Real talk. We have a love-hate relationship with the folks over at Fiverr.
Let’s start with the positives.
Picture this. One online marketplace. Attracting hundreds of graphic designers from around the world. Each artist bringing unique styles to the table.
You pick an artist that matches your goals. You commission them for custom design. Shortly after, files are delivered and BINGO, you’ve got new channel art. A tight, simple system, no? And all backed by a company worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Sounds too good to be true, right?
Well, yes and no.
With overlay packages available for as little as $10 and turnaround times as fast as 48 hours, it’s not hard to see the initial attraction. It’s why so many new streamers choose Fiverr, seeking fast, cheap design services.
But… Wait for it...
The Big BUT…
There are risks to consider. Lots of them. Here are a few:
Poor Communication
Rushed Projects
Below Par Quality
Stolen Artwork
Potential Scams
Lots and Lots of Wasted Time
Not as rosy a picture, huh?
We’ll get into each of them (and more) below, but for now all you need to know is this: the risks are real.
Trust us, we hear them everyday. Many of our clients come to us after poor experiences on Fiverr. We’ve been hearing their horror stories for years now.
And we’re here to share some with you. But first...
The Disclaimer
Don’t get us wrong, we’re all for global design marketplaces. After all, it’s why Visuals by Impulse was founded in the first place.
We’re ALL for any platform that both empowers artists and provides affordable design for creators. Done on Fiverr’s scale, it’s an admirable, ambitious experiment.
Once the paint is peeled back, however, the cracks and poor foundation begin to show. These cracks pose pitfalls that Twitch streamers can fall into, setting their brand (and wallet) behind in a big way.
Look, we’re not here to embellish or fear-monger. These are simple facts and trends we’ve observed over 5+ years in the industry. We hope we’re providing an honest, subjective look at the Fiverr dilemma.
Because let’s be real, there are a number of talented artists on Fiverr. The problem is finding them. Separating the wheat from the chaff. Finding the diamond in the rough.
And this leads us to one of the Biggest Problems with Fiverr.
Improper Vetting
Here’s the scary truth. The vast majority of designers on Fiverr have never been verified.
Their backgrounds and identities have never been checked. Professional experience and education, never certified. Their artwork, never verified for authenticity.
That portfolio they’re sharing? It very well could be someone else's. The 100+ projects they’ve claimed to have completed? It could be a tenth of that.
The problem is the sheer number of artists selling on their platform. Team Fiverr does not have the time or resources to verify each seller. This means the burden of verification is simply left to the customer.
This has created a lawless, ‘Wild West’ environment - one ripe for scammers and snake-oil salesmen. It’s a trap too often sprung, giving the esports design industry a bad name. Because unfortunately, it’s typically your small, growing streamers that pay the biggest cost.
But What About Star Ratings?
Star Ratings are a great feature, and operate similar to what you’d see on Amazon or Yelp. You can read reviews from prior customers, helping separate the legit from the shady artists.
They are NOT, however, a guarantee of quality and authenticity. Just because ten customers were duped prior to you, does NOT mean you should willingly serve yourself up as the next victim.
Always approach star ratings with a healthy dose of skepticism. Higher ratings and tier levels do NOT indicate Fiverr has vetted an artist and their work for authenticity.
In fact, we’ve spotted a number of Fiverr’s top-rated designers peddling our (VBI) work as their own. Often to a somewhat comical degree. But more to come on this later.
That said, some of you may already have a Fiverr artist in your back pocket. Perhaps they’re producing quality work for you, meeting deadlines, communicating effectively, and treating you honestly. If so, hang on to them. You’re one of the lucky few, and you’ve already completed the hardest part: The Search.
Unfortunately, these trusted sellers are a dime a dozen. Not only are they difficult to find, but they also tend to carry steep prices and longer waitlists. This in turn, turns off your average streamer looking for a cheap, quick solution.
Which brings us back to square one. What are the risks streamers should be aware of before engaging with a Fiverr artist?
Professionalism: Communication and Deadlines
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s too often overlooked. It’s one of the most common complaints we hear, both on Fiverr and generally across the freelance design scene.
Always, ALWAYS, vet your artist for reliability and professionalism. Sort through reviews to get a feel for their project management. Do they have a history of missed deadlines? Did they disappear on previous clients?
There is nothing more frustrating than to kick off a project, only to then endure radio silence for 2 months as your artist deals with ‘personal issues’ (or worse). On the other hand, projects that stretch months beyond their due date are sure to leave a bad taste in your mouth.
Unfortunately, this is a risk you take on when commissioning individual artists on Fiverr or elsewhere. A death in the family, personal vacations, overbooked schedules, or simple laziness can derail your initial expectations.
Additionally, there are language barriers to consider.
Due to the nature of Fiverr, many of the sellers you’ll come across do not speak English as a first language. Try explaining your brand vision through G-Translate, then tell us the meaning of exasperation. This is doubly challenging in the design field, where minor miscommunications can have major impacts on the final product.
OK, so let’s say you find somebody seemingly reliable. Are you in the clear?
One Track Minds
Don’t be a pepega. Of course not.
When you limit yourself to a single artist, you’re doing, well, exactly that. Restricting yourself to a single creative perspective.
You see, most casual designers design from their comfort zone. It’s only natural. They feel strong with a single style, rarely venturing out into unfamiliar territory. You’ll see the same patterns, themes, and color schemes repeated across multiple projects.
It’s a silo effect, and you’d do best to avoid it. When creativity is limited, it can mean the difference between average design and outstanding design.
When working with an organization or studio, these risks are mitigated. Most often, your project brief is vetted, then assigned to an artist whose strengths most closely match your style.
Your cyberpunk brief? It goes to the cyber expert. Your kawaii anime brief? Hello illustration specialist. Asking one artist to be a jack-of-all-trades is asking too much.
And it’s not just limited to styles. It also applies to design types.
You see, every designer has unique strengths, whether it’s logos, stream design, animation, emotes, etc. A pro team will break your project into components, handing your logo to the logo specialist. Your emotes and sub badges to the illustration artist. Your animation to the motion designer. By entrusting each part of the process to industry experts, you’re maximizing creative potential.
Your typical Fiverr artist however, is being asked to do everything themselves. The passionate stream designer is reluctantly sketching logos. The mascot specialist now forced to dabble in motion design.
By asking a single designer to be proficient in everything, you’re getting just that; a proficient, passable final product. But why settle for passable when you can have jaw-dropping?
One final note before we move on.
In a team environment, you also get the benefit of multiple creative minds working simultaneously. Ideas are bounced off colleagues, concepts approved by project managers, and obstacles overcome via team brainstorming sessions. A designer working in isolation is a designer stifling their own creativity.
And that's a major red flag for potential clients.
Quality: The Harsh Truth
Time to be brutally honest.
After 5+ years in the biz, we’ve seen a lot of Fiverr-created stream designs. Unfortunately, we can probably count on one hand the number of times we’ve been truly impressed with the final product.
The sad fact is that most quality, motivated artists left Fiverr long ago (or avoided it altogether). Many are now taking commissions as independent freelancers, relying on their built-up network and social media presence for customers. More have been picked up by design studios, recognized and recruited for their talents.
Those left behind on Fiverr are typically newer, casual, or amateur artists. They lack the network and experience necessary to operate independently, and so rely on Fiverr’s platform to attract customers. This means the Fiverr marketplace is flooded with mediocre, uninspired designs.
But why? What makes Fiverr so unappealing to the experienced artist? It’s simple really, and it makes the world go ‘round. Cold, hard cash.
Good designers know that you get what you pay for. Graphic design is an investment, and an artist’s time is incredibly valuable. Indeed a veteran designer knows how to value their work, and won’t settle for pennies on the dollar. They know firsthand how much time, energy, and willpower can go into a single project. Premium design should be reflected in commission prices.
