How do I choose a winning proposal?

Elance allows you to easily review service providers’ proposals, communicate, award and manage your project, and send payments to service providers anywhere in the world at no additional cost.  

Elance collects a fee from the service provider when the project is awarded, in accordance with our Terms of Service.  If a service provider asks you to go outside Elance to avoid paying Elance fees (which range between 6.75% and 8.75%), we ask that you report the violation (click here to report) and recommend that you choose a service provider that adheres to the Terms of Service.

You can select a service provider for your project at any time from Buyer Activity, even before the bidding period ends. You will have 90 days after the bidding period ends to award your project before it expires.  To award your project please follow the steps below.

1. Log in to the MyElance Main Menu.

If you are not logged in, enter your Elance username and password.

2. Click on your 'Buyer Activity' > 'My Projects' link in the left navigation menu.

3. Click your project name to view the list of service providers and their proposals.

A service provider's bid amount is only part of their proposal. Be sure to click these other items:

   * Profile, including an online portfolio of work samples. (Click the provider's username to view their profile.)
   * Feedback left by other buyers about each of the service providers bidding on your project.
   * Private Message Board (PMB) - Interview your service provider to ensure your requirements match their skills.

NOTE: If a project is not awarded, Elance will delete uploaded files attached to the project descriptions, bid comments, PMB and work space after 6 months. If a project is awarded, uploaded files will not be deleted.

4. When you have made your decision, click on the associated provider's 'Award' button on the far right side of their bid.

5. Your service provider will enter in the business terms and milestones.

6. You will then review the business terms screen, negotiate with your provider, and then accept the terms.

Important Note: You can select multiple service providers for your project, but you must agree to pay each one their full proposal amount. If you want to divide the project work among multiple providers, you must discuss this via the private message boards first so that the service providers can place updated bids reflecting the adjusted workload. Keep in mind that service providers are charged a project fee by the Elance system within 45 days based on the awarded bid price.

   * Always attach a contract for the service provider to sign on your PMB (private message board) when negotiating your project terms.

Click here for a step-by-step Buyer Guide.