Rent A Coder
68What is Rent A Coder?
Have you ever had that tough programming project that you just couldn't complete yourself? Do you have a ton of website business ideas but feel limited by your lack of knowledge on PHP, HTML, MySQL, etc.? Getting stuck in web design issues and website challenges is frustrating- I know because I've experienced it plenty.
Or maybe you're a programmer looking for work. Do you need to expand your portfolio and make some money at the same time?
There's hope! Rent A Coder is a website that specializes in matching freelance programmers with anyone who needs customized programming. They also offer services for graphic design, translations, writing and other services.
In this article I'll provide a review of rentacoder com.
How does Rent A Coder Work?
Here's how Rent A Coder Works for buyers:
You sign up for their FREE account, then simply post your project or question. According to their website, each program request receives an average of 12.4 bids within the first 24 hours! In other words, once you post your need, 12+ people (on average) will respond with price quotes, comments, questions, etc! And the beauty of it is that there are no obligations! In fact, you could reject all bids if you wanted.
Each freelance programmer that posts a bid doesn't get to see competitors bids, so they will price it as low as they can to win your service.
When you've found the programmer that you want to go with, you simply put the funds of the project into an escrow account and the programmer is paid after the job gets done. It's a safe, effective way for both parties to not get burned.
What Services does Rent A Coder Offer?
RentACoder offers a ton of freelance programmer services for buyers / bidders. Here's a short list of what is offered:
- PHP Coder services
- Freelance Programming services
- Freelance Web Design
- Outsource Programming
- Flash Programming
- Program Modification
- Custom Software Design
Since the programmers are international, the project possibilities are almost limitless. With jobs I've posted, I've seen bids come back from Denmark, Romania, India, U.S. and elsewhere across the globe. (As of right now, there are over 260,000 coders in the coder pool!)
RentACoder: From a Buyer's Perspective
Rent A Coder also has lots to offer programmers. Here are some of the perks:
- Funds are put into escrow so you won't be left "high and dry" for a project
- Free arbitration / mediation services in case something goes wrong
- Rent A Coder . com only takes 15% from income, but they also recently rolled out a new program where they only take 12.5% if your buyers pay into the escrow account via a bank-to-bank wire transfer or a check sent via snail mail
- Great opportunity to build your portfolio, resume and experience (and while earning money along the way)
If you program flash, PHP, Java, C, C++, Perl, etc, give Rent A Coder a try. Right now there are several thousands of open bids waiting to be won!
RentACoder.com offers a wide variety of services and is a great way to either find an offshore or domestic coder or to earn income creating custom software programs.
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Comments
Thanks for your comment rentacoder user- you make some great observations. I'm planning on writing an article on their competition in the future, so we'll see how they shape up to rentacoder.
I always felt like the coders got the short end of the stick since the money taken out of the "pool" to pay for rentacoder's services comes straight out of the coder's pockets. But you make some good points about how the coder has some power too and how that can be abused. I guess the feedback thing is much like ebay's but on a smaller scale: a few negative feedbacks and your sunk.
Rentacoder user says:
4 months ago
When Rentacoder was formed it justified its fee by proving a very effective buffer and mediator between buyer and seller.
When coders asked to carry out subsequent projects after the first one outside Rentacoder (as they very often do with repeat work) I used to refuse knowing that the extra that I paid them - so that they could pay their fees - would protect me from rogue coders.
Inappropriate Behavior:
They used to stipulate "If Buyer or Seller threatens or harrasses the other party or Exhedra, does not treat the arbitration process with respect or professionalism, does not follow arbitrator instructions, attempts (in Exhedra's sole opinion) to manipulate or unduly influence the arbitration process, or breaks any rules in the buyer or seller agreement or in the site terms and conditions, then Exhedra may choose to automatically forfeit that party and rule in favor of the opposite party, as well as permanently terminate that party's account."
Unfortunately that's not true anymore. Coder threaten violence and hacking, refuse arbitration testing and are allowed to continue without comment. What's more if a buyer takes a project into arbitration for not delivering anything at all by deadline or responding to multiple polite requests for updates the coder can now punish the buyer with bad feedback - contrary to Rentacoder written rules and Rentacoder will allow it.
So - with the founder now taking much less interest in the running of the company and a new generation of far less competent (presumably cheaper) arbitrators, the advantages of Rentacoder are far less.
They still have many positive features - many of the staff are still delightful (if seeming more stressed) - and Rentacoder keep records of projects and deliverables years after completion which is highly appreciated and its still probably a great way source new coders. However as a way of providing a protection for both parties it is becoming ineffective simply due to not caring. So - sure - spend your first $100 with your coder through Rentacoder - but they'll need to try harder and be more professional to get a part of the next $10,000 you pay that coder over the following year.
Summary: Rentacoder is a world leader - but its going the way of IBM and Microsoft in terms of responsiveness and caring . . way . . way too soon.