Is 99designs Worth It in 2026? Boost Your Freelance Profits with Efficient Invoicing and Payment Systems
Discover the hidden costs of working with 99designs and learn how to maximize your profits with expert invoicing and payment strategies
You spent hours crafting a stunning design for a 99designs contest. The client loved it, and you thought you had a guaranteed win. But then, nothing. No payment, no feedback, no communication. You just lost $800 and a week of your life. This is more than just a frustrating experience – it's a lost opportunity to focus on high-paying clients and grow your business. In this post, we'll explore the pros and cons of working with 99designs and provide actionable tips to help you maximize your profits.
Why this keeps happening
The 99designs platform may offer a large pool of potential clients, but it also comes with a high risk of non-payment. With no deposit system and a lack of contract enforcement, you're essentially working for free until you receive payment. Additionally, the platform's fee structure can eat into your profits, leaving you with a smaller take-home pay. And let's not forget the time-consuming process of dealing with non-paying clients, which can be a significant drain on your resources.
Real example
Meet Emily, a freelance graphic designer who used 99designs to find new clients. She spent weeks working on a project, only to have the client disappear without paying her. Emily lost $1,000 and had to spend even more time chasing the client for payment. This experience left her frustrated and wondering if working with 99designs was worth the risk.
The habits that fix this permanently
These are the non-negotiables for getting paid reliably in your profession:
How to implement this step by step
Step 1: Set Clear Expectations with Clients
When working with 99designs, it's essential to set clear expectations with clients from the outset. This includes outlining payment terms, deadlines, and scope of work in a comprehensive contract. Use Becflow's AI-powered contracts to automate the contract creation process and reduce errors. For example, Emily could have used Becflow to create a contract that specified a 50% deposit upfront and a 30-day payment term. This would have protected her from non-payment and ensured she got paid on time.
Step 2: Send Invoices and Payment Links
Sending invoices and payment links directly to clients through Becflow eliminates the need for manual payment tracking. This not only saves time but also reduces the risk of lost payments. For instance, when Emily sent an invoice to her client through Becflow, she received a payment confirmation within 24 hours. This streamlined process allowed her to focus on other clients and projects while ensuring she got paid on time.
Step 3: Set Up Automatic Reminders and Follow-Ups
Automatic reminders and follow-ups are crucial when dealing with non-paying clients. Becflow's payment tracking feature allows you to set up reminders and follow-ups to ensure timely payment from clients. For example, Emily set up a reminder to follow up with her client after 7 days if payment was not received. This ensured she stayed on top of the payment and didn't lose out on revenue.
Step 4: Monitor Client Payments
Becflow's payment tracking feature allows you to monitor client payments and identify potential issues early on. For instance, Emily used Becflow to track her client's payment history and noticed a pattern of delayed payments. She was able to adjust her payment terms and deadlines accordingly, ensuring she got paid on time and minimizing the risk of non-payment.
Step 5: Consider Alternative Platforms
While 99designs may offer a large pool of potential clients, it's essential to consider alternative platforms that offer more secure payment systems and better contract enforcement. Becflow, for example, provides AI-powered contracts, payment links, and automatic reminders to protect freelancers from non-payment and ensure timely payment from clients. By making the switch to Becflow, Emily was able to reduce her risk of non-payment and increase her profits.
The Becflow solution
Becflow offers a comprehensive solution to the payment and invoicing challenges faced by freelancers on 99designs. With AI-powered contracts, payment links, and automatic reminders, you can protect yourself from non-payment and ensure timely payment from clients. Sign up for Becflow today and start maximizing your profits with efficient invoicing and payment systems.
Get paid faster, automatically
AI contracts, invoices with payment links, and automatic reminders. All in one place. Free for 7 days.
Start free trial