What is Guru.com Websites freelance

photo

Guru.com: Comprehensive and Detailed Overview

Guru.com is one of the longest-established freelance marketplaces, operating for over two decades. It serves as a platform where freelancers and businesses meet to collaborate on a wide variety of projects. Guru allows employers to connect with professionals across different domains like software development, design, content writing, digital marketing, and more. With over 3 million members worldwide, the platform is used for both short-term gigs and long-term contracts, providing flexibility for both freelancers and employers.

1. Guru's Platform and Features:

Guru stands out in the freelance marketplace with a user-friendly interface, a robust project management system, and various features tailored to both freelancers and employers. Here is a breakdown of the key features:

Freelancer Profiles:

Freelancers can build detailed profiles, which include:

Portfolio: Examples of previous work, whether it's websites, designs, writing samples, or other professional work products.
Ratings and Reviews: Employers can leave feedback on freelancers after completing projects, which other potential employers can view. Unlike many other platforms, Guru uses a percentage-based satisfaction rating instead of stars( guru)
Earnings and Job History: Freelancers’ profiles show their all-time earnings, number of completed jobs, client satisfaction, and their longest engagement with an employer. This provides transparency and allows employers to make more informed decisions when hiring( guru)
Freelancer Categories: Freelancers can list multiple services, from programming and development to legal and accounting support, allowing employers to find specialists across industries( guru)

Job Posting and Matching:

Employers can post jobs, specifying the skills required, project budget, timelines, and deliverables. Guru offers several tools for employers:

Job Wizard: This tool helps employers create clear, concise job descriptions with options to include skill requirements, project type (hourly, milestone-based, fixed-price), and more. Employers can also select whether to share jobs publicly or privately( guru)
Bidding Process: Freelancers can submit proposals, detailing how they will approach the job, providing timelines, and quoting their prices. Employers can then evaluate multiple bids and select the best match based on expertise, cost, and freelancer reviews( guru)

WorkRooms:

WorkRooms is a unique feature of Guru that facilitates better management of projects, particularly larger or more complex tasks involving multiple freelancers. WorkRooms are collaborative spaces where employers can manage teams, assign tasks, track progress, and communicate with freelancers( guru)

). This feature allows for:

Collaboration: Multiple freelancers can work together on a single project, under the supervision of the employer.
Task Management: Employers can assign tasks, upload files, and track milestones within a WorkRoom, making it easier to manage multiple aspects of a project simultaneously.

SafePay Payment Protection:

Guru's SafePay system ensures secure transactions between employers and freelancers. It works as an escrow system where the employer deposits funds into a secure account before the freelancer begins working. Payment is only released once the employer approves the work. This minimizes the risk of payment disputes and builds trust between the two parties( guru)

2. Pricing and Membership Plans:

Guru’s fee structure and membership options are key considerations for both freelancers and employers. Here’s how it works:

Freelancer Fees:

Freelancers are charged a commission for each project they complete, but the fee varies based on their membership level:

5% to 9% Service Fee: Freelancers on Guru pay a fee between 5% and 9% of their total earnings, depending on their membership tier. Higher membership levels offer reduced fees in exchange for an upfront membership cost( guru)

Employer Fees:

Employers are charged a 2.9% handling fee on each payment they make to freelancers. However, if employers choose to use payment methods such as eCheck or wire transfer, this handling fee can be waived. This makes Guru more attractive for businesses that regularly hire freelancers and want to minimize additional costs( guru)

Membership Tiers:

Both freelancers and employers have the option to upgrade to paid membership levels, which offer benefits such as:

Lower fees: Paid memberships reduce the commission fees freelancers have to pay.
Increased visibility: Paid members get higher visibility on the platform, allowing them to appear in more employer searches.
Premium features: For employers, paid membership offers premium tools like enhanced search capabilities, better project management features, and higher exposure to top freelancers( guru)

3. Customer Support and Resources:

Guru provides several avenues for customer support, but it has limitations compared to some competitors. Users can access:

Email Support: Guru provides email support for technical or payment-related issues, but there is no live chat feature, which some users see as a disadvantage( guru)
Help Center: The platform offers a detailed help center with FAQs and user guides, covering common questions about payment, project management, and account settings( guru)
Community and Blogs: Guru’s website includes blog articles, tutorials, and resources aimed at helping freelancers and employers succeed on the platform( guru)

4. Advantages of Guru:

Low Fees: Compared to other freelancing platforms, Guru has relatively low service fees, especially for freelancers who upgrade their memberships. The option for employers to waive handling fees by using certain payment methods is another cost-saving benefit( guru)
SafePay Security: The SafePay system adds a significant level of trust and security, ensuring that both freelancers and employers are protected during transactions( guru)
Global Talent Pool: Guru has a vast network of freelancers from across the globe, allowing employers to tap into a wide variety of skills and expertise at competitive rates( guru)
Flexible Payment Terms: Freelancers and employers can choose payment terms that work best for their specific projects, including hourly rates, milestone-based payments, and fixed-price contracts( guru)

5. Challenges and Limitations:

Complex Fee Structure: While Guru’s fees are generally lower than competitors, the multiple fee types (membership, commission, and handling fees) can be confusing for new users( guru)
Limited Customer Support: The lack of live chat support and real-time assistance is a major drawback for users who need immediate help( guru)
Fewer Features for Free Members: Guru's free membership tier is quite limited compared to paid options, reducing the visibility and competitiveness of freelancers who opt not to upgrade(guru)

Conclusion:

Guru.com is a robust and established freelance marketplace that offers a range of features tailored to both freelancers and employers. It excels in project management with tools like WorkRooms and SafePay, ensuring secure payments and collaborative work environments. Its flexible payment options and low fees make it particularly attractive to cost-conscious users. However, its complex fee structure and limited customer support may pose challenges for some users. Overall, Guru is a solid option for those looking to hire freelance talent or offer freelance services, particularly in industries requiring long-term engagements and multiple freelancers working on the same project (guru)