Clients Guide

Welcome to Opengates as a Client

Opengates is a freelancing marketplace that connects clients with talented freelancers across a wide range of skills and industries. As a client, you have the tools to find the right talent, manage projects efficiently, and get quality work delivered — all within a secure and transparent platform.

Whether you need a logo designed, a website built, content written, or any other professional service, Opengates makes it easy to hire skilled freelancers who can bring your vision to life. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about using Opengates as a client, from creating your first task to managing contracts and payments.

How Opengates Works for Clients

The hiring process on Opengates is designed to be straightforward and secure. Here is a high-level overview of how it works:

Step 1: Define Your Project

You start by either posting a task or browsing the service marketplace. When you post a task, you describe what you need, set a budget, choose a deadline, and specify the skills required. Freelancers who are interested will submit applications for your review. Alternatively, you can browse freelancer services directly and order a package that fits your needs.

Step 2: Find the Right Freelancer

Once applications come in, you can review each freelancer's profile, portfolio, ratings, and proposal. Compare candidates side by side, ask questions through the messaging system, and select the freelancer who best matches your requirements. If you browse the service marketplace instead, you can compare packages and order directly.

Step 3: Create a Contract

When you have found the right freelancer, you create a contract. Opengates supports two types of contracts: fixed-price contracts with milestones and hourly contracts with tracked time entries. Your payment is held securely in escrow until the work is completed and approved.

Step 4: Collaborate and Track Progress

Throughout the project, you can communicate with your freelancer using the built-in messaging system powered by Azure Communication Services. Track progress, request updates, and provide feedback in real time.

Step 5: Approve and Pay

Once the freelancer delivers the work, you review it and either approve it or request revisions. When you are satisfied, you release the payment from escrow. After the contract is completed, you can leave a review and rating to help other clients in the community.

Two Ways to Hire on Opengates

Opengates gives you two distinct paths to find and hire freelancers, each suited to different needs:

Posting a Task

Posting a task is ideal when you have a specific project in mind and want freelancers to come to you. You describe your project, set your budget and deadline, and wait for qualified freelancers to apply. This approach works well when you want to compare multiple candidates and choose the best fit.

When freelancers apply to your task, they spend gate keys — a platform currency that ensures only serious, committed freelancers submit applications. This means you receive higher-quality proposals from freelancers who are genuinely interested in your project. Learn more in our Posting a Task guide.

Ordering a Service

If you prefer a more direct approach, you can browse the service marketplace where freelancers list pre-defined services with clear packages, pricing, and delivery timelines. Each service offers three tiers — Basic, Standard, and Premium — so you can choose the package that fits your budget and requirements. This is a great option when you know exactly what you need and want to get started quickly. Learn more in our Ordering Services guide.

Understanding Gate Keys

Gate keys are a unique feature of Opengates that benefits both clients and freelancers. Freelancers must spend gate keys to apply for tasks, which serves as a quality filter. Because applying has a cost, freelancers are more selective about which tasks they pursue, meaning you receive applications from people who genuinely believe they are a good fit for your project.

As a client, you do not need to purchase or manage gate keys yourself. The system works behind the scenes to ensure that the applications you receive are from motivated, serious freelancers.

Secure Payments with Escrow

One of the most important features of Opengates is the escrow payment system. When you fund a contract, your money is held securely by the platform — it is not released to the freelancer until you approve the delivered work. This protects you from paying for incomplete or unsatisfactory work.

Here is how escrow works:

• You fund the contract: When a contract is created, you deposit the agreed amount into escrow via Paystack, our secure payment gateway.
• The freelancer works: Your funds are held safely while the freelancer completes the work.
• You review and approve: Once the freelancer submits the deliverables, you review them and either approve or request revisions.
• Payment is released: When you approve the work, the funds are released from escrow to the freelancer.

All prices on Opengates are displayed in USD for consistency across the global marketplace. Payouts to freelancers are processed in KES (Kenyan Shillings) through Paystack.

Platform Fees

Opengates charges a processing fee on client payments to keep the platform running and continuously improving. The standard fee is 12% of the contract value. However, if you subscribe to Premium, your fee drops to just 7%, saving you money on every project.

For example, if you create a contract worth $100:

• Standard account: You pay $112 total ($100 to the freelancer + $12 platform fee)
• Premium account: You pay $107 total ($100 to the freelancer + $7 platform fee)

Learn more about the benefits of upgrading in our Premium for Clients guide.

Contract Types

Opengates supports two types of contracts to accommodate different project structures:

Fixed-Price Contracts

Fixed-price contracts are ideal for projects with clearly defined deliverables. You agree on a total price upfront, and the work is divided into milestones. Each milestone has its own budget, deadline, and description. You fund and approve milestones individually, giving you control over each phase of the project. Learn more in our Managing Contracts as a Client guide.

Hourly Contracts

Hourly contracts are suited for ongoing work or projects where the scope may evolve over time. The freelancer logs time entries, and you are billed based on the agreed hourly rate. You can review time logs and approve them on a regular basis.

Communication and Collaboration

Opengates includes a built-in messaging system powered by Azure Communication Services. You can chat with freelancers in real time, share files, discuss project details, and provide feedback — all without leaving the platform. Keeping your communication within Opengates ensures that you have a clear record of all project discussions, which is valuable if any disputes arise.

Reviews and Ratings

After a contract is completed, you have the opportunity to leave a review and rating for the freelancer. Your feedback helps other clients make informed hiring decisions and helps freelancers build their reputation on the platform. Be honest and constructive in your reviews — they are a vital part of the Opengates community.

What You Can Do as a Client

Here is a quick summary of the key actions available to you as a client on Opengates:

• Post tasks with detailed descriptions, budgets, deadlines, and required skills
• Browse and order services from the freelancer marketplace
• Review applications from qualified freelancers
• Create contracts (fixed-price or hourly)
• Fund escrow securely through Paystack
• Track project progress and communicate with freelancers
• Approve deliverables or request revisions
• Release payments from escrow upon approval
• Leave reviews and ratings after project completion
• Subscribe to Premium for lower fees and additional benefits

Explore the Clients Section

Ready to dive deeper? Explore the detailed guides below to learn about each aspect of hiring on Opengates:

• Posting a Task — Learn how to create a compelling task listing that attracts quality freelancers.
• Hiring Freelancers — Discover how to evaluate applications, compare candidates, and make the right hire.
• Ordering Services — Find out how to browse the service marketplace and order pre-defined packages.
• Managing Contracts as a Client — Understand how to track progress, manage milestones, and handle payments.
• Premium for Clients — Learn about the benefits of upgrading to a Premium subscription.

Still need help? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to assist you.