PeoplePerHour setup checklist: mistakes new users should avoid

By FastBuySale Newsroom · 9 Nov 2026 · 27m ago

Why setup matters on PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour reviews new freelancer profiles before they can start working, and clients often compare several freelancers within minutes. A rushed setup can lead to rejection, few replies to proposals or underpriced work that leaves you out of pocket after fees. Spending a few hours getting the basics right gives you a much better start. This checklist covers the most common mistakes new users make and how to avoid them, with links to official help pages for current rules.

Mistake 1: an incomplete profile

Many new freelancers leave sections blank, skip the portfolio or write a one-line bio. Complete every section: headline, about text, skills, experience, education or certifications, portfolio and rates. Moderators and clients both read profiles as evidence of how seriously you take your work.

Mistake 2: a vague headline

A headline such as Freelancer or Creative professional tells clients nothing. Use a specific headline that states what you do and for whom, such as Shopify developer for small UK retailers or Bookkeeper for sole traders using Xero. Specific headlines help clients and search filters find you.

Mistake 3: a poor photo

Use a clear, friendly, recent photo of yourself, with good lighting and a plain background. Avoid logos, group photos, sunglasses or heavy filters. Clients like to see who they will be working with.

Mistake 4: no portfolio samples

Add three to six samples relevant to the work you want. If you are new, create realistic practice pieces, such as a sample logo for a fictional café or a sample blog post, and label them as samples. Never use others' work.

Mistake 5: choosing too many unrelated skills

Listing dozens of skills, from logo design to tax advice, makes you look unfocused. Choose skills that match your main service and support it with samples.

Mistake 6: ignoring service fees in pricing

PeoplePerHour charges freelancers a service fee on earnings, and the rate can depend on factors set out in its fee pages. If you price without considering fees, your take-home pay may be lower than expected. Calculate your minimum acceptable rate after fees before quoting.

Worked example: pricing after fees

This is an illustrative example, not PeoplePerHour's current rates. Amira wants to take home at least £200 from a project. If the service fee on that project is 20%, she needs to charge 200 divided by 0.8, which is £250. At a 10% fee, she would need about £222.22. The percentage calculator on this site helps check these figures.

Mistake 7: sending generic proposals

Copying the same proposal to every project rarely works, and proposal credits may be limited. Read each brief carefully, mention the client's specific needs, outline how you would approach the work, include a relevant sample and ask a sensible question.

Mistake 8: weak or confusing Offers

Offers are fixed-price services that clients can buy directly, such as a five-page website audit, a logo with two concepts or a set of social media graphics. Many new freelancers create vague Offers with unclear deliverables or unrealistic delivery times. Write a specific title, explain exactly what the client receives, how many revisions are included, the delivery time and what you need from the client to start. Use attractive, relevant images and price add-ons, such as faster delivery or extra revisions, separately. Start with one or two strong Offers rather than ten weak ones.

Mistake 9: moving work off the platform

Clients sometimes ask to pay outside the platform or communicate by phone or personal email early on. Taking work off PeoplePerHour can break its terms, removes payment protections and can lead to account suspension. Keep messages, files and payments on the platform, especially with new clients, so there is a clear record if a dispute arises.

Mistake 10: unclear agreements before starting

Before starting work, confirm the scope, deadline, number of revisions and price in the platform's messaging or workstream tools. Ensure funds have been deposited by the client according to the platform's process before beginning significant work. Clear agreements prevent misunderstandings and disputes.

Mistake 11: forgetting withdrawals and HMRC

Set up your withdrawal method early and check any fees or minimums. Keep records of income, fees and business expenses. If your self-employment income goes above the trading allowance, or you need to file a return for other reasons, register for Self Assessment with HMRC and set money aside for income tax and National Insurance. The official government website has clear guidance for people starting out as self-employed.

Mistake 12: neglecting your first reviews

Early reviews strongly influence whether new clients hire you. Deliver your first projects carefully, communicate often, meet or beat deadlines and politely ask satisfied clients to leave feedback. Avoid offering discounts in exchange for positive reviews, which can break the rules.

Writing an about section that works

Your about section should explain who you help, what results you deliver and why clients can trust you. Start with a short sentence about your main service and the type of clients you serve. Add two or three sentences about relevant experience, such as years in the field, notable projects or qualifications. Mention the tools you use and your working hours, especially if you serve clients in other time zones. End with an invitation to get in touch with details of their project. Keep paragraphs short, check spelling and grammar carefully and avoid clichés such as passionate hard worker, which appear on thousands of profiles and say little about your actual skills.

Responding to client messages promptly

Response time matters on freelance marketplaces. Clients often contact several freelancers at once and hire whoever replies first with a clear, helpful answer. Turn on notifications in the app, check messages at set times during the day and aim to reply within a few hours where possible. A quick, professional reply that asks one or two useful questions about the project shows reliability before you have even started work, and it can make up for having fewer reviews than more established freelancers.

Building a steady flow of work

Once you have a few good reviews, focus on repeat clients. Offer follow-up services, check in after projects and deliver consistently. Many established freelancers find that a handful of loyal clients provide most of their income.

Handling disputes calmly

Occasionally a client may be unhappy with work or request changes beyond the agreed scope. Stay calm and professional, refer back to the agreed brief and offer a reasonable solution, such as one more revision or a partial refund where justified. Keep all communication on the platform so there is a clear record. If you cannot reach agreement, use PeoplePerHour's dispute process, which reviews the evidence from both sides. Freelancers who document agreements carefully, deliver on time and communicate clearly rarely face serious disputes, and handling the occasional problem fairly protects your reputation and future reviews.

Using proposal credits wisely

If proposals use credits, treat each one as valuable. Filter projects by budget, skills and client history, and skip vague briefs, extremely low budgets or clients with poor feedback. Sending fewer, well-researched proposals to suitable projects usually wins more work than sending many rushed ones.

Reviewing your profile every month

Set a reminder to review your profile and Offers monthly. Replace weaker portfolio samples with stronger recent work, update your headline as your specialism becomes clearer and adjust prices as your reviews grow. Check which proposals and Offers led to hires, and refine the others. Small, regular improvements help your profile keep pace with your growing experience and attract better paid projects over time.

Protecting your account

Turn on two-step verification, use a strong unique password and never share login details with anyone, including clients or people claiming to offer extra work.

A quick setup checklist

Verify your email and identity. Write a specific headline. Add a professional photo. Complete your about section. Add portfolio samples. Choose focused skills. Create one or two Offers. Calculate rates after fees. Set up withdrawals. Read the terms and help centre. Register with HMRC if needed.

Reader questions

Questions about freelancing in the UK? Send them through the Ask page on this site.

Disclaimer

This article is for general information only. Fees and rules change; check the PeoplePerHour help centre and official HMRC guidance.

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