Show HN: I built a web app that helps freelance software developers find work | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: I built a web app that helps freelance software developers find work

freelancefactory.online

Hi HN

I've built a web application that helps freelance software developers find work and I've also tried to make it easy for companies to find and hire freelance talent.

I was really tired of been rejected from Upwork so I decided to build my own freelancing ecosystem. I don't have a massive user base at the moment but I am working super hard to get some companies to signup (actual on-the-ground conversations and some of them are really exciting).

Would you use an app like Freelance Factory? What is your opinion on what I have created? Do you feel it will succeed or fail? How do you feel it can be improved?

-- Bruce Blacklaws Founder, Freelance Factory https://www.FreelanceFactory.online

What is the problem you are trying to solve? You want to help freelancers that employers find to be unqualified to get jobs?

What do you mean by unqualified? I read that Upwork rejects freelancer candidates mostly based on the sheer number of applications.

I was hoping to tap into that market a little bit.

Hi Bruce

What is unique and better about your freelancing marketplace?

Hi quickthrower2

It’s more accepting I suppose. Freelance Factory is not as feature rich as other marketplaces but I am actively working on that.

The problem with this and this is also a problem with most of your competitors is that it will end up as a lemon market. Which means a marketplace where no one knows how good the quality is, so the quality just drops and the prices drops. Like very old used cars for example.

You will get a listing, 20 spam answer claiming they'll build a instagram clone for $100 or whatever, and the professional (as in good) devs will run a mile as it's just a waste of their time even bidding. Customers will get crap.

Ironically the only way you can be successful in the sense of keeping the quality and welcoming aspects of the site, is by keeping it small and making it more about your network and connections you trust rather than the general internet.

Graphic design might be the exception. I am mostly talking about coding tasks here where no one can really judge by looking at something someone did (if indeed they really did what they said is in their portfolio!)

I agree with you to some degree however, if it does become a “lemon marketplace” then I’ll make it into a lemonade marketplace. If I’m able to give a job to a dev/graphic designer that simply can’t get a job anywhere else, then I’ve done my part to improve the world.

Regarding the app portfolio: in my experience, an app portfolio (live apps, public repos on GitHub etc) is the best way to judge a persons skill

Unfortunately you've already established your site as a lemon market by posting jobs at absurdly low rates.

I'm not sure what demographic you're targeting but $100 for 3 iOS screens is well below market rate

I am a solo founder at the moment and I can’t afford a lot but I am trying to get the app off the ground so if there really are no takers at USD $100, I’ll have to either build the iOS app myself or increase the price

Let’s see how things pan out

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