Client Request Posting Guidelines

To keep {{platform_name}} safe, professional, and valuable for everyone, clients who post requests must follow these guidelines. These rules help prevent misuse, protect vendors, and ensure you receive accurate proposals from qualified professionals.

By posting a request on {{platform_name}}, you agree to follow the rules below.

1) Post Clear, Honest Requests

To receive the best responses, your request should include:

• A clear title describing what you need
• Scope of work (what you want delivered)
• Expected timeline or deadline
• Budget range (if possible)
• Any required skills, tools, or certifications
• Location / time zone requirements (if relevant)
• Whether the work is one-time or ongoing

Do not post misleading requirements, fake roles, or vague requests intended only to gather free advice.

2) No Misuse: What’s Not Allowed

The following are not allowed and may result in request removal or account suspension:

• Fake jobs, fake contracts, or “test” posts
• Requests designed to collect vendor details without real intent to hire
• Spam, promotions, affiliate links, or unrelated advertising
• Trying to bypass the platform’s commission or payment process
• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior
• Asking vendors to perform illegal activity (e.g., hacking without authorization)
• Requests that encourage credential theft, malware, fraud, or exploitation
• Posting personal information publicly (phone numbers, emails, addresses)

{{platform_name}} is a professional marketplace — all activity must remain lawful and respectful.

3) Keep Communication Professional

Clients must communicate respectfully and professionally.

You must not:

• Pressure vendors into unpaid work beyond a reasonable proposal
• Demand free consulting, free audits, or free “full solutions” before hiring
• Threaten, intimidate, or manipulate vendors
• Use abusive language or harassment in messages

We encourage clients to evaluate vendors through:

• Their listing profile
• Verified badges (if available)
• Reviews / ratings (if enabled)
• Written proposal clarity
• Relevant portfolio or case studies (shared securely)

4) Protect Yourself: Security & Privacy Best Practices

To reduce risk and prevent disputes:

• Avoid sharing passwords, private keys, or internal credentials
• Do not request vendors to use personal accounts for your systems
• Use secure access methods (temporary accounts, least privilege, audit logs)
• Share sensitive documents only when necessary and through secure channels
• For cybersecurity work, ensure you have written authorization for any testing

If you need penetration testing, security assessments, or incident response, be prepared to provide proof of ownership/authorization.

5) No Off-Platform Payments or Commission Avoidance

To protect all users, clients must not request or suggest payment outside the platform.

Off-platform payments:

• Reduce safety and dispute protections
• Increase fraud risk
• Violate marketplace rules

Accounts that attempt to bypass fees may be restricted or suspended.

6) Hiring Expectations & Fair Dealing

To keep the marketplace fair:

• Only request relevant work you genuinely intend to evaluate
• If you shortlist vendors, respond within a reasonable timeframe
• Do not hire multiple vendors for the same request purely to extract free work
• If a vendor is selected, confirm scope clearly before work begins

If a request is paused, cancelled, or no longer needed, update the request status where possible.

7) Disputes, Refunds & Reporting

If issues arise:

• Communicate early and document agreement changes
• Use platform tools (messages, contracts, order details) for clarity
• Report suspicious behavior immediately

{{platform_name}} may review activity to protect users and maintain marketplace integrity.

8) Consequences of Misuse

Misuse may result in one or more of the following actions:

• Request removal
• Temporary account restrictions
• Permanent account suspension
• For serious misuse, reporting to relevant authorities (where legally required)

We enforce these rules to maintain a trusted professional environment.

9) Need Help Posting a Strong Request?

If you want better proposals faster, use this simple template:

Request Title:
What I need + key outcome (e.g., “Cloud Security Review for AWS Environment”)

Project Summary:
Brief goal and success outcome

Scope:
Key tasks or deliverables

Timeline:
Start date + deadline

Budget:
Range or expected rate

Requirements:
Skills/tools/certifications (if any)

Contact

If you have questions about request posting or safety rules, contact:
support@{{platform_domain}}