One of the biggest challenges in the Nigerian freelance industry is trust — specifically, the fear of being scammed. Freelancers worry about doing work and not getting paid. Clients worry about paying upfront and receiving poor work, or worse, nothing at all.
Escrow payments exist to solve exactly this problem. Here's everything you need to know about how escrow works on Shapwork.
What is Escrow?
Escrow is a financial arrangement where a neutral third party (in this case, Shapwork) holds money on behalf of both parties in a transaction. The money is only released to the freelancer once the client confirms that the work has been delivered satisfactorily.
How It Works on Shapwork
- Client posts a project and agrees on a price with a freelancer.
- The client funds the escrow — the agreed amount is deposited into Shapwork's escrow account, not paid directly to the freelancer.
- The freelancer works on the project, knowing the money is already secured.
- The freelancer delivers the work through the platform.
- The client reviews the work. If satisfied, they approve the release of funds.
- The freelancer receives payment directly to their wallet within 24 hours.
What Happens if There's a Dispute?
If the client is not satisfied with the delivered work, they can raise a dispute. Shapwork's Trust & Safety team reviews both sides of the argument and makes a fair determination based on the original project scope. In most cases, the freelancer and client are encouraged to revise and reach an agreement.
Why This Protects Freelancers
- You never start work without knowing the money is secured
- No more chasing clients for payment
- If a client disappears, the money is still held safely
- Clear dispute resolution process if client refuses to pay without valid reason
Why This Protects Clients
- You never lose your money if the freelancer doesn't deliver
- You control when funds are released — you're never forced to pay for poor work
- Shapwork handles disputes fairly and neutrally
- Full refund if the freelancer abandons the project
Tips for a Smooth Escrow Experience
- Be very specific about project requirements upfront
- Agree on milestone deliverables for large projects
- Communicate regularly throughout the project
- Leave honest reviews after every transaction
Escrow makes freelancing in Nigeria safer for everyone. It removes the fear from both sides of the transaction and allows professionals to focus on what they do best: delivering great work.
