oDesk: My Review to Them
June 15th, 2009
I’ve just completed a job through oDesk. And if you’re unfamiliar with me, check out this earlier post. I can get pretty passionate about some topics! ;-)
Anyway, thought I’d share my evaluation of oDesk. When you close out a project, they let you give them feedback. Note that this is my feedback of oDesk–not my client. He was awesome, the project was awesome, and is even in finals for Inman Innovators Awards. Check it out: Trust Me, I’m a REALTOR. Again, what follows below is my feedback of oDesk and their system:
Dear oDesk, Please remember, you asked!
#1) The pop-up windows DROVE ME CRAZY and INTERRUPTED WORK FLOW. Every time when I was working in Photoshop, the damn screen-grab window would override my menu selection on layers panel (in bottom right). Then, as I would be entering code while in Coda, the status window would pop up and my text would continue being entered in the oDesk status line instead of my HTML in Coda….ARGH!
#2) The email job postings to which I subscribe have been arriving later and later during the last few months–as late as 8:45 am PST. I like to peruse my emails early in morning over breakfast so I can get down to business by 9:00. Seems like it puts the entire West Coast at a disadvantage for job applications.
#3) You’ve received several flags from me on inappropriate job offerings. I’m really fed up with ridiculous bids from buyers, rude behavior, and more. Nothing takes away professionalism faster! I realize you don’t want to set minimum rates, but how about considering a tiered system: 1) 3rd world exploitation, no expectations of originality/WANNABE; 2) far below market rate, but willing to work cheap/INTERN; 3) mid-level skills/MOONLIGHTER; 4) highly skilled and has invested in education/hardware/software/etc./PROFESSIONAL?
#4) Save me time reading your ads–I’d very much like some filtering up front in my email feed about the rates buyers are willing to pay. Why do I have to click on the job, only to find they want an awesome designer with every programming skill under the sun for more than $2/hour and less than $8/hour?
#5) Ditch or revamp your tests. They suck. The HTML test is so heavy on form code it’s ridiculous. I hardly waste any time coding forms. WuFoo is a far superior solution for many clients–AND it adds to SEO.
#6) I do not recommend oDesk to anyone without warning them that the #1 worry about buying cheap is that originality is as risk–ie. COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT. Some buyers are so blithely unaware! Do you realize how many posts request “clones” of websites? There’s a legal can of worms working as bait!
Are there reputable buyers on oDesk? Yes, of course. I’ve had the pleasure of working with one. Twice. And he has recommended me to others. In fact, my current project is for one such client. Though not via oDesk.
What works? Well, the payment system is fine. Though the interface was difficult to work through and displayed in wrong order. But I’m happy with the direct deposit. So far, so good.
Sorry to be so rough on you, but you asked. I like the model, in theory, but I am constantly insulted by the buyers looking to get something (great!) for nothing. It is disrespectful and devalues the professionalism of service providers.
What do you think?
I’d love to know more about who uses oDesk. I find myself attracted to it, and yet offended by it. In fact, if I was back in college and looking for a research topic, I could totally see myself developing a dissertation around this topic! So let’s get a discussion rolling. Comment below!
If you’ve been an oDesk buyer:
- What were your expectations?
- Were you satisfied?
If you’ve been an oDesk provider:
- What were your expectations?
- Were you satisfied?
