Elance, now part of Upwork, operates as an online marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers across various fields such as web development, mobile software development, design, creative writing, sales, marketing, admin support, customer service, data science, analytics, engineering, and architecture. The platform serves a wide range of clients, from small startups to large enterprises, providing them with access to a global pool of talent. Elance operates in the gig economy market, where businesses seek flexible, on-demand workforce solutions.

The business model is based on a commission structure, where Elance takes a percentage of the transaction between the client and the freelancer. Clients can choose to pay freelancers on an hourly basis or a fixed-price basis, with the platform handling invoicing and payment processing. Elance also offers enterprise solutions for larger companies, including pre-vetted talent and compliance services.

Elance makes money by charging service fees to freelancers and clients, as well as offering premium memberships and additional services such as payroll management and project management tools. The platform facilitates easy collaboration through chat, video calls, file sharing, and project milestone tracking, making it a comprehensive solution for remote work.

Keywords: Freelancers, Marketplace, Gig Economy, Web Development, Mobile Development, Design, Creative Writing, Data Science, Engineering, Collaboration Tools.