7 Smart Platforms to Hire Skilled SEO Professionals Without Using Upwork
Upwork has built a reputation as a go-to marketplace for freelancers, but it’s far from your only option when you need a capable SEO expert. Many business owners find themselves frustrated with bidding wars, inconsistent quality, or high platform fees. If you’re tired of sifting through hundreds of proposals or dealing with Upwork’s structure, you’ll be glad to know there are several strong alternatives that connect you with talented SEO professionals. This list covers seven different platforms, each with its own approach to matching clients with experts who can improve your search rankings and drive organic traffic.
- Legiit
Legiit operates as a freelance marketplace with a particular focus on digital marketing services, which makes it a natural fit if you’re looking for SEO help. Unlike platforms where you post a job and wait for dozens of bids, Legiit lets SEO experts list their specific services with clear pricing and deliverables upfront. You can browse through profiles, read detailed service descriptions, and see exactly what you’ll get before making a purchase.
The platform attracts professionals who specialize in areas like link building, content optimization, local SEO, and technical audits. Many sellers have built solid reputations with verified reviews from previous clients, which helps you make informed decisions quickly. The pricing structure is straightforward, with no hourly rate negotiations or surprise costs. You pay for the service package you select, and the expert delivers the work according to the agreed timeline.
Legiit also offers a layer of buyer protection, so if the work doesn’t match what was promised, you have recourse through the platform. This structure works well for businesses that prefer fixed-price projects over open-ended hourly arrangements. Whether you need a one-time SEO audit or ongoing monthly optimization, you’ll find specialists who offer packaged services that fit different budgets and needs.
- Toptal
Toptal positions itself as a network for the top three percent of freelance talent, and they back this claim with a rigorous screening process. If you’re working on a complex SEO project that requires strategic thinking and technical depth, Toptal connects you with senior-level professionals who have passed multiple rounds of evaluation. The vetting includes skills assessments, live problem-solving tests, and trial projects.
The matching process is hands-on. After you describe your needs, Toptal’s team recommends candidates who fit your requirements, usually within a day or two. You’ll interview the suggested experts and choose who you want to work with. This curated approach saves you from reviewing countless applications and reduces the risk of hiring someone who oversold their abilities.
Expect to pay premium rates for this level of talent. Toptal serves businesses that prioritize quality and expertise over budget constraints. The platform handles contracts, payments, and administrative details, so you can focus on the work itself. If your SEO needs involve technical challenges like site migrations, international expansion, or algorithm recovery, the caliber of professionals on Toptal can make a real difference in outcomes.
- SEOClerks
SEOClerks has operated as a specialized marketplace for search engine optimization services for over a decade. The platform hosts thousands of sellers who offer everything from keyword research and on-page optimization to backlink packages and rank tracking. Because it focuses specifically on SEO, you’ll find a concentrated pool of specialists rather than generalists.
The service-based model resembles an online store. Sellers list their offerings with fixed prices, delivery times, and detailed descriptions of what’s included. You can filter by category, price range, seller level, and customer ratings. Many vendors offer tiered packages, so you can start small and scale up if the results meet your expectations.
Prices on SEOClerks tend to be lower than what you’d find on general freelance platforms, partly because many sellers operate from countries with lower cost structures. This makes it a practical option for small businesses or startups working with tight budgets. However, you’ll need to do your homework by reading reviews and checking seller history. Not every service will deliver the quality you need, but the rating system and buyer feedback help you separate reliable providers from those who promise more than they can deliver.
- People Per Hour
People Per Hour operates as a freelance marketplace with strong representation in Europe, though it connects clients and freelancers globally. The platform uses a dual system where you can either post a project and receive proposals or browse through expert profiles and pre-packaged service offers called Hourlies. This flexibility lets you choose the approach that fits your hiring style.
For SEO work, you’ll find professionals offering services like content optimization, technical audits, competitor analysis, and link building campaigns. The Hourlies feature works particularly well for smaller, defined tasks where you want clear pricing upfront. For larger projects, posting a detailed brief and reviewing proposals gives you more control over finding the right fit.
The platform uses a WorkStream system that keeps all communication, files, and revisions in one place. This centralized workflow helps prevent miscommunication and makes it easier to track progress. Payment is held in escrow and released when you approve the work, which provides protection for both parties. People Per Hour charges service fees to both clients and freelancers, so factor that into your budget when comparing total costs across platforms.
- Codeable
Codeable specializes in WordPress development, but that focus makes it valuable for SEO work that involves technical implementation. If your search optimization needs include site speed improvements, schema markup, mobile responsiveness, or structural changes to your WordPress site, Codeable connects you with developers who understand both the technical and SEO implications of their work.
The platform pre-screens all experts before they can join the network. When you submit a project, Codeable matches you with developers who have relevant experience. You’ll receive proposals from vetted professionals, typically within hours. This curated matching process eliminates the noise of unqualified applicants and speeds up the hiring process considerably.
While Codeable developers charge professional rates that reflect their expertise, the investment often pays off when you need technical SEO changes done correctly the first time. Poorly implemented technical fixes can create new problems that harm your rankings, so working with someone who understands both WordPress architecture and search engine requirements helps avoid costly mistakes. The platform manages payments and offers project protection, giving you recourse if something goes wrong.
- Guru
Guru provides a traditional freelance marketplace experience with some features that make project management smoother. The platform has been around since the early days of online freelancing and has built a substantial community of professionals across various categories, including SEO and digital marketing. You can post jobs, review proposals, and negotiate terms with freelancers who match your requirements.
One feature that sets Guru apart is its WorkRoom system, which combines communication tools, file sharing, time tracking, and invoicing in a single interface. This integrated approach reduces the need to juggle multiple apps or email threads. For ongoing SEO work that involves regular deliverables and updates, having everything centralized makes collaboration more efficient.
Guru offers different payment options including hourly, fixed-price, and task-based arrangements. You can also set up recurring payments for monthly retainers, which works well if you find an SEO expert you want to keep on long-term. The platform charges service fees, but they’re structured in tiers based on your membership level. If you plan to hire frequently, a paid membership reduces the per-project costs. The SafePay escrow system holds funds until you approve completed work, protecting both your payment and the freelancer’s compensation.
- Mayple
Mayple takes a different approach by combining a vetted network of marketing experts with an AI-powered matching system. When you need SEO help, you fill out a detailed questionnaire about your business, goals, current challenges, and budget. The platform’s system analyzes your needs and recommends three to five experts who have relevant experience with businesses similar to yours.
The matching process considers factors like industry experience, technical skills, company size, and previous project outcomes. This saves you from having to evaluate dozens of profiles or proposals. The recommended experts have all passed Mayple’s screening process, which includes reviewing portfolios, checking references, and verifying past results.
Mayple also assigns a customer success manager to oversee your project. This person acts as a liaison between you and the expert, helping resolve any issues and ensuring the work stays on track. The added layer of support can be particularly valuable if you’re not familiar with SEO terminology or best practices and need guidance on evaluating progress. Pricing varies based on the expert and project scope, but the platform aims to match you with professionals who fit your budget range while still delivering quality work.
- Fiverr Pro
While regular Fiverr is known for budget services, Fiverr Pro operates as a separate tier featuring hand-vetted professionals who have demonstrated high-level skills and consistent quality. For SEO services, Fiverr Pro sellers typically have years of experience, strong portfolios, and proven track records with established businesses. The platform screens these professionals before granting them Pro status, which helps filter out less experienced providers.
The service packages on Fiverr Pro are clearly defined with fixed pricing, deliverables, and timelines. You know exactly what you’re getting before you commit, which removes ambiguity and reduces the back-and-forth negotiation common on other platforms. Many Pro sellers offer multiple tiers, allowing you to choose a package that matches your needs and budget.
Fiverr Pro sellers often have faster response times and higher standards for communication compared to the broader Fiverr marketplace. The platform also provides customer support specifically for Pro transactions, giving you additional assistance if issues arise. While prices are higher than standard Fiverr services, they’re often more competitive than what you’d pay on platforms focused exclusively on premium talent. This makes Fiverr Pro a middle-ground option when you want verified quality without top-tier pricing.
Finding the right SEO expert doesn’t require limiting yourself to one platform. Each alternative offers different advantages depending on your project scope, budget, and how much involvement you want in the hiring process. Some platforms give you curated matches with vetted professionals, while others let you browse service packages and make quick purchasing decisions. The key is understanding what type of SEO work you need and which platform structure aligns with how you prefer to hire and manage freelancers. Try one or two that seem like good fits for your situation, and you’ll likely find capable professionals who can help improve your search visibility without the limitations or frustrations you’ve experienced elsewhere.