Top 10 Best Freelance Websites for Beginners

As a South African, freelancing offers you the chance to work and earn money on your own schedule. 

Be it a student, a parent, or someone simply looking to make some extra money, freelancing platforms provide you with an opportunity to kick-start your career. 

Your experience does not matter and you do not need to have any specialized equipment. 

If you have the ability to design or manage websites, you can start earning instantly.

The digital market in South Africa is rapidly expanding. Every business needs a website, and you can grab that work. 

The leading freelance platforms help you find customers that require hosting support, including website development or maintenance. 

Here at Truehost, we understand the critical need for dependable hosting among freelancers. 

Our competitively priced shared hosting plans provide reliable hosting and the flexibility needed to get the job done.

Here are the first ten platforms which offer freelance jobs and are best suited for beginners. 

Here, you will get to know the benefits and drawbacks of each platform along with their support policies concerning hosting jobs. 

Moreover, you will be equipped with the tips for your success and know how you can leverage Truehost to fuel your freelance journey. Shall we get started? Let’s get to it!

Why Freelancing is Perfect for South African Beginners

You can work as a freelancer from any location in the world. It can be your residing area, Johannesburg, or a café in in Cape Town. 

Now is a good time to start because there is an online market boom. Companies are in search of freelancers who can develop a website for them, do the hosting, or improve their SEO ranking.

Starting up is as easy as ever. Your skills can be showcased effortlessly with the best platforms. 

Truehost offers hosting services at very low prices, making it easy to provide services.

“Freelancing is freedom. You choose your hours, your projects, and your income” – South African freelancer’s views on the gig economy.

What Makes a Freelance Website Great for Beginners?

The simple and easy to use platforms have further features which improve user experience. 

These are the things to prioritize when looking for the best freelance websites:

• Easy to Use: Simple sign-up and job search.
• Low Fees: Keep more of your earnings.
• Secure Payments: Get paid safely and on time.
• Hosting Opportunities: Jobs for web design, WordPress setup, or hosting management.

These aspects are important for South African beginners. You are looking for website creation opportunities because there are lots of people looking for that service.

As a freelancer, you should be aiming for platforms that provide local payment options through PayPal.

Top 10 Best Freelance Websites for Beginners

Here are the best freelance websites to kickstart your freelance career in 2025. Each one is beginner-friendly and perfect for hosting-related work.

1) Fiverr

Fiverr is a go-to for beginners. You create “gigs” starting at $5, making it easy to attract clients. It’s one of the best freelance websites for quick wins.

Features

• User-friendly platform.
• Categories for web development and WordPress.
• Secure payments via PayPal or bank transfer.

Pros

• Low entry barrier for beginners.
• Local payment options for South Africans.
• High demand for hosting-related gigs.

Cons

• 20% commission on earnings.
• High competition for popular gigs.

Hosting Relevance

Fiverr is packed with clients needing website setup or WordPress tweaks. Pair your gigs with Truehost’s WordPress hosting for fast, reliable results.

2) Upwork

Upwork is a platform that brings together clients and freelancers from every corner of the globe. 

It is one of the best freelance websites with variety of work such as web development.

Features

• Job proposals and bidding system.
• Time-tracking for hourly projects.
• Escrow for secure payments.

Pros

• Wide range of hosting-related jobs.
• Easy-to-build profile for beginners.
• Local currency support for South Africans.

Cons

• Fees can be high (10–20%).
• Competitive for new freelancers.

Hosting Relevance

Clients on Upwork often need website creation or hosting management. Use Truehost’s tools to deliver professional websites.

3) Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com lets you bid on projects. It’s among the best freelance websites for finding hosting-related work.

Features

• Bidding system for jobs.
• Milestone payments for security.
• Mobile app for on-the-go work.

Pros

• Affordable membership plans.
• Local job listings in South Africa.
• Great for web design projects.

Cons

• High competition for bids.
• Fees reduce earnings.

Hosting Relevance

You’ll find projects for website setup and SEO. Truehost’s domain registration helps you offer complete solutions.

4) PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour offers an AI that assists in finding jobs, making it one of the best freelance websites for newly tech-savvy freelancers.

Features

• AI-driven job matching.
• Invoicing and payment tools.
• Categories for web development.

Pros

• Easy for beginners to get started.
• Secure payment system.
• Growing demand in South Africa.

Cons

• 20% fee on small projects.
• Limited local job listings.

Hosting Relevance

Ideal for freelance WordPress and SEO contractors. Your clients’ websites will operate seamlessly with Truehost’s hosting services.

5) Guru

Guru focuses on technical skills, making it one of the best freelance websites for web developers.

Features

• Workroom for client communication.
• Flexible payment options.
• Job categories for hosting tasks.

Pros

• Lower fees than competitors (5–9%).
• Beginner-friendly interface.
• SafePay for secure transactions.

Cons

• Smaller client base than Upwork.
• Fewer local jobs in South Africa.

Hosting Relevance

Guru has plenty of WordPress and hosting management projects. Use Truehost to power your deliverables.

6) Toptal

Only newer freelancers with some experience are eligible. Toptal is for skilled beginners who undergo its screening and is among the best freelance websites for higher paying jobs.

Features

• Rigorous vetting process.
• High-quality clients.
• Web development focus.

Pros

• High earnings potential.
• Professional client base.
• No commission fees.

Cons

• Tough screening for beginners.
• Limited local opportunities.

Hosting Relevance

Toptal clients often need complex websites. Truehost’s VPS hosting supports advanced projects.

7) SimplyHired

SimplyHired is one of the best freelance websites because it is very versatile. 

SimplyHired aggregates job listings, including freelance work, so it’s a solid choice among the best freelance websites.

Features

• Job search filters.
• Local South African listings.
• Free to use.

Pros

• No fees for freelancers.
• Easy to find local jobs.
• Hosting-related opportunities.

Cons

• Less control over client interactions.
• Mixed quality of listings.

Hosting Relevance

Find web design and SEO jobs. Pair with Truehost’s hosting for reliable results.

8) Jooble

Jooble is another job aggregator. It ranks among the best freelance websites for finding local gigs.

Features

• Filters for freelance jobs.
• South African job listings.
• Simple interface.

Pros

• Free and easy to use.
• Local hosting-related jobs.
• Quick job alerts.

Cons

• Limited platform features.
• External application process.

Hosting Relevance

Jooble lists website creation jobs. Truehost’s plans help you deliver fast websites.

9) Behance

Behance is portfolio-driven, perfect for web designers. It’s one of the best freelance websites for creative beginners.

Features

• Showcase your portfolio.
• Job board for freelance gigs.
• Networking with clients.

Pros

• Free to join.
• Great for visual portfolios.
• Hosting-related design jobs.

Cons

• Limited job listings.
• Competitive for beginners.

Hosting Relevance

Showcase website designs built with Truehost’s hosting for credibility.

10) Codeable

Codeable is WordPress-focused, making it one of the best freelance websites for hosting-related work.

Features

• WordPress-specific projects.
• Client matching system.
• Secure payments.

Pros

• High-paying WordPress gigs.
• Beginner-friendly process.
• No bidding wars.

Cons

• WordPress-only focus.
• 10% commission fee.

Hosting Relevance

Codeable is ideal for WordPress setup and hosting tasks. Truehost’s WordPress hosting is a perfect match.

Tips to Succeed on the Best Freelance Websites

Want to stand out? Follow these tips to shine on the best freelance websites:

• Build a Strong Profile: Highlight your web design or hosting skills. Add a professional photo and clear bio.
• Start Small: Bid on low-budget projects to gain reviews. Clients trust freelancers with feedback.
• Use Truehost: Offer clients reliable websites with Truehost’s shared hosting. It’s affordable and fast.
• Communicate Clearly: Reply to clients quickly and professionally.
• Showcase Work: Create a portfolio of websites you’ve built. Host them with Truehost for credibility.

“A great profile and fast communication got me my first client in a week!” – A Cape Town freelancer.

Avoid These Freelancing Mistakes

Beginners make mistakes. Here’s how to avoid them on the best freelance websites:

• Don’t Underprice: Charge fair rates for your skills. Check market rates in South Africa.
• Avoid Scams: Only work with verified clients. Use platform payment systems.
• Deliver Quality: Use Truehost’s reliable hosting to ensure your clients’ websites stay online.

Poor hosting can ruin your reputation. We at Truehost understand this, which is why our hosting plans are built for performance.

Why Truehost is Your Freelancing Partner

As a freelancer, you need tools you can trust. Truehost’s hosting plans are perfect for beginners in South Africa. 

Our shared hosting starts cheap, with 24/7 support and local payment options.

Whether you’re building a WordPress site or managing client hosting, Truehost has you covered. 

Our plans scale as your freelance business grows. Plus, our team is here to help you deliver professional results.

“Truehost’s hosting made my WordPress gigs seamless. Clients love the speed!” – A Johannesburg freelancer.

Start Your Freelance Journey Today

The best freelance websites open doors for South African beginners. From Fiverr’s quick gigs to Codeable’s WordPress projects, there’s a platform for you. 

Each one offers chances to work on hosting-related tasks like web design and SEO.

Pair these platforms with Truehost’s reliable hosting to stand out. Your clients will love fast, secure websites. Ready to start? 

Explore Truehost’s hosting plans and join the best freelance websites today. Your freelance career begins now!