Case Studies · · 3 min read

How Freelance.nl reinvented its communication experience with TalkJS

Discover how Freelance.nl reinvented its chat system with TalkJS to improve user experience, scale faster, and boost developer productivity.

Top view of a phone on a table with the Freelance.nl platform open. In the bottom right the Freelance.nl logo.

Freelance.nl rebuilt its chat experience with TalkJS. We spoke with developer Matthijs Schuttel to learn how they made it happen.

Company: Freelance.nl
Industry: Freelancing marketplace/Recruitment
Country: The Netherlands
Key products or services: Freelance.nl connects independent professionals with recruiters and organizations across the Netherlands, enabling project-based work through a trusted, user-friendly platform.

The challenge: Outdated in-house messaging system

As one of the Netherlands’ largest freelance platforms, Freelance.nl has been a market leader in connecting freelancers to organizations for over two decades. Its mission is rooted in a core belief: that people are truly happy when they work from their talents, and that organizations can grow faster when they tap into that talent.

“At Freelance.nl, we connect freelancers with recruiters from a wide range of organisations, so reliable communication is essential.” – Matthijs Schuttel, Software Developer at Freelance.nl

During a full platform rebuild involving a 15-person development team, Freelance.nl identified its legacy chat system as a major bottleneck. Efficient and meaningful communication is key to connecting the right freelancer to the right project. However, originally built in-house, the existing messaging feature lacked the modern interface, scalability, and flexibility needed to support their fast-evolving platform. 

Key challenges faced:

The goal: Scalable, flexible communication

Freelance.nl’s mission goes beyond finding the right matches between freelance workers and organizations. It’s about creating happiness through talent-based work and accelerating growth through meaningful connections. To continue delivering on that promise, they needed a chat solution that could:

The solution: TalkJS integration

One option Freelance.nl considered was rebuilding their messaging system from scratch. Yet they soon realized that this would absorb significant developer capacity. After considering several alternatives, Freelance.nl chose TalkJS for its developer-centric design, managed infrastructure, and flexible customization options.

Key features & benefits delivered by TalkJS:

The results: A modern, reliable messaging experience

Freelance.nl now delivers a communication experience that aligns with its core mission of efficiently connecting freelancers and organizations so that both can grow through the exchange of expertise.

Key outcomes:

Freelance.nl platform user interface implemented with TalkJS, shown on a laptop on a table overlooking a garden.

A long-term partnership: Future plans and wishlist

With a modern communication layer in place, Freelance.nl continues to enhance the user journey. As they scale, they’re exploring:

Conclusion

By implementing their TalkJS-powered messaging system, Freelance.nl modernized a vital piece of its communications infrastructure. While keeping a focus on its overall goal: to support workers to build and use their professional strengths and enable organizations to bring in freelance expertise. With a scalable, customizable, and reliable messaging foundation, Freelance.nl is now better equipped to support its growing freelance network and further solidify its position as the Netherlands’ trusted independent connector.