Everything you need to know about exchanging professional services on SkillLedger. Can't find your answer? Start a free trial and reach out to our support team.
SkillLedger is a professional collaboration platform where freelancers, agencies, and businesses exchange services using a credit-based system instead of cash. You earn credits by delivering work and spend them to hire other professionals on the platform.
Visit the registration page, enter your email address, and set a password. After verifying your email, you can build your professional profile, set your credit rate, and start browsing the marketplace.
Every new account starts with a 30-day free trial that includes full access to all features in your chosen plan. A credit card is required to activate the trial, but you will not be charged until the trial ends. Cancel anytime before then and you owe nothing.
SkillLedger supports 19 professional skill categories including web development, graphic design, marketing, legal services, accounting, writing, photography, video production, consulting, and more. Any professional service that can be delivered remotely or locally is eligible.
After registration, add your professional skills, upload portfolio samples, set your hourly credit rate, and write a brief description of the services you offer. A complete profile with verified work samples increases your visibility in the marketplace.
Credits are the unit of value on SkillLedger. Each professional sets their own credit rate based on their market value. When you complete work for another member, you earn credits. You spend credits to hire other professionals. Credits are held in a secure wallet and protected by escrow during active exchanges.
Complete projects for other platform members. When you deliver work and the client approves it, credits are released from escrow into your wallet. Your credit rate determines how many credits you earn per hour of work.
SkillLedger is designed around earned credits from professional work. The credit system ensures that value circulates through real service delivery rather than cash purchases, keeping the marketplace balanced and fair.
Your credit rate should reflect your professional market value. Research comparable services on the platform, factor in your experience level and portfolio strength, and adjust over time as your reputation score grows. Verified professionals with strong track records can set higher rates.
Earned credits remain in your wallet. If you choose to deactivate your account, any active exchanges must be completed or resolved first. Credits in escrow follow the standard release or dispute process before account closure.
SkillLedger charges no per-transaction fees on any plan. All plans include escrow protection. Subscription tiers (Professional $19/mo, Business $49/mo, Enterprise $99/mo) unlock higher limits and advanced features. A 30-day free trial is included with every paid plan — credit card required to start.
Browse the marketplace by skill category, search for specific services, or use the matching algorithm to find professionals whose skills complement yours. Filter results by reputation score, credit rate, availability, and location.
Both parties agree to a trade with defined milestones, deliverables, and credit values. Credits are moved into escrow before work begins. The delivering party completes each milestone and submits it for review. Once the receiving party approves, credits are released. If a dispute arises, the platform provides structured mediation.
Milestones are distinct phases of a project, each with specific deliverables, a credit value, and a deadline. Breaking projects into milestones protects both parties: the delivering party gets paid incrementally, and the receiving party can review work before committing to the next phase.
Yes. Active exchange limits depend on your plan tier. All paid plans include a 30-day free trial so you can evaluate the platform before committing. See the pricing page for per-tier limits.
If both parties agree to cancel, credits in escrow for incomplete milestones are returned to the receiving party. Completed and approved milestones are not reversed. If parties disagree on cancellation terms, the dispute resolution process applies.
When an exchange begins, the receiving party's credits are moved into escrow, a neutral holding area controlled by the platform. Credits cannot be spent by either party during the exchange. After the delivering party submits work and the receiving party approves, credits release automatically. If the receiving party does not respond, credits auto-release after the review window.
If the delivering party fails to submit work by the milestone deadline, you can file a dispute. The platform reviews the agreement, communication history, and any partial deliverables to determine a fair outcome. Escrowed credits are returned to you if non-delivery is confirmed.
Every completed exchange generates a review that becomes part of your permanent reputation profile. Timely deliveries, clean approvals, and positive feedback increase your reputation score. Disputes, late submissions, and negative feedback are also recorded. Your reputation score is visible to all potential exchange partners.
Check their reputation score, read reviews from previous exchange partners, review their portfolio samples, and verify their profile completeness. Professionals with higher trust levels have completed more exchanges successfully. The platform displays badges for verified skills and consistent performance.
Both parties submit their perspective along with supporting evidence (deliverables, messages, agreement terms). The platform reviews the case and issues a binding decision. Reputation consequences apply to the party found at fault. This process replaces the need for external arbitration in most cases.
Yes. In the United States, the IRS considers barter income taxable at fair market value under IRC Section 1.6045-1. You must report the fair market value of services received through barter on your tax return. SkillLedger provides transaction records to help with reporting.
Form 1099-B is an IRS form that barter exchanges use to report the fair market value of exchanges conducted through their platform. If your barter income exceeds $600 in a calendar year, you may receive a 1099-B. Even if you do not receive one, you are still required to report barter income.
Fair market value (FMV) is what a willing buyer would pay a willing seller for the same service in an arm's-length transaction. Use your standard hourly rate, compare with market rates for similar services, and document your valuation method. SkillLedger credit rates help establish FMV by creating a standardized pricing framework.
SkillLedger automatically generates a structured agreement for every exchange that records deliverables, timelines, credit values, and dispute resolution terms. This built-in documentation satisfies the legal requirement for written agreements and provides evidence for tax reporting purposes.
Every new account starts with a 30-day free trial with full access to your chosen plan. A credit card is required to start the trial. You will not be charged until the trial ends. Cancel before then and you owe nothing.
SkillLedger offers three paid plans: Professional at $19/month, Business at $49/month, and Enterprise at $99/month. All plans include a 30-day free trial. Annual billing saves 20%.
Yes. Cancel from your account settings at any time. Your Premium features remain active through the end of your current billing period. There are no cancellation fees or long-term contracts.
Review the platform features, then see pricing to find the right plan.
Credit Wallet & Exchange
Trade skills without spending cash. Earn and spend credits across the platform.
Project Escrow Protection
Credits held in escrow until both parties approve. No more trust gambles.
Reputation & Badge System
Verified credentials and earned badges that prove your professional track record.
Evaluate your options side by side, then check pricing to find the plan that fits.
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