it in our account.

  
  

  Once payment has been sent, you need to fill out the Identify Payment form to help us identify your payment.

• Can I use Wire Transfer to deposit funds?
  You can deposit funds to your Freelancer.com account through Wire Transfer:

  
  To make a deposit:

  1. Log in to Freelancer.com
  2. Click the Payments button
  3. Click on Deposit Funds
  4. Select "Wire Deposit" as the funding source.
  5. Enter an amount. (Minimum is $10)
  6. Select the currency you wish to deposit funds in. (Note: Not all currencies are available for each payment method.)
  7. Click the Next button.

  
  Please copy and supply your bank with the Deposit Details. The BSB code of Freelancer.com is 342011.

  
  Deposited funds will be added to your balance as soon as we receive it in our account.

  
  Once payment has been sent, you need to fill out the payment form to help us identify your payment. Go to this link, and at the bottom, click the "Enter Payment Details" button.

• What is the difference between Direct Deposit and Wire Transfer?
  Wire Transfer
  

  • Wire transfer is an inter-country transfer and can necessitate the use of an intermediary or correspondent bank which further delays the transfer.
  • Available only for USD and is charged with $15 USD.
  • It takes 3-5 business days for the deposit to reflect in their accounts.

  Direct Deposit
  

  • Same currency deposit from within that country.
  • It takes 1-3 business days for the deposit to reflect in their accounts.
• How do I cancel my PayPal billing agreement?
  If you have authorised a PayPal billing agreement, you can cancel the agreement from the settings page by clicking ‘Cancel’ under ‘Cancel your existing PayPal Billing Agreements’.
• Who can opt for direct deposit? Is this option available for everyone?
  Direct Deposit is currently available for AU, NZ, HK, SG, GB, PH only. To process a direct deposit the user would normally transfer the money directly from their bank account using internet banking.  Other options may be available such as telephone banking.
• My deposit is not reflecting in my account.
  Please submit a support ticket through our Online Help Desk with the following information:

  
  

  • Transaction ID
  • Amount of deposit
  • Time
• How are payments billed to my account?
  For your convenience and ease of use, if you do not have enough funds in the currency to make a payment, we will automatically deduct the funds from your next highest currency balance. Following this, we will process the payment from your verified payment source. Otherwise, you can deposit the required funds via the deposit page.
• In what ways can you send me my earnings?
  We currently send out payments via PayPal, Wire Transfer, Moneybookers and Freelancer.com debit cards.
  
  We also send out payments directly to user’s bank accounts using Express Withdrawals. please note, that this withdrawal method is currently limited to select number of countries.
• How do I withdraw money from my account?
  Follow these steps to withdraw money:

  
  

  • Login to your Freelancer.com account.
  • Select Withdraw Funds from the Finances menu
  • Choose the most suitable method of withdrawal (some are not available in some countries).
  • Fill out the details of the withdrawal which will be specific to the chosen method.
  • Check the details and submit the withdrawal request.

  
  You'll receive the notification of the submitted request by email.

  
  Please note that the minimum withdrawal is $30 and that the very first withdrawal is delayed for 15 days for security reasons.

• Is there a cut-off time for submitting a withdrawal?
  Yes. Withdrawals are processed twice a week. The cut-off times are:
  

  • 5pm on Sundays EDT (New York), which is 7am on Monday AEST (Sydney), to be processed on Monday (NY)/ Tuesday (Sydney).
  • 5pm on Wednesday EDT (New York), which is 7am on Thursday AEST (Sydney) to be processed on Thursday (NY)/ Friday (Sydney).

  For your payment to be processed within those timeframes please ensure your withdrawal request is lodged before then, otherwise it will be processed at the next available opportunity.
• I'm trying to withdraw using Wire Transfer but I am being redirected to another payment method.
  If you are trying to make a withdrawal using wire transfer and you are being redirected to another payment method (i.e PayPal) this means that Freelancer.com does not have the provision to send your money from HSBC to your country. Please try to use another payment method to withdraw your funds.
• Why is my withdrawal still in the pending status?
  A withdrawal that's Pending is waiting to be processed.
  
  

  • Withdrawal requests lodged by 5pm on Sundays EDT (New York), which is 7am on Monday AEST (Sydney) should be processed no later than Tuesday (NY)/ Wednesday (Sydney).
  • Withdrawal requests lodged by 5pm on Wednesday EDT (New York), which is 7am on Thursday AEST (Sydney). should be processed no later than Friday (NY)/ Monday (Sydney).

  When it is being processed its status will change to Processing, and you will be notified by email when payment is sent.
  
  Note: If this is your first withdrawal it could take up to 15 days, for security reasons. There will be no delay for subsequent withdrawals.
  
  Do not re-submit a Pending withdrawal request. Instead, submit a support ticket through our Online Help Desk if you believe your withdrawal has been Pending for a long time.
• Why is my withdrawal locked?
  A withdrawal is locked when it's status is Processing.
  
  

  • Withdrawal requests lodged by 5pm on Sundays EDT (New York), which is 7am on Monday AEST (Sydney) should be processed no later than Tuesday (NY)/ Wednesday (Sydney).
  • Withdrawal requests lodged by 5pm on Wednesday EDT (New York), which is 7am on Thursday AEST (Sydney). should be processed no later than Friday (NY)/ Monday (Sydney).

  You will be notified by email when payment is sent.
  
  Note: If this is your first withdrawal it could take up to 15 days, for security reasons. There will be no delay for subsequent withdrawals.
• When will my withdrawal be processed?
  Withdrawals are processed twice a week, as long as the requests are lodged before:
  

  • 5pm on Sundays EDT (New York), which is 7am on Monday AEST (Sydney). Processed on Monday (NY)/ Tuesday (Sydney).
  • 5pm on Wednesday EDT (New York), which is 7am on Thursday AEST (Sydney). Processed on Thursday (NY)/ Friday (Sydney).

  If you miss either cut-off your withdrawal will be processed at the next available opportunity.
  
  When you lodge a withdrawal request, its status is Pending. When it is being processed its status changes to Processing, and you will be notified by email when payment is sent.
  
  Note: If this is your first withdrawal it could take up to 15 days, for security reasons. There will be no delay for subsequent withdrawals.
  
  Do not re-submit a Pending withdrawal request. Instead, submit a support ticket through our Online Help Desk if you believe your withdrawal has been Pending for a long time.
• Can you speed up my withdrawal?
  We doubled funds withdrawals in September 2011, but cannot speed up the withdrawals beyond that. You can request a withdrawal, twice every week, until:
  
  

  • 5pm on Sundays EDT (New York), which is 7am on Monday AEST (Sydney), to be processed on Monday (NY)/ Tuesday (Sydney).
  • 5pm on Wednesday EDT (New York), which is 7am on Thursday AEST (Sydney) to be processed on Thursday (NY)/ Friday (Sydney).

  
  
  For your payment to be processed within those timeframes please ensure your withdrawal request is lodged before then.
• I entered an incorrect PayPal account when requesting a withdrawal. What should I do?
  First, check whether there is a PayPal account registered to the email address you incorrectly entered. Here's how: Visit your PayPal country site and click "Problem with Login". Next, select "I forgot the email address I used", then enter the email address and follow the prompts. PayPal will try to match the address to a PayPal account. If no match is found, you may be able to recover the funds in 2 possible ways:
  
  

  • Create the email account for yourself. This is ideal if the email address is a free webmail account (such as Yahoo!, Gmail or Hotmail). You’ll then be able to claim the money from PayPal.
  • If you don’t want to create a new email account, you can wait 30 days for PayPal’s unclaimed payment period to end. If the money is not claimed within those 30 days, it is returned to our account. Note: The funds are not automatically returned to your Freelancer.com account, so you must submit a support ticket through our Online Help Desk. We’ll then be able to return the funds to your Freelancer.com account.

  
  
  Note: If a match is found, please contact PayPal Support for assistance.
• What is Express Withdrawals?

  Express Withdrawals is the fastest method of withdrawing funds from your Freelancer.ph account directly to your bank account, in selected countries. Depending on how quickly your financial institution processes withdrawals, you can get your money in 2-3* working days, with ZERO intermediary fees!

  
  *Note: We recommend contacting your bank or financial institution to find out how quickly withdrawals are processed. Some institutions could take longer than others.

• Why can't I use Express Withdrawals?

  You may be unable to use Express Withdrawals if:

  • You are on a Free membership. Express Withdrawals is available to Basic, Standard or Premium members.
  • You do not have at least 2 reviews
  • Express Withdrawals is not available for your country yet. More countries will be added soon.
• What countries are applicable for Express Withdrawals?

  Express Withdrawals is currently available for Australia, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand and the Philippines. More countries will be added as they become available.

• Are there any fees to use Express Withdrawals?

  There are no withdrawal fees or intermediary fees for Express withdrawal!

• How much can I withdraw through Express Withdrawals?

  The minimum withdrawal amount is US$30 (or equivalent in other currencies).

  The maximum withdrawal amount is US$10,000 (or equivalent in other currencies).

Financial Reporting

• How can I view my financial statements?
  Freelancer provides every user with a complete set of financial statements. We provide an Income Statement and a Balance sheet summarizing all your financial activity on the site.
  
  You can access your financial statements by clicking Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu.
  
  Your financial statements can either be viewed as consolidated financial statements or separately for each individual currency you operate with on the site. Please note that the consolidated financial statements are displayed in your default currency based on the exchange rate at the time you view the statement, not the exchange rate active at the time the transaction was recorded.
• How can I export my financial statements?
  You can export your financial statements as follows:
  

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com accunt
  • Select Financial Dashboard from the Finances menu
  • Under the Financial Position section you can select CSV or PDF for the financial statement you wish to export
• What are the Profit & Loss graph and Quick Stats?
  The Profit & Loss graph allows you to get an overview of your total earnings and expenditure on Freelancer.com over time.
  
  The Quick Stats table allows you to get a quick overview on some key stats on your performance on Freelancer.com over time. It includes metrics such as projects posted, work in progress and completion rate.
  
  To access these feature please go to your Financial Dashboard by selecting it from the Finances menu.
  
  
• How can I view my Transaction History?
  You can view your transaction history by selecting Transaction History from the Finances menu.
  
  The Transaction History Page lists all your past transactions. It also contains a history of all your Invoices and Milestones.
• How can I export my Transaction History?
  You can export your Transaction History as follows:

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Click Transaction History in the Finances menu
  • Select the Export Transactions link
  • Select the date range for which you would like to export your transactions
  • Select the file format in which you would like to export your transactions. We currently support PDF and CSV export
  • Click the Export button
• How can I export my Invoices?
  You can export your Transaction History as follows:

  • Log in to your Freelancer.com account
  • Click Transaction History in the Finances menu
  • Select the invoices tab
  • Select the Export Invoices link
  • Select the date range for which you would like to export your transactions
  • Click the Export button

Debit Card

• How do I get a Freelancer.ph Debit Card?
  To get a Freelancer.ph Debit card, please do the following:

  
  

  • Login to your Account.
  • Click "Withdraw Funds" from the Payments menu.
  • Click "Freelancer.ph Debit card."
  • Click on the button "Get your Freelancer.phm Debit card now!"
  • On the Payoneer page, you will see on the top left page "If you already own a Prepaid Mastercard from Payoneer Click here” click on that link and follow instructions from there.

  
  We do not allow test withdrawals using this card and you are not allowed to deposit funds and make a withdrawal using this card. All withdrawals from Freelancer.ph funds must be either for closing your account or it must be related to a project.

• Where can I withdraw?
  Your Payoneer debit card works on all ATMs that process VISA or Master Card card transactions. You can check out their website at www.Payoneer.com for further inquiries regarding the countries where they allow payouts.
• Can I use my existing Payoneer debit card with my Freelancer.ph account?
  Yes. If you have an existing Payoneer debit card, you can use it instead of or in addition to a Freelancer.ph Payoneer card. To set up your existing Payoneer card for use with your account, please follow the instructions below:

  
  

  • Login to your Account.
  • Click "Withdraw Funds" from the Payments menu.
  • Click "Freelancer.ph Debit card."
  • Click on the button "Get your Freelancer.ph Debit card now!"
  • On the Payoneer page, you will see on the top left page "If you already own a Prepaid Mastercard from Payoneer Click here” click on that link and follow instructions from there.
• I am getting an error when I try to connect my existing Payoneer card with Freelancer.ph
  Please contact Payoneer regarding this issue.

Exams

• What is the exam format?
  All exams are multiple choice. Users can skip questions and come back to them at the end of the exam.
• What is the pass mark for an exam?
  Each exam has different pass marks. You can check the pass mark by clicking on the exam details.
• Do I have to pay to sit an exam?
  Yes, users will be charged for each exam they attempt, except for the Freelancer Orientation Exam which is free.
• How many times can I sit an exam?
  You may attempt each exam as many times as you like. However, you may only attempt three exams per day. Except for free exams, each exam attempt has a nominal fee, depending on the type and level of the certification
• I am highly knowledgeable on a particular topic, can I skip a level?
  No, users must complete the exams in order of difficulty. You cannot skip exams.
• Will an insignia be displayed on my user profile if I successfully complete an exam?
  Insignia are awarded on successful completion of exams. Your insignia will include your percentile ranking which may change over time depending on how many people take the exam.

Affiliate Program

• How do I become an Affiliate of Freelancer.ph?
  You need to be a member of Freelancer.ph to participate in our affiliate program. If you are not yet a member, please sign up now.

  
  The Freelancer Affiliate Program is a program that allows you to receive a payment from Freelancer.ph into your Account for referring a new user. To participate in the Affiliate Program, you must comply with the requirements set by Freelancer.ph, and have an Account that is in good standing.

  
  Visit this page to know more about our Affiliate Program.

• How can I earn money through your Affiliate Program?
  You will earn 90% of project fees generated on Freelancer.com; and 10% of fees taken from items sold on Freemarket.com.

  
  Visit this page to know more about our Affiliate Program.

• How can I promote Freelancer.ph?
  We have lots of ways for you to promote Freelancer.ph. Choose the ones that suit you best:

  • FreelancerCash Advertising Units
  • Text Links
  • Banners
  • RSS Feeds and RSS Channel URLs
  • Javascript
  • Data Feeds
  • Affiliate API
• Where can I check my Affiliate Activity?
  Please login to your Freelancer.com account and visit the url below:

  
  http://www.freelancer.com/affiliates/manage/overral.php

Terms and Conditions

• Can I exchange money on Freelancer.ph?
  Freelancer.ph is not a money exchange site. Fund transfers from one Freelancer.ph account to another should be in payment for services received or refunds of said payments, etc. Likewise we do not allow deposit via one payment service (e.g. Paypal), followed by a withdrawal via another (e.g. Moneybookers).

  
  Fund transfers that violate Freelancer.ph's terms and conditions may be reversed.

• Can I sell already made solutions?
  Yes, as long as the Service Buyer agrees to this and you have proper rights to sell the solution.
• Can I sell scripts, etc. written by others?
  Absolutely not. If you are determined to be selling scripts or other materials that you do not own, i.e., stolen work, your account will be closed without payment. We may also take legal action against you.
• Can I post a project that will sell my stock items in Freelancer.ph?
  No. If you want to sell stock items, please upload it on Freemarket.com

  
  Freemarket.com is a place where you can buy and sell stock items such as javascript files, wordpress files, icons, PHP files, vectors, HTML templates, backgrounds, graphics, printing materials, videos, 3D models, PSD templates, sound files, music and flash files.

  
  Selling through the Freemarket.com is easy and only takes seconds. Simply upload your files to Freemarket.com into the appropriate category. You will be given your very own Store where you can set the price of your digital products and sell them to millions of people.

  
  Upload your file on Freemarket.com now!

Troubleshooting

• When I try to log in, I'm redirected to the login page again without any error message. What should I do to log in?
  This problem may occur if cookies are disabled in your browser or if cookies from Freelancer.com are being blocked by your browser security settings. Please check your browser security settings and refer to the browser help files if necessary to resolve the issue.
• Why am I not getting emails such as new project notifications?
  Some of the larger email providers such as gmail, yahoo, msn, live and hotmail sometimes rate limit us due to the high number of users we have on our site. Try whitelisting us in your mail account. Tips for Gmail.

Information for LimeExchange Users

• I'm from LimeExchange, do I need to set up an account in Freelancer.com?
  No, there is no need to create an account if you are from LimeExchange. LimeExchange users have their account set up plus 2 months free Gold Membership, 150 bonus point and a "Foundation LimeExchange" badge on their profile.
• I'm an existing member of Freelancer.com and I also have a LimeExchange account. What do I get?
  Existing members of Freelancer.com will get the "Foundation LimeExchange" badge on their profile and the 150 bonus points but not the free Gold Membership.
• I have an existing project in LimeExchange, is it available here in Freelancer.com?
  Please contact our Support Helpdesk with the link to your project and they will help you post your project for you. Make sure that the project is publicly viewable.
  
  Our Support Helpdesk is available 24/7 at this link http://www.freelancer.com/report/contact.php
• I have money on my LimeExchange account, why is it not reflecting on my Freelancer.com account?
  User balances are NOT being imported from LimeExchange to Freelancer.com. Please contact LimeExchange to ask for a refund:
  
  You may contact them through the link below:
  
  http://www.limeexchange.com/assistance/contact_us
  
  or by email to: support@limeexchange.com
• Where can I read about Freelancer.com's acquisition of LimeExchange?
  Please click here to read the article.