Browsing Tasks

What Are Tasks on Opengates?

On Opengates, a task is a project posted by a client who is looking to hire a freelancer. Tasks are one of the two primary ways freelancers find work on the platform (the other being services, where clients come to you). With tasks, you actively search for opportunities that match your skills and apply to them.

Each task includes a description of the work needed, the required skills, a budget range, a deadline, and other details that help you decide whether the task is a good fit for you. Clients review the proposals they receive and choose the freelancer they want to work with.

Browsing tasks effectively is a critical skill for freelancers on Opengates. The better you are at finding the right tasks and evaluating them before applying, the more successful your applications will be — and the fewer gate keys you will spend on tasks that are not a good match.

How to Access the Tasks Page

To start browsing tasks:

1. Log in to your Opengates freelancer account.
2. Click on "Tasks" in the main navigation menu. This takes you to the task marketplace where all available tasks are listed.
3. By default, you will see the most recent tasks first, but you can change the sorting and apply filters to find exactly what you are looking for.

The task marketplace is the central hub for all open opportunities on the platform. It is updated in real time as clients post new tasks, so it is worth checking regularly.

Understanding the Task Listing Page

When you land on the tasks page, each task is displayed as a card or row with key information visible at a glance:

• Task title: A short summary of what the client needs.
• Budget: The amount the client is willing to pay, shown as a fixed amount or a range (e.g., "$200 - $500").
• Category: The type of work (e.g., Web Development, Graphic Design, Content Writing).
• Skills required: The specific skills the client is looking for (e.g., React, Figma, SEO).
• Deadline: When the client needs the work completed by.
• Number of proposals: How many freelancers have already applied.
• Posted date: When the task was published.

This summary information helps you quickly scan through available tasks and identify the ones worth exploring further.

Using Filters to Find the Right Tasks

The task marketplace can have hundreds or thousands of open tasks at any given time. Using filters allows you to narrow the results to only the tasks that are relevant to your skills and preferences.

Available Filters

Category Filter

Filter tasks by their primary category, such as:

• Web Development
• Mobile Development
• Graphic Design
• Content Writing
• Video & Animation
• Digital Marketing
• Data Entry
• Virtual Assistance
• And many more

If you specialize in a specific area, start by selecting your category to see only relevant tasks.

Budget Filter

Set a minimum and/or maximum budget to filter tasks by how much the client is willing to pay. This is useful if you have a minimum amount you are willing to work for, or if you want to focus on higher-value projects.

For example:

• Set a minimum of $100 to exclude very small tasks.
• Set a maximum of $1,000 if you prefer smaller, quicker projects.

Deadline Filter

Filter tasks by their deadline to find projects that fit your availability. You can filter for tasks due within:

• The next 7 days
• The next 14 days
• The next 30 days
• More than 30 days

If you are currently busy with other projects, filtering for tasks with longer deadlines gives you time to complete existing work before starting something new.

Skills Filter

Search for tasks that require specific skills you possess. You can enter one or more skills, and the marketplace will show only tasks that match. This is one of the most powerful filters because it directly connects you with tasks where your expertise is needed.

Sort Options

In addition to filters, you can sort the task list by:

• Newest first: See the most recently posted tasks.
• Budget (high to low): Find the highest-paying tasks.
• Budget (low to high): Find smaller, potentially quicker tasks.
• Deadline (soonest first): Find urgent tasks that clients need done quickly.
• Fewest proposals: Find tasks where fewer freelancers have applied, giving you less competition.

Combining Filters

You can use multiple filters at the same time for the most targeted results. For example, you might filter for:

• Category: "Web Development"
• Skills: "React" and "TypeScript"
• Budget: $500 - $2,000
• Deadline: More than 14 days

This would show you mid-to-high budget web development tasks that require React and TypeScript, with enough time to deliver quality work.

Saving Tasks for Later

If you find a task that interests you but you are not ready to apply right away, you can save it. Saved tasks are stored in a special list on your dashboard so you can come back to them later.

How to Save a Task

1. Browse the task marketplace and find a task you want to save.
2. Click the bookmark icon or "Save" button on the task card.
3. The task is now saved to your "Saved Tasks" list.

Accessing Your Saved Tasks

Go to your Dashboard and look for the "Saved Tasks" section. Here you will find all the tasks you have bookmarked. From this list, you can view the full task details or go directly to the application page.

Why Save Tasks?

• Take time to prepare. Some tasks require a thoughtful proposal. Saving the task lets you come back when you have time to write a strong application.
• Compare options. Save multiple tasks and compare them side by side to decide which ones are the best use of your gate keys.
• Track availability. If a saved task still has not received many proposals, it might be a great opportunity with low competition.

Keep in mind that saved tasks can be filled or closed at any time. If you wait too long, the client may have already hired someone.

Understanding Task Details

Before you apply to any task, click on it to view the full details page. This page contains all the information you need to decide whether the task is right for you and to write a strong proposal.

What You Will Find on the Task Details Page

• Full description: The client's detailed explanation of the work they need done. Read this carefully — every word matters.
• Requirements: Specific skills, tools, experience levels, or qualifications the client is looking for.
• Budget: The total amount the client is prepared to pay.
• Deadline: The date by which the work must be completed.
• Attachments: Some clients attach files like design mockups, content briefs, reference materials, or technical specifications.
• Client information: Basic information about the client, such as their rating, how many tasks they have posted, how many freelancers they have hired, and their location.
• Number of proposals received: How many freelancers have already applied.
• Task status: Whether the task is still open for applications.

What to Look for Before Applying

Not every task is worth applying to. Since applying costs gate keys (which cost money), you want to be strategic about where you invest your applications. Here is what to evaluate:

1. Do Your Skills Match?

Read the required skills carefully. If the task asks for skills you do not have or are not confident in, move on. Applying to tasks where you are not qualified wastes your gate keys and will not result in a hire.

2. Is the Budget Realistic?

Consider whether the budget is fair for the amount of work described. If a client is asking for a complex website but offering $50, it is likely not worth your time. On the other hand, a well-funded task in your area of expertise is a great opportunity.

3. Can You Meet the Deadline?

Look at the deadline and honestly assess whether you can deliver quality work by that date, considering your current workload. Promising to deliver and then missing the deadline is worse than not applying at all.

4. Check the Client's History

Look at the client's profile information. Clients who have hired many freelancers and have good ratings are generally more reliable and easier to work with. If a client has no history, they might be new to the platform — this is not necessarily bad, but set clear expectations.

5. How Many Proposals Have Been Submitted?

If a task already has many proposals, the competition is high and your chances of being selected are lower. Tasks with fewer proposals are often better opportunities, especially if they match your skills well.

6. Is the Task Description Clear?

Well-written task descriptions with clear requirements usually come from experienced clients who know what they want. Vague or confusing descriptions can lead to misunderstandings and scope creep during the project.

Building a Task Browsing Routine

Successful freelancers on Opengates make task browsing a regular habit. Here is a suggested routine:

1. Check the task marketplace daily. New tasks are posted all the time. The earlier you apply to a fresh task, the more likely the client is to see your proposal.
2. Use saved filters. Set up your preferred filter combination and use it each time you browse.
3. Save before you apply. When you find interesting tasks, save them first, then review your saved list and apply to the best ones.
4. Prioritize quality over quantity. It is better to send three well-crafted proposals per week than ten generic ones.

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