MicroGigs
Decentralized freelance marketplace
The problem MicroGigs solves
Globally, freelancers lose $137 billion per year to platform fees (Upwork, Fiverr) - while waiting weeks for payments and risking sudden account bans. In developing countries like Nigeria, where crypto adoption is booming (Chainalysis, 2023), skilled workers face even bigger barriers:
- Exclusion: Traditional platforms block users based on location.
- High Fees: 15-30% commissions crush earnings.
- Centralized Control: One dispute can wipe out your livelihood.
MicroGigs fixes this with a decentralized task marketplace where:
- Freelancers keep 97% of earnings (just 3% fees).
- Payments are instant, in crypto, secured by smart contracts.
- No borders, no middlemen—your reputation lives on-chain, forever.
How We Improve Existing Solutions
Unlike Upwork or Fiverr, MicroGigs is built on blockchain:
- For Freelancers:
- Work from anywhere - no geographic restrictions.
- Get paid immediately upon task approval (no 14-day holds).
- Build uncensorable reputation (stored on-chain).
- For Businesses:
- Hire globally at lower costs (no 30% fees).
- Funds held in smart contract escrow—no more ghosting.
- Disputes resolved by decentralized arbitration, not corporate bias.
Plus, with Farcaster Frames, users find gigs without leaving their social feed - no more juggling 10 apps.
Challenges I ran into
Developing MicroGigs as a Farcaster Frame presented unique challenges we ran into. One significant hurdle was the inherent limitations and evolving nature of the Frames specification itself. We had to carefully navigate constraints around data persistence, user interactions, and external API integrations within the Frame environment.
To overcome this, we adopted a modular design, separating core logic on the blockchain from the Frame's front-end presentation. This allowed us to adapt quickly to Frame updates and limitations.
Another key challenge was optimizing the user experience within the constrained environment of a Frame. Ensuring smooth navigation, clear task presentation, and efficient transaction flows required careful consideration of screen real estate and interaction patterns. We focused on iterative design, gathering feedback from early testers within the Farcaster community to refine the user journey and make it as intuitive as possible.
Tracks Applied (1)
Mini-apps
Technologies used
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