Getafreelancer.com seems to be flooded by indians and while I have nothing against them I don't particularly trust them either (or anyone else outside of NA for that matter) as most scams come from third world countries. Then there are others, but I don't know how to assess their credibility. After reading so many horror stories on DP I'm slightly scared, but I don't want to hire a studio as I don't want to spend more than 700-1000k on my site.
Well the freelancers might not trust you either. Use escrow. Setup the project in smaller chunks and do milestones. Establish a working business relationship with a freelancer and work it out so you feel secure about the process. Also, there is nothing inherently "honest" about people from north america. Scammers come from all parts of the world.
can you show me some of your previous work please? More than one if possible. Also, are good with SEO and graphic design? You can just PM if that's better for you. Thanks!
Scammers come from all parts of the world. I think the chance of scams are higher in North America than any other part of the world. America just fills us with propaganda and badmouth other countries without a democracy.
Its extremely easy to get burned. The simple answer is contracts. Me for example.... I wont do design work for any of my clients without a contract. That way... we both know we're protected. My design is safe, and so is the clients money. So if a designer comes to you... and doesnt ask you to sign a contract... politely tell them to fuck off. P.S. I dont touch web projects under $1,500. Sorry.
I've used that site before, with no problems. As mentioned, use escrow and don't release the funds till u get what u wanted. What are you after? I may be able to refer you to freelancers from that site I have used previously without any issue's.
But international contracts are rarely cost effective to enforce especially across such legally separate countries like India and the USA. Escrow is a good way of protecting both parties, looking at feedback including the size of the projects etc, check reference sites but also look to ensure that the person in question did actually create them as anyone can add a site and claim to have made it. Alternatively, look to employ a company... costs are higher but can be more reputable (though there are obvious exceptions)
Make sure you have the right refrences. Also, contact the former clients of the freelancer. Then, I dont think you need to worry much about it. And contract is there ofcourse....
Contacting former clients is a good option but be pragmatic about it too, dont use it as an initial tool but near the end of the selection process.... we receive 10-20 requests for quotes a day which we would consider providing a positive response to, we certainly would expect our previous clients to provide 20 references a day. We dont however have any issues giving their details after everything has been bottomed out and either we have been selected subject to references or when it is down to us and one other firm.
it is not so difficult and you don't need to worry mate you are from america i am from India i know you trust on use there fore i always ask for the payments after the projects is fully completed and the client is fully satisfied i have also got some wonderfull clients on gaf those who like my work and pay me more than the agreed no doubt sometime we don't get paid by some clients also but that does n't effects much because for new clients i ask for daily payments so there is no problem at all clients are also satisfied and i also happy
Firstly don't pay upfront , pay only when you get the goods. Try and go for big reputable companies ( big as in more than 1 guy in a bedroom in some backwater ) ,try getting their details ie address, real name etc just in case that way you can trace them if things go bad. Best and easiest is going with people that have been recommended to you. Oh and some nations such as India etc it can be a pain to hunt programmers down thru the legal route if things get bad. So cheapest is not always the best option