A Comprehensive Review of 99Designs: The Ultimate Design Marketplace

What is 99Designs?

99Designs is an online platform that connects businesses and individuals seeking design work with a global community of freelance designers. Founded in 2008, it has since become one of the most prominent crowdsourcing platforms for graphic design, web design, and other creative services. The platform offers a diverse range of design solutions, from logos and branding materials to website design, book covers, and more.

What Does 99Designs Do & How Does it Work?

1. Design Contests:

The core of 99Designs is its design contests. Here's how it works:

A client (individual or business) starts a contest by outlining their design needs, budget, and any specific requirements.
Designers from all around the world submit their design concepts based on the brief.
The client provides feedback and ranks the designs.
Designers revise their submissions based on feedback.
The client chooses a winning design, and the designer is awarded the prize money.

2. One-on-One Projects:

In addition to contests, 99Designs also facilitates one-on-one projects. Clients can directly collaborate with a specific designer they like or hire a designer from the platform's pool of talent.

3. Multiple Design Categories:

99Designs covers a wide range of design categories, including logos, websites, packaging, t-shirts, book covers, and more. This versatility makes it suitable for businesses and individuals across various industries.

4. Designers' Profiles:

Each designer on 99Designs has a profile showcasing their portfolio and past work. Clients can review these profiles to find a designer whose style aligns with their project.

5. Pricing:

The cost of design projects on 99Designs varies depending on the scope and complexity. Clients can choose from different pricing tiers, and the budget is often determined by the contest prize amount.

Websites Similar to 99Designs

While 99Designs is a prominent player in the design marketplace, several similar platforms offer design services with varying features and specializations. Some notable alternatives include:

Designhill: Designhill functions similarly to 99Designs, offering design contests and one-on-one project options. It also has a logo maker tool.
Upwork: Although not exclusively for design, Upwork has a vast pool of freelance designers. Clients can browse through profiles, negotiate terms, and hire designers directly.
Fiverr: Fiverr is a versatile platform offering a wide range of freelance services, including design. Clients can find designers and other creative professionals for one-time projects.
Crowdspring: Crowdspring specializes in design contests and branding projects. It's known for its transparent pricing and money-back guarantee.

Major Competitors to 99Designs

In the highly competitive design marketplace, 99Designs faces competition from several major players, including:

DesignCrowd: Similar to 99Designs, DesignCrowd hosts design contests and allows clients to receive multiple design concepts.
Freelancer: Freelancer is a comprehensive freelancing platform that includes design services as one of its many categories. It offers flexibility in hiring designers directly or running contests.
Toptal: Toptal focuses on connecting clients with top-tier freelance designers and developers. It's known for its rigorous screening process.
Crowdsourcia: Crowdsourcia specializes in crowdsourcing design and branding projects, catering to a range of industries.

Conclusion:

99Designs is a versatile and well-established design marketplace that bridges the gap between clients and talented designers. Its design contest model, one-on-one project options, and diverse range of design categories make it a go-to platform for businesses and individuals seeking creative solutions. While there are alternatives in the market, 99Designs continues to thrive due to its global community of designers and user-friendly interface, making it a valuable resource for design needs of all kinds.