I have worked as a WordPress developer on Codeable since 2017, and this review answers the question you actually came with: is it worth it for hiring WordPress help? Short answer: yes, if your project matters enough to pay expert rates. Below I explain how the platform works from the inside, what it really costs, where it beats Upwork, and where it does not.
One practical note: links to Codeable in this article are my referral links. That changes nothing about the advice, and I will tell you when Codeable is the wrong tool for your project.
This review is written for clients who want to hire. If you are a developer thinking about joining the platform, read my Codeable review for freelancers instead.
What is Codeable?
Codeable is a unique WordPress freelancer platform because it only allows the top 2% of WordPress developers to sign up and become experts. This means that when you post a project on Codeable, you can be confident that you will be working with the people that are the best and have the right knowledge.
Difference between Codeable and other hiring methods
The main difference between using Codeable and running a different hiring process is that with Codeable, you don’t have to waste that much time with screening and chatting with the developers. You’ll just post a project there and usually within a first 15 minutes (yes), you will start getting responses from the WordPress freelancers.
Codeable has this rule - one is allowed to comment only on projects, where he/she is sure that they can finish them. And from my experience, my Codeable colleagues really are delivering a top quality work. So even with a random pick of WordPress developer, you’ll get very good results. This is printed in the Codeable DNA.
My experience amongst Codeable developers
And I’ve been doing my WordPress client work on Codeable since 2017. To succeed there, you can’t just be good at WordPress or WooCommerce. You need to be stellar in communication and customer service and have a strong work ethic. Being thorough is another trait, that will help you to stand out. If you want to take a look My profile can be found here.
Is Codeable legit?
If you are asking whether Codeable is a scam, here is what I can verify from nine years inside:
- The company is real: Codeable Aps, registered in Denmark, operating since December 2012, listed in the Danish national company register.
- The money is real: over the years Codeable has paid me hundreds of thousands of dollars, always on time, within 3 to 5 business days of my payout request.
- The guarantee is real: clients get a 28-day quality guarantee and escrow. When I issued a refund (it happened twice in nine years), the client had the money back immediately.
- The reviews are real: Trustpilot shows 4.9 stars across 500+ reviews.
I also know the founder, Per Esbensen, personally. That is not something you can say about most freelance marketplaces.
Why should you use Codeable?
Codeable saves your time
You will not have to go through 100s of developers like on the other platforms (UpWork, Fiverr …). There will be just 4-5 WordPress devs, paying you their full attention.
Codeable saves your money
Because the WordPress talent you will hire there will approach the project correctly from the beginning. Developing new software always comes with the complexity involved. It’s not good to have a short-term strategy. To deliver issue-free and quality work, you need to focus on the bigger picture.
They will help you with a clear definition of scope the work
As a WordPress developer, you need to truly make your client’s needs and wants crystal clear at the beginning. If you make decisions with your client’s best interests at heart, you’ll always end up delivering a product that they’re happy with - and that will save your client’s time and money in the long run. And you can make the best decisions only when you know, what your client wants…
Codeable vs Upwork
| Codeable | Upwork | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can bid | Vetted top 2% of applicants, WordPress only | Anyone |
| Responses to your post | 4 to 5 experts who read your brief | Dozens of copy-paste bids |
| Pricing | $80 to $120/h + 17.5% service fee | $10 to $150/h, race to the bottom is common |
| Quality floor | High: every expert passed coding + communication vetting | None: vetting is your job |
| Guarantee | 28-day quality guarantee, escrow, live support | Escrow, dispute process |
| Best for | WordPress/WooCommerce work you cannot afford to have botched | Tight budgets, non-WP work, willingness to screen |
Honest version: Upwork is cheaper when you know how to vet developers and have time to do it. Codeable is cheaper when you count the cost of a failed hire.
Codeable vs Toptal
| Codeable | Toptal | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | WordPress and WooCommerce only | General tech talent: developers, designers, finance |
| Vetting | Top 2% of applicants, WordPress-specific tests | Fewer than 3% of 200,000+ yearly applicants, generalist screening |
| Pricing | $80 to $120/h + 17.5% service fee | No published rates (talent sets its own), plus a $79/month subscription |
| Engagement | Per project or retainer, escrow | Hourly, part-time (20 h/wk), or full-time (40 h/wk) |
| Best for | WordPress/WooCommerce projects of any size | Longer engagements outside WordPress |
Honest version: Toptal is the stronger network when your project is bigger than WordPress, a custom app, a data pipeline, a team you rent for six months. For WordPress and WooCommerce work I would not go there. You would pay generalist elite rates for work where a WordPress specialist is faster and cheaper. On Codeable, WordPress is the whole platform, so the vetting tests exactly the skills your project needs.
How to get started with Codeable
You simply post your project requirements on Codeable, and within minutes or hours, you will get responses from interested WordPress experts. From there, you can review suggested solutions, view profiles, and read reviews to find the best-fit developers for your project. Remember, you don’t have any obligation to hire. So it’s basically a free project estimate. If you want a walkthrough, here is how to post your first project.
Get a hand from Codeable great support
If you struggle with putting together the project description, you can always contact Codeable support (stunning service btw). They will help you out and give you tips on how to improve your project description so that you can get the most qualified proposals. They also tend to match customers with the best possible WordPress talent, that is currently available.
How pricing on Codeable works?
In general, you have 2 types of pricing. Per project or per hour. I’m pricing all my projects at a fixed fee. I believe, that I should be responsible for the professional side of the business, not my client. So if you would like to use my services as a WordPress developer, then I’ll provide you with a fixed fee price per project. Contrary, some developers will provide you with an hourly rate, ($80 to $120 average on Codeable) and you will be buying blocks of hours from them. I break the numbers down fully, with fees, project examples, and retainers, in my Codeable pricing breakdown.
Choose from the Codeable Experts
Once you’ve reviewed the proposals and viewed profiles, you can hand-pick your WordPress expert or let Codeable do it for you. If you have any questions about specific freelancers or their proposals, you can always reach out to them directly through the platform. Then your freelancer is hired and starts with implementing his solutions.
What to expect from your Codeable developer
After you’ve hired your Codeable WordPress developer, you can expect regular updates and communication about the project’s progress. Vetted WordPress experts will also provide you with a timeline for the project so that you can plan accordingly.
Once the development work is ready
Your developer will send you a showcase of the work, so you can test it out. If you have any feedback or revisions, they’ll be happy to make the changes for you. Once accept the final product, your developer will wrap up the project and send you all the files they created for you. Or deliver as you’ve agreed - for example they will put the code online on your production site.
After you agree your project is complete
I’m usually helping my clients to launch the code/app I’ve made for them. I think it’s a standard across the Codeable. Once the project is marked as complete, the quality guarantee starts running. If there is a problem within 28 days, your soldier from distributed talent force will fix it.
Tips for working with a developer on Codeable
When working with any developer it’s important to have a good relationship and clear communication. So make sure you’ll pick a good communicator. This will save you a lot of time in the future.
Building a relationship
WordPress development is an ongoing process. You’ll probably hire one person for more work. For example, my Codeable clients are hiring me for monthly WooCommerce maintenance and supporting their e-commerce businesses. It’s great to have someone reliable and trustworthy alongside you.
Being effective
If you have a relationship with your developer and you know each other, it will be more effective. There’s no need to explain things that deeply. They know your WooCommerce site back and forth, so he’ll be cheaper for you as well.
Want to skip the matching queue?
If you already know you want an experienced WooCommerce developer, you can hire me directly: post your project on Codeable and mention my name, or start with my Codeable profile. I have been on the platform since 2017, and most of my clients stay for years of ongoing work. Prefer to talk first? Book a consultation.
Working with a developer on Codeable can be a great experience
I know the team behind Codeable personally and I love their unique approach.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your project on this only WordPress freelancer platform.
- Make sure you have a good understanding of what you want before starting the project.
- Make sure your Codeable developer understands your project requirements.
- In case of huge load of work, get project estimate per milestone.
- Have a clear vision for your project and be prepared to explain it in detail.
- Make sure you pick a Codeable developer who is good at communicating.
- Establish a good relationship with your developer, and try to keep them on for future projects.
- Be clear and concise in your project description.
- Give regular updates and feedback to your developer and expect the same from him
- Make sure you have a timeline for the project so that you can plan accordingly.
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