ODesk for Hire

The Internet is changing the way that we work.  Although most of us still drive to a phsyical location in order to work, there are some of us who decide to work from home.  For example, a startup company may be looking for someone to develop their website, and a web developer can bid on the project from their fingertips at home.  The trend is moving in this direction, and I would like to just mention a couple of companies that provide a common location for these buyers and providers of services. 

ODesk: I don’t know how long this company has been around, but the website is extremely sophisticated.  The way it works: a buyer of services posts a job or project and within two or three days, numerous providers will bid on the project.  For example, I needed a web developer who specialized in Joomla 1.5 content management, and about 21 candidates posted their resume and cover letter for the project.  The point is that I had some of the best talent in the world at my fingertips by using the system.  ODesk has no front-end fees to use the service, which is great.  ODesk gets paid a percentage of the hourly wage that you pay the provider.  There are a multitude of providers who use the service.  Some of the services offered include web design/programming, administrative work, or article writing for blogs. 

The great part about ODesk is their ability to track the work progress of providers.  This gives a buyer the confidence that work is being completed to the buyer’s satisfaction.

Elance is another great service that links buyers and providers.  I have used the service very little, but it provides the same type of services as those of ODesk.  The buyers and providers are charged by the amount of “contacts” that each uses to communicate.  If a buyer wishes to contact a provider, he/she is required to buy “contacts” that allow that to happen.  Again, I have used this service on a limited basis as a provider, so I will not go into more detail. 

I would recommend checking out these websites to get familiar with them.  Here’s the links: www.odesk.com and www.elance.com.