Gain traction in your small business by joining like-minded communities. Here are 10 freelance directory websites to consider joining as a female entrepreneur.
What is an online freelance directory?
A freelance directory is an online database that connects freelancers with potential clients who are looking to hire. Additionally, these directories can double as community platforms or memberships with the end goal of helping freelancers grow their businesses.
Why join a freelance directory?
In my experience, joining a freelance directory is a simple, effective way to build brand recognition and gain exposure for your freelance business. Most directories are free to join. Moreover, they often provide immediate approval of new listings.
If your business goals include reaching new audiences and marketing yourself to potential clients, you’ll definitely want to consider joining a freelancer directory. Plus, your SEO will improve with the quality backlinks from these established websites.
While it took me over 8 years in business to consider joining a directory, I wish I did it sooner! Not only is it simple, but it’s also strategic for building recognition outside of social media.
Reasons to join a directory:
- Gain exposure for your freelance business
- Grow your community
- Join events and workshops
- Build quality backlinks for your website (better SEO!)
- Reach new audiences
- Attract potential clients and/or hires
Which freelance directories should you join?
While there are countless online directories available, the ones featured in this post have been chosen based on quality, relevance, professionalism and branding. I’m a branding nerd, can you blame me?
Personally, I have signed up for the majority of these directories. Below you’ll find details on what’s included in their directory listings. Additionally, I’ll also go into the pros and cons of each, based on my personal opinion.
The HerHQ Directory
The HerHQ Directory is a freelancer directory run by HerHQ, an online community dedicated to providing education and resources for service providers. This freelance directory includes a dedicated listing space on their public database. Additionally, you also receive a graphics template pack so that you can promote yourself on social media.
What are the pros?
- Free and easy to join
- Variety of freelancers from different niches
- Social media templates for you to self-promote your listing
What are the cons?
- Small listing space in the directory
- Priority is given to HerHQ alumni who have completed their paid programs
Who should join?
Since the founders specialize in supporting service-based business owners, this directory would be a great match for service providers. For instance: designers, coaches, consultants, and copywriters.
How much does it cost?
The directory is free to join! Hence why I recommend joining. What have you got to lose?
Freelancing Females
Freelancing Females is the world’s largest community for freelance women, which includes a thriving freelancer directory, job board, podcast, and membership. The community is active and regularly updated. In fact, I received an inquiry for my website design services within 2 hours of signing up!
What are the pros?
- Active community
- Relevant to online business owners
- Dedicated, ample space for your listing
- Visually appealing (pro tip: make sure your headshot and portfolio items stand out!)
What are the cons?
- With no limit to the number of freelancers featured, you may be one of many
- No promotion on their social media for new listings
Who should join?
As one of the largest communities for female freelancers, the directory would be a great fit for women-owned businesses of all specialties. That said, let’s keep web designers at a minimum 😂
How much does it cost?
The directory is $18 USD/quarter or $52 USD/year to join. I signed up for the quarterly plan to test the waters. That said, with my first inquiry coming in almost immediately, I made a big return on investment!
Women Who Freelance Directory
Women Who Freelance is a growing community of women freelancers and entrepreneurs in Canada. On top of that, they offer a freelancer directory for Canadian-based female entrepreneurs. This was the first freelance directory recommended to me by my virtual assistant, and I’m happy I joined!
What are the pros?
- Detailed section for your listing, which includes a large bio area
- Shoutout on their social media channels
- Active groups in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal
- Private group for directory member
- Members-only virtual networking events
What are the cons?
- Applications are reviewed within 7 business days, not immediately
- No “Edit Profile” ability. Alternatively, you need to contact their team to modify your listing
- In my experience, the members-only private group is not regularly maintained
Who should join?
As the leading freelance directory for Canadian business owners, this directory is meant for women-identifying freelancers based in Canada (like me!). Sorry, no friends south of the border in this community.
How much does it cost?
The cost of this directory is $35.99 CAD/year. For this low price, I highly recommend signing up!
Female Founder Collective
Female Founder Collective is a non-profit that provides business resources for female founders and entrepreneurs. Also, the community includes a free and easy-to-join directory for freelancers and women founders.
What are the pros?
- Very easy to apply and join. Although they have a paid version, too.
- Updated daily, so your submission should go through quickly
- Pleasant user experience with a highly functional search bar
What are the cons?
- Does not show a detailed bio. As such, there is less chance to show your personality 👎
- The directory is arranged in alphabetical order
- Showcases your business logo (pro tip: upload your headshot instead if you’re a personal brand!)
Who should join?
One thing I noticed about this directory is that it includes a variety of niches, from product-based to brick-and-mortar businesses. For this reason, I recommend any women-identifying freelancer give it a go!
How much does it cost?
The freelancer directory is free to join. That said, they also have another directory and membership called The 10th House, which is also featured in this roundup.
Creative Lady Directory
Creative Lady Directory is an online directory for freelancers, creative entrepreneurs and female entrepreneurs. In turn, the community strives to foster creative collaborations, client outreach and friendships.
What are the pros?
- One-time fee to cover the costs of keeping the community active
- 30% of the fee is donated to women’s initiatives
- Easy-to-use interface and strong branding
- Focused on supporting the creative economy
What are the cons?
- No shoutouts or member promotions, at least in my experience
- Created by designers with a focus on helping designers. For that reason, this directory may not be the best place for my ideal clients. (Web designer, hello!)
Who should join?
Based on the creative nature of this directory, freelancers who specialize in creative pursuits would be most welcome here. That being said, it would be a best fit for creatives who serve other creatives.
How much does it cost?
The directory is a $48 USD one-time fee. For the reasons listed above, I have yet to join this directory. That said, it’s on my list for a future experiment.
Females Who Side Hustle
Females Who Side Hustle is a community for women-owned freelancers which also has an online directory. In addition to the community, they also provide business strategy services and support for small business owners.
What are the pros?
- Detailed section for your listing, which includes a large bio area
- Social media features and promos of directory members
- Access to private members-only group
- Podcast directory for podcasters (this is unique!)
What are the cons?
- The website has some broken links, which means a lot to me as a web designer
Who should join?
With their dedicated podcast directory, podcasters should join, of course! Beyond that, this directory would be a great fit for small business owners and creative entrepreneurs.
How much does it cost?
The cost of listing your business on their directory is $45.99 CAD/year.
Successful Female Entrepreneurs
Successful Female Entrepreneurs is a free directory for female entrepreneurs and freelancers.
What are the pros?
- Ability to nominate a friend and win prizes
- Free resources, no opt-in necessary!
- An accessible community for a variety of business owners
What are the cons?
- Poor layout and design (web designer here, just saying..)
- Not the most professional feel
Who should join?
This community would be a perfect fit for newer freelancers and business owners who are just getting started. Beyond that, the directory also includes a variety of business owners from professional cleaners to travel planners.
How much does it cost?
This business directory is free to join! Furthermore, they have a cool feature where you can nominate a friend and win prizes.
The Brief Collective Directory
The Brief Collective is a remote design school and freelance resource for designers, by designers. The membership includes access to their courses, briefs, and directory listings for designers willing to level up their business.
What are the pros?
- Niche directory for designers
- Focused on resources and education
- Provides the ability to build brand recognition
What are the cons?
- Heavy competition among designers (how do you stand out?)
- High price tag if you’re looking for a directory listing
- Since it’s targeted toward designers, are your ideal clients there?
Who should join?
The coolest part about this directory is its commitment to helping designers grow their businesses. As a designer myself, I value communities like this when it comes to networking, collaborating, and learning. That said, the directory would be the best fit for newer designers who are looking to get started on their freelance journey.
How much does it cost?
The pricing for this directory begins at $250 USD, which also includes access to their designers-only course and other various paid education.
Unicorn Factory
Unicorn Factory is a robust freelancer marketplace that connects you with potential clients and hires for your next project. While the directory is not specific to female entrepreneurs, it is well-established and professional.
What are the pros?
- Easy to join
- Professional connections
- Access to the corporate world
- Established freelancer marketplace
What are the cons?
- Not specific to female entrepreneurs
- More on the corporate side of things
- You set hourly rates and available hours (which feels a bit like Upwork)
Who should join?
Since the marketplace is targeted toward established businesses, the community would be a great fit for designers (like me!), developers and marketers. Additionally, SEO professionals, consultants and software engineers would also be quite happy here!
How much does it cost?
While the marketplace is free to join, you can also upgrade your membership by verifying your profile. Upon signing up, you will be taken through a robust onboarding sequence. To be honest, I gave up after the 2nd welcome video. For my needs, the directory listing is good enough!
Honourable Mention: The 10th House by FFC
The 10th House by Female Founder Collective is a membership community and application-based business directory for female founders and business owners. This directory gets an honourable mention as it’s not quite the space for freelancers… though there’s nothing stopping you from applying!
What are the pros?
- High-quality, professional, and dare I say, white-glove experience?
- Members-only events, resources, mentoring, and more
- Members are vetted through an application process (also a con!)
What are the cons?
- There is no public directory to assess if this would be a good match for you
- Seems to be positioned toward founders and executive-level business owners
- Members are vetted through an application process (also a pro!)
Who should join?
As mentioned, the directory seems to be positioned toward female founders and executive-level business owners (CEOs, COOs, etc). Regardless, if you are an established business owner with paying clients and/or product lines, go for it!
How much does it cost?
The exclusive membership includes tiered pricing from $0 to $625 USD/year for different membership levels. Amazingly, the highest membership level includes private, real-time feedback from industry experts if you’re looking to pitch business ideas.
Which freelance directory will you join first?
In summary, any of these freelance directories would be a great fit for a female entrepreneur like you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to which community you feel best represents your brand and aligns with your values!
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Hey, I'm Gariele and I'm here to help you book your dream clients with a website that works for you.