7 Smart Places to Hire SEO Experts Without Using Upwork
Upwork has long been a go-to platform for hiring freelancers, but it’s far from the only option when you need a skilled SEO professional. Whether you’re frustrated with Upwork’s fee structure, overwhelmed by the number of applicants, or simply want to explore other marketplaces with different strengths, plenty of alternatives exist. This list highlights seven platforms where you can find qualified SEO experts who understand technical optimization, content strategy, link building, and everything in between. Each option offers something a bit different, so you can choose the one that best fits your budget, timeline, and project needs.
- Legiit
Legiit specializes in digital marketing services, which makes it an excellent choice when you need someone who truly understands SEO. Unlike general freelance platforms, Legiit attracts professionals who focus specifically on marketing disciplines like search optimization, content creation, and link outreach. You can browse pre-packaged service offerings with clear pricing, which removes much of the guesswork from hiring.
The platform also includes a rating system and detailed seller profiles, so you can review past client feedback before committing. Many SEO experts on Legiit offer tiered packages, allowing you to start small and scale up as you see results. This structure works well for businesses that want predictable costs and transparent deliverables without lengthy negotiation processes.
- Toptal
Toptal takes a highly selective approach to vetting freelancers, accepting only the top few percent of applicants who pass their screening process. This rigorous filter means you’re more likely to work with someone who has proven experience and a strong track record in SEO. The platform matches you with candidates based on your specific requirements, which saves time compared to sorting through dozens of profiles yourself.
The tradeoff is cost. Toptal freelancers typically charge premium rates, reflecting their expertise and the platform’s curation process. If your project is complex or high stakes, and you have the budget to support it, Toptal can connect you with senior-level SEO strategists who can handle technical audits, competitive analysis, and large-scale content campaigns. Expect a more formal onboarding process and higher hourly rates than you’d find on mass-market platforms.
- Freelancer
Freelancer operates similarly to Upwork in many ways, but it has a larger international user base and often features lower pricing options. You post a project, receive bids from interested SEO professionals, and choose the candidate who best fits your needs. The platform supports both fixed-price contracts and hourly arrangements, giving you flexibility in how you structure the work.
One advantage of Freelancer is the contest feature, where you can invite multiple SEO experts to submit sample work or strategy proposals before you commit to hiring anyone. This can be particularly useful for content-focused SEO projects, where you want to see writing samples or keyword research examples upfront. Keep in mind that the sheer volume of applicants can make it harder to identify the most qualified candidates, so plan to spend time reviewing portfolios and asking detailed questions during the vetting process.
- People Per Hour
People Per Hour is a UK-based platform that has grown to serve clients globally, with a strong presence in Europe and North America. It offers a mix of hourly and project-based pricing, and the interface is straightforward to use. SEO professionals on the platform range from solo consultants to small agencies, giving you options depending on the scope of your project.
The platform’s “Hourlies” feature lets freelancers offer specific services at fixed prices, similar to gig-based marketplaces. This can be helpful when you need a one-time SEO audit, a backlink analysis, or a batch of optimized blog posts without committing to a long-term contract. People Per Hour also provides workspace tools for communication and file sharing, which keeps project management centralized. The fee structure is competitive, though both clients and freelancers pay service fees that vary based on the project size.
- Guru
Guru has been around for a long time and offers a solid middle ground between budget platforms and premium services. The site includes a workroom feature that consolidates invoices, timesheets, and project files in one place, which simplifies collaboration. SEO experts on Guru often have detailed profiles with work history, client reviews, and skill assessments that help you gauge their qualifications quickly.
One feature that sets Guru apart is the SafePay system, which holds funds in escrow until you approve the completed work. This adds a layer of security for clients who worry about paying upfront without guarantees. The platform supports multiple payment terms, including task-based, milestone-based, and recurring payments, so you can structure agreements in a way that aligns with your SEO campaign timeline. Guru’s fees are generally lower than Upwork’s, which can make a difference on larger projects.
- Codeable
Codeable focuses exclusively on WordPress, which makes it a strong option if your SEO needs are tied to a WordPress site. Many SEO challenges involve technical issues like site speed, mobile responsiveness, schema markup, and plugin conflicts, all of which require WordPress-specific knowledge. Codeable’s vetted experts can handle both the development side and the SEO side, ensuring your site is optimized from a technical standpoint.
While Codeable isn’t a general SEO marketplace, it’s worth considering if your project involves fixing crawl errors, improving Core Web Vitals, or implementing structured data on a WordPress platform. The experts here understand how themes and plugins impact search performance, and they can recommend solutions that improve rankings without breaking your site. Pricing tends to be higher than general freelance platforms, but the specialization can save you time and headaches if WordPress is your content management system.
- LinkedIn ProFinder
LinkedIn ProFinder connects you with freelancers directly through the LinkedIn network, which gives you immediate access to their professional history, endorsements, and connections. This transparency can be valuable when hiring an SEO expert, since you can verify their past roles, see recommendations from colleagues, and even reach out to mutual contacts for informal references.
ProFinder works by having you submit a project request, after which LinkedIn sends your details to relevant freelancers who can then propose their services. The process is invite-based rather than open bidding, which tends to result in fewer but higher-quality responses. Because LinkedIn is a professional network first and a freelance marketplace second, the SEO experts you find here are often established consultants or agency owners rather than newcomers to the field. Fees are negotiated directly between you and the freelancer, with no platform commission, though LinkedIn may limit the number of proposals you can receive depending on your account type.
Finding the right SEO expert doesn’t have to mean sticking with Upwork, especially when so many other platforms offer different strengths and specializations. Whether you prioritize rigorous vetting, lower fees, niche expertise, or transparent portfolios, at least one of these alternatives will likely fit your needs. Take time to explore a few options, review seller profiles carefully, and start with a smaller project if you’re unsure. The right hire can make a significant difference in your search rankings, organic traffic, and overall online visibility, so it’s worth investing effort into finding the best match for your business.
