Help & Documentation

Learn how to get the most out of Shapwork. Find guides, tutorials, and answers to common questions.

Getting Started

Create Your Account

Set up a new Shapwork account in minutes.

Go to Sign Up

Click "Sign Up" on the homepage or login page.

Enter Email & Password

Choose a strong password and confirm your email address.

Select Your Role

Choose Freelancer if you want to offer services, or Client if you want to hire freelancers.

Verify Email

Check your email and click the verification link to activate your account.

Set Up Your Profile

Add your profile picture, name, and bio. You can complete this later but we recommend doing it now.

💡 Tip: Complete your profile picture and bio to increase your chances of getting hired or attracting buyers.

Complete Your Profile

Build a professional profile to attract clients or buyers.

Go to Settings

Click your profile icon in the top right and select "Settings".

Upload Profile Picture

Add a clear, professional profile photo (JPG, PNG). This builds trust.

Write Your Bio

Write a 100-150 word bio that highlights your expertise and what you offer.

Add Skills (Freelancers)

List at least 5 relevant skills (e.g., Web Design, Content Writing, Python).

💡 Tip: A complete profile increases your visibility by 3x compared to incomplete profiles.

Keep Your Account Secure

Best practices for protecting your account.

Use a Strong Password

At least 8 characters with uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.

Never Share Your Password

Shapwork support staff will never ask for your password.

Update Regularly

Change your password every 3 months for maximum security.

⚠️ Warning: Never use public WiFi to access sensitive account or payment information.

Freelancer Guide

Create Your First Gig

List a service and start getting hired by clients.

Go to Dashboard

Click "Create Gig"

You'll see a form to create a new service offering.

Fill in Gig Details

Title: Clear, specific title (e.g., "Write SEO-optimized blog posts")
Category: Select the best category for your service
Description: Detailed explanation of what you offer
Price: Set your rate (e.g., $50 per gig)
Delivery Time: How many days to complete (e.g., 3 days)
Revisions: Number of free revisions (e.g., 2)

Upload Images

Upload 3-5 high-quality images showcasing your work or service.

Save & Publish

Click "Save Gig". Your gig will be live immediately and visible to clients.

💡 Pro Tips:

Use keywords in your title for better searchability
Add portfolio samples or before/after images
Price competitively - check similar gigs
Start with faster delivery times to build reviews

Manage Your Gigs

Edit, pause, or delete your services anytime.

View All Gigs

Go to Dashboard → "My Gigs" to see all your services.

Edit Gig

Click the edit icon to modify description, price, delivery time, or images.

Pause Gig

Temporarily stop receiving orders (e.g., if you're on vacation).

Delete Gig

Permanently remove a gig. This cannot be undone.

💡 Tip: Monitor your gig performance and update pricing or description based on client feedback.

Accept & Complete Orders

Deliver quality work to satisfy your clients.

Receive Order

When a client purchases your gig, you'll get a notification with order details.

Review Requirements

Check the client's specific instructions and requirements.

Start Work

Begin the project and meet the delivery deadline.

Submit Deliverable

Upload your completed work files with clear descriptions.

Wait for Approval

Client reviews your work. They may approve, request revisions, or reject.

Get Paid

Once approved, payment is transferred to your wallet.

⚠️ Important: Always deliver before the deadline. Late deliveries can result in penalties.

Build Your Portfolio

Showcase your best work to attract more clients.

Go to Portfolio Section

Click "Portfolio" in your dashboard or profile settings.

Add Project

Upload project images, description, and details about what you did.

Add Work Samples

Include 5-10 of your best projects with before/after images if applicable.

💡 Tip: A strong portfolio increases your hire rate by 5x. Always add projects with detailed descriptions.

Build Your Reputation

Earn positive reviews to attract more clients.

Deliver Quality Work

Always exceed client expectations to get 5-star reviews.

Communicate Well

Respond quickly to messages and ask for clarifications when needed.

Meet Deadlines

Always deliver on time - reliability is crucial for good ratings.

Ask for Feedback

Politely ask clients to leave reviews after successful project completion.

💡 Tip: Freelancers with 4.8+ stars get 3x more orders than those with lower ratings.

Client Guide

Post Your First Job

Hire a freelancer to complete your project.

Go to Dashboard

Click "Post a Job"

You'll see a form to describe your project.

Fill in Job Details

Title: Clear project name
Description: Detailed project brief
Category: Select the service category
Skills Required: List needed skills
Budget: Your project budget
Deadline: When you need it completed

Upload Attachments (Optional)

Add reference files, designs, or documentation.

Post Job

Click "Post Job". Freelancers will see your job and apply with proposals.

💡 Pro Tips:

Be specific about your requirements
Include budget range for better applicants
Give realistic deadlines
Attach reference files or examples

Browse & Hire Freelancers

Find the right person for your project.

Search for Services

Go to "Browse Gigs" and search by category or keywords.

Check Profiles

Review freelancer's portfolio, ratings, and experience.

Compare Options

Compare prices, delivery time, and reviews from multiple sellers.

Purchase Gig

Click "Buy Now" and confirm your purchase.

💡 Tip: Look for freelancers with 4.8+ stars and completed projects in your industry.

Review Applications & Hire

Choose the best freelancer for your job.

View Applications

Go to your job and see all freelancer applications.

Check Proposals

Review their proposed price, timeline, and cover letter.

Review Profile

Check their portfolio, ratings, and past reviews.

Accept or Reject

Click "Hire" to accept or "Decline" to reject.

Start Contract

Contract is created and work begins. You can chat with the freelancer.

💡 Tip: Interview top candidates by sending a test message before hiring.

Manage Your Projects

Track and manage ongoing contracts.

Go to My Projects

View all active and completed contracts.

View Contract Details

See freelancer info, milestones, timeline, and payment status.

Track Progress

Monitor milestone completion and deliverable submissions.

Communicate

Message the freelancer through the contract chat.

💡 Tip: Check on progress regularly and provide feedback to keep work on track.

Review & Approve Deliverables

Quality check work before approving payment.

Notification of Submission

You'll get a notification when the freelancer submits work.

Review Work

Download files and carefully check against your requirements.

Approve or Request Revision

Approve: Click "Approve" if work is acceptable.
Request Revisions: Click "Request Revision" and explain what needs fixing.
Reject: In rare cases, reject and ask for complete redo.

Payment Released

Once approved, freelancer is paid and can withdraw funds.

⚠️ Important: Be fair and constructive with feedback. Treat freelancers professionally.

Payment & Wallet Guide

Fund Your Wallet (Client)

Add money to your wallet to purchase gigs or hire freelancers.

Go to Payment Dashboard

Click your profile → "Payment" or "Wallet".

Click "Fund Wallet"

You'll see the deposit form.

Enter Amount

Choose how much to deposit (minimum amount may apply).

Choose Payment Method

Pay with Paystack (debit/credit card, mobile money, bank transfer).

Complete Payment

Confirm payment and verify with OTP. Funds appear instantly.

💡 Tip: Fund your wallet before starting your hiring to avoid delays.

Withdraw Your Earnings (Freelancer)

Transfer your earnings to your bank account.

Go to Earnings Dashboard

Click your profile → "Earnings" or "Payments".

Check Available Balance

Only completed and approved milestones can be withdrawn.

Add Bank Account (First Time)

Click "Add Bank" and provide your account details (Name, Account #, Bank).

Click "Withdraw"

Select how much to withdraw (minimum may apply).

Confirm Withdrawal

Review details and confirm. Transfer is usually instant (1-24 hours).

💡 Tip: Withdraw regularly to avoid keeping large balances. Some fees may apply.

How Payments Work

Understand Shapwork's payment system and fees.

Client Purchases Gig

Money is deducted from client's wallet and held securely.

Freelancer Completes Work

Freelancer submits deliverable for client review.

Client Approves

Client reviews and approves. Money transfers to freelancer's wallet.

Freelancer Withdraws

Freelancer can withdraw to bank account anytime.

⚠️ Note: Platform fees may apply to deposits and withdrawals. Check details before transacting.

Payment Security

Your money is protected on Shapwork.

Secure Holding

All payments are held securely on Shapwork until work is approved.

Fraud Protection

We monitor all transactions and investigate disputes.

Dispute Resolution

If there's a disagreement, our support team can help mediate.

✓ Safe: All transactions are protected and verified for your security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shapwork?

Shapwork is a Nigerian freelance marketplace connecting clients with skilled freelancers. Clients can post jobs or hire freelancers for services, while freelancers can offer their skills and earn money. The platform handles payments securely and provides tools for collaboration and quality assurance.

Is it free to join Shapwork?

Yes! Creating an account is completely free. You don't pay any joining fees. However, there may be small fees when you deposit money or withdraw earnings, which will be clearly disclosed before you complete the transaction.

How long does it take to receive payments?

For Freelancers:
- Earnings appear in wallet immediately after client approves deliverable
- Withdrawals to bank accounts: Usually 1-24 hours depending on your bank

For Clients:
- Wallet deposits: Usually instant after payment confirmation
- Refunds: May take 3-5 business days depending on your bank

What if I'm not satisfied with the work?

You have options:

1. Request Revisions: Clearly explain what needs to be fixed. The freelancer can resubmit updated work.

2. Reject Work: If you're unsatisfied with revisions, you can reject and ask the freelancer to redo it completely.

3. Contact Support: If there's a serious issue, our support team can help mediate and protect your interests.

Money is held securely until you approve the work, so you're protected.

How can I earn more as a freelancer?

Here are proven strategies:

1. Build Your Reputation: Complete jobs on time with high quality. 5-star reviews lead to more orders.

2. Increase Your Prices: Once you have good reviews, gradually increase your rates. More experienced freelancers charge 2-5x more.

3. Expand Your Services: Add multiple gigs or offer premium packages.

4. Improve Your Portfolio: Showcase your best work with detailed descriptions.

5. Get Specialized: Focus on a specific niche. Specialists often earn more than generalists.

6. Respond Quickly: Fast communication increases your chances of getting hired.

Can I work on multiple projects at the same time?

Yes, absolutely! You can have multiple active contracts. However, be realistic about your capacity. Take on only as many projects as you can deliver with high quality. Failing to meet deadlines will hurt your ratings and future opportunities.

How do I avoid scams on Shapwork?

Red Flags to Watch:
- Requests to communicate outside Shapwork
- Too-good-to-be-true offers or prices
- Requests for upfront payment before work is defined
- Vague job descriptions

Best Practices:
- Always communicate through Shapwork for protection
- Check profiles, ratings, and past reviews
- Be clear about requirements in contracts
- Document everything with screenshots
- Contact support if something feels wrong

Can I cancel a contract after it's started?

It's best to avoid cancellations as they affect both parties' ratings. However, if you must cancel:

For Freelancers: Contact the client first and try to resolve issues. If necessary, contact Shapwork support.

For Clients: Communicate the issue with the freelancer. Support team can help if there's a legitimate problem (e.g., non-responsive freelancer).

Important: Cancellations may result in refunds or deductions and affect your reputation.

What is your refund policy?

For Clients: If the freelancer doesn't complete the work or violates our terms, you can request a refund.

For Freelancers: Money is transferred to your wallet upon client approval. Refunds are only issued if you caused the issue.

For detailed information about our refund policy, please check our Terms & Conditions or contact support.

How do I contact customer support?

You can reach our support team through:

- In-app messaging: Use the support chat within your dashboard
- Email: support@shapwork.com
- Contact Form: Visit our Contact page

Response Time: We aim to respond within 24 hours
Note: Please provide clear details of your issue and any relevant screenshots.