What is PayHeld and how does it work?

PayHeld is a payment protection platform for freelancers and clients. When a client pays, funds are securely held by Stripe until the work is complete. Both parties approve the release, or payment auto-releases after 7 days. This protects both freelancers (guaranteed payment) and clients (only pay for completed work).

How much does PayHeld cost?

PayHeld charges a 5% platform fee when payments are released. This is significantly lower than Upwork (20% fee) and Fiverr (20% fee). There are no monthly subscriptions, no hidden fees, and no upfront costs. You only pay when you successfully complete a transaction.

Is PayHeld safe and secure?

Yes. PayHeld uses Stripe Connect for all payment processing, providing bank-level security with 256-bit encryption. Funds are held securely by Stripe until work is approved. We never store credit card information, and all transactions are PCI-DSS compliant. Your money is protected by Stripe's fraud detection and dispute resolution systems.

How is PayHeld different from Upwork or Fiverr?

PayHeld has 75% lower fees (5% vs 20%), no forced marketplace (you bring your own clients), payment links that work without accounts, and faster payouts. Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, you keep full control of your client relationships and don't compete in a crowded marketplace. Perfect for freelancers who find their own clients.

Do I need an account to use PayHeld?

Clients don't need an account to pay via payment links. Freelancers need a free account to receive payments and connect their Stripe account. Account setup takes less than 5 minutes with email verification and Stripe Connect onboarding.

When do I get paid as a freelancer?

Funds release when the client approves your work, or automatically after 7 days if there's no dispute. Once released, money transfers to your bank account within 1-2 business days via Stripe. You can also request early release if both parties agree.

What happens if there's a dispute?

If there's a dispute, both parties can submit evidence through PayHeld's dispute resolution system. Our team reviews all evidence and makes a fair decision based on the project agreement, deliverables, and communication. The dispute process typically takes 3-5 business days.

Can I use PayHeld for international payments?

Yes! PayHeld supports global payments in 135+ currencies through Stripe. Both clients and freelancers can be anywhere in the world. Currency conversion is handled automatically, and payouts work in most countries where Stripe is available.

What types of projects can I use PayHeld for?

Any freelance or contractor work: web development, design, writing, marketing, video production, consulting, virtual assistance, and more. PayHeld works for one-time projects, recurring work, milestone-based contracts, and hourly agreements. Both online and local services are supported.

How does PayHeld compare to traditional payment methods?

PayHeld is specifically built for freelance work with lower fees (5%), faster setup, and features like payment links, milestone tracking, and automatic dispute resolution. Unlike direct bank transfers or PayPal, PayHeld holds funds securely until work is approved, protecting both parties. Optimized for $50-$50,000 freelance projects.

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Getting Hired

Popular

Quick Match AI, directory visibility, and responding to client proposals

Last updated Jan 25, 2025 • 12 min read

How Freelancers Get Hired

There are three primary ways clients find and hire freelancers on PayHeld. Understanding these pathways helps you optimize your profile and increase your chances of getting hired.

Quick Match AI

Clients describe their project needs, and our AI matches them with the best freelancers based on skills, experience, and availability.

⚡ Fastest way to get matched

Directory Search

Clients browse the freelancer directory, filter by skills and budget, and manually select freelancers to hire.

🎯 Most common method

Direct Contact

Clients can send you direct messages before creating a project to discuss requirements.

💬 Higher-budget projects

Typical Hiring Flow

Client finds you

Views your profile

Clicks "Hire Me"

You receive proposal

Accept & start work

Quick Match AI

Quick Match AI is PayHeld's intelligent freelancer matching system. Clients describe their project in natural language, and our AI analyzes 80+ tech synonyms and 10 scoring factors to find the best matches.

How Quick Match AI Works

Client Describes Project

Example: "Build a React dashboard with TypeScript and real-time data"

AI Analyzes Skills

Extracts keywords: React, TypeScript, Real-time, Dashboard. Understands synonyms like "Next.js," "Websockets," "Data Visualization"

Scores Freelancers

Ranks all freelancers by: skill match, portfolio relevance, ratings, availability, pricing, profile completion, verification status

Returns Top Matches

Client sees top 10-20 freelancers with match scores (e.g., "92% match"). They can view profiles and hire directly.

10 Scoring Factors

Skill Match

Primary skills + tech stack alignment

Portfolio Relevance

Similar past projects in portfolio

Rating & Reviews

Average rating, job success rate

Availability

"Available Now" ranks higher

Hourly Rate

Matches client's budget range

Profile Completion

90%+ completion scores higher

Verification Status

Verified & Top Rated badges boost

Response Time

Fast responders rank higher

Location & Timezone

Same timezone = slight boost

Language Match

Shared languages preferred

How to Rank Higher in Quick Match

Add 5-10 skills covering broad + specific tools

Upload portfolio with detailed project descriptions

Complete profile to 90%+ (bio, portfolio, skills)

Set availability to "Available Now"

Get Verified badge (manual ID verification)

Maintain 4.5+ rating with positive reviews

Directory Visibility & Search Ranking

Your profile's visibility in the freelancer directory depends on your completion score, settings, and performance metrics. Understanding how search ranking works helps you appear at the top when clients browse.

70% Completion Required for Search Visibility

Profiles below 70% completion are hidden from public search and directory listings. You won't appear in Quick Match results, directory searches, or be discoverable by clients until you reach this threshold.

Priority Sections to Complete First:

Bio (100+ characters) - 20 points

Portfolio (3+ items) - 20 points

Skills (3+ added) - 15 points

Stripe Connect Setup - 15 points

What Determines Your Search Ranking

Once you're searchable (70%+), your ranking in directory results is determined by these factors:

Profile Completion Score

Weight: 25%

90%+ profiles rank 3x higher than 70-89%. Complete all sections for maximum visibility.

Average Rating & Reviews

Weight: 20%

4.5+ rating significantly boosts ranking. Top Rated badge (90%+ job success) ranks even higher.

Availability Status

Weight: 15%

"Available Now" ranks highest. "Available in 1 Week" still visible but lower. "Not Available" hidden from search.

Verification Badges

Weight: 15%

Verified badge = 40% higher hire rate. Top Rated badge = 3x more inquiries. Both rank you significantly higher.

Response Time

Weight: 10%

Respond to messages within 24 hours. Fast responders rank higher and get "Quick Responder" badge.

Skill Match

Weight: 10%

When clients filter by skills, exact matches appear first. Add both broad ("Web Design") and specific ("Figma") skills.

Recent Activity

Weight: 5%

Active freelancers (recent logins, updated profiles, ongoing projects) rank slightly higher than inactive accounts.

How Clients Filter Freelancers

Understanding client filters helps you optimize your profile for discoverability:

Skills Filter

Clients search by specific skills like "React," "SEO Writing," "Video Editing." Add all relevant skills to your profile.

Hourly Rate Range

Clients filter by budget: $0-$50, $50-$100, $100-$200, $200+. Set competitive rates for your experience level.

Location/Timezone

Some clients prefer local freelancers or specific timezones. Keep location updated and accurate.

Languages Spoken

Clients filter by language (English, Spanish, French, etc.). Add all languages you're fluent in.

Verification Status

Clients can filter for "Verified Only" or "Top Rated Only." Get badges to appear in premium searches.

Availability

Clients filter for "Available Now" when they need urgent work. Keep status updated to appear in time-sensitive searches.

Profile Visibility Settings

Control who can see your profile from Settings → Privacy. Choose the setting that matches your goals:

PUBLIC (Recommended)

Anyone can view your full profile, even without logging in. Appears in all searches, Quick Match, and Google search results.

✓ Best for getting hired - maximum exposure

LOGGED-IN ONLY

Only PayHeld members with verified email can view. Appears in directory and Quick Match, but not Google search.

⚠️ Moderate privacy - may miss some opportunities

PRIVATE

Hidden from all searches. Only existing clients can view your profile via direct link.

⛔ Not recommended - severely limits new opportunities

Responding to Client Proposals

When a client clicks "Hire Me" on your profile, they create a payment link project and you receive an email notification. Here's how the proposal and acceptance flow works.

You Receive Email NotificationWithin minutes

PayHeld sends you an email titled: "New Project Proposal from [Client Name]"

Email contains:

• Client name and profile

• Project title and description

• Payment amount (secured)

• Deadline/timeline

• Direct link to accept/decline

Review Proposal Details

Click the email link to view the full proposal page with all project details

What to Check:

Project Scope: Does the description match your skills?

Budget: Is the payment fair for the work required?

Timeline: Can you deliver by the deadline?

Client History: Check their past reviews and payment history (if available)

Tip: The payment is already secured — the client has paid and funds are held securely. You'll get paid automatically when you deliver.

Accept or Decline7-day deadline

You have 7 days to accept or decline the proposal. After 7 days, the proposal automatically expires and funds are returned to the client.

Accept Project

• Project status changes to ACTIVE

• Client receives confirmation email

• You can start working immediately

• Project appears in your dashboard

• Upload deliverables via project page

Decline Project

• Option to provide decline reason

• Client receives notification

• Funds automatically refunded to client

• No penalty to your profile

• Suggest another freelancer (optional)

Best Practices for Responding

Respond within 24 hours (shows professionalism)

Message client before declining to discuss concerns

Ask clarifying questions if scope is unclear

Don't accept if you can't meet the deadline

Check if revisions are included in the budget

Decline politely if project doesn't match your expertise

Maximizing Your Visibility

Follow these proven strategies to increase your profile views, client inquiries, and hire rate.

Profile Optimization

Complete to 90%+: Bio, portfolio, skills, hourly rate, availability, Stripe setup

Upload 3-5 portfolio items: Showcase diverse projects with detailed descriptions

Add 5-10 skills: Mix broad categories ("Web Design") with specific tools ("Figma")

Professional photo: Clear headshot, good lighting, professional attire

Verification & Badges

Get Verified badge: Upload government ID + video selfie → 40% higher hire rate

Earn Top Rated badge: 90%+ job success, $5k+ earnings, 4.5+ rating → 3x more inquiries

Stripe Connect verified: Shows clients you're ready to accept payments

PRO membership badge: Unlocks unlimited portfolio, priority support

Activity & Engagement

Keep availability updated: "Available Now" ranks highest in all searches

Respond within 24 hours: Fast responders get "Quick Responder" badge

Log in regularly: Active profiles rank higher than inactive accounts

Update portfolio quarterly: Add new projects to show recent work

Reviews & Ratings

Maintain 4.5+ rating: High ratings boost Quick Match and directory ranking

Request reviews: Politely ask clients to leave reviews after successful projects

Deliver on time: Meeting deadlines improves job success rate (Top Rated requirement)

Exceed expectations: Go above and beyond to earn 5-star reviews

Quick Wins to Implement Today

⏱️ 5 Minutes

Update availability to "Available Now" and set response time to "Within 24 hours"

📸 10 Minutes

Upload professional profile photo (clear face, good lighting, neutral background)

✍️ 15 Minutes

Rewrite bio with keywords clients search for (technologies, services, results)

🎨 20 Minutes

Upload 3 best portfolio items with detailed descriptions and results

🎯 10 Minutes

Add 5-10 skills (both broad and specific tools you use)

🔒 15 Minutes

Complete Stripe Connect setup to show you're payment-ready

Profile Optimization Tips

Advanced strategies to make your profile stand out from competitors and convert more profile views into hires.

SEO & Keywords

Use keywords clients actually search for to improve Quick Match ranking and directory discoverability:

✓ Good Keyword Usage

"Full-stack developer specializing in React, Node.js, and AWS deployment. Built 50+ web applications with proven ROI results."

✗ Poor Keyword Usage

"Passionate developer who loves coding and creating amazing things. I'm the best and will exceed your expectations!"

Tip: Research what skills are in demand by browsing job postings on other platforms. Add those exact keywords to your bio and skills.

Portfolio Optimization

📸 High-Quality Images

Use 1200px+ width screenshots. Show before/after comparisons. Annotate images with callouts highlighting key features.

📝 Detailed Descriptions

Include: client industry, problem solved, your role, technologies used, quantifiable results (e.g., "+40% conversion rate").

🔗 Live Demo Links

Add URLs to live sites or case studies. Clients who can interact with your work are 2x more likely to hire you.

🎯 Diversity

Show range: different industries, project types, and styles. Proves you're versatile and can adapt to client needs.

Winning Bio Formula

Structure:

Who you are: Your role and years of experience

What you do: Specific services and specializations

Results & proof: Quantifiable achievements and client results

Why clients hire you: Unique value proposition and differentiators

Call to action: Invite them to contact you or view portfolio

Example: "Senior React developer with 8 years building SaaS dashboards for fintech startups. Specialized in TypeScript, Next.js, and real-time data visualization. Delivered 50+ projects with average 40% performance improvement. Clients choose me for fast turnaround (avg 2 weeks) and clean, maintainable code. Let's discuss your project!"

Client Contact Methods

Understand how clients can reach you and the different contact workflows available.

"Hire Me" ButtonMost common

The primary hiring method. When a client clicks "Hire Me" on your profile, they're taken to a project creation form.

Client fills: project title, description, budget, deadline

Payment is secured immediately (Stripe checkout)

You receive email notification with proposal details

Accept/decline within 7 days

"Contact" ButtonAvailable to all

All clients can send you direct messages before creating a project to discuss requirements.

Protected Communication

Spam detection and rate limiting keep conversations professional. All messages are monitored to ensure quality inquiries.

Client sends message through your profile

You receive email + in-app notification

Reply via Messages tab in dashboard

Discuss project details before they hire you

Privacy & Contact Settings

Control who can contact you from Settings → Privacy:

Allow Messages

Enable/disable direct messages from clients. Recommended: ON (more opportunities)

Block Users

Block specific clients if they send spam or inappropriate messages. They won't be able to contact or hire you.

Email Notifications

Configure when you receive emails (new proposals, messages, project updates). Manage from Settings → Notifications.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Get Hired?

Start by completing your profile to 70% minimum, then optimize for maximum visibility.

Complete Your Profile Upload Portfolio Get Verified

Getting Hired

On This Page

How Freelancers Get Hired

Quick Match AI

Directory Search

Direct Contact

Typical Hiring Flow

Quick Match AI

How Quick Match AI Works

10 Scoring Factors

How to Rank Higher in Quick Match

Directory Visibility & Search Ranking

70% Completion Required for Search Visibility

What Determines Your Search Ranking

How Clients Filter Freelancers

Profile Visibility Settings

Responding to Client Proposals

You Receive Email NotificationWithin minutes

Review Proposal Details

Accept or Decline7-day deadline

Best Practices for Responding

Maximizing Your Visibility

Profile Optimization

Verification & Badges

Activity & Engagement

Reviews & Ratings

Quick Wins to Implement Today

Profile Optimization Tips

SEO & Keywords

Portfolio Optimization

Winning Bio Formula

Client Contact Methods

"Hire Me" ButtonMost common

"Contact" ButtonAvailable to all

Privacy & Contact Settings

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Quick Match AI find me?

Why can't clients find me in search?

What happens if I don't respond to a proposal in 7 days?

Is there a penalty for declining projects?

How do I improve my directory ranking?

Does verification really increase hire rate?

Can FREE clients contact me?

Can I receive multiple proposals at once?

What is Vacation Mode?

How do I earn Top Rated badge?

Ready to Get Hired?