Remote Job Boards vs. Freelancer Websites: Which Choice is the Best for You?

Remote job openings abound and remote hiring is here to stay. Although there are drawbacks to this trend, where the debate as to whether there is an overall benefit or detriment to our wellbeing goes on, the cost savings and diversity benefits are undeniable. When pondering the optimal choice between hiring a freelancer or a full-time remote employee, one inevitably faces a perplexing dilemma: which option yields greater profitability? It's entirely reasonable for employers to grapple with these questions, particularly given the rapid evolution of the business landscape.

So, who should you bring on board— a freelancer or a remote worker?

In essence: it varies.

Engaging freelancers and recruiting remote staff are both avenues for enlisting talent into your enterprise, each with its own distinct characteristics. Allow us to elucidate these disparities.

Table of Contents: Hire Remote Workers vs. Freelancers

A. What does it mean to remotely hire people?

Remote hiring entails recruiting full-time employees who operate from off-site locations rather than physical offices. This approach, facilitated by advancements in technology, widens access to talent pools beyond geographical confines.

When engaging remote workers, you're essentially securing full-time staff committed to your organisation on a long-term basis. While they adhere to regular business hours, remote workers enjoy the flexibility of working from anywhere with internet connectivity.

Remote work boasts numerous advantages, including access to a broader talent pool, cost-effectiveness, and enhanced flexibility. However, challenges such as communication barriers and potential feelings of isolation among employees may arise.

B. Best job posting sites for employers (looking for remote employees)

For employers prioritising the benefits of hiring remote employees, we present the top three job posting sites tailored to this requirement:

1. HireBasis (10/10): Distinguished by its unique approach to skills-based hiring, HireBasis offers a curated pool of high-performing employees at zero cost to employers, making it an invaluable resource for sourcing remote talent. The growing database of nearly 50,000 remote workers from over 100 countries is diverse, and the search features makes finding the right candidate very simple.
2. WeWorkRemotely (8.5/10): Specialising in remote job opportunities across diverse industries, this platform ensures job listings are rigorously screened for legitimacy and quality.
3. FlexJobs (8/10): Catering to job seekers valuing work-life balance and flexibility, FlexJobs provides access to a wide range of flexible job opportunities.
4. Yulys (10/10): Yulys seems is a job search platform that caters to both employers and job seekers.
5. Digital Agency Network (10/10): DAN is a digital marketing hub bot for agencies and people who seek digital agency jobs. They offer both remote and traditional agency job boards.

Considering affordability, trustworthiness, and the ease to find job candidates from their database, HireBasis emerges as the premier choice for employers seeking to hire high-quality remote employees. It may be a new platform and not as established, but it’s superior search features are hard to ignore.

C. What does it mean to hire a freelancer?

Hiring freelancers entails enlisting self-employed individuals to fulfil specific projects or tasks for your organisation. Typically engaged on a project basis, freelancers are not considered full-time staff. They are sourced from various platforms, such as freelance marketplaces, job boards, or personal referrals.

When you hire remote employees, you essentially contract their services for a specified duration and deliverables. These individuals are usually adept in a particular domain and possess experience working autonomously, rendering them well-suited for project-oriented tasks. Freelancers may operate remotely or from their own premises, providing their own tools and equipment.

Hiring freelancers proffers several advantages. Firstly, it offers heightened flexibility—freelancers are not bound by specific schedules or locations, affording them the freedom to work at their convenience. Moreover, they bring specialised skills and expertise that may not be internally available. If your requirement is for short-term projects, freelancers offer convenience with potential for one-time or sporadic payments.

Nonetheless, there are potential drawbacks. Communication can pose challenges, especially if freelancers are juggling multiple clients simultaneously. Additionally, variances in work styles or standards may arise, impacting quality control. Availability may also be an issue, particularly if freelancers are managing multiple projects concurrently.

D. Best job posting sites for employers looking for freelancers

The landscape of job posting sites is continually expanding, making it challenging to discern reputable platforms from dubious ones. Hence, we aim to provide clarity amidst this chaos, offering insights into the most user-friendly and cost-effective options for employers seeking high-quality freelancers.

Our top three recommendations for job posting sites targeting quality freelancers are:

1. Upwork (10/10): An expansive platform facilitating connections between businesses and freelancers across diverse fields. With tools for project management, time tracking, and payments, Upwork streamlines collaboration for optimal efficiency.
2. Fiverr (8/10): This online marketplace connects employers with freelancers offering a spectrum of services, featuring transparent pricing structures and robust communication tools.
3. Freelancer.com (7.5/10): Linking businesses with freelancers across a wide array of services, this platform offers tools for seamless project management, communication, and payments.

Considering factors like affordability, trustworthiness, and security, Upwork emerges as the premier choice for employers seeking freelancers.

E. Our Verdict

Ultimately, the decision between hiring freelancers or remote workers hinges on specific organisational needs and preferences. While freelancers may excel in short-term, project-based tasks, remote workers offer continuity and long-term commitment.

In our estimation, hiring remotely represents the optimal path forward. Leveraging our experience in recruiting both freelancers and remote workers, we advocate for a mixed approach. Beyond the top choices provided here, you may find a longer list of options to find freelancers and remote workers on an earlier blog post. If you’re new to the world or remote work you may also want to read about how to best support and nurture remote workers so they can be ideally integrated to serve your business.