What is Fiverr? How to Secure Your Account if You Are a Buyer (a Company Looking to Hire Freelancers)

Fiverr is also popular among entrepreneurs looking to hire freelancers to complete various services for their companies, from graphic design and content writing to tech support and consulting. It's an easy-to-use platform and app and a great choice for small business owners who need affordable help on projects without committing to permanent hires.

For example, a small business owner might hire a designer to create a logo or an editor to refine website content. The platform offers thousands of services across different categories, and buyers can easily browse and compare Fiverr freelance profiles, reviews, and prices.

However, like freelancers, buyers face risks on Fiverr and need to take steps to avoid scams, keep their payments safe, and protect their data.

Related: Are You a Seller on Fiverr? Here’s How to Secure Your Account if You are Freelancing

How Does Fiverr Work for Buyers?

To hire a freelancer (or "seller") to complete a "gig" or one-time task at a set rate, you should:

1. Set Up a Buyer Profile: Create a profile as a business looking to purchase services.
2. Browse Services: look for freelancers offering the specific service you need, whether it's social media marketing, translation, website design, or anything else. Each seller has a profile and gig listings that showcase their expertise, reviews, and rates.
3. Place an Order: Once a buyer finds a freelancer that fits their needs, they can purchase a gig directly or request a custom offer. Payment is made upfront through Fiverr's secure payment system.
4. Receive and Review the Work: The seller completes the work, and the buyer can review the final delivery before accepting it. If adjustments are needed, buyers can request revisions based on the seller's revision policy.
5. Review the Seller: Once the job is complete, buyers can leave a review of the freelancer's work, which helps other potential buyers assess the seller's credibility and skills.

How Fiverr Neo works

To make the searching process less challenging, Fiverr created Fiverr Neo, an AI agent that helps clients locate the ideal freelancers with the right talent and services for specific projects. Fiverr Neo translates needs into clear project descriptions, directing clients through their entire process and narrows down their choice of freelancer.

Be as specific as possible to help Neo work best. It will come up with a recommended freelancer for you. If you'd like to see other freelancer options from Fiverr Neo, you can continue to search for more.

How to Use Fiverr Neo

1. Start a Conversation: Click "Talk to Fiverr Neo" on the homepage or in your inbox.
2. Specify Your Needs: Describe your project in simple terms, like "I need a business plan for my startup."
3. Get Recommendations: As you chat with Neo, it will recommend different options and ask you follow-up questions to narrow down your request. These questions may be about your budget, style, design, etc. Neo will suggest freelancers and follow up with questions about budget, style, or other specifics to refine your search. After you are done, Fiverr Neo will show you the most fitted match.
4. Choose Your Freelancer: You can request a quote from the suggested freelancer or explore more options until you find the right fit.

Alternatively, use the search bar to enter keywords. Fiverr Neo will automatically adjust results based on your preferences and show them to you in the catalog on the right side of the screen.

When you find the services that align with your needs, you can click on the Gigs that fit your criteria and review the full details.

Did you know?

When used for good, AI tools are great. For instance, in Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security, we offer Scam Copilot, an AI-powered tool designed to help you identify scams. You can chat with it about any concerns or questions you may have regarding online protection for your business. It's like having a free cybersecurity consultant available at all times

Is Hiring a Freelancer on Fiverr Safe for My Business?

Fiverr has implemented sellers' identity verification processes to enhance security, including ID and phone verification. However, Fiverr can't guarantee complete protection because the verification process relies on information provided by the seller. Therefore, they cannot guarantee that they are who they claim to be or that the data provided by them is accurate. 

In other words, nobody can protect you better against scammers than yourself.

Common Fiverr Scams Targeting Buyers

Here are some common scams and ways to avoid them:

• Phishing Links: Scammers posing as freelancers sometimes send fake links through Fiverr messages (to their portfolio, for instance), which may lead to phishing sites designed to steal your information. If a seller sends you an unexpected link or asks you to visit an external site for some reason, be cautious.
• Fake Profiles: Some scammers create fake profiles to trick buyers into paying for low-quality or incomplete work. To spot a potentially fake profile, check for signs like generic usernames, unusual location or time zone inconsistencies, a lack of reviews, or poorly written descriptions. If something seems off, trust your instincts and look for another seller.
• Requests for Off-Platform Payment: Scammers may try to convince buyers to pay outside of Fiverr, often by claiming it will save on fees or speed up the process. This is risky—by paying outside Fiverr, you lose the platform's protections, and your funds aren't guaranteed. All payments should go through Fiverr's secure system for your safety.
• Over-Promising or Misleading Services: Be cautious of sellers who promise extremely fast turnarounds or results that sound too good to be true, especially in areas like SEO or marketing. Some sellers may over-promise or use unethical techniques that could hurt your business. Always review their previous work, read reviews, and ask clarifying questions before hiring.

Real-life story

"I made a really dumb mistake where I wanted one of those African dance videos with a message for my friend's birthday, and I bought it from a seller on Fiverr who's basically a scammer. He deleted the gig right after I bought it and posted a new gig with a video of completely different people and changed his profile picture. I asked him to cancel immediately after I saw this (1 minute after buying the gig) and he started begging me not to cancel and said he'll make the video for me.

He sent me a sample which was not what I wanted at all. He denied my request to cancel 4 times and I'm sure he'll deny my 5th request soon. Now he's demanding me to send him my Whatsapp number and make me pay another $10 dollarsafter the $20 I already spent for another video. I told him I don't want the video at all and he said he'll only cancel if I find him another client which is insane. I contacted fiverr support and got no response. I really don't know what to do. "

Source: fiverr forum.

How to Secure Your Fiverr Account as a Buyer

There are two main types of protection: the first involves securing your account against hackers and breaches, while the second focuses on recognizing scammers who aim to steal your money or data.

To secure your Fiverr account:

1. Use a Strong, Unique Password: Avoid using the same password you have on other websites. Instead, create a strong, unique password for Fiverr, and consider using a password manager to keep track of it.
2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Fiverr offers 2FA, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code in addition to your password. With 2FA enabled, even if someone guesses your password, they won't be able to log in without access to your phone, too.

If you forgot your password and would like to reset it:

1. Go to Fiverr.com, click on Sign in > Continue with username/email.
2. Click on Forgot password. 
3. Enter your email address > click on Reset password.
4. If the email matches the account, a password reset email will be sent to that address.

If you signed up using a social connect button and don't know your password:

1. Follow the instructions above, and reset your password through the Forgot Password link.

To disconnect an account from your connected accounts on your iOS or Android app:

• Click on your profile icon > Preferences > Security. 
• Click on Connected accounts > Edit (For Android, select the red right arrow)>Disconnect.

To add a security question:

1.     Profile image > Settings > Security.

2.     Security question > Edit.

3.     Select your question > Add the answer > Submit.

To secure your Fiverr experience

Watch out for Fiverr customer support impersonators. Genuine Fiverr employees will never ask for your password but may ask you for your security question's answer in specific situations (e.g., to verify account ownership). This is always managed through an official Customer Support request. 

1. How to report content or behavior on Fiverr

If you encounter a Gig or inappropriate behavior that doesn't comply with Fiverr's Community Standards, report it.

How to report a Gig

On the Gig page, click the ellipsis (...) in the upper right corner and select "Report this Gig."

2. How to report a message or conversation

• Open the conversation/message you'd like to report, click the ellipsis (...) and then select "Report."

Select a reason from the dropdown > Next.

• Note: If your specific concern is not provided as an option, choose Other and add the relevant details in the text box.
• You'll then have the option to select "Block this user" to prevent them from interacting with you. Submit to confirm.

3. How to report a video call

After the call ends, you'll see a note with the duration of the meeting and a link to watch the recording.

• Below the note, click the report the incident link next to the flag icon.

Select a reason from the dropdown or choose Other and add the relevant details in the text box.

When you flag an item, a notice is sent to Fiverr's Trust and Safety team to review and investigate the report and determine whether or not there has been a violation of Fiverr's policies. If it is determined that the Gig or behavior does not violate Fiverr's policies, no action will be taken. However, if it is determined that there has been a violation, Fiverr will contact the appropriate user privately, and take other appropriate action to rectify the situation.

4. How to solve issues with an order

If you're having a problem with your order, contact the freelancer directly to try and resolve the issue.

If you've already done that and could not come to a resolution, please reach out to Fiverr's Customer Support specialists using the Contact us tab at the bottom of the page.

Reviews and Ratings on Fiverr. What You Need to Know.

The public review section enables buyers to rate completed orders, leave a written review, share reviews with files, and, in some cases, provide feedback on canceled orders.

Buyers' ratings, written reviews, and any shared reviews with files are displayed on both the freelancer's profile (under reviews) and the Gig page (within the Live Portfolio).

A buyer can rate and review once an order is delivered and marked as complete. After a buyer submits a review, the freelancer can then leave feedback about their experience with the buyer.

How to Add a Review as a Buyer

• Log in, go to "Orders" from the top menu, and locate the order you'd like to review.
• When you open the order, you'll see a banner labeled "Your order was completed."
• Select "Rate Experience" on the banner.

Buyers have a 20-minute editing window after submitting a review, allowing for any last-minute corrections before the freelancer is notified of the review.

How to Edit and Remove Reviews

• Buyers have a 14-day period to edit their reviews unless the freelancer has already left their feedback or the 14-day timeframe ends.
• To edit a review:
  1. Go to the order page.
  2. Scroll down to the review section.
  3. Click "Edit review and ratings."
• To remove files from a review:
  1. Go to the review section of your order.
  2. Click the three ellipses (...), then select "Remove files from review."

Note: Once a file is removed, it cannot be re-added.

Public vs. Private Feedback

24 hours after an order is completed, buyers can also leave private feedback. Fiverr will notify buyers via email and in-app notifications. Private feedback helps Fiverr improve improve the buying experience, and will never be shared with or be visible to other buyers or freelancers.

If you receive a negative review, take a moment to assess the situation. Respond professionally and courteously to the review, addressing any specific concerns raised. If the review includes inaccuracies, consider contacting Fiverr's support for assistance in resolving the issue.

Did You Receive a Negative Review from a Freelancer? Here’s What to Do.

Take a moment to understand their perspective and carefully read their comments. This can highlight areas where you might improve your project management or communication skills. Respond to the review in a professional manner—acknowledge their feedback and express your willingness to resolve any misunderstandings.

If you feel comfortable, consider reaching out to the freelancer directly to discuss their feedback. A simple conversation can often clear up confusion and lead to a more positive outcome for both of you. If the feedback seems unfair, ask the freelancer if they would consider revising their review after discussing the issue.

Related: How to Spot and Protect Your Business from Fake Reviews: Red Flags, Tips, and Tools

Stay Safe on Fiverr and Other Freelancing Platforms with Bitdefender Ultimate Small Business Security

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FAQs

What is the best platform for hiring freelancers?

The best platform for hiring freelancers can depend on your specific needs, such as the type of work, budget, and level of expertise required. Here are some popular platforms that are highly regarded for hiring freelancers:

1.     Upwork: Known for a wide range of freelance services, Upwork allows you to post job listings and receive proposals from freelancers. It offers a robust system for tracking work and making payments, and you can find freelancers for various fields, including writing, programming, design, and marketing.

2.     Fiverr: Fiverr operates on a gig-based system where freelancers offer specific services at set prices. It's great for quick, one-off tasks or creative projects like graphic design, writing, and video editing. The platform has a user-friendly interface and allows buyers to easily browse through freelancer profiles and reviews.

3.     Freelancer: This platform allows you to post projects and receive bids from freelancers. It covers a wide array of skills and has a large pool of freelancers. Freelancer also has a contest feature where you can have freelancers submit their work and choose the best one.

4.     Toptal: Toptal focuses on connecting businesses with top freelancers in tech and finance. They have a rigorous screening process, ensuring that you get access to high-quality talent. This platform is ideal if you're looking for experienced developers, designers, or finance experts.

5.     Guru: Guru offers a flexible platform for hiring freelancers and provides various payment options, including hourly, milestone-based, or task-based payments. It's suitable for diverse projects and allows you to see freelancer work history and feedback.

6.     PeoplePerHour: This platform is popular in Europe and offers a mix of hourly and project-based hiring options. It's particularly strong in areas like writing, marketing, and design.

7.     99designs: If you're specifically looking for design work, 99designs connects you with talented graphic designers. You can either hire designers directly or run a design contest to get multiple submissions for your project.