Service Providers [I may use these letters “SP”, instead of Service Providers in this article] are the people who are looking for online jobs at freelance sites. SPs are the people who seek jobs at freelance sites.

In some freelance sites, people who place bids on projects [people who do work for buyers] are called as Programmers. This does not mean that only programmers can work at freelance sites. This is just a name which is used by the freelance sites for the people seeking online jobs.

Why Service Providers seek jobs at freelance sites?

Read about it here:

Why To Join Freelance Sites?

Is it free for service providers to join freelance sites?

There are many freelance sites where you can join and work for free. On the other hand, there are some freelance sites where you first need to pay a fee in order to place bids on different jobs.

How freelance sites earn if it is free to join for service providers?

The sites where it is free to join, you will be able to apply for jobs for free. After you win a project or job, you will then have to complete the given task. If you successfully complete the task then the project owner will pay you the money which you placed in your bid for that project.

Now in your freelance site’s account: you will see the money for the work you completed. But instead of %100 money for the work, you will see %95 or %90 of the money.

For example: if you complete a project worth $200 at a free to join freelance site, then after completion, you will see $190 or %180 [depends on freelance sites FEE policy].

Why will you get less money for a project?

It is because the freelance site will charge a FEE. This fee will vary in different freelance sites.

So if the freelance sites take FEE then can we call these sites as free to join freelance sites?

Yes: off course these sites are free to join and it’s free to work there. You are not giving any fee from your pocket right? This fee will be deducted from the money you will earn at the freelance site.

How can service providers get their money from freelance sites?

Payment Options at Freelance Sites

Is there any safety for service providers so that they are not scammed?

Yes: almost all freelance sites use a system which is called ESCROW. This system makes sure that both the parties [buyers and service providers] are safe.