There was an article on TechCrunch last week about how LinkedIn’s “Services Marketplace” aka freelance directory, now has 10 million users and is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s supposed to be a direct response to the growing trend of freelancing and the increasing demand for flexible work arrangements.
But if you dig deep into the user experience it seems more like a token attempt at helping freelancers.
Here’s a brief timeline of its development:
- Early 2023: LinkedIn launched a beta version of the Services Marketplace in the United States.
- Mid-2023: The platform was expanded to a wider audience, making it available to millions of LinkedIn users globally.
I have not seen any updates to the platform in 2024. They claim service requests are up 65% this year but won’t release actual numbers on how many people are getting hired from it. 2024 has been a tough year for freelance marketplaces overall as they have seen a decline in demand but I think LinkedIn has missed the boat when it comes to capitalizing on this long term trend.
I signed up right away when they first launched it. I remember getting a few requests in those early days but none ever resulted in anything. If you look at the site today I have several problems with its design and functionality.
First of all they bury the marketplace deep into the main interface. To even find the page you must click that “For Business” tab in the upper right then search for it down in the many options. This merely prevents people from actually finding it at all. If it were up to me I’d give it a dedicated icon right next to Jobs in the main navigation. Fail #1.
And I hate the name “Services Marketplace” Its is so generic sounding. Just call it “Freelance Finder” or something more direct. Also why is it listed under ‘Sales’? Fail #2.
Now lets take a look at the homepage of this marketplace.
So you can only search for freelancers and there is no way for employers to post a project like they can on LinkedIn. And if you look at popular services where is HR or Sales? Those are the primary users of LI and in my belief they should be at the forefront of services offered. The search function is also weak. The only way to find a freelancer is through a keyword, and that is the crux of my argument here.
I clicked on the first service ‘Graphic Design’, then clicked on the first profile listed. I will preface this by saying that if I am looking for a freelance designer I’d like to see some examples of their work. Instead, I just get this;
Are you kidding me? How is an employer supposed to find a graphic designer through just keywords. Any legit freelance marketplace needs a way for freelancers to showcase their work and stand out. Let them add videos and images. That’s just basic functionality that is totally missing. Fail #3.
Back in the early 2000’s my job was an information architect for a web design firm and that is where I first learned how to make job related websites. I had a particular focus on web usability and keeping things as simple as possible for the end user.
If LinkedIn thinks that by merely adding keywords to your profile is a great way to help freelancers find work they need to rethink their strategy.
They could have a serious marketplace if they want to, but at this point I find it underwhelming at best.
