Why Nigerians Struggle to Get Clients on Freelance Platforms

What It Means to Get Clients on Freelance Platforms

To “get clients” means:

• Someone outsides (not your friend) hires you through the platform to do a job.

• You win projects via bidding, proposals, or buyer requests.

• You deliver work, get paid, and get feedback.

For Nigerians, getting clients means being visible on platforms, trusted, having competitive offers, and satisfying clients so they buy.

Common Freelance Platforms Nigerians Use

Here are some platforms many Nigerians try to use:

• Upwork — large global freelancing site, many job categories.

• Freelancer.com — similar to Upwork.

• Fiverr — gigs based, buyer picks you.

• PeoplePerHour, Guru — also used.

• Toptal, 99Designs — higher threshold, more competitive.

Knowing which platforms you use matters because each has its rules, fees, competition, and expectations.

Key Reasons Nigerians Struggle to Get Clients

Here are detailed reasons why many Nigerians find it hard to get clients on freelance platforms. Each one has how it shows up, why it matters, and brief example.

.1 Weak or Incomplete Profiles

What it Looks Like

• Profile photo missing or unprofessional.

• Bio / description not filled, or filled with generic lines (“I am hardworking”, “I deliver on time”).

• Skills list empty or wrong.

• No location or wrong country listed.

Why It Matters

Clients browse profiles before inviting or hiring. A weak profile doesn’t build trust. Platforms often show profile completeness or badges; incomplete profile may rank lower in search.

Example

Emeka applies for ten jobs on Upwork, but his profile has generic summary, no past work examples. He gets only one interview in two weeks. Meanwhile, another freelancer with similar skill but a filled profile and good photo gets more invites.

.2 Poor Keywording / Low Visibility in Search

What it Looks Like

• Gig or proposal titles do not include keywords clients use.

• Tags are wrong or missing.

• Using generic descriptions rather than what clients search.

Why It Matters

Freelance platforms have search systems. If your gig or profile doesn’t match keywords that clients type, your work won’t appear. Low visibility means fewer clicks.

Example

Tola offers “graphic design” but clients search “logo design”, “social media graphics Nigeria”. Because her titles don’t include “logo design”, her gig doesn’t show for those searches.

.3 Low Ratings / Lack of Reviews

What it Looks Like

• New account with no reviews.

• Some past reviews but low (3‑4 stars).

• Negative feedback unresolved.

Why It Matters

Clients trust freelancers with good reviews. Platforms often use ratings to determine which gigs show first. A freelancer with many excellent reviews is more likely to win work.

Example

Chinwe delivers well but never asks for reviews. She has 0 reviews after 1 month. When she applies for jobs, clients choose those with reviews over her even though prices are similar.

.4 Pricing Mistakes: Too High or Too Low

What it Looks Like

• Charging too much for experience level, leading to rejection.

• Charging too little, leading clients to think work is low quality.

• Not adjusting price over time or for complexity.

Why It Matters

Price influences decisions. Too high, clients skip; too low, clients think you’re inexperienced or work will be poor. Also, very low price means low earnings for you and poor profit after fees.

Example

Samuel prices his blog writing at USD 50 for 500 words when he’s new. Clients see cheaper alternatives and skip him. On the other side, Ada charges USD 2 and clients doubt she is professional.

.5 Competition from Others Globally

What it Looks Like

• Many freelancers from other countries (India, Philippines, Eastern Europe) offering similar services.

• They may charge lower, or have many reviews.

Why It Matters

Competition reduces client attention. If someone else with many reviews offers lower price, client may choose them. Also, clients sometimes filter by price or rating.

Example

A Nigerian translator tries to compete with translator from Philippines with 200 reviews charging slight cheaper. Client spots that and picks the one with many reviews for safer choice.

.6 Communication Issues (Language, Responsiveness)

What it Looks Like

• Slow replies to messages.

• Poor grammar or unclear writing.

• Not clarifying requirements; misunderstanding tasks.

Why It Matters

Clients prefer freelancers who reply fast, communicate clearly, ask questions. If you delay or miscommunicate, you lose trust or job. Response rate & speed are factors many platforms display.

Example

Ngozi gets messages on Upwork but waits a day or two to reply; sometimes messages are unclear. Client loses interest or picks someone who responds fast.

.7 Low Trust / Payment Concerns

What it Looks Like

• Clients worry about scammers.

• Payment methods limited; platform fees high.

• Freelancer profile lacks proof of past work or security.

Why It Matters

Trust is key. Clients want to know they will get good work and payment is safe. If profile lacks portfolio or clients suspect issues, they avoid hiring.

Example

Ibrahim lists freelance web design but has no portfolio or screenshots. Clients ask for past work; he cannot show. They move on to others.

.8 Lack of Portfolio or Samples

What it Looks Like

• No examples or mock‑ups of work.

• Projects done for pay but not shown.

• Sample work poor quality or irrelevant.

Why It Matters

Clients want proof. If you can show you have done work like theirs before, it increases confidence. Sample work helps clients see your style and skill.

Example

Joyce wants graphic design jobs but has never uploaded designs. When she bids, clients ask “Can I see your work?” She sends nothing. She gets few responses.

.9 Payment Withdrawals & Currency Problems

What it Looks Like

• Difficulty withdrawing funds to Nigerian bank.

• High fees for currency conversion.

• Delays in payout or blocked methods.

Why It Matters

When clients see you struggle to get paid or payout is uncertain, they may hesitate to hire. For you, if you cannot access your earnings easily, motivation drops and you may under‑price to compensate risk.

Example

Bayo gets job in USD but withdraw cost, bank fees reduce the real income. Another freelancer charges less locally because of conversion losses.

.10 Time Management / Not Consistent Work Output

What it Looks Like

• Taking long time to deliver.

• Being offline often; ignoring messages.

• Inconsistent output or low quality.

Why It Matters

Clients want reliable, fast, consistent freelancers. If you miss deadlines or deliver late, reviews drop, ratings suffer, and ranking drops.

Example

Fatima bids several jobs but is busy with school, delays deliveries. Clients leave negative comments or cancel orders. Her rating drops; invitations drop too.

How these Problems Compare: Nigeria vs Other Countries

It helps to compare how freelancers in Nigeria face these issues versus freelancers from other countries. This helps understand what extra effort may be needed.

But Nigerians can overcome these by showing quality, good communication, strong portfolio, good ratings, and positioning themselves well.

How to Fix These Problems: Steps to Get More Clients

Now that we know why many Nigerians struggle, here are step‑by‑step strategies to fix those issues and increase client flow.

Improve and Complete Your Profile for Trust and Visibility

• Use a clear professional photo.

• Write a strong bio: what you do, what you are good at, what clients can expect. Be specific.

• Fill all profile sections: skills, education, portfolio, certification if any.

Do Proper Keyword Research & Optimize Gig Titles / Proposals

• Use platform search to see what clients type. Look at suggestions, best selling gigs.

• Use those keywords in your gig title, proposal subject, tags, and description.

• Avoid jargon; use search‑friendly words.

Build a Portfolio Even Before Paid Work

• Create free or low‑cost sample works or mock‑ups.

• Volunteer or help someone local for free or small fee to get a sample.

• Use your portfolio page or platforms like Behance, Google Drive, or portfolio website.

Price Smartly: Balance Attractiveness and Fairness

• For beginners, offer lower price to attract first clients and reviews. But don’t charge too low that clients distrust you.

• Make 3 packages (basic, standard, premium) so clients have options.

• Raise price gradually as you build reviews and skill.

Communicate Clearly & Quickly

• Respond fast to messages. Even say “I will check and send you update by ___”. Prompt responses build trust.

• Use clear English, clean grammar. If needed, check grammar tools.

• Clarify project requirements: ask questions, confirm deadlines, deliverables.

Deliver High Quality & On Time Always

• Always deliver work that meets or exceeds what you promised.

• Use proof‑reading, revising. Don’t send sloppy work.

• Set realistic deadlines. Under‑promise and over‑deliver.

Ask for Reviews & Positive Feedback Politely

• After delivering, ask client if they are happy, and kindly request review. Clients won’t always leave one.

• If something went wrong, fix it before asking for review.

Use Good Visuals: Portfolio, Gig Images, Video Samples

• Use images of real sample work. Use mock‑ups if you don’t have client work.

• Good thumbnails or sample visuals help click‑through.

• If platform allows gig video, use video to explain your skills or show your voice.

Be Consistent & Stay Online / Active

• Log in often; check platform notifications.

• Keep profile active. Some platforms reward active freelancers.

• Update gigs or proposals occasionally.

Overcome Payment / Withdrawal & Pricing Issues

• Choose platform or payment method that works well for Nigeria (Payoneer, TransferWise, etc.).

• Understand fees, currency conversion, bank charges so you price to cover cost.

• Be transparent with client about payment method if needed.

Leverage Local Networks & External Promotion

• Tell friends, family, small businesses locally that you offer service. Word of mouth is powerful.

• Use social media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Telegram. Share your work, post your gig.

• Join freelancing groups online; exchange tips or referrals.

Keep Learning and Improving Skills

• Take free or paid courses, tutorials. Keep up with tools in your skill area.

• Review what clients rejected or asked to change. Learn from feedback.

Pros and Cons of Freelancing in Nigeria Given These Challenges

Understanding what you gain versus what you risk helps you decide if freelancing is right and how much effort to invest.

Pros

• Access to global clients and foreign currency.

• Flexibility: you pick hours, tasks, location.

• Low startup cost compared to many business ideas.

• Build skills, portfolio, professional network.

• Potential for high income with experience.

Cons

• Uneven or unpredictable workload. Sometimes dry spells.

• Payment delays or difficulty withdrawing funds.

• Risk of low pay or clients who exploit price competition.

• Infrastructure challenges: internet quality, power, time zone differences.

• Need self‑discipline and good work habits.

Real Examples: Case Study Stories

Here are stories (based on realistic composite cases) of Nigerians who had trouble getting clients, what they fixed, and how they improved.

Case Study 1: Profile Overhaul Doubled Client Invites

Ola from Lagos had been on Upwork for 3 months. She had 0 reviews, generic profile photo, generic bio (“I am hardworking writer”). She applied to many jobs, got few responses. She decided to:

• Replace the photo with a clear professional photo.

• Write detailed bio: skills, sample works, value to clients.

• Add portfolio: three sample articles she wrote for free.

• Adjust gig title to include “SEO blog writing” + her niche.

After these changes, her profile views increased, client invites doubled, she got first paid orders. Review came, rating 5‑star, more orders followed.

Case Study 2: Communication & Responsiveness Fix

Emeka from Abuja had completed some orders but lost clients after initial message. He was slow replying to inquiries (sometimes hours later, or even next day). He also didn’t clarify project details. He fixed this by:

• Installing Fiverr / Upwork app and turning on push notifications.

• Setting a small round‑the‑clock availability window.

• When contacted, sending a quick message: “Hi, I saw your message; could you send more detail about X? I can start asap.”

He also practiced clean, clear messages. Within weeks, more clients responded positively. Conversion from message to order improved.

Case Study 3: Portfolio Build & Evidence Helps Placement

Linda wanted logo design orders but had little sample work. She created mock‑ups (fake brand logos), used free tools. Uploaded them. Also did small projects for friends or local small businesses. She showed before‑after images, case studies (“Client X said…”). Her gigs looked professional. Clients trusted her more. She got orders and got paid well.

Summary Table of Barriers & Fixes

Here is a summary table showing main problems Nigerians face on freelancing platforms, and clear fixes you can apply.

FAQs: Common Questions & Clear Answers

Here are over 10 frequently asked questions Nigerians often ask when trying to get clients on freelance platforms, with simple answers.

1. Why do clients ignore my proposals even after I apply?
   Maybe your proposal doesn’t match what client asked. Or your profile looks new/untrusted. Or price is wrong. Fix your proposal by tailoring it: refer to client’s needs, show relevant samples, set reasonable price.

2. Is having many reviews necessary before I can get good clients?
   Very helpful. Good reviews build trust. But you can start with no reviews by having strong portfolio, good profile, lower price, excellent service, and getting first few good reviews.

3. Should I lower my price to get clients fast?
   Sometimes yes, but don’t go so low that clients think you are unskilled or that you can’t afford better. Use lower price as a launch strategy, then increase.

4. Which platform is easiest for Nigerians to get clients?
   It depends. Fiverr often easier for simple gigs; Upwork for longer contracts; local/niche platforms sometimes help. But success comes from profile, samples, communication rather than platform alone.

5. How do I build a portfolio if I have no previous work?
   Create mock projects (for fake clients), volunteer work, help friends or small local businesses, or redo existing designs to show what you can do. Use those as sample.

6. Does time zone difference matter?
   Sometimes. Clients prefer freelancers who are available during their working hours. But often clients accept proposed schedules. Clear communication helps.

7. Is a smartphone enough to get clients?
   For some skills yes (writing, social media management, basic design, communication). But for technical skills like web development, app dev, video editing, a computer or laptop is better.

8. What languages should I use in communication & gig description?
   Use good English. Avoid slang. Clear, correct grammar. If you speak local language and it is relevant to clients in your niche, you may mention, but English dominates global freelancing.

9. How long does it take before I get regular clients?
   Depends on how much effort, how well you optimize profile, how well you deliver. Could be a few weeks to a few months. Consistency matters.

10. Should I specialize or be general?
    Specialization helps: being known for a particular skill/niche (e.g. blog writing, WordPress sites, social ads) helps you stand out. Generalism may get you more types of jobs but may be less competitive for specific high‑pay jobs.

11. How do I deal with payment & withdrawal issues in Nigeria?
    Use platforms that support payment methods working in Nigeria (Payoneer, Wise, local bank withdrawal). Be aware of fees, exchange rates. Always check the platform’s payout policy before accepting.

12. What if I get negative feedback or low rating early?
    Try to resolve with client: offer revision. Learn from the feedback. One negative doesn’t end you; many freelancers recover by doing good subsequent work and getting good reviews.

Conclusion

Many Nigerians struggle to get clients on freelance platforms. But most of the problems are not magic; they are fixable. Common issues include weak profiles, low visibility, wrong pricing, lack of trust or portfolio, slow communication, infrastructure challenges, etc.

To improve your chances, you should:

• Fully optimize profile with good photo, skills, portfolio.

• Use proper keywords in title, description, tags.

• Price smartly: not too high or too low.

• Deliver quality and on time.

• Respond quickly, communicate clearly.

• Build reviews and trust.

• Promote your gigs outside platforms.

• Keep learning and adapting.

If you follow these fixes with effort and persistence, you will start getting more clients. It takes time, but over weeks to months you can build a strong freelancing presence.