How to best screen and select freelancer/agency?

[#1]

I'm new to Upwork and really struggling to find a reliable freelancer to design and develop my website.

It seems to me that the "freelancers" (esp. with the higer earnings coupled with best reviews) are generally not actual freelancers but instead agencies. Agencies that use employees or freelancers themselves to get your work done. So despite the high earnings or reviews, it seems like it is a luck of the draw who you will get to work on your project. I feel like I dont even know who is working on my project when I hire on Upwork - despite all of the reviews, listed skills and earnings reported. 

At this point, I'm starting to doubt the legitimacy of the ratings on Upwork - since I see the exact worded comments sometimes from different "clients" on a freelancers profile. I'm curious if there is a way within Upwork to manipulate the ratings and amount earned - which I rely on to filter and select "freelancers".

Second, I find I have to actually PUSH a "freelancer" for every specific detail on what they will be "delivering" as part of a design/project. Unless I specifically request the clarification, they keep it as "vague" as possible. Is this normal? I would have thought that they would have a standard description of the service they offer and deliverables that they provide as part of the service - and customize if for the client if needed.

At this point I'm not sure if the issue is with me since I am new to website development - so I'm sure of all of the questions I need to ask. Or maybe I'm asking too many and maybe this is how web developers work. I'm trying to learn in the process but I'm also getting very tired of this process.

Any thoughts of tips would be appreciated.

[#2]

Be willing to pay market rates to avoid the above issues and to work with an individual freelancer.

The majority of the largest producing Upwork profiles are USA based.

[#3]

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 William T C wrote:

Be willing to pay market rates to avoid the above issues . . .

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Going cheap can often be the most expensive option. Plan accordingly.

[#4]

that's not true. I went with the second highest quote I received - out of about 40 - based on the above assumption that higher price, backed by high earnings and reviews would mean quality.

I can confirm that higher price definitely does not equal better quality. 

[#5]

You're right. There's probably no way to know for certain whether price is a reliable indicator for quality.

You might conceed, however, that  as a 'general rule' - over time - going cheap can get expensive, and that there are always exceptions to the rule.

As they say - 'your mileage may vary'.

[#6]

Selecting the right freelancer or agency on Upwork can indeed be challenging. Here are some tips to help you screen and select the best talent, I hope it helps you:

1. Clearly outline your project requirements, expectations, deliverables, and deadlines. This helps attract freelancers who are confident they can meet your needs.

2. Choose freelancers who specialize in website design and development rather than those who offer a wide range of services. Specialists often have more in-depth knowledge and experience.

3. Be cautious of profiles with repetitive or overly generic reviews. Look for detailed feedback that speaks to specific aspects of the freelancer's work.

4.  Conduct video interviews to get a sense of who you'll be working with. Ask about their process, tools they use, and request examples of their previous work relevant to your project.

5.  Ask for a detailed proposal outlining what they will deliver, including timelines and milestones. This helps avoid vague commitments and ensures you're both on the same page.

6. Before committing to a large project, hire the freelancer for a smaller task to assess their reliability, communication, and quality of work.

7. Set clear expectations for communication frequency and methods. Regular updates can help you stay informed about the project's progress.

8.  Utilize Upwork's escrow payment system to ensure that payments are only released when specific milestones are met to your satisfaction.

By following these steps, you'll increase your chances of finding a reliable and skilled freelancer or agency to successfully complete your project.

[#7]

Clarifying Deliverables

• Detailed Job Description: When posting your job, be as specific as possible about what you need. Include details about the scope, deliverables, deadlines, and any specific requirements.
• Ask for Proposals: Request that freelancers or agencies provide a detailed proposal outlining what they will deliver, how they will do it, and their timeline. This helps set clear expectations from the start.

 Contracts and Milestones

• Set Clear Milestones: Break the project into smaller parts with specific deliverables and deadlines. This allows you to assess progress regularly and make adjustments as needed.
• Detailed Contracts: Use Upwork's contract system to specify the details of the work, payment terms, and milestones. This provides a written record of the agreement and can help resolve disputes.

Communication and Feedback

• Regular Updates: Establish a schedule for regular updates and check-ins. This keeps you informed about progress and allows for early detection of any issues.
• Provide Feedback: Be clear and specific with your feedback. Constructive feedback helps freelancers understand your expectations and improve their work.

[#8]

Why even bother to read what Chat GPT has to say on the topic...

[#9]

To best screen and select a freelancer or agency on Upwork:

1. Check Specific Profiles: Look for detailed profiles with specific past project examples and client feedback.
2. Interview Thoroughly: Conduct interviews to assess their communication skills and clarify your project needs.
3. Request Clear Proposals: Ask for a detailed proposal with clear deliverables and timelines.
4. Test Projects: Start with a small test project to gauge their capabilities before committing to a larger task.
5. Read Reviews Carefully: Focus on recent reviews and patterns in client feedback.

Ensuring clear communication and setting expectations from the start can significantly improve your chances of finding a reliable freelancer or agency.

[#10]

I have done ALL of the above. Their detailed proposals are generally not very detailed.
E.g. I will provide Figma mock-up design.

Now I need to go and specifically ask 20 different questions to narrow down what that includes: wireframes, prototype, interactive, all pages, mobile or tablet version, revisions, etc. As a non-designer, I have to do a lot of work to educate myself before I can hire on Upwork otherwise I will receive something that doesn't meet my requirements.

I'm dreading the development phase which is going to be more tricky and consequential. It appears that the Upwork past work history, earnings and reviews mean nothing in terms of the quality of freelancer or work you will receive - absolutely nothing. And a higher price does not equal higher quality. It really is a matter of luck.

[#11]

The people replying with ChatGPT to respond to a client complaining about ChatGPT is just chef's kiss. lmao It shows you why these people should be avoided and why they make no money. Completely dense lol.

OP, you might have to straight ask them if they are outsourcing or have a chat with them. It sounds like that's what you're doing. I chatted with a client just last week who told me he chatted with quite a few people before me, and the reason he hired me was because I do my own work and don't use ChatGPT. I think he and you are more common than freelancers realize.

[#12]

I'm not sure I understand what chatGPT has anything to do with this?

[#13]

Most of the responses above are pasted from ChatGPT. You could go to ChatGPT yourself, post your question, and get those responses. There's also someone who loves ChatGPT so much that they sound like it, responding convincingly with something that isn't necessarily correct.

ChatGPT while communicating with freelancers in the main site's messaging should also common. They will sound convincing, although they might be wrong, vague, "too general", etc.

So, about your problem, that's just how the way it is in here. You’re not the first to complain about million earnings freelancer,  high profile freelancers, etc. In fact you’re lucky, because you haven’t, for example, spent a lot of money on "the best from a pool of best Upwork designers", only to find out that a logo they created for you is plagiarized. Or, to pay $10k+ on web development project to get "a very expensive mockup" (something that is still unusable and can't be fixed unless a new version is started / rebuilt from scracth). 

This mindset isn't something new.

My advice. prepare to spend some money here to TEST working with a number of freelancers first, so you can choose and decide which ones are the best to work with.