How I Created My Fiverr Seller Account and First Gig (Step by Step, From India)

In February 2024 I published a Telugu video on how to create a Fiverr account and start selling a service. It now has about 46,800 views, and it is the most-watched video on my channel. Many people asked me for the steps in writing, so this post is the written version.

I am Naveen Kodali, a graphic designer from Andhra Pradesh. I started on Fiverr as a side income while I was studying B.Tech. My first gig was for YouTube thumbnails, so the examples below come from that gig.

Fiverr changes its screens often. I recorded the video in February 2024, so a button may sit in a different place today. The order of the steps has stayed almost the same.

Before you start

A working email address.
A clear profile photo of yourself.
Three to five samples of the work you want to sell. They go into your gig gallery.
Work that is truly yours. Fiverr asks you to confirm this before you publish.
About one hour without interruptions.

Step 1: Sign up and choose "selling"

Create your account with an email address, or with a social account such as Facebook. After that, Fiverr asks what you want to do. There are two options: buying freelance services or selling freelance services. I chose selling.

Step 2: Complete your seller profile

Fiverr first shows a short page on what makes a successful profile and what to stay away from. Read it once, because it tells you what Fiverr likes and dislikes. Then you fill in:

Display name. This is the name buyers see.
Professional info. Fiverr asks you to share a little about your work experience, the school projects you have completed, and your area of expertise. I wrote that I am a graphic designer and video editor with more than 10 years of experience.
Languages. I added English.
Profile photo. Use a clear photo of your face.

When you finish, Fiverr tells you your seller profile is set.

Step 3: Create your first gig

A gig is the service page that buyers see. These are the parts to get right.

Title. Every Fiverr gig title starts with "I will". Mine was about creating YouTube thumbnails professionally.

Category. I picked Graphics & Design, then the option for social media posts, banners and thumbnail design.

Search tags. Fiverr lets you add five tags, and buyers use them to find your gig in search. My five tags were: money, online income, earnmoneyonline, workfromhome and rich.

Step 4: Set your price and delivery time

Fiverr lets you offer three packages on one gig. I used three different delivery times: 3 days, 4 days and 5 days. My gig was priced at $20.

Step 5: Write the description and the buyer questions

Describe in plain words what the buyer gets, what you need from them, and how revisions work.

Fiverr also lets you ask buyers questions before you start. This helps because you get the information you need without long back-and-forth messages. I asked simple things:

Is this order for personal use or for a business?
Where will you use the design?

Step 6: Add your gallery and publish

Upload your best samples. Before you publish, Fiverr asks you to declare that the work in the gallery was created by you. Only upload work that is your own.

Step 7: Answer the identity and tax questions

Near the end, Fiverr asked me whether I am a US person. I answered no. It also asked whether I am registered for Indian GST. I answered no. Fiverr said I can update this information later from my profile settings.

Tax rules are different for each person. If you are not sure whether GST applies to you, ask a chartered accountant. I am a designer, not a tax expert.

What happens when an order comes

The buyer first has to submit the requirements, and your delivery clock starts after that. My first order was delivered in 2 days.

I covered the delivery side in another video: Fiverr Delivery Process, where I earned $25 for a one-minute video. If you want to see how I built a gig from scratch, I have that too: How to create a successful Fiverr gig.

More from me

I also design and upload to the Canva Creator Program. If you want the honest version of that journey, read My Canva Creator Journey. If you sell thumbnails, these thumbnail mistakes are worth checking before you send a design to a buyer.