Buying on Fiverr for the First time? Read This First

New to Fiverr? Whether you’re hiring your first freelancer or browsing for help on a project, this guide shares what every first-time buyer should know — from avoiding scams to finding real talent (without overpaying). Written by someone who’s both hired and worked on Fiverr.

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Using a platform for the first time can be a bit confusing.

The same is true for Fiverr.

If you are not familiar with the concept, let’s recap for a second.

Fiverr is a large online marketplace where people buy and sell services. Kinda like Etsy, but for freelancers.

It is a great way to gain work-life balance, especially for digital nomads but it is also a great place to find talent if you are seeking people to work with.

For me, it is a bit of both.

I use it to work with clients as a copywriter and web designer, and I hire services when I need to.

If you are worried you’ll be scammed on Fiverr, here is my advice.

Disclaimer: This is my take as a marketer, someone who runs an agency and has freelanced for over 7 years. I’ve worked with 500+ clients and businesses and watched the direction of SEO shift, especially for small and solo-preneurs. This isn’t advice for a multi-million-dollar brand with an SEO team. It’s for bloggers, creators, and small business owners like us.

Don’t be stingy with communication

Freelancers are not mind readers. If they don’t have information on your business, needs, and project, they won’t be able to provide a good product or digital service. Many times, I have gone in circles asking buyers for simple things like the URL of their site, the project scope or some further details. Don’t be that person!

Don’t neglect to set clear expectations

Similar to the point above, it is important to clearly communicate deadlines, specific details, and project requirements. Any freelancer that has been around the block will try to set super duper clear expectations in the beginning, to avoid misunderstandings. If you place an order, and later request a faster delivery timeframe or additional work, you might be disappointed to hear it is not feasible. Freelancers work with various clients at any one time, so let us know beforehand so we can make the experience totally worth it.

Don’t be unrealistic with budget and timeframe

This is especially relevant to small businesses with small budgets. While Fiverr is known for affordable services, it’s important to be realistic about your budget and timeframe. A completely unrealistic budget of $10 for 3 SEO-optimized blog articles within 2 days, has a 90% chance of resulting in work that is completely useless.

Don’t skip the gig description and FAQ

9/10 a question that a buyer asks me can be answered by browsing my gig description or FAQ. Never assume you can receive a service that is not explicitly mentioned and consider purchasing additional gig extras if necessary for your project.

Don’t ignore Fiverr’s Terms of Service

This includes asking for a meeting outside the platform as the first message, sharing suspicious links, or including contact information. Sellers can be penalized for such actions, plus staying on the platform safeguards your interests and the possibility of being scammed.

Don’t leave incomplete or unfair reviews

If you received good service, consider leaving good reviews for the sellers that provided them. A complete review helps both the freelancer and other sellers that are browsing for services.

Don’t close the order before communicating with the seller if you are not satisfied

Another common mistake I see buyers make on the platform is marking the order as delivered, and leaving an unfair or negative review, all without communicating with the freelancer. This is sometimes maliciously done, but often it has to do with not knowing how the platform works. Buyers can utilize Fiverr support which is called the resolution center, to request a revision to their order. Revisions are almost always included in gigs and are a normal aspect of any creative work.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can enhance your experience as a first-time buyer on Fiverr and increase the likelihood of a successful collaboration of higher quality with the freelancer you choose.

Don’t close the order before communicating with the seller if you are not satisfied

Another common mistake I see buyers make on the platform is marking the order as delivered, and leaving an unfair or negative review, all without communicating with the freelancer. This is sometimes maliciously done, but often it has to do with not knowing how the platform works. Buyers can utilize Fiverr support which is called the resolution center, to request a revision to their order. Revisions are almost always included in gigs and are a normal aspect of any creative work.

By avoiding these common mistakes, you can enhance your experience as a first-time buyer on Fiverr and increase the likelihood of a successful collaboration of higher quality with the freelancer you choose.

Rania Kalogirou
Rania Kalogirou

Freelance copywriter and junior developer in training. Since moving to Europe from New Zealand, I have embraced the semi-digital nomad dream, working with clients while exploring the world.

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