Frequently Asked Questions For Buyers Go Back
Getting Started
How does LimeExchange work?
LimeExchange enables buyers of services to hire, manage and pay service providers from around the world. Buyers choose LimeExchange for top global talent and comprehensive collaboration tools.
The unique community features enable buyers and service providers to build a long lasting relationship for repeat business and success.
To safeguard buyers' interest LimeExchange supports escrow projects, meaning a provider receives the payment only after the project is completed to buyer's satisfaction.
The unique community features enable buyers and service providers to build a long lasting relationship for repeat business and success.
To safeguard buyers' interest LimeExchange supports escrow projects, meaning a provider receives the payment only after the project is completed to buyer's satisfaction.
What makes LimeExchange unique?
LimeExchange is aimed at providing an online work place to maximize value for both buyers and service providers. To achieve this LimeExchange provides its users with the following:
- Increased find ability and visibility of projects and providers.
- Usability driven workflows and collaboration tools for smooth execution of projects.
- Community features enable buyers and service providers to build a long lasting relationship for repeat business and success.
How do I register with LimeExchange?
Follow the Steps below to register with LimeExchange:
- Go to LimeExchange homepage Click on Sign up.
- Fill all the required information and remember to provide us with a valid email address as a verification email would be sent to you.
- Click on the link sent in the email this will verify your account and you will be all set to use LimeExchange.
How much does it cost to hire a LimeExchange provider?
LimeExchange does not charge any fees from a Buyer to hire a provider. After posting a project you can search and invite providers to bid on the project. Alternatively, you would receive bids from service providers around the globe.
Who uses LimeExchange?
Buyers - Individuals or Organizations seeking professionals for getting their work done.
Service Providers - Professionals or Organizations offering their services to execute projects.
Service Providers - Professionals or Organizations offering their services to execute projects.
How is my financial and personal information kept safe?
As a policy LimeExchange does not disclose any personally identifiable information to third parties except when requested by you or legally required. For details, Please refer to our Privacy Policy.
LimeExchange does not store any credit card details and all the transactions relating to Login, Change Password and Payments are carried over SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).
LimeExchange does not store any credit card details and all the transactions relating to Login, Change Password and Payments are carried over SSL (Secure Sockets Layer).
Hiring Service Provider
How do I hire a service provider?
To hire a service provider:
- Post a project.
- Search and invite for service providers matching the skill requirements.
- Receive bids from service providers.
- Evaluate bids, communicate with service providers, negotiate terms and select the winning bid.
- Make an escrow payment for the project amount.
- Start working with service provider on the project. The payment for the project would be released to the service provider after the work has been completed to your satisfaction.
How do I post a project?
Posting a project:
- Click on
link on the site.
- Select the category and sub-category matching your project requirements.
- Enter your project details like Project Title, Description, Service Provider Skill Set, Project Timelines, Budget, Auction Type (Private/Public/Premium) and attach any relevant document.
- You can either save the project as draft or submit for verification.
- Post LimeExchange approval your project would become available for bidding and would start appearing in relevant search results.
What are the different Auction types available?
While posting a project you can specify one of the following Auction types:
- Public - Any registered service provider can bid.
- Private - Only invited service providers can bid.
- Premium - Only premium service providers can bid.
How much does a premium project posting cost?
LimeExchange charges a Service fee of 25 USD for posting a Premium Project. If you make a premium project posting and select one of the bids, you get another premium project posting absolutely free. In case you get insufficient (less than 5) bids you would get another premium project posting for free.
How do I search for service providers and invite them?
To search a service provider, enter the search criteria (eg: service provider skill set, location etc.) and select the relevant category.
You can also use our Advanced Search feature for enhanced search criterion like service providers' rating, location and premium providers.
The search results are displayed in order of relevance to the search criteria with highlighted keywords. The search result displays the following details for a service provider
You can use the links appearing at the bottom of individual search result to Invite Bids, Add to Favorites and View Portfolio.
You can also use our Advanced Search feature for enhanced search criterion like service providers' rating, location and premium providers.
The search results are displayed in order of relevance to the search criteria with highlighted keywords. The search result displays the following details for a service provider
- Name
- Description
- Rating
- Location
- Skill Set
You can use the links appearing at the bottom of individual search result to Invite Bids, Add to Favorites and View Portfolio.
What type of service providers/skills does LimeExchange offer?
Service providers at LimeExchange offer a wide range of skills related to the following categories:
- Web Design / Web Programming
- Graphic Design / Multimedia
- Programming / Software / Database Development
- Hardware / Networking
- Architecture & Engineering
- Writing / Editing
- Audio / Video / Photography / Editing
- Business Consulting/Marketing/Sales
How long does it take to hire a service provider?
The actual time it would take to hire a service provider would depend on the skill set requirements. For common requirements like website development, the requirement could be filled in a couple of days, for more specific requirements it might take longer.
Can I hire someone local? Where are the service providers located?
LimeExchange is working on assembling an impressive team of talented professionals from around the world. Working with remote providers allows buyers to extend the reach of their budget, and convenient access to the LimeExchange ensures that the assignment progresses successfully.
While searching for service providers the location of local service providers would appear in green. Please note, to use this feature you need to be logged in.
While searching for service providers the location of local service providers would appear in green. Please note, to use this feature you need to be logged in.
Do the service providers speak English?
LimeExchange requires the providers to be English speaking. The actual fluency would depend on a provider's level of expertise. We strongly recommend that the buyers should convince themselves by communicating during the bidding phase of the project with the service provider.
LimeExchange does not conduct any test on verbal or written communication of the service provider, however the ratings provided by other buyers on the site would help you choose the right provider.
LimeExchange does not conduct any test on verbal or written communication of the service provider, however the ratings provided by other buyers on the site would help you choose the right provider.
How do I select a qualified professional?
Search for providers across different skill categories and view their detailed profile. You can view a service providers' skill set, rating, educational background and certifications.
You can also view the service providers' portfolio to view his previous work.
Take a close look at the feedback provided by other LimeExchange buyers on different evaluation criterion like Communication, Quality, Co-operation, and Comments.
LimeExchange also gives you a Connection feature wherein you can look out for a provider's connections and see if you know anyone of them.
You can also view the service providers' portfolio to view his previous work.
Take a close look at the feedback provided by other LimeExchange buyers on different evaluation criterion like Communication, Quality, Co-operation, and Comments.
LimeExchange also gives you a Connection feature wherein you can look out for a provider's connections and see if you know anyone of them.
Why should I add a service provider to my favorites list?
There are various benefits of adding a service provider as favorite:
- If you add a service provider as a favorite, it is easier to locate while inviting to bid on new projects.
- It helps you to Shortlist Providers.
- It gives an option to compare Service providers.
- If you have a list of your favorite service providers, you can always send a Bid request for a project to all of them in one go.
How can I add a service provider as my favorite?
To add a service provider to your favorite providers list click on the "Add to Favorites" link on the Search Results and Service Provider's profile page.
Can I send bid invitation to all my favorite providers in one go?
To send Bid Invitation to all your Favorite Providers in one go check the Favorite Providers checkbox in Select Contacts section on the Send Bid Invitation page. To visit Send Bid Invitation page:
- Go to Messages Tab
- Click on Send Message button
- Click on Bid Invitation link
If I add a provider to my Favorite Provider list then is he booked with me?
No. The benefits of using this feature are:
- If you add a service provider as a favorite, it is easier to locate while inviting to bid on new projects.
- It helps you to Shortlist Providers.
- It gives an option to compare Service providers.
- If you have a list of your favorite service providers, you can always send a Bid request for a project to all of them in one go.
Am I obligated to hire the service providers who respond to my project?
Buyers are under no obligation to hire the professionals who respond to their project.
Billing & Payments
When do I need to pay for project?
You would be required to escrow the project once you have selected a service provider for a project posting. The escrow amount would be released to the service provider once the project is completed to your satisfaction.
What are modes of payment to fund the escrow for a project?
The available payment modes are:
- Credit Card
- ACH Transfer
- Wire Transfer
- PayPal
How do I make a ACH transfer?
| You may send your ACH transfers by providing your bank with the following information. Please ensure that the payment is received into our accounts within 15 days of selecting the winning bid. |
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How do I make a Wire transfer?
| To Wire Transfer your money provide your bank with the following information. Please ensure that the payment is received into our accounts within 15 days of selecting the winning bid. |
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How much time do I have to make a ACH or Wire transfer?
Please ensure that the payment is received into our accounts within 15 days of selecting the winning bid.
In case we do not receive the escrow amount within the stipulated time frame the project would be automatically marked as cancelled. However, if we receive the escrow amount after the stipulated time frame our customer support will contact you within 5 working days to issue a refund to you after deducting the transaction charges we might incur.
In case we do not receive the escrow amount within the stipulated time frame the project would be automatically marked as cancelled. However, if we receive the escrow amount after the stipulated time frame our customer support will contact you within 5 working days to issue a refund to you after deducting the transaction charges we might incur.
What are modes of payment for premium project posting?
The available payment modes are:
- Credit Card
- PayPal
How can I view my transaction details?
Please visit the "My Wallet" section to view a list of all your transactions carried out at LimeExchange.
Managing Projects
What tools does LimeExchange provide to manage projects?
LimeExchange provides various tools to enhance communication and smoothen project execution at different stages of the project lifecycle. After hiring a service provider project starts appearing under different sections on the "Exchange" tab. Following is the summary of available features under different stages of project execution:
- In Progress - Once you hire a service provider for a project, the project starts appearing in the "In Progress" section on the "Exchange" tab. Here you can use:
- Message Board - Provides an ability to interact with the service provider. Here you can discuss requirements, request status report, monitor progress, share files and provide feedback on the progress of the project.
- IM - The instant messaging (IM) features allows you to communicate with the service provider in real time.
- Pending Review - Once the provider has submitted a project, the project starts appearing in the "Pending Review" section on the "Exchange" tab. In addition to using message board and IM for communication you have an option of accepting or rejecting the submission. The comments you provide while accepting or rejecting a project are visible below the project detail page in the "Project Activity" section. If submission is rejected the project goes back in the "In Progress" section; else in the "Closed" section.
- Closed - After you have accepted the service provider's submission of the project, the project starts appearing in the "Closed" section. Here you can provide ratings to the service provider within two weeks of project acceptance.
How do I communicate with the Service Provider?
LimeExchange provides you with the following tools to communicate with the service provider
- Message Board - Provides an ability to interact with the service provider. Here you can discuss requirements, request status report, monitor progress, share files and provide feedback on the progress of the project.
- IM - The instant messaging (IM) features allows you to communicate with the service provider in real time.
How am I notified regarding any changes to my project?
After you log in to LimeExchange you would see all the updates and alerts on the "Home" tab. Updates are informative notifications that generally do not require an action, whereas Alerts are notifications requiring an action. In addition there is link for the required action against each alert.
For all your alerts LimeExchange also sends you an email.
For all your alerts LimeExchange also sends you an email.
How can I accept or reject a project submission?
Once the provider has submitted a project, the project starts appearing in the "Pending Review" section on the "Exchange" tab. In addition to using message board and IM for communication you have an option of accepting or rejecting the submission. The comments you provide while accepting or rejecting a project are visible below the project detail page in the "Project Activity" section. If submission is rejected the project goes back in the "In Progress" section; else in the "Closed" section.
What happens after I accept the project?
After the project submission from the service provider is accepted, LimeExchange automatically releases the escrow payment to the service provider. We strongly recommend that project submission be thoroughly reviewed before confirming acceptance. The projects once accepted cannot be reverted or rejected.
Once the project has been accepted you have the option to rate the service provider within two weeks of project acceptance.
Once the project has been accepted you have the option to rate the service provider within two weeks of project acceptance.
What happens after I reject project submission?
After a project is rejected a message is sent to the service provider along with your rejection comments. The service provider would now be required to resubmit the project after making the necessary changes requested by you. The "Project Activity" section in the project detail page displays all the comments related to project submission.
Can I modify the ratings provided to the service provider?
Ratings once provided cannot be modified.
Community Features
What are the community features at LimeExchange?
LimeExchange intends to build a global network of highly talented and skilled professionals, providing them with a platform to connect, leading to repeat business opportunities and increased success.
The community features enable the buyers and service providers to communicate, share ideas, refer, and recommend each other.
LimeExchange automatically adds a service provider who has successfully worked with you as a connection under "People who have worked for me", you may also connect with other LimeExchange users by sending friend requests.
The community features enable the buyers and service providers to communicate, share ideas, refer, and recommend each other.
LimeExchange automatically adds a service provider who has successfully worked with you as a connection under "People who have worked for me", you may also connect with other LimeExchange users by sending friend requests.
How can I send a friend request?
LimeExchange provides the users with multiple opportunities to expand their network:
- Viewing a User's Profile
- Viewing a User's Connections
- Messaging
Why do I need a recommendation?
Recommendations would increase your credibility on the exchange and would help you attract best service providers to bid on your projects.
How do I request a recommendation?
You can request a recommendation using any of the following:
- Viewing a User's Profile
- Viewing a User's Connections
- Messaging
Can I invite my friends to join LimeExchange?
Help us expand our network by referring your friends to join LimeExchange. You can invite your friends to join LimeExchange by using "Invite to join LimeExchange" widget that appears on your "Home" tab.
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