Frequently Asked Questions for LimeExchange Service Providers: LimeExchange

How does LimeExchange work?

LimeExchange enables service providers acquire quality projects across various categories depending on the kind of services a provider wishes to offer. Intuitive tools for communication and collaboration help smooth execution of projects.

The unique community features enable service providers and buyers to build a long lasting relationship for repeat business and success.

To safeguard service providers' interest LimeExchange supports escrow projects, meaning a buyer needs to deposit the project amount in advance with LimeExchange before starting a project.

What makes LimeExchange unique?

LimeExchange is aimed at providing an online work place to maximize value for both service providers and buyers. To achieve this LimeExchange provides its users with the following:

Increased find ability and visibility of providers and projects.
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.

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

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.

Who can bid on premium projects?

It depends on your membership status. Bidding opportunities are described under different Membership Plans available at LimeExchange. There are three plans – Basic, Individual and Pro. Basic plan is free for all users. If at any point of time, you have exhausted your bids, you can buy Top-up. For more details, please visit Membership Plans and Top-up pages.

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).

How do I find projects?

To find a project:

Search and Bid:
- Search and bid on projects matching the kind of services you intend to offer.
- Communicate with buyers, negotiate terms and win a project.
- Buyer makes an escrow payment for the project amount.
- Start working on the project. The payment for the project would be released to you after successful completion of project.
Receive Bid Invitations:
- Buyers search for providers and send invitations to bid on projects posted by them. We recommend that you should complete your profile describing yourself and your skills in as much detail as possible to increase the possibility of receiving bid invitations.
Setup Notifications:
- Click on "Exchange" Tab
- Click on "Notifications"
- You can setup notifications to receive projects matching the specified criterion based on your notification preference i.e. Daily, weekly, fortnightly, or monthly

How should I decide the best bid amount for a project?

At LimeExchange, you can view the latest average bid amount for a project. It makes you aware of the latest bidding scenario for the project. You are free to place any bid that you consider as the best.

How do I post my profile?

Posting your profile:

Sign up at LimeExchange.
Validate your email and log in to your account
Visit the "Profile" tab
Here you specify the following:
- Description
- Portfolio
- Skill Set
- Certifications
- Education Background
- Work Experience

You can also request recommendations from Buyers/Service Providers you know/have worked with to be displayed on your profile.

The "Home" tab contains a "Profile Completeness" widget which diplays the % completeness of your profile. Please ensure that you maintain your profile completeness at 100% to increase the probability of winning a project.

What type of projects are posted at LimeExchange?

Buyers at LimeExchange post a project in a wide range of 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

What kind of communication skills do I require?

LimeExchange requires the providers to be English speaking. Buyers would communicate during the bidding phase to judge your level of comfort with English. LimeExchange does not conduct any test on verbal or written communication of the service provider.

Why should I add a project to the list of my "Watchlisted Projects"?

Adding projects to the list of "Watchlisted Projects" helps you shortlist projects which interest you at first glance while searching, these can be referred to later if you wish to view the complete details and bid on them.

How can I add a project to the list of my "Watchlisted Projects"?

To add a project to the list of your "Watchlisted Projects" click on the "Add to Watchlist" link on the Search Results and the project details page.

How do I view my bid invitations?

To view your Bid Invitations

Go to Messages Tab.
Click on Bid Invitations.
Click on a bid invitation to view it's details, you can also view the project details/buyer profile and bid on the project.

When do I receive payment?

The payment is released into a service provider's "Wallet" after the successful completion of a project. LimeExchange deducts a nominal project fee of 8% of the project amount or a minimum of 4 USD.

What is "Wallet"?

LimeExchange provides you with a "Wallet" where all the payments from the buyers are accrued till the time you withdraw your money. You can visit Exchange --> Wallet --> Wallet History any time to view the payments made/received to/from LimeExchange.

What are the methods of withdrawing money from "Wallet"?

The methods available to withdraw money from your wallet are:

Prepaid MasterCard^® (For details, click here)
Offline Check
PayPal(Your PayPal account should have been verified by LimeExchange. For details, click here)
ACH Transfer (Your bank account should have been verified by LimeExchange. For details, click here)

Please note that LimeExchange would deduct the transaction charges based on the method used for transfers.

What are the transaction charges for withdrawing money from LimeExchange through Check, PayPal, Prepaid MasterCard^® and ACH?

The transaction charges for withdrawing money in each case are:

Check – 20 USD
PayPal – 2% of the amount withdrawn (up to a maximum of 1 USD)
Prepaid MasterCard^® – Free of cost (However, Payoneer charges separate fee that is to be borne by the users)
ACH – Free of cost

How can I view my transaction details?

Please visit Exchange --> Wallet --> Wallet History any time to view the list of all your transactions carried out at LimeExchange.

What tools does LimeExchange offer to help me provide services?

LimeExchange provides various tools to enhance communication and smoothen project execution at different stages of the project lifecycle. After winning a bid, project starts appearing under different sections on the "Exchange" tab. Following is the summary of available features under diferent stages of project execution:

In Progress - Once you win a bid, 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 buyer. Here you can discuss requirements, send status reports, report progress, and share files.
- IM - The instant messaging (IM) features allows you to communicate with the buyer in real time.
- Submit Project Link - You can click on this link to upload the submission and send a comment to the buyer along with the submission.
Submitted for Review - Once you have submitted a project, the project starts appearing in the "Submitted for Review" section on the "Exchange" tab. You can use message board and IM to provide clarifications on the submission. The comments you provide while submitting a project are visible below the project detail page in the "Project Activity" section. If submission is rejected by the buyer the project goes back in the "In Progress" section else in the "Closed" section.
Closed - After the buyer has accepted your submission, the project starts appearing in the "Closed" section. Here you can provide ratings to the buyer within two weeks of project acceptance.

How do I communicate with the buyer?

LimeExchange provides you with the following tools to communicate with the buyer

Message Board - Provides an ability to interact with the buyer. Here you can discuss requirements, submit status report, report progress, and share files.
IM - The instant messaging (IM) features allows you to communicate with the buyer 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.

What happens after the project submission is accepted?

After the project submission is accepted by the buyer, LimeExchange automatically releases the escrow payment to your "Wallet".

Once the project submission has been accepted you have the option to rate the buyer within two weeks of project acceptance.

What happens after the project submission is rejected?

After a project submission is rejected a message is sent to you along with buyer's rejection comments. You are required to resubmit the project after making the necessary changes requested by the buyer. 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 buyer?

Ratings once provided cannot be modified.

What are Online Technical Tests?

LimeExchange has collaborated with ExpertRating.com to provide online technical tests to its users. Service providers can add credibility to their profiles by taking these tests and getting certified ratings.

How do I know if a service provider is certified?

You can visit service provider’s profile and check the “Skillset” section. For all certified skills, “Certified” is mentioned below the individual skill test rating.

How can I take Online Technical Tests?

Sign In and go to your profile page. Click on “Add” button against “Skillset” in the “Overview” tab. A page will appear from where you can select skill tests using a dropdown list. Save the test selected by you. The system will take you back to the “Overview” tab. Click on “Take Test” link corresponding to the test that you have added. You will be directed to payment page. Enter valid details and make payment for the test. To start test, click on “Start Now”.

Alternatively, you can also access tests from “Exchange” tab. Go to exchange tab and click on “Skill Tests” link in the left hand side panel. Go through the list of all tests, and click on “Take Test” button to proceed further.

How much I am required to pay for taking Online Technical Tests?

Each Online Technical Test costs you 4 USD. However, English Proficiency Test is free for all users.

Who are eligible to take tests on LimeExchange?

All users registered at LimeExchange are eligible to take tests.

How many technical tests can a user take?

A user can take as many tests as desired. However, it is recommended that you take all those tests that are related to your area of expertise.

What types of ratings are available?

Two types of rating are available: Self rating and LimeExchange Certified rating

Self rating is the user generated rating for any particular skill. It is not likely to convince a buyer as it can be easily manipulated. Certified rating is given by LimeExchange when you complete a test in any particular skill. It is a verified rating that can convince buyers regarding your ability in the tested subject.

How do Online Technical Tests benefit service providers?

Service providers who have got certified ratings for their skills will be given a high priority in search results whenever a buyer searches for the same skills. Service providers can choose to display the high test scores in their profile to attract buyers.

Online Technical Tests also give service providers a way to assess and refresh their technical skills. Since tests are conducted by an independent and authentic testing system, service providers can know where they stand vis-a-vis other service providers.

How do Online Technical Tests benefit buyers?

Buyers can favorably consider the service providers who have out-scored most of the competition by scoring outstanding results. Buyers can remain assured that the skills claimed by service providers are backed by authentic test results in their individual profiles.

Where are test results shown?

Test results are displayed in the “Overview” tab on your profile page.

Do test results automatically appear on user’s profile page?

Test results are automatically shown on your profile page provided that you have passed the test. When you fail in any test, the test results will not appear on your profile page.

Can I hide my test results?

Yes, you have an option to make your test results “Public” or “Private”. Selecting a Public option will make the results viewable by all. Selecting a Private option means that your results will be visible only to you. You can manage your tests by making them public or private, depending upon the score that you are able to achieve.

Can I retake a test?

You can retake any test if you feel that your test results are not impressive enough to attract a buyer. However, a test can be retaken only after 24 hours of the last attempt.

When will I get to know the result?

Result will be displayed immediately on completion of a test.

Is it a time-bound test?

Generally, each test will have a maximum time period of 40 minutes.

Which score is displayed on my profile if I retake a test?

If you retake a test, your best score is displayed. If you have improved upon your earlier score then the new score will be displayed. Otherwise, your old score will continue to be displayed.

How do I prepare for a test?

You can review the syllabus for each test and prepare yourself on those lines before taking a test. If you are confident after reviewing the syllabus, you can immediately start taking the test.

How can I take English Proficiency Test?

Sign In and go to your profile page. Click on link shown against “English Proficiency” in the rating section of your profile page. Click on “Start Now” button to begin the test. This test is free for all users.

Can I retake English Proficiency Test?

You can retake this test if you want to improve upon your score. You have three attempts to score maximum marks in this test. Your best score will be displayed on your profile page. However, you can retake this test only after 3 days of the last attempt.

Do all users need to take English Proficiency Test?

LimeExchange recommends all its users to take this test, and get rated as per their best achieved score (in 3 attempts). Initially, your rating for this test will be nil.

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 buyer who has worked with you as a connection under "People for whom I have worked" category, 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 more buyers.

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.

Which projects can be crowd sourced?

All creative projects that require any kind of graphic designing can be crowd sourced. The projects may relate to Logo Design, Illustration, Print Design, 3D Modeling/CAD, Blog Theme Design, etc.

How does crowd sourcing work?

Once a project is crowd sourced, buyer starts receiving entries from scores of service providers, the community members vote on the entries, and help buyer in deciding the entry that deserves to win. This way, buyer selects the actual work and a creative project is completed.

Who decides the project amount?

This is entirely up to a buyer. However, project amount cannot be less than 10 USD for any crowd source project.

How do I submit an entry?

All the open projects have a "Submit Entry" button. A service provider can click the "Submit Entry" button, fill in the required details, attach a file in response to the project, agree to the terms of service, and click the "Preview" button. Preview your entry as it would appear to the viewers. If you want to make changes, click the 'Edit' button, or else click the 'Submit' button to submit your entry. Each entry can have only one image. The image should be in jpeg format and in RGB color model. The expected dimensions of the image are anywhere between 220X220 and 800X800 pixels. The expected minimum size of the image is 20 kb, but not more than 10 MB.

I do not like the entry I have submitted. Can I withdraw or replace it?

Yes. LimeStand enables you to withdraw as well as replace your entry. Once you have submitted an entry, you can replace it within 24 hours should you feel that you have come up with a better idea. You can also withdraw your entry within 24 hours of submitting it.

To withdraw or replace your entry, go to My LimeStand -> Submitted Entries. Click open the image that you want to withdraw or replace. Click the link ‘Don’t Like this Entry’ as it appears on the top right side of the image. You will be directed to a new page where you can either replace or withdraw the entry.

Can I submit more than one entry for a project?

Yes. You can submit up to five entries for a project.

When and how do I get paid after submitting the final deliverables?

When buyer accepts your final deliverables, the project amount is immediately credited to your LimeExchange Wallet after deduction of the LimeExchange Fee (8 per cent of the project amount or 4 USD, whichever is higher). You can withdraw it using any of the following methods:

LimeExchange Prepaid MasterCard

Check

PayPal

ACH transfer (For US account holders only)

Does LimeExchange provides any protection to the images that are uploaded by service providers in response to a project?

All entries will be watermarked by LimeExchange to safeguard your IP.

What happens if a buyer fails to award project within 7 days after the bidding ends (i.e., when project closes for entries)?

If a buyer receives 10 or more entries, and fails to award the project within 7 days of the bidding end date (when project closes for entries), the system will automatically award the project to a service provider who has received the highest number of community votes. The payment will be accordingly released to the service provider.

What happens if a service provider to whom a project is awarded fails to upload the deliverables within the time specified by the buyer (at the time of posting a project)?

If any service provider fails to upload the deliverables within the time specified by the buyer, the project would be closed. No time extension is allowed.

Feedback

LimeExchange Team thanks you for your valuable feedback!

LimeExchange Support

We have taken notice of your support query.

Frequently Asked Questions for Service Providers Go Back