In the dynamic business world, the need for specialised skills on a project basis often arises. This need is particularly pronounced for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs) that often rely on contractors for their flexibility, expertise, and cost-effectiveness.
Finding the right talent is paramount in this rapidly evolving gig economy, where skilled contractors are in high demand. A key resource in this talent search is contractor job boards, digital platforms that connect businesses with a vast pool of freelance professionals.
According to a report by the Office for National Statistics, the number of self-employed individuals in the UK stood at 4.4 million in 2020, representing approximately 13.3% of total employment. Furthermore, a study by Morgan Stanley projected that by 2027, over 50% of the US workforce would engage in freelance work. These statistics underscore the significance of top contractor job boards in meeting the demand for such specialised talent.
The process of navigating through these job boards can be overwhelming, given their abundance and variety. Therefore, understanding each platform’s unique strengths and services is crucial for optimising your hiring strategy.
This comprehensive guide is designed to illuminate the top 20+ contractor job boards for SMBs, helping you navigate the bustling marketplace of skilled freelancers.
Upwork is a global platform that matches businesses with freelancers from virtually any field imaginable. Whether you require a software developer, a graphic designer, or a marketing expert, Upwork's extensive platform is like a bustling bazaar teeming with talent.
The site also offers contractors a review and rating system, ensuring businesses can make informed choices when hiring. Upwork processed $2.5 billion in annual freelancer billings as of 2021, reflecting its widespread usage and trust among the freelance community.
Freelancer is another popular platform that connects businesses with a vast pool of skilled professionals. The platform boasts over 48 million registered users and has facilitated over 19 million projects, from software development to content creation.
Its advanced search filters, secure payment system, and user-friendly interface make it easy for SMBs to find and hire the perfect contractor.
Fiverr offers a unique twist on the traditional job board model. Contractors, or 'sellers', create 'Gigs' showcasing their skills and services at fixed prices. Businesses, or 'buyers', can browse these Gigs and purchase the required services.
With over 830,000 freelancers offering their services on the platform and a gross transaction value exceeding $600 million in 2020, Fiverr's model simplifies the process of hiring and allows SMBs to find services that fit their budget.
Toptal is an exclusive network of the top 3% of freelance talent in software development, design, finance, and project management. This platform uses a rigorous screening process to ensure only the most skilled and reliable freelancers can join the network.
While Toptal's exact number of freelancers isn't publicly available, its selectivity and focus on quality over quantity make it a valuable resource for SMBs seeking high-quality contractors.
Guru is a versatile platform with over 3 million registered freelancers. It allows businesses to manage projects efficiently through its Workroom feature, where SMBs can manage their hired freelancers, create agreements, share documents, and communicate effectively. This functionality makes Guru a job board and a project management tool.
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based platform that connects businesses with a global community of freelancers. It offers various categories, from writing and translation to software development and design. Its user-friendly interface, secure escrow payment system, and a community of over 2 million freelancers make PeoplePerHour a reliable platform for SMBs to hire contractors.
LinkedIn ProFinder leverages the vast LinkedIn network to connect SMBs with local professionals across various fields. While it may not have the specific focus of other job boards, its connection to LinkedIn's larger network of more than 774 million members makes it a valuable tool for businesses looking to find contractors in their locality.
Simply Hired is a job search engine that collects listings from all over the web. It allows SMBs to find contractors from a wide range of sources, and offers a salary estimator, job application tracking, and other useful tools. With its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Simply Hired is a valuable resource for SMBs looking for a streamlined and efficient hiring process.
Dice is a leading job board for tech professionals. It offers IT contractors a wealth of job opportunities and tools to help businesses find the perfect match. With over 60,000 tech jobs posted and 3 million registered technology professionals, Dice can be an invaluable resource for SMBs looking for tech contractors.
FlexJobs is a job board that focuses on flexible and remote work opportunities. It curates a list of over 50 career categories with jobs ranging from entry-level to executive. All job postings are thoroughly screened to ensure legitimacy, providing a security layer for businesses.
TaskRabbit is a mobile and online marketplace that connects freelancers with the local demand for everyday tasks, including handypersons, cleaners, movers, and more. With its presence in 47 US cities and London, TaskRabbit can be a valuable platform for SMBs in need of local services.
Freelanced is a social network for freelancers. It allows contractors to create portfolios and participate in job contests. It hosts 100,000+ freelance jobs and has a community of over 500,000 members.
ServiceScape is a platform that connects businesses with contractors in the editing, writing, graphic design, and translation fields. It features over 80,000 professionals and allows clients to browse profiles and reviews to find the perfect match. It’s straightforward platform and easy-to-use interface make the process of finding the right contractor simple and efficient.
Field Engineer is a platform specifically designed for the telecom and network industry. It connects businesses with a global network of engineers and technicians. With over 60,000+ engineers in over 180 countries, Field Engineer is an ideal job board for SMBs in the telecom sector.
Workhoppers offers a unique, no-commission model, where businesses can directly negotiate and hire. It uses a sophisticated matching algorithm to match companies with the right freelancers, simplifying the hiring process. Its platform prioritises a local and flexible workforce, making it perfect for SMBs.
CrowdSpring is a platform for creative professionals, including designers, writers, and artists. It allows businesses to post a project and receive custom quotes from multiple freelancers, providing various options. With over 220,000+ clients from 100+ countries, CrowdSpring offers a diverse selection of creative talent for SMBs.
OnSite is a curated marketplace of freelance opportunities in design, marketing, and more. It distinguishes itself by curating the best freelance talent and opportunities, ensuring high-quality matches for businesses. For SMBs who value quality over quantity, OnSite presents an excellent choice.
Designhill is a creative marketplace that connects businesses with graphic designers. It offers a range of services, including a design contest model, which allows businesses to receive multiple design concepts before choosing the one they like best. With over 125,000 designers on the platform, Designhill ensures a vast selection of design talent for SMBs.
LocalSolo is a curated freelance job board that connects businesses with local freelancers in their city. Its focus on local connections makes it an excellent resource for SMBs looking for contractors in their locality. With presence in over 60 cities worldwide, LocalSolo provides a platform for local freelance professionals to showcase their skills.
Catalant provides global enterprises with software solutions to access business expertise on demand. The company's innovative human capital solution matches top business professionals with enterprises to address their toughest challenges efficiently and in real-time. With a pool of over 70,000+ experts, Catalant is a valuable tool for SMBs needing expert-level contractors.
In an increasingly digitised and flexible working world, the role of top contractor job boards in sourcing talent cannot be overstated. They serve as dynamic platforms that bridge the gap between SMBs and a global pool of specialised contractors.
The rise of the gig economy has only amplified the importance of these platforms. As per the UK's Business Statistics, there were 5.7 million SMBs in the UK in 2020, constituting over 99% of all businesses. In this crowded marketplace, the ability to hire the right talent swiftly and efficiently is a key differentiator.
Whether it's the broad-ranging platforms like Upwork and Freelancer, the specialised ones like Dice and Field Engineer, or the locally focused ones like LocalSolo and LinkedIn ProFinder, these top contractor job boards offer SMBs a diverse array of options to meet their specific hiring needs.
The key is to understand the unique strengths and offerings of each platform and to leverage them effectively to source the best talent for your business. Armed with this knowledge, SMBs can tap into the vast reservoir of global freelance talent, fostering a flexible, dynamic, and efficient workforce that is well-equipped to meet the challenges of the modern business landscape.