I recently came across a website called Sittercity that claims you can earn extra cash by working as a babysitter/nanny or pet sitter. It can be good way to earn extra cash, so I understand if you want to sign up for it.
However, before you click the sign-up button, I urge you to read this Sittercity review because it will show you a detailed look at what it offers. That way, you’ll know exactly what to expect from it before you even sign up.
Then, you can figure out if you should join or not. So, let’s break down what it offers and see if it is worth it or not.
What is Sittercity, and what does it offer?
Sittercity is essentially an online platform for caregivers to search and apply for jobs posted by local families. And in case you are wondering, yes, it is indeed legit because the opportunities offered will really let you earn extra cash.
However, that doesn’t always mean it is a good fit for you. To find out if you should join, you must first understand how it works. The best way to do so is to check out the earning opportunity it offers, so you will have an idea of how good it is.
So, here’s how to earn from Sittercity.
The earning opportunity – Jobs
The only way to earn from Sittercity is to take on jobs as a babysitter, nanny, house sitter, pet sitter, or tutor. Yes, you read that right. You actually have several options to earn.
Once you become a care provider for Sittercity, there are two ways you can land a job.
First, you can log in to the member dashboard to see all the available jobs in your vicinity. Then, you can apply for a job in your area by clicking on a job offer and submitting your application.
If the family is interested in hiring you, they will reach out to you to schedule an interview, which can be done either online or in person. During the interview, you can negotiate the rate, schedule, and mode of payment.
Once both parties agree to the terms, all that’s left is to render the services asked of you. Later, I will discuss how the payment for your will be processed.
The other method of landing a job is when a family reaches out to you directly and requests your services. When you become a member of Sittercity, families can see your profile when they log in and check for available care providers in their area.
The family will schedule an interview with you to negotiate the terms of your services (just like the first method). If both parties agree to the terms, then all that is left is to do what is asked of you.
There are a fairly decent number of jobs available, especially in large cities, but in small towns, you will hardly find opportunities to earn. Later, I will discuss what this implies.
As for the type of jobs available, families often look for nannies, babysitters, special needs care (for special needs children), pet sitters, and even tutors. So, if you can provide any of these services, you’ll find opportunities to earn from Sittercity.
Recommended: Check Out the Best Pet Sitting Jobs
How do you get paid?
Since Sittercity only acts as a platform for families and care providers to meet, you can expect that the payment will not be handled by the website. Instead, it will be the family that will pay you for the services you’ve rendered.
As mentioned earlier, you’ll have to negotiate the details of the job during the interview phase. This will include the mode of payment. Typically, families will choose to use a convenient payment method like Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, or even cash.
So, you can expect to receive your earnings conveniently. This is why I would say its payout system is relatively straightforward.
How much money can you make?
The amount you can earn from Sittercity will depend on how many jobs you can land. As explained earlier, you get to set your rate when providing services. Most of the time, care providers choose to get paid by the hour.
That being said, families can also choose to pay you a fixed rate for services you render. It will all depend on how you negotiate your fee. You can indicate your rates on your profile so that families will have a general idea of how much your services will cost.
On average, sitters earn around $18 per hour, but that will also depend on the city you live in. So, you must also do your research to find out what the right hourly rates are for the city you live in.
But overall, I would say the earning potential of Sittercity is relatively decent.
Can you use it on mobile?
Sittercity has a mobile app that works on iOS devices. So, if you are an Android user, you’ll just have to use its web-based platform instead, which is optimized for mobile use.
As for the app, it is user-friendly, and all the features of the web-based platform can also be found here. So, if you are an iOS user, you basically don’t need to use a computer to book a job.
The user experience that the app and the web-based platform provide is generally pleasant, which is to be expected from a platform like Sittercity.
Who can join Sittercity?
Sittercity is only available to people who live in the US. So, if you live somewhere else, then this is not for you. If you are eligible to join, then you can sign up using the registration form.
The registration process involves three major steps: creating your account, building your profile, and verifying your identity.
The first two steps are relatively straightforward, and this is where you will be able to indicate your rate, location, and the services you provide.
As for verifying your identity. You need to take a photo of a government-issued ID like your driver’s license, passport, or passport card. Once your identity is verified, then it’s up to you if you want to go through a background check.
Keep in mind that most families will require a background check when they hire care providers. So, it’s a good idea to get this done before applying for a job. Just be prepared to shell out some cash because background checks aren’t free.
After you are done with every requirement, you can log in to the dashboard and start applying for jobs. As you can see, the application process is relatively long, so if you are in a hurry to earn, this is not the ideal option for you, in my opinion.
Can you get support?
Sittercity has a Help section that discusses all of the important topics you need to know when working as a care provider. So, you will most likely find the answers you need on that page.
But if you still need assistance, you can click the Message icon on the Help page to send your inquiry to its support department. Overall, I would say it provides decent support to its members since it offers a convenient way for you to ask for help.
I also like the fact that the Help page is quite comprehensive, so you will most likely find the answers you are looking for on that page.
Final Verdict
Sittercity is a legit site that will let you earn by working as a care provider. It has a couple of good features, but it also has some limitations you must consider.
Let me finish this review by summarizing its pros and cons so you can see a clear overview of what it offers. Then, you can decide if it is a good fit for you or not.
Pros:
- Has a decent number of jobs available in large cities
- No payout threshold
Cons:
- Relatively long application process
- You’ll have to spend money on background checks to start earning
In my opinion, Sittercity is one of the better sites out there for finding work as a sitter or care provider. There are a decent number of jobs in big cities, and you don’t have to reach a threshold to receive your earnings.
Aside from that, you can negotiate with the family on how much you will earn and the payment method that will be used. Just be prepared to shell out some cash for a background check when starting. This is to ensure that you can land jobs easily since most families will ask for a background check before hiring someone.
The application process is also relatively long, so you need to be patient. If you are looking for a faster way to earn extra cash, then you are better off finding other sites to join, in my opinion.
For a list of great options, you can check out the best gig jobs and where to find them instead. The options on this list don’t involve any complicated application process, so you should be able to start earning decent money immediately after signing up.
If you have any comments, questions, or experience with Sittercity, I would love to hear from you in a comment below.