- Emily Shwake
- Mar 27
- 19 min read
Do you have specialized expertise in your industry? Do your colleagues turn to you for guidance and decision-making advice? If so, you might consider starting a consulting business.
To start, you'll need to create a business plan, then make a business website that promotes your services. While this may sound like a lot, the freedom, independence and opportunities for exploration and growth that come with consulting can be quite rewarding. For first-hand advice on starting a consulting business, we consulted Ken Goldstein, Wix user and managing director of The Goldstein Group. Here’s what you need to know before becoming a consultant, including a breakdown of the types of consulting businesses ideas and how to start your own.
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What is consulting?
Consulting is a career that centers around giving expert advice to other professionals. This type of service business can take a variety of forms depending on your background and experience; for example, you could be a brand consultant who guides company messaging or an IT consultant who works to improve companies’ technical systems.
According to Goldstein, the best consultants are disciplined, humble, patient, self-assured and self-aware. They have excellent time management and listening skills, thrive working on their own and can admit when they make mistakes.
While consultants get to be in charge and manage the clients and projects they take on, many early career consultants struggle with the work-life balance and isolation. “In the early days, I never took time off for fear of not being available to clients," said Goldstein. "I thought that I could lose them as a client. Over time, I’ve learned to set boundaries, as taking care of myself helps me better serve the clients.”
Types of consulting businesses
All consultants partner with companies to share expert advice, identify problems and offer new solutions. However, consulting businesses differ by expertise. The following are the most common types of businesses for consultants:
Strategy consultants assist with high-level business decisions, such as advising executives on business strategy.
Marketing consultants advise companies on marketing strategies like content, social media or paid acquisition.
Operations consultants use data and research to help companies reduce costs, streamline their operations, improve productivity or increase business efficiency.
Financial consultants help companies improve their profits or reduce spending.
Human resources consultants offer companies advice for recruiting, onboarding, training, development, retention and resolving conflict.
Compliance consultants ensure that companies comply with all federal and local laws and regulations.
IT or technology consultants recommend improvements to company software and technological systems.
Legal consultants ensure that companies can properly navigate the legal system.
Sales consultants advise on matters such as incentivizing sales teams and improving the sales process for customers.
Sustainability consultants help businesses meet environmental regulations, adopt sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprints.
How to start a consulting business in 8 steps
Now that you have brainstormed a few service business ideas, follow these steps to start your own consulting business:
01. Define your niche
Every consultant has a focus or niche. In fact, the best consultants stand out because of their specialty. Ken Goldstein unexpectedly found his niche in the field of people management after helping a dental practice create a safe and positive work culture. After the dentist hired him, his business flourished through word-of-mouth networking.
Today, he helps businesses who need help recruiting and retaining employees. “Once I help clients make sure they have the right people in place, I’ll work with them on strategic planning,” said Goldstein. He also hosts workshops and performs as a keynote speaker.
If you’re still not sure what type of consultant you want to be, think about your skills and experience, as well as the advice you’d offer businesses. What do you consider yourself an expert in? What do you enjoy talking about and teaching to others?
Use these questions to pinpoint your skill set before launching your business. Based on your niche, you should also consider researching consultant certifications. This will show clients you meet global standards for performance in competency, project management, ethics and personal conduct. For example, Goldstein is both CPBA- and DiSC-certified—two important certifications in his field.
02. Evaluate your target market
Once you know your specialty, you can target a set of potential clients. Are they primarily in one industry? Are they large enterprises, startups or something in between? Complete market research to learn about your audience’s pain points and needs.
On top of that, knowing about your clients’ challenges helps you define your services. Use that knowledge to make a business plan, come up with a marketing strategy and set your rates. “Take the time to be very clear of what your deliverables are,” said Goldstein. “Decide if you’re a commodity or a service provider, because you can’t be everything to everybody.”
03. Create a consulting website
Today, every business needs a website to build a brand, promote services and act as a booking site. A service website provides more information about your background and experience, and through proper search engine optimization, also helps prospective clients discover your services. These healthcare websites serve as one example of how service websites can help boost business. With this in mind make sure to think carefully about the business goals for your website.
Making a website even before you officially register your business? A successful consulting website will include:
A clear brand identity, including your logo, consulting slogan and color scheme. This logo maker can help you get started.
Your business’s name. Don’t have one? Use this business name generator or consulting business name generator.
An overview of your business and your mission statement.
An About page that communicates your background and experience. Be sure to follow the best business website design practices.
A Services page that explains your offerings.
An appointment scheduler that lets clients book and pay online.
Tip: Check out this blog post on how to make a business website for more detailed information to make yours shine (and how to make a consulting website for inspiration). You should also consider setting up your Google Business Profile, once your site is live.
04. Form and register your business
Now that you’ve laid the groundwork, it’s time to start a business.
First, you’ll need to determine your business’s legal structure so that you can properly register your business. Do you want it to be a sole proprietorship, limited liability company or corporation? Consult with a tax professional to make sure your chosen structure makes the most sense for your firm. You'll also need to register your business name as a part of this process.
Next, equip yourself with all the tools you’ll need to manage it smoothly. Will you need a brick-and-mortar storefront? Do you plan to work from your home office? You should also consider any software you’ll need. For example, you might want to use teleconferencing software to communicate remotely with clients.
05. Make a financial plan
As you legally register your business, you should also form a financial plan. Lay out all the costs of starting your business and determine if you’ll need to take out a loan. To accurately estimate the costs and set up a preliminary budget, use a tool like the U.S. Small Business Administration’s startup cost worksheet to account for business formation and registration expenses as well as software and marketing costs.
Make sure to open a business bank account to separate your business spending and earnings from your personal finances. To stay organized, consider investing in an accountant or assistant. If you prefer to go the DIY route, consider using bookkeeping software.
06. Determine your rates
Goldstein implores consultants to build a pricing structure for your services. Will it be hourly? Will you offer a flat fee for each project? Or will you offer a performance-based rate dependent on your results?
Then, figure out how much to charge. Use similar businesses in the local area to get a ballpark of how to price a service. Keep in mind that location often affects pricing. Consultants living in urban areas of the U.S., for instance, can typically charge higher rates than those living in rural areas. You should also factor in your level of experience and the budgets of the clients you will serve. According to Indeed, the highest-paying consultant jobs make an annual salary between $56,000 and $100,000.
If you’re still not sure what to charge, here’s a shortcut: Set an hourly rate that would enable you to achieve your goal salary. Start by dividing your former salary by 52 work weeks, then divide that number by 40. That will give you the hourly rate you were making at your former job. Then, mark that price up based on competitor prices and your own salary goals.
One final note from Goldstein on determining your rate: “Be proud of your work and don’t discount your pricing.”
Read also: Why you should offer productized services
07. Create a business plan
A business plan is a formal written document that contains your company’s future goals, the methods for attaining those goals and the time frame for achieving them. Think of it as a roadmap for your firm. It should discuss marketing, financial and operational details. This includes a value proposition, a target market analysis, a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis with an evaluation of competitors and opportunities, estimated costs and forecasted profit.
Business plans outline your strategic action items and keep you (and your employees) on target to meet your objectives. You can also use it as a guide to keep your short-term SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound) goals in line with your company’s long-term strategy.
Keep in mind that business plans evolve over time. If you find that your long-term goals eventually change or that new opportunities arise, you can review and update your business plan to align it with your new direction.
08. Market your services
If you don’t have clients, you don’t have a consulting business. To build and grow your practice, you need to consistently promote your services using smart strategies. We’ve outlined several effective methods to help you market your business consulting services and connect with the right audience. Stay consistent, combine strategies and focus on delivering value in every interaction.
Blogging to build your expertise in business consulting
Blogging is a great way to establish your authority as a business consultant by sharing insights, industry trends, case studies and best practices. Focus on solving common problems your target clients face, like leadership strategies, operational efficiency or scaling. Write posts with actionable advice, real-world examples and success stories from your own experience. Optimize for SEO to boost your website’s visibility and attract business owners actively looking for solutions. Posting fresh content regularly will improve your site’s ranking and show your commitment to staying current in the industry.
Learn more: How to start a blog
Host webinars to offer value and attract clients
Webinars are a great way to share your expertise and connect with potential clients. Focus on topics like improving operational efficiency, building strong leadership teams or managing business growth. These live sessions let you engage directly with your audience, answer questions and build trust. Share your webinars through social media and email lists to attract attendees. During the session, include a clear call to action—offer a free consultation or a special deal to encourage participants to take the next step.
Start a podcast to build thought leadership
A podcast is a great way to establish yourself as a trusted voice in the business consulting world. Use it to explore topics business owners care about like leadership, operations, sales strategies or innovation. Interview industry experts, share case studies and give actionable advice. Starting a podcast can help you build a loyal audience of business owners who value your insights and see you as an expert in the field. Share your episodes on social media, your blog, and email newsletters to reach more people and grow your consulting business.
Use social media to grow your consulting business
Social media is a great way to connect with clients and grow your consulting business. Platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook let you reach business owners, executives and decision-makers. Share insights, case studies and tips that speak to your audience. On LinkedIn, connect with business leaders and join groups where you can share ideas and engage in conversations. Post articles, weigh in on industry trends and join discussions to position yourself as an expert. You can also run ads to target businesses in specific industries or regions that could benefit from your services.
Paid advertising to target specific business sectors
Paid ads on Google, Facebook or LinkedIn are a smart way to connect with potential clients searching for business consulting services. Focus on specific industries or challenges, like small businesses looking for growth strategies or larger companies needing efficiency improvements. Write ad copy that speaks directly to their pain points and highlights your expertise. Use retargeting to reach visitors who’ve checked out your website or content but haven’t converted yet—offer them a special deal or free consultation to guide them down the sales funnel.
Speaking at business events or webinars
Speaking at events is a great way to build your reputation and bring in new clients. Look for chances to speak at business conferences, industry events or local meetups. Host free workshops or seminars on topics like improving business processes, leadership development or marketing strategies that work. It’s a chance to share your expertise in front of a live audience and connect with potential clients on a personal level. After your talk, make sure to chat with attendees and follow up with helpful resources or an offer for a free consultation. Speaking at events is a smart, long-term way to grow your network and credibility.
Referral marketing for organic growth
Referral marketing is one of the most effective ways to grow your consulting business. Happy clients can bring in new leads by recommending your services to others. Incentivize referrals with discounts or free consultations and make the process simple with a clear referral program. Word-of-mouth is especially powerful in consulting since people trust recommendations from their peers. After a successful project, ask for testimonials, case studies or referrals. By encouraging referrals, you're turning satisfied clients into ambassadors for your brand.
Cold-calling and prospecting to engage decision-makers
Cold-calling might feel daunting, but it’s still a great way to connect with potential clients. Start by researching your target companies and industries, then create a pitch that speaks directly to their needs. Keep it short and focused, highlighting how your services can solve their challenges. After the call, follow up with an email or LinkedIn message to keep the conversation going. Focus on building relationships and offering value rather than just closing a deal. Tailoring your approach to address pain points and solve problems will improve your chances of success.
Email marketing to nurture leads and build relationships
Email marketing is a great way to connect with potential clients and keep relationships strong. Start by growing an email list using lead magnets like free resources, guides or industry reports. Share valuable content regularly—business tips, case studies or industry news that address the challenges your audience faces. Segment your list so you can send more targeted content based on the type of business or industry your leads are in. Use email automation to nurture leads over time with follow-up sequences that offer solutions to their specific problems. Focus on keeping your emails helpful, not overly sales-driven, and always include a call to action like a free consultation or resource.
Invest in marketing methods that will put you directly in front of prospective clients. Consultants cite referral marketing as their most successful promotional strategy, with 37% noting it’s their primary means of generating new business.
Goldstein recommends networking with other consultants and subject matter experts in various fields. That way, when a project arises, you can consult them as subject matter experts or even refer their services to a client (and vice versa).
How much does it cost to start a consulting business?
Starting a consulting business can vary widely in cost based on factors like industry, scale and resources. Here’s a breakdown of potential expenses you'll need to budget for:
Business registration and licensing: $50 - $500 (state and type of business dependent)
Insurance: $500 - $2,000 annually (mainly professional liability insurance)
Office space (if relevant): anywhere from a few hundred dollars, to tens of thousands of dollars a month depending on size and location.
Marketing: several hundred dollars to thousands a month depending on exact strategies and channels.
Website: free with Wix, paid plans start from $17.
Software and other tech equipment: $500 - $2,000
Legal and accounting services: $300 - $1,000+
Starting a business as a consultant checklist
Task | Priority |
Choose your consulting niche | Top |
Create a business plan | Essential |
Legal and administrative setup | Essential |
Create a brand and assets | High |
Setup your office | High |
Create consulting packagings | Essential |
Setup financial accounting | Essential |
Post-launch tips for succeeding as a consultant
Once you start your business, how will you stand out so that people hire you? Use these tips to succeed with clients:
Identify your industry’s pain points: Think about the most pressing challenges companies in your industry face and become an expert in how to address them.
Sell your results: Keep an organized portfolio of your past successes. Attract clients by showing them tangible results to similar problems you’ve solved in the past.
Empathize with your clients: Use your soft skills to build personal connections with your clients and show them you’re deeply invested in their business.
Stay organized: Impress your clients by staying on top of deadlines, juggling different projects with ease and keeping your business running smoothly.
Keep networking: A robust cadre can not only keep you abreast of new industry and economic developments, but it can also help you keep a steady stream of work. Plus, you’ll always have someone to bounce ideas off and have conversations with.
How to start a business consulting company
A business consulting company helps unlock potential, tackle challenges and turn goals into reality. By offering expert advice in areas like operations, marketing and finance, consultants create strategies that drive growth and efficiency. Starting your own consulting business is a chance to share your expertise, make an impact and work across different industries.
Ready to get started?
Check out these exciting consulting niches to explore and tips to kick off your journey:
Strategy consulting: Turning vision into victory
Strategy consultants help businesses make big decisions and plan for long-term success. To excel in this field, you need to spot market trends and uncover opportunities early. Want to earn your clients' trust? Provide clear, actionable insights that align with their goals. Create bold, detailed plans and support them every step of the way. In this fast-paced world of critical decisions, your advantage comes from delivering real-time, data-driven strategies that turn ideas into results.
Marketing consulting: Making brands shine
Marketing consultants help brands stand out and connect with their audience. From creating great content to launching impactful ad campaigns, your goal is to grow your clients’ brands and captivate their customers. Start by understanding their audience and goals, then develop strategies that drive traffic, clicks or buzz. Stay current with the latest marketing trends and tools. Use analytics to adjust campaigns and let strong results speak for themselves. A portfolio of success stories will make you the trusted expert brands rely on to grow.
IT/technology consulting: Power up businesses with tech
Dive into IT consulting and help businesses transform their tech systems. From strengthening cybersecurity to optimizing cloud computing and data management, your skills can make a real impact. Offer solutions to reduce costs, improve efficiency and keep operations running smoothly. Stay ahead by exploring new tech trends and consider collaborating with other IT experts or tech companies to grow your services.
Financial consulting: Drive profit, cut costs, stay ahead
Help businesses grow with financial consulting by crunching numbers, solving problems and uncovering smart cost-saving and investment opportunities. Dive into budgets, forecasts and financial statements to find ways to improve cash flow, manage risks and plan for the future. Having a CPA and the ability to simplify complex financial strategies can make you an invaluable resource for companies looking to boost their bottom line.
Human resources consulting: Build better teams
Become the expert businesses turn to for people solutions. From hiring great talent to resolving workplace conflicts, HR consultants play a vital role in helping companies thrive. Learn labor laws and HR best practices to offer solutions like better hiring processes, retention strategies and creating engaging work environments. Build trust by connecting with leadership and employees to deliver insights that transform company culture.
Operations consulting: Make businesses run like clockwork
Your mission? Cut clutter and boost efficiency. Operations consultants get to the core of a business, identifying inefficiencies and offering solutions that deliver real results. From process improvements and automation tools to software integrations, your expertise helps businesses save time and cut costs. Learn frameworks like Lean and Six Sigma to create strategies that work and transform chaos into smooth-running systems.
Sales consulting: Drive revenue like a pro
Help businesses close deals, attract new customers and boost their sales teams. As a sales consultant, your role is to identify weak spots in their sales process like lead generation, closing tactics or customer retention. Provide hands-on training, develop effective strategies and share data-driven insights that align with their goals. When businesses hit their sales targets, they’ll know you made it happen.
Legal consulting: Simplify law, empower business
Make sense of the legal world and help businesses grow without the stress. Offer guidance on compliance to avoid penalties and keep operations running smoothly. Explore areas like corporate law to support businesses through mergers, acquisitions and governance issues or employment law to help create fair, compliant workplace policies.
Help clients manage intellectual property, protect their ideas and resolve disputes efficiently. Provide advice that fits their goals as they negotiate contracts, tackle regulatory challenges or expand into new markets.
Risk management consulting: Prepare for the unexpected
Help businesses stay protected. Risk management consultants spot threats like financial, operational or tech risks and create strategies to reduce them. From improving cybersecurity to managing supply chain issues and tackling new challenges, your guidance helps companies avoid trouble. Build solid risk management frameworks that give businesses the confidence to face the unexpected.
Customer service consulting: Transform the experience
Turn unhappy customers into loyal fans. Customer service consultants transform feedback into actionable insights by spotting pain points and improving service strategies. They teach teams how to communicate effectively, resolve issues quickly and keep customers coming back. By tracking metrics, you can measure progress and create a customer experience that makes a lasting impression.
Supply chain consulting: Streamline from start to finish
Help businesses move goods smarter, faster and cheaper. Supply chain consultants look at every step of the process—from procurement to logistics—spotting inefficiencies and cutting costs. Offer solutions like better vendor management, inventory control and innovative tech tools to boost reliability. Be the trusted expert who builds supply chains that deliver results on time every time.
How to start a specialized consulting firm
Specialized consulting is all about becoming the expert in your field—data analytics, sustainability or cybersecurity. It’s a way to stand out and offer solutions that generalists can’t compete with. Focusing on a niche means delivering real value by tackling specific challenges and achieving results.
Building authority in your area helps you attract the right clients and get more from your expertise. Specialized consulting lets you own your niche and make a real impact.
Data analytics consulting: Turn numbers into action
Help businesses make the most of their data. As a data analytics consultant, you’ll go beyond spreadsheets and dashboards, uncovering insights that drive smarter decisions. From analyzing customer behavior to boost retention to forecasting sales for smarter inventory planning or streamlining operations to improve efficiency, your skills will make a real impact. Use tools like Python, R, SQL and platforms like Tableau or Power BI to turn complex data into actionable strategies.
Social media consulting: Build brands, one post at a time
Help businesses thrive in the fast-paced world of social media! As a social media consultant, you’ll do more than schedule posts. You’ll explore brand identity and audience behavior to create strategies that connect and grow communities on platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok and more.
From creating scroll-stopping visuals to designing long-term campaigns that boost engagement and make money online, your role is about building meaningful connections between brands and their audiences. Understanding algorithms, running paid ad campaigns and analyzing metrics are just the start—expand your skills with influencer marketing, trend forecasting and data-driven content strategies.
Sustainability consulting: Make green the new gold
Help businesses lead the way in sustainability and climate action! As a sustainability consultant, you’ll guide companies toward greener practices that benefit both the planet and their bottom line.
Design energy-efficient systems, create sustainable supply chains or help businesses achieve certifications like LEED or ISO 14001. Work on carbon footprint analysis, waste management improvements or renewable energy transitions to support their environmental goals. With growing regulatory pressures and increasing consumer demand for green initiatives, your expertise will make you an essential partner for businesses aiming to embrace sustainability and future-proof their operations.
Cybersecurity consulting: Be the digital bodyguard
Protect businesses from the growing threats of the digital age. As a cybersecurity consultant, you’ll be the first line of defense against hackers, data breaches and other cyber risks. Your role involves spotting vulnerabilities, conducting risk assessments and creating security solutions tailored to each business’s needs.
You’ll work on network security, cloud protection, incident response planning and ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR or CCPA. With cyberattacks becoming more advanced, you’ll also create training programs to help employees understand threats and practice safe habits. From building firewalls to monitoring systems or responding to breaches, your expertise will be essential in keeping businesses secure.
Fintech consulting: Shape the future of finance
Transform how businesses handle finance with innovative solutions. As a fintech consultant, you’ll lead the way in helping companies adopt technology like blockchain, digital payment systems and AI-powered financial tools.
From streamlining payment processes to creating custom robo-advisors or implementing decentralized finance (DeFi) solutions, your expertise helps businesses modernize and stay competitive. Explore areas like fraud detection, cryptocurrency and regulatory compliance to help clients adopt secure and efficient practices.
How to start an industry-specific consulting business
Industry-specific consulting is about becoming the go-to expert in a certain sector. It’s about understanding the challenges, regulations and trends in industries like healthcare, construction or technology and offering solutions that solve real problems. Instead of being a jack-of-all-trades, you focus on one area, giving businesses insights and strategies they can’t get anywhere else.
Starting this type of consulting business lets you create real impact. You’re not just another consultant; you’re a trusted partner who speaks the language of the industry. Focusing on a niche positions you as an expert in high demand, allowing you to charge premium rates for your specialized knowledge. From solving pain points to offering personalized solutions you create something that stands out in a competitive market.
Healthcare consulting: Transform care, cut costs, stay compliant
Revolutionize healthcare by improving how care is delivered. Focus on creating solutions that enhance patient outcomes and boost operational efficiency to cut costs. Health tech tools like telemedicine, AI diagnostics and electronic health records are transforming the industry.
Explore patient flow management to solve bottlenecks and improve the care experience or learn about medical billing and coding to help organizations streamline revenue cycles. Stay informed about changing healthcare laws, regulations and industry trends to deliver solutions that are effective and compliant. By balancing clinical needs with administrative efficiency, you’ll be a go-to resource for healthcare providers aiming for sustainable growth.
Construction consulting: Build better, faster, smarter
Help construction firms overcome challenges in an industry where precision and efficiency are critical. Use advanced project management tools like Building Information Modeling (BIM) to improve collaboration and reduce errors.
Focus on risk mitigation to identify hazards early and keep projects safe and compliant at every stage. Share tips for managing budgets, sourcing materials and meeting tight deadlines without compromising quality. Stay up to date on building codes, zoning laws and environmental regulations to keep projects running smoothly.
Technology consulting: Power innovation, drive success
Drive digital transformation by helping businesses embrace the power of technology. Improve IT infrastructures to enhance efficiency, scalability and security in today’s tech-driven world. Explore areas like cybersecurity to protect against evolving threats or focus on cloud services to simplify collaboration and data management.
Help companies use emerging tools like IoT and blockchain or make money with AI, turning complex tech into practical solutions with real impact. Align tech strategies with business goals to keep organizations competitive in a rapidly changing market.
Retail consulting: Boost sales, simplify operations, delight customers
Help retail businesses stand out by combining efficient operations with great customer experiences. Explore inventory management strategies to keep stock levels just right, reducing waste and meeting customer needs. Help retailers improve the shopping experience through personalized store layouts or seamless eCommerce platforms.
Use insights from consumer trends and data analytics to create sales strategies that drive revenue and build loyalty. Share tips on using tools like POS systems, CRM software and online marketplaces to simplify daily operations.
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