Submitting Work

Overview of Submitting Work

Submitting your work is one of the most important steps in the freelance process on Opengates. It is the moment where you present your deliverables to the client for review. How you submit — the quality of your files, the clarity of your notes, and the professionalism of your presentation — directly affects whether the client approves your work quickly or asks for revisions.

This article walks you through every step of the submission process, from preparing your deliverables to handling revisions and understanding what happens after your work is approved.

Preparing Your Deliverables Before Submission

Before you click the submit button, take time to ensure your work is complete and polished. Submitting incomplete or rough work leads to revision requests, delays, and potentially unhappy clients.

Quality Checklist

Run through this checklist before every submission:

• Does your work meet all the requirements? Go back to the contract details, the task description, or the service package the client ordered. Make sure every requirement has been addressed.
• Have you tested your work? If you built software, have you tested it thoroughly? If you designed something, does it look correct at different sizes and on different devices? If you wrote content, have you proofread it for grammar and spelling errors?
• Is the work complete? Do not submit partial work unless the milestone or contract specifically calls for a partial deliverable (like a draft). Clients expect to receive finished work.
• Are your files organized? Name your files clearly and logically. Use descriptive names like "homepage-design-final.psd" instead of "untitled-3-copy.psd."
• Have you followed the client's instructions? If the client provided specific formatting requirements, style guidelines, or technical specifications, double-check that you have followed them.

How to Submit Your Work

Step 1: Navigate to the Contract

1. Log in to your Opengates freelancer account.
2. Go to your Dashboard and click on "Contracts" or "Active Orders" in the navigation menu.
3. Find the contract or order you want to submit work for and click on it to open the details page.

Step 2: Go to the Submission Section

Within the contract details page, look for the "Submit Work" or "Deliver" button. For fixed-price contracts with milestones, you will submit your work against a specific milestone. For service orders, you will submit the final deliverable for the package the client ordered.

Step 3: Upload Your Files

Click the upload area to add your deliverable files. You can upload multiple files at once.

Supported File Types

Opengates supports a wide range of file types, including:

• Documents: PDF, DOC, DOCX, TXT, RTF
• Images: JPG, PNG, GIF, SVG, PSD, AI
• Archives: ZIP, RAR (use these for large projects with many files)
• Code: ZIP archives containing source code, or links to repositories
• Video: MP4, MOV, AVI
• Audio: MP3, WAV, AAC
• Spreadsheets: XLS, XLSX, CSV

File Size Limits

There are file size limits per upload. If your deliverables exceed the maximum file size, consider:

• Compressing files into a ZIP archive.
• Optimizing images or videos to reduce file size.
• Splitting large deliverables into multiple uploads.

The current file size limits are displayed on the upload page.

Tips for Uploading Files

• Use ZIP archives for multi-file deliverables. If your project includes dozens of files (like a full website codebase), package them into a single ZIP file for easy download.
• Include source files when appropriate. If you are delivering a design, include both the final exported files (PNG, JPG) and the source files (PSD, AI, Figma link) unless the contract specifies otherwise.
• Label everything clearly. If you are uploading multiple versions or variations, label them so the client knows which is which.

Step 4: Add a Delivery Note

Along with your files, you should write a delivery note. This is a message to the client that accompanies your submission. A good delivery note includes:

• A summary of what you are delivering. "Attached is the final homepage design in PSD and PNG formats, along with the mobile-responsive version."
• Any important details the client should know. "The logo is provided in both RGB (for web) and CMYK (for print) color spaces."
• Instructions for using or reviewing the deliverable. "To view the interactive prototype, click the Figma link below."
• A reminder of the package/milestone scope. If the client ordered a specific package, briefly restate what was included so there is no confusion about what is being delivered.

Step 5: Submit

Once your files are uploaded and your delivery note is written, click "Submit" or "Deliver." Your submission is now sent to the client for review.

Requesting Client Review

After you submit your work, the client is notified that a delivery is ready for their review. Here is what happens next:

Client Review Process

1. The client receives a notification (email and/or in-app) that you have submitted your work.
2. The client opens the submission and reviews your files and delivery note.
3. The client has three options:
   • Approve the delivery: The work meets their expectations, and they accept it.
   • Request revisions: The client wants changes made before they approve.
   • Open a dispute: In rare cases, if there is a significant disagreement about the quality or scope of the work.

How Long Does Review Take?

Review times vary depending on the client. Some clients review within hours; others may take a few days. If the client has not responded within 48-72 hours, it is appropriate to send a polite follow-up message:

"Hi [Client Name], I submitted the deliverables for [milestone/project name] a couple of days ago. I wanted to check if you have had a chance to review them. Please let me know if you have any questions or need any adjustments."

Auto-Approval

Opengates has an auto-approval policy to protect freelancers. If a client does not review and respond to a submission within a certain number of days (the exact timeframe is specified in the platform's terms), the delivery is automatically approved and the payment is released from escrow. This prevents clients from indefinitely delaying payment for completed work.

Handling Revision Requests

Revisions are a normal part of freelancing. When a client requests a revision, it means they want you to adjust or change something about your delivery before they approve it. This is not a rejection — it is a request for refinement.

What a Revision Request Looks Like

When a client requests a revision, you will receive a notification with:

• The client's feedback: A description of what they want changed.
• Specific issues: The client may highlight particular aspects of the work that need adjustment.
• Reference to the original requirements: The client may point out where the delivery does not match what was agreed upon.

How to Handle Revisions

1. Read the feedback carefully. Make sure you fully understand what the client is asking for. If anything is unclear, ask for clarification before starting work.
2. Check the revision count. Each service package or contract specifies how many revisions are included. If the client has used all their included revisions and is asking for more, you can politely explain the situation and offer options (such as purchasing an additional revision or upgrading their package).
3. Make the changes. Address each point in the client's feedback. Be thorough — going back and forth multiple times for the same issue creates frustration on both sides.
4. Resubmit. Upload the revised files and add a new delivery note explaining what you changed. Be specific: "I updated the color scheme from blue to green as requested and increased the font size on the header."

Tips for Reducing Revision Requests

• Clarify requirements before you start. Ask questions upfront to avoid misunderstandings.
• Deliver exactly what was agreed upon. Do not take creative liberties unless the client has given you freedom to do so.
• Submit a draft for feedback on large projects. Before completing a full deliverable, check in with the client to make sure you are on the right track.
• Over-communicate. Share progress updates so the client can flag issues early rather than at the end.

Getting Your Work Approved

When the client is satisfied with your delivery (whether on the first submission or after revisions), they will click "Approve." Approval triggers several things:

What Happens When Work Is Approved

1. Payment is released from escrow. The agreed amount for the milestone or order is moved from escrow to your Available Earnings. The platform fee (12% standard, or 7% with Premium) is deducted automatically.
2. The milestone is marked as complete. For fixed-price contracts with multiple milestones, the next milestone becomes active.
3. Your delivery stats are updated. Completed deliveries contribute to your overall freelancer stats, including on-time delivery rate and completion rate.
4. You move on to the next phase. If there are more milestones, begin working on the next one. If the project is complete, the contract can be closed.

Earnings Breakdown Example

Suppose a client approves a $500 milestone:

The earnings are instantly sent to your payout method of choice (M-Pesa or bank account) once the client releases the payment.

What Happens After All Work Is Approved

Once all milestones have been approved or the service order is fully delivered:

1. The contract or order is marked as complete.
2. Both parties are invited to leave reviews. Your review and rating from the client will appear on your profile, helping you attract future work.
3. Your earnings have been paid out. All approved payments have been instantly sent to your payout method.
4. You can be re-hired. Many satisfied clients return to hire the same freelancer again. Excellent delivery is the best marketing.

Submission Best Practices

• Submit on time or early. On-time delivery is one of the most important metrics on your profile.
• Never submit placeholder work. Always submit complete, finished deliverables.
• Double-check your files before submitting. Make sure you are uploading the correct, final versions.
• Write thoughtful delivery notes. They show professionalism and reduce the chance of confusion.
• Respond to revision requests promptly. Quick turnaround on revisions impresses clients and leads to better reviews.
• Keep records. The platform stores all your submissions, but it is good practice to keep your own backups of deliverable files.

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