Fivesquid.uk is a British-based freelance marketplace website where people can trade skills and services.[1] First launched in 2011, the website hosts a variety of services, from tech jobs like SEO specialist advice to bizarre things like having a man with a parrot produce a quick clip advertising a business.[1][2] Buyers of services are mainly start-up companies looking to save on business costs.[3]
Fivesquid was originally launched in 2011. Following its release, Theo Paphitis selected the company as a start-up company to watch as part of his Small Business Sunday competition.[4]
In March 2012, the website featured in a list of top 10 companies to emerge from the UK recession. Fivesquid featured fifth on the list and was highlighted as the example for selling cheap online services.[1] Throughout the sites history, it has had some strange services offered. In 2012, a entrepreneurial schoolboy from England offered his services as an online gamingbodyguard, at £5 per 30 minutes of gameplay.[5]
After the website had been established a number of years, some began to question the services available on the site. One example used by the London Standard was services that could manipulate social media popularity.[6] Others around the same time stated that many of the service providers are simply out to make extra revenue on top of their main income stream.[7]
The Gadget Show picked the website as one of their top 3 places to buy gifts online.[8]
Service providers' money is stuck there as the website is not opening anymore.
Site structure
Services sold via the website are referred to as "micro-jobs", due to the low prices and short completion time typically involved. All micro-jobs fall within 4 payment structures of either £5, £10, £20 or £50.[9]
Payment for services must be made upfront in order for the work to commence. The money is sent to the sellers account however the buyer's purchase is protected with a service guarantee.[10]
The service providers range from those practicing a hobby to small companies who are attempting to grow their client base.[11] At the completion stage of each project, Fivesquid take a 20% commission payment from the total value, before releasing the funds to the service provider.[12]
Service providers' earnings are paid out by Fivesquid using PayPal. As of June 2017[update], no other payment methods are available.[13]
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