Being successful on Fiverr is not about luck. It's just about what you do. So if you make these 12 common mistakes, it will make it harder for you to reach your Fiverr goal.
Fortunately, this article will tell you the mistakes to avoid and show you how to turn them into something good.
Let’s go!
1) Not creating a niche
It’s common to think that targeting everyone will bring you more customers. It’s nothing but a mistake. Laser focus on a niche helps you master a field and customers prefer working with experts.
What to do?
Once you have chosen your generic service category, go as far down as you can according to your style, market, or experience.
Take a sample:
- Graphic Design > Logo Design > Minimal Logo Design > Minimal Restaurant Logo Design
Add your chosen niche to the Gig title, description, and tag section.
Your niche helps you to be as specific as you can and plus, even if you are a newbie you look like a professional.
2) Over-promising
Overpromising is a common mistake on Fiverr. Many freelancers do it to find more jobs.
But in real life, this creates a high expectation–maybe higher than your real offer. Then, when you fail to meet that expectation, you get a bad score.
When your success score drops critically, your profile is labeled as ‘low performance’ and your visibility is reduced.
A few overblown promises:
- I will deliver in a few hours.
- I give you unlimited revisions.
- I guarantee 100% satisfaction.
What can you do about it?
Avoid over-promising when writing gig descriptions or texting with the client.
For instance, these are good:
- "I deliver on time. For planning: the average time will be around X hours/day."
- "I offer X number of revisions, if you need more we can negotiate."
- "My goal is to provide you with the best service. With your feedback, I will work to optimize your project."
That way, you do your best work without stress.
3) Using poor-quality images
Low-quality images without people are less likely to be viewed. If you want to increase sales, you will need to revise the images.
What should you do?
Fiverr recommends using your own picture for Gig images. A well-lit, high-quality portrait is the best Gig image.
However, we recommend giving your Gig image a few tweaks. You can do this with tools such as Canva and Adobe Express.
So, what should the image size be?
- Recommended - 1280x769 px, 72 DPI
- Minimum - 712x430 pixels
- Maximum - 4000x2416 pixels
Not: The goal is to upload a Gig image that clients will want to click on. Make sure the image doesn't violate the Fiverr Community Guidelines.
4) Not analyzing competitors
Check the work of successful freelancers in your niche.
This market research can give you insight into:
- Price info
- Service included
- Negative customer feedback
- Positive customer feedback
- Trending services
- And much more
What should you do?
First, search for your niche in the Fiverr search bar.
Use the filters to browse "Top Rated" or "New Seller".
For example, list freelancers with more than 1000 positive reviews. Find the freelancers with the most sales from the options that appear.
The profile of a highly rated freelancer is the right one.
- Service description: Is it comprehensive or clear?
- Pricing: Does it offer different packages?
- Services offered: Details such as number of revisions, delivery time.
Identifying the most common complaints in the comments is an effective strategy.
- "Late delivery."
- "Poor communication."
- "Poor quality work delivery."
And you take action to do better. Most freelancers miss out on great potential by ignoring this strategy.
5) Not presenting a portfolio
All right, maybe you have a great work history. But if you don't have a portfolio, you're starting out a step behind. That's why it's a big mistake not to have a portfolio of your best work on your profile.
What should you do?
Export your best work to a portfolio-building site and add the link to your Fiverr profile.
Or, for a faster option, use Fiverr's portfolio creation service. Just click on your freelancer profile and click on the "Start Portfolio" button.
6) Not offering revisions
Your client may not feel safe if you do not offer at least 1 revision right.
What should you do?
When creating a Gig on Fiverr, you can give free revisions. For example, if the first two revisions are free, you can charge $10 per revision afterward.
If you wish, you can explain the revision rules under FAQ as shown in the image.
See the common Fiverr offer creation mistakes to learn more.
7) Not updating Gigs
The truth is: Gigs are like a shelf that collects dust over time. You should do a bit of cleaning and re-decorating as trends dictate. Otherwise, your Gigs may disappear into the dark pages of Fiverr.
What should you do?
Update your Gigs intermittently according to market demand and current prices.
- Is your price in line with competitors?
- Which areas look outdated?
- Do you have new projects to add to your portfolio?
Also, remember that Fiverr is a search engine and SEO is important. Fiverr likes to be up-to-date, just like any search engine.
It's not a sure thing, but showing interest in your Gig might be something Fiverr likes and wants to rank you higher.
If you’re new to the Gig economy, discover it now–because it’s rising.
8) Wrong pricing
Mispricing is a very common mistake.
First, you need to understand this: Every freelancing platform has a different clientele and budget.
- High prices can make it hard to attract clients, especially on platforms like Fiverr where affordability is a priority.
- Low prices can create suspicion about quality and reliability.
- Fiverr takes a 20% commission, so unsustainable profits are a risk.
If you want to keep your earnings, Ruul's fee starts at 2.75%, and your money will be in your account within one day.
What should you do?
Do price research specific to Fiverr. For example, if you're a freelance writer, search for your niche and look at competitor prices.
Yes, you may need to price low initially to get your first clients.
But once you've gained reviews and credibility, gradually increase your rates.
Offer options such as "Basic, Standard, Premium" to appeal to different budgets.
Clearly state what each package includes to avoid misunderstandings.
If you've got something special to offer, make sure you describe it and price it accordingly.
9) Implement incomplete SEO
Fiverr works similarly to a search engine. When clients search for "YouTube video editing", Fiverr matches them with the most suitable freelancer.
So if you don't follow SEO rules when creating a gig on Fiverr, the algorithm and customers won't be able to find you.
What should you do?
First, use tools like: Ahrefs, Semrush, and Ubersuggest to identify your target keywords. Then, do a search for competitors' gig titles on Fiverr.
SEO optimization involves 3 important areas:
- Gig title
- Gig description
- Tags
Without overstuffing your Gig, include the most popular keywords. This will help increase your chances of getting found.
Don't leave it at that. Optimize your images and videos as well. High-quality visuals can help the algorithm make you stand out from the crowd.
10) Incomplete filling of the profile
When buyers want to buy a Gig, they look at your profile. They scrutinize your photo, your portfolio, and your profile reviews.
This is their first impression of your profile. It influences their buying decision. And an incomplete profile can cause your customer to walk away.
What should you do?
It's really easy. Fiverr has it all. You can upload a lot of information about yourself in your profile. It is not a bad idea to think of your profile as a resume or a portfolio.
- We think you should add a bright and friendly image where your face is in full view. Don't frown. It can create a negative impression.
- Explain who you are. What you offer and why customers should choose you. For readability, use short paragraphs and bullet points.
- Prominently list your skills with relevant keywords (ex. SEO writing, graphic design, video editing). This helps Fiverr's algorithm match you to relevant keywords when searching.
You can complete your seller profile by checking Fiverr's Profile Checklist suggestions.
11) Poor communication
Unfortunately, some freelancers fail to recognize the importance of good communication with clients. Delays in project delivery and ultimately unhappy clients can result from poor communication.
What should you do?
Use Fiverr's messaging feature to communicate openly with your client.
If your client has not given enough brief for the project, do not hesitate to ask questions. Even insist on asking questions if necessary.
It is good to respond quickly to client messages as long as you are available. But you don't have to. Not everyone has the same busy schedule.
Clients also want to know what stage the project is at. Before they ask, you can give them information. For example,
- "I am at the X stage of the project, and it looks like it will be ready on the X date.”
12) Ignoring platform features
The Fiverr platform is extremely competitive. To stand out, you need to take full advantage of the platform's features.
Ignoring Fiverr's features that make you stand out can lead to missing out on huge sales potential.
What should you do?
There is a way that will bring you customers other than creating an SEO-friendly Gig: Activating Fiverr Ads.
Fiverr ads may cost extra, but they can help you earn more. You can also pay for ads automatically based on your earnings.
According to Fiverr, enabling gig ads can increase your visibility by up to 200%.
Final words on common mistakes on Fiverr
Being successful on Fiverr is no accident. The best sellers avoid most of the mistakes we just mentioned. You can analyze the results by changing your strategy immediately.
Finally, you can learn tips to increase visibility from top sellers on Fiverr Community. And even become a Fiverr Top Seller using our guide.
If you think Fiverr is not really for you, see the best Fiverr alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What not to do on Fiverr?
You shouldn't create a generic Gig on Fiverr, ignore SEO, and misprice your work. Also, you must not engage in activities that violate the Fiverr community guidelines (scamming, cheating, spreading violence, etc.).
What is not allowed on Fiverr?
Fiverr strictly prohibits any service that could lead to academic or workplace fraud. In addition, deepfakes, fake reviews, and fake traffic can result in permanent loss of your account.
