7 Upwork Alternatives for Finding Reliable SEO Experts Who Deliver Results

Upwork has become a household name for hiring freelancers, but it’s not always the best place to find skilled SEO professionals who can actually move the needle for your business. High fees, endless bidding wars, and inconsistent quality can make the search frustrating. If you’re tired of sifting through hundreds of proposals or dealing with contractors who overpromise and underdeliver, you’ll want to explore other platforms. This list covers seven solid alternatives where you can connect with experienced SEO experts who have proven track records. Whether you need link building, content strategy, technical audits, or full-scale SEO campaigns, these platforms offer different approaches to help you find the right match.

1. Legiit

   Legiit stands out as a marketplace built specifically for digital marketing services, with a strong focus on SEO. Unlike general freelance platforms, Legiit attracts specialists who offer pre-packaged services at fixed prices, which means you know exactly what you’re getting before you pay. The platform features detailed seller profiles with real reviews from previous clients, making it easier to assess quality and reliability upfront.

   What makes Legiit particularly useful for SEO work is the range of specific services available. You can find experts who handle everything from local citation building and guest posting to comprehensive technical SEO audits and ongoing content creation. Many sellers offer tiered packages, so you can start small to test the waters before committing to larger projects.

   The fixed-price model eliminates the back-and-forth negotiation that drags out hiring on other platforms. You simply browse services, read reviews, check out portfolio samples, and purchase what fits your needs. For businesses that want to move quickly without sacrificing quality, Legiit provides a streamlined way to access proven SEO talent.

2. SEOclerks

   SEOclerks operates as a specialized marketplace where thousands of sellers offer SEO services at various price points. The platform has been around long enough to build a large community of both buyers and sellers, which means you have plenty of options when searching for specific types of SEO help. The layout resembles an online store more than a traditional freelance platform, with services displayed like products you can add to a cart.

   One major advantage is the granular filtering system that lets you narrow down services by category, delivery time, seller level, and price range. If you need backlinks from high-authority domains, on-page optimization, keyword research, or competitor analysis, you can find dedicated specialists for each task. The rating system is transparent, showing you how many orders a seller has completed and what percentage of buyers were satisfied.

   Pricing tends to be competitive, with many services starting at accessible rates for small businesses and solopreneurs. The platform also offers buyer protection, so if a seller doesn’t deliver what was promised, you have recourse. For anyone who wants a large selection of SEO services without the complexity of managing multiple freelancer relationships, SEOclerks provides a practical solution.

3. Codeable

   Codeable takes a different approach by focusing exclusively on WordPress development, but this makes it valuable for businesses that need technical SEO improvements on WordPress sites. The platform vets all developers before allowing them to join, which means you’re working with experienced professionals rather than beginners trying to build a portfolio. When technical SEO issues like slow page speed, poor mobile responsiveness, or improper schema markup are holding back your rankings, Codeable connects you with developers who can fix these problems correctly.

   The matching process involves submitting your project details, after which Codeable presents you with a curated list of developers suited to your needs. You can review their profiles, past work, and client feedback before selecting someone. This screening process saves time and reduces the risk of hiring someone who lacks the technical chops to handle complex SEO requirements.

   While Codeable developers charge premium rates compared to general freelance platforms, the quality and reliability justify the cost for businesses serious about their SEO performance. If your site runs on WordPress and you need someone who understands both development and search engine optimization, Codeable offers a vetted pool of talent that can deliver measurable improvements.

4. Mayple

   Mayple positions itself as a matchmaking service for businesses and vetted marketing experts, including SEO specialists. Instead of browsing through profiles yourself, you fill out a detailed questionnaire about your business, goals, and budget. Mayple then uses this information to match you with one or more experts from their network who have relevant experience in your industry.

   This approach works well if you don’t have time to evaluate dozens of candidates or if you’re not sure exactly what type of SEO help you need. The platform pre-screens all experts, checking their credentials, past results, and client satisfaction before adding them to the network. You get matched with someone who has already proven they can handle projects similar to yours, which reduces the guesswork involved in hiring.

   Mayple also provides ongoing project management support, helping you set clear milestones and track progress. The pricing structure is transparent, with experts charging either hourly rates or project fees depending on the scope of work. For business owners who want a more hands-off hiring process and prefer working with someone who has been thoroughly vetted, Mayple offers a reliable alternative to sifting through freelancer profiles on larger platforms.

5. Bark

   Bark flips the traditional freelance marketplace model by having service providers come to you. After you submit details about your SEO project, Bark sends your request to relevant professionals in their network who then reach out with proposals. This means you’re only hearing from people who are actively interested in your specific project, rather than broadcasting your needs to a general pool of freelancers.

   The platform covers a wide range of SEO services, from local search optimization for brick-and-mortar businesses to enterprise-level technical audits. Because providers pay to respond to your request, they tend to submit more thoughtful proposals than the generic copy-paste messages common on other platforms. You can review their credentials, ask questions, and compare quotes before deciding who to hire.

   Bark works well for businesses that want multiple options without spending hours searching through profiles. The response rate is typically high, and you can expect to hear from several qualified professionals within a day or two of posting your project. The platform doesn’t charge buyers anything, making it a risk-free way to explore your options. For those who prefer having service providers compete for their business rather than chasing down freelancers, Bark provides a convenient alternative.

6. Toptal

   Toptal operates at the premium end of the freelance market, accepting only the top tier of applicants into their network. Their screening process is rigorous, involving multiple rounds of testing and interviews to ensure that freelancers meet high standards for both skill and professionalism. For SEO work, this means you’re connecting with experts who have deep technical knowledge, proven strategies, and a track record of delivering results for established companies.

   The platform specializes in matching businesses with freelancers for longer-term engagements rather than quick one-off tasks. If you need someone to overhaul your entire SEO strategy, conduct a comprehensive site audit, or manage ongoing optimization for several months, Toptal provides access to senior-level talent. The matching process involves a consultation call where you discuss your needs, after which Toptal presents candidates who fit your requirements.

   Pricing reflects the quality of talent, with rates typically higher than what you’d find on general freelance platforms. However, the time savings and reduced risk of hiring someone unsuitable often justify the investment. Toptal also offers a trial period, so if the match isn’t working out, you can switch to a different freelancer without penalty. For businesses that need top-shelf SEO expertise and are willing to pay for it, Toptal delivers consistent quality.

7. Contra

   Contra markets itself as a commission-free platform for independent professionals, which means freelancers keep 100% of what they earn. This structure attracts quality talent who might otherwise avoid platforms that take a significant cut of their earnings. For SEO work, you’ll find a growing community of specialists who offer services ranging from content optimization and link building to analytics setup and conversion rate optimization.

   The platform emphasizes portfolio presentation, encouraging freelancers to showcase their best work in visually appealing formats. This makes it easier to assess whether someone’s style and approach align with your brand before reaching out. Contra also includes built-in contract templates and payment processing, streamlining the administrative side of hiring.

   Because freelancers aren’t losing a chunk of their income to platform fees, many are willing to offer more competitive rates or provide additional value within their quoted prices. The community tends to skew toward creative and strategic thinkers rather than those focused solely on technical execution, which can be valuable if you need help with content strategy or user experience improvements that support your SEO goals. For businesses looking to work with motivated professionals who appreciate fair compensation structures, Contra offers a refreshing alternative to fee-heavy platforms.

Finding the right SEO expert doesn’t have to mean settling for whatever Upwork throws your way. Each of these platforms offers something different, whether it’s specialized vetting, fixed-price convenience, or access to premium talent. The key is matching your specific needs and budget to the platform that best supports them. Some businesses will benefit from the structured, service-focused approach of marketplaces like Legiit and SEOclerks, while others might prefer the personalized matching offered by Mayple or the premium quality guaranteed by Toptal. Take time to explore a couple of these options, read reviews carefully, and start with smaller projects to test the waters. The right SEO expert is out there, and using the right platform makes all the difference in finding them.