So you have made the decision to outsource your project online. You know there are plenty of outsourcing websites and marketplaces, but how do you know which outsourcing website is best?

At WhichLance we help businesses who want to outsource projects online choose the best outsourcing websites for their needs. If you want to outsource a writing project, some marketplaces may perform better than others, while a web development project might be best suited to a different marketplace altogether.

There are three key things to consider before choosing which outsourcing site is best for your needs:

1. Type of project

What type of project are you thinking of outsourcing? Some marketplaces are focused on a specific niche such as writing, programming or even a specific application such as Joomla or Wordpress, while others offer a broad range of skills from a single source.

2. Budget

Your budget is an important factor when deciding which outsourcing site is best for you and your business. Some outsourcing sites focus on quality and come with a higher than normal project price, while others focus on low-cost. If you are on a shoe-string you should consider using a very active marketplace as competition from freelancers is stronger and you will attract more bids with lower costs because of the competition in that market. If you are looking for the best providers and cost is not of paramount importance, then you should consider a more niche marketplace or one which puts more emphasis on the quality of freelance providers rather than the hourly rate they charge,

3. Geography

Geography need not be a barrier to outsourcing, but with a global outsourcing marketplace you should consider geographical aspects, language barriers and similar issues. If your project needs to be done on-site and you are in the US, then you need to look for a marketplace with plenty of US based freelance workers. If it doesn't matter, then look at a marketplace with good global coverage.

So, with these factors in mind, we have compiled some recommendations for freelance websites which might meet your needs in various scenarios:

1. Best outsourcing site for Global, Low Budget projects - Freelancer.com
This site is huge, over 1.8m freelance workers are on hand to bid on your projects, from writing and online marketing through to engineering, design and programming, you will find a bundle of freelance workers from around the world, waiting to work for you. Freelancer offers up to 90% savings on the prices you would expect to pay in the western world.Freelancer is a generalist site so no matter what you need to outsource, you will probably find a suitable candidate here.

2. Best outsourcing site for local, high quality projects in the UK - PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is the leading freelance marketplace in the UK. It offers a broad pool of home-grown, high quality freelance workers. Expect to pay more per hour than on the average freelance marketplace, but you can also cut through language barriers, get top quality work and still save on the cost of a conventional tender process. PPH is a generalist site, so no matter what type of project you are outsourcing, you will find a range of individuals and businesses ready and waiting to bid competitively for your work.

3. Best outsourcing site for local, high quality projects in the US - Elance.com
Elance is a stalwart in the outsourcing sector, with over 10 years experience under its belt. Their emphasis is very much on quality, and if you are looking for a provider in the US, then its one of the best bets.

4. Best outsourcing site for hourly paid jobs - oDesk
oDesk is one of the most popular freelance websites there is, with hundreds of thousands of freelancers you will easily find someone willing to work for a low hourly rate. Whether you want a writer in Wyoming, a programmer in Pennsylvania or a VA in Virginia, oDesk can supply them on an hourly basis. No hassle, no commitment labor at the click of a mouse.

Of course, there are plenty of other freelance marketplaces, we suggest you browse our freelance marketplace directory or search our site for the outsourcing sites which meet the specific needs of your project.