I started using Fiverr to make money as a seller back in November of 2015. This was right after I quit a job I knew I wasn’t right for and I needed cash fast. I thought to myself Hey, why not? I’ll try anything once. Fiverr’s main marketing strategy is getting people to buy from professionals who sell their services starting at $5. You can get anything from transcription to voice overs done. The seller gets less than $4 for each gig completed. Fiverr takes a dollar for themselves, and if you want the money transferred to your bank account Paypal will take their percentage too. Fiverr wasn’t ideal but I was desperate for some coin.
It took a few weeks to establish myself as a seller, but I started to earn a part-time income from the comfort of my own home. Sure, I was working my butt off for that cash, but it was my first taste at being my own boss. I loved that aspect of Fiverr, but I’ve since stopped selling and moved on to other online money-making ventures. If you use Fiverr to make money here’s why you should consider moving on to other freelancing websites.
Buyers on Fiverr are cheap
Most buyers on Fiverr are looking for cheap services meanwhile expecting quality translation. I gave each client my absolute best, but others won’t do the same I did. Freelancers probably won’t be spending too much time on your gig if you pay them $5 for an enormous amount of work. You can set your own rates, but they should be competitively priced. Let’s face it, if someone knows they can get the same work done for less somewhere else they will probably go with the cheaper option. I did get to work with some wonderful people, but overall I was disheartened selling in the Fiverr community. I continued to offer my services for another five months even though I knew I was constantly underpaid and undervalued.
I was delivering quality service for cheaper prices than any other translator on the market. Because of this I was getting five-star reviews from every client of mine. I was getting a lot of traffic and well on my way to becoming a Level Three Seller. Who wouldn’t like to get quality for cheap prices? Your success as a seller on Fiverr depends on the reviews your buyers leave you. You could have a degree in marketing, but if you don’t provide excellent customer service you will lose sales.
My Gig was Deleted by “accident”
This was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Fiverr doesn’t think of their freelancers as people, but cash cows instead. My gig was deleted randomly one day in March. My heart dropped into my stomach and I quickly shot off an email to Fiverr customer service asking what had happened. I had managed to make it onto the first page for English to Spanish translations, and I knew with every passing second I was losing money.
I also reviewed Fiverr’s website to make sure I didn’t violate any of their Terms of Service. I hadn’t and Kenn’s email from Fiverr Customer Support only confirmed that. I was relieved that my gig was up and running again, but I began to notice I was getting less and less traffic to my gig as the weeks went by. I was not able to get back to the numbers I was doing before my gig was deleted. I was angry that Fiverr couldn’t have come up with a better excuse as to why my gig was deleted, and why it was perfectly acceptable that a gig be deleted by accident.
When my gig was deleted by accident I realized that I didn’t have any control over what happened to me and my online business. It was possible my gig could be deleted again, and then what would I do? How much more time would I have to wait until my numbers started to pick up and customers would start ordering again? In that moment I decided that Fiverr just wasn’t for me.
Fiverr would need to change a lot before I decide to revisit the site ever again. Would you ever consider using this site to make money online? Let me know in the comments below.
nicole says
Great article and perfect timing..!
Michelle says
Diana, thank you for your insight into Fiverr. I’ve given it some thought to start selling on there but you’ve definitely swayed me to not. I’m so sorry for your accidental gig deletion. That must have been very disheartening. I’m glad you’ve moved on to bigger and better things for yourself. Your blog is great!
She Joh says
Interesting perspective. I recently used Fiverr but for the cost, I wouldn’t expect an amazing design but something better than I could do myself. Sounds like it was a frustrating experience.
Luna says
This article found me at a perfect time, thank you! I enjoyed reading this insight very much!