Envato Notes

Web Development Services Coming to Microlancer!

Posted: 30 Jul 2013 09:00 PM PDT

notes-code

Almost four months ago we launched our freelance services marketplace Microlancer. It's been growing really quickly, doubling sales in the last eleven weeks, and topping more than $130,000 of jobs sold to date! We started in graphics with categories like logo design and one-page web design. Now we're going to be branching out into our first ten web development service categories. And we're inviting talented devs to register your interest in providing code services on Microlancer.

Services will include PSD to HTML, WordPress or email template build-outs, and various WordPress and frontend services. Web developers with solid skills in HTML, CSS or WordPress plugin and theme development will form the backbone of these categories.

How Microlancer works
On Microlancer freelance service providers set up fixed price, preset services for sale. Buyers pick and choose the service that fits their needs from a trusted provider, pay up front, and interact with the provider through the site.

We're working hard to create an environment where freelancers can spend more time doing work they love, less time on quoting, bidding, pitching for jobs, chasing up payment, and searching for clients.

We have a review process where both services and providers are assessed for quality and fit for the marketplace. And we're building up a support and dispute resolution system to make sure that both buyers and providers feel safe and secure.

Twenty of our design service providers are into the thousands of dollars in gross earnings, and we're excited to see who our first $10,000 service provider will be!

Why code services?
On both Microlancer and our Envato Marketplaces, there is a huge demand for small coding jobs. In fact, our second highest search term on Microlancer is 'wordpress', despite the fact that we don't actually yet sell any services relating to WordPress! Over on GraphicRiver, ThemeForest and CodeCanyon, some of the most commonly requested add-ons are customization, installation, conversion and tweaks to purchased items.

We're always working to open up new avenues of income for designers and developers. If you set up great coding services, we'll be sending lots of interested buyers your way.

What does this mean for Marketplace authors?
When web development services debut on Microlancer, you can expect to see lots of crossover promotion on our Marketplaces to increase awareness and send over buyers.

Down the road, we'll be slowly adding integration points into the Marketplaces for buyers who are looking for help with the item they just bought. Where appropriate, we plan to add overrides for authors to recommend specific services or service providers on Marketplaces (including themselves if they offer those services!)

In the longer term I'm expecting Microlancer to help us broaden the audience for our Marketplaces even further. While we've grown enormously over the years, a lot of our items still require a fair level of expertise and software to use. For example, without Illustrator or Photoshop, our logo design category on GraphicRiver will only get you so far. Add in the Customizations section of Microlancer, and all of a sudden even my Mum can get a logo organized.

When buyers do take advantage of a related service such as a customization, installation or modification, then they will still need to purchase the item first on our Marketplaces. Service providers won't be permitted to resell or bundle items into services.

If you have questions about how Microlancer will affect authors, please do let us know in the comments. Microlancer's comms manager, and former Marketplace community manager, Jordan is going to be helping me out with answering everything!

Register your interest
We're close to launching the new categories, but we're gathering a list of talented web developers to seed them for launch. The earliest service providers will reap the benefits of all the buzz and attention around the launch of code. If you're considering selling code services on Microlancer, it's time to register your interest.

Once again, we're super excited to open up this new category and we look forward to seeing your services on Microlancer!