What Are The Best Payment Options For Freelancers?

Working with freelancers for business projects has many advantages.; Tthey often offer competitive rates with no overhead costs or office perks necessary., They can also be hired on a project-by-project basis, and can work flexibly, often without too much notice, and provide unique expertise, immediately. 

Despite these benefits, many companies are hesitant to work with freelancers. This is because of  issues like processing freelance payment requests, using freelance payment portals for online payments, and managing accounting and invoicing.- It can seem even more daunting when the freelance business requires overseas transactions, as companies must then factor in foreign currency and foreign exchange rates. These factors can seem like a hassle that simply isn’t worth the effort for many businesses. However, with the right knowledge, working with freelance businesses can be a blessing for many companies.

To understand the impact of working with a freelancer will have on your business, you must first understand which freelancer payment methods are available in today’s market, and which will work best for you.

Payment by checks

You may be considering paying international freelancers by check, as this method has often been regarded as simple and cost-effective. However, the reality is that relying on “snail mail” for any purpose can make everything more complicated, and checks are certainly no exception. Not only are they easily lost or stolen in transit, but they can also cause issues for international transactions, as freelancers may receive the payment in the wrong foreign currency, or be subject to paying high currency conversion fees.

This can result in big delays and lots of additional fees, leaving both parties dissatisfied. Instead, it is worth exploring alternative payment methods that are more secure and efficient for both freelancers and their clients.

ACH transfers

While ACH transfers are faster than checks, they don’t offer companies the option of credit, as the full payment amount needs to be available immediately, upon transfer. In addition, the process of setting up ACH transfers can be complicated and time-consuming for companies and freelancers, alike.

Businesses must set up payment processing through a specific company’s online payment processing software, while freelancers must also jump through a few hoops filling out complex forms. This complexity is very unapplealing to both businesses and freelancers looking to use this payment method, making ACH transfers one of the more burdensome payment solutions.

Credit cards

Credit cards are a convenient and secure freelancer payment method, especially for international transactions. However, as payment volume increases, the benefits of using credit card transactions diminish. This is because many credit card companies charge a processing fee of 3-4% of the whole transaction’s value, making it an expensive long-term solution for freelancer payments. Therefore, businesses needing to make larger payments may need to consider alternative payment methods that are more cost-effective for both parties involved.

Wire transfers

Wire transfer payments are a popular preferred payment method companies use to pay freelancers due to their ease of digital processing and the ability to control the exact payment amount. However, there are definitely some drawbacks to be aware of when using this freelancer payment method. For instance, if there is a payment dispute, wire transfer charges typically cannot be reversed, which can cause a lot of problems for companies that pay their freelancers upfront.

Additionally, executing wire transfers with international banks can be more difficult, as many require payment on their online payment platform. This can be time-consuming for accounting personnel and delay the freelancer’s receipt of payment.

Payoneer

Using Payoneer to pay freelancers gives businesses the opportunity to pay freelancers online easily and securely. Our single-solution payment platform allows businesses to make payments using a variety of different forms of payment and foreign currencies, while everyone enjoys low and transparent fees. 

One of the main benefits of Payoneer is the ability to pay freelancers in their own currency, eliminating the need to pay expensive conversion fees. The wide range of online payment options means that all companies and freelancers will find the most convenient method while being able to track online payments at all times. 

What is the best payment method for freelancers?

In order to start working with freelancers, it’s important to look at the different methods available today and choose the one that works best for your business (and for your freelancers!). 

Working with a one-stop solution like Payoneer is a great way to get started with freelancers, without having to deal with the headache of bureaucracy and paperwork.