In today’s digital age, businesses face the challenge of effectively navigating the ever-changing landscape of online marketing. Many businesses turn to digital marketing consulting to achieve their goals and stand out in a crowded digital space.

Digital marketing consulting offers expert guidance, strategic insights, and customized solutions to help businesses optimize their online presence, engage their target audience, and drive tangible results.

This article explores the importance and benefits of digital marketing consulting, highlighting how it can empower businesses to stay competitive, maximize their digital marketing efforts, and achieve long-term success in the digital realm.

We will also look at the Digital Marketing Consultant’s Salary And Job Outlook, the difference between a digital marketing consultant, a digital marketing specialist, or a digital marketing manager?

Why Do You Need a Marketing Consultant?

A marketing consultant can be a valuable asset for businesses and individuals looking to enhance their marketing efforts. Here are a few reasons why you may need a marketing consultant:

Expertise and Knowledge: Marketing consultants possess specialized knowledge and expertise in various marketing strategies, tactics, and industry trends. They stay updated with the latest developments and can provide insights and recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
Objective Perspective: An external marketing consultant brings a fresh and unbiased perspective to your marketing initiatives. They can identify strengths, weaknesses, and untapped opportunities, offering objective advice on how to improve your marketing efforts.
Cost-Effective Solution: Hiring a marketing consultant can be a cost-effective approach compared to hiring a full-time marketing team. Consultants can work on specific projects or provide ongoing guidance without the long-term commitment and expenses associated with a permanent marketing department.
Time and Resource Optimization: By delegating marketing tasks to a consultant, you can free up your time and resources to focus on other core aspects of your business. Consultants bring efficiency, experience, and strategic thinking, helping you make the most of your marketing budget and efforts.
Customized Strategies: Marketing consultants work closely with clients to understand their unique goals, target audience, and competitive landscape. They develop customized marketing strategies that align with your objectives and deliver measurable results.
Skill Augmentation: If your existing marketing team lacks certain skills or expertise in specific areas, a marketing consultant can bridge those gaps. They can provide training, guidance, and support to enhance the capabilities of your in-house marketing team.
Adaptability and Flexibility: Marketing consultants are accustomed to working with diverse clients and industries. They can quickly adapt to changing market dynamics and implement strategies that align with emerging trends and consumer preferences.

What Is a Digital Marketing Consultant? (With Job Duties)

A digital marketing consultant is a professional specializing in developing promotional and advertising campaigns for digital platforms. These individuals possess a deep understanding of marketing principles and demonstrate proficiency in modern technology.

If you have a passion for marketing and enjoy utilizing digital platforms, such as social media, a career as a digital marketing consultant may be worth considering.

This article explores the role of digital marketing consultants, including their typical responsibilities, required education and training qualifications, as well as the average salary in the field.

What Is A Digital Marketing Consultant?

A digital marketing consultant is a highly knowledgeable professional who guides companies in improving their digital marketing strategies.

Many consultants are employed by marketing agencies, allowing them to connect with businesses seeking their expertise.

Additionally, some consultants work independently as freelancers, responsible for finding clients and promoting their services.

These professionals possess advanced skills in marketing strategy, content creation, and search engine optimization (SEO) as these elements play crucial roles in developing successful digital marketing campaigns.

What does a digital marketing consultant do?

Here are a few of the most common job duties for a digital marketing consultant to have:

Meeting with company leaders to discuss digital marketing goals
Reviewing a company’s digital marketing strategies to identify areas for improvement
Developing new marketing campaigns for publication on digital platforms
Using SEO to identify successful digital marketing methods
Keeping track of data analytics to remain aware of a company’s progress in improving digital marketing
Helping a company establish brand awareness through digital marketing
Conducting extensive market research to identify trends and effective strategies
Updating existing marketing campaigns for use on digital platforms
Planning content for company social media accounts
Researching different marketing channels and online platforms to determine which a company might benefit from using
Finding clients to work with when operating on a freelance basis

Digital marketing consultant qualifications

Here are a few qualifications that a digital marketing consultant typically needs to fulfill:

Education

Typically, a bachelor’s degree is the minimum educational requirement for aspiring digital marketing consultants.

This educational attainment provides candidates with several years to gain industry knowledge and develop essential skills applicable to the field.

The most prevalent undergraduate major pursued by those aspiring to become digital marketing consultants is typically marketing, as it enables them to delve deeply into intricate concepts and promotional strategies.

Some educational institutions may even offer minors in digital marketing, which can be particularly advantageous for these professionals.

Completing a bachelor’s degree in marketing typically takes approximately four years.

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Training

Upon securing a job, digital marketing consultants often undergo training, as many agencies prefer to impart their marketing techniques to new employees.

Additionally, candidates can consider completing a marketing internship during their undergraduate studies to apply the concepts they learn in their courses, including developing marketing strategies and creating promotional materials.

As digital marketing consultants heavily utilize online platforms, it is advantageous for candidates to gain knowledge about various channels that can be used for advertising in their future careers, such as social media platforms and lifestyle websites.

Experience

Experience is crucial for aspiring digital marketing consultants, whether they work for marketing agencies or as freelancers.

Securing an entry-level position in the industry, such as a marketing assistant or entry-level marketing associate, provides an excellent opportunity to learn from seasoned professionals and gain practical experience.

It is equally important for candidates to acquire hands-on experience in implementing digital marketing strategies.

This experience enables them to guide clients in their marketing endeavors effectively. By combining practical experience with theoretical knowledge, individuals can pave the way for a successful career as a digital marketing consultant.

Certification

While digital marketing consultants can secure employment without specialty certifications, many opt to pursue them.

This is because obtaining certifications in specific skills or programs can demonstrate expertise and validate qualifications to prospective employers.

For instance, the Social Media Marketing Certification from HubSpot is valuable for digital marketing consultants, as it showcases proficiency in social media marketing.

Additionally, certifications in search engine optimization (SEO) can be advantageous, as they inform marketing strategies for online platforms.

By acquiring relevant certifications, digital marketing consultants enhance their credibility and increase their prospects in the job market.

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Digital marketing consultant skills

Here are some key skills for a digital marketing consultant:

Copywriting
Digital proficiency
Knowledge of marketing
Creativity
Research skills
Communication skills
Collaboration skills
Attention to detail

Digital Marketing Consultant Salary And Job Outlook

While specific salary information for the “digital marketing consultant” job title may not be available on platforms like Indeed, data for similar roles like “digital marketer” can provide valuable insights.

According to Indeed, the national average salary for digital marketers in the United States is currently $61,235 annually. Salaries can vary based on location, with professionals in cities like Denver earning an average of $65,968 per year and those in New York City earning an average of $69,768 per year.

Digital marketers often receive employee benefits, including health insurance and paid time off.

Regarding job outlook, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not provide specific data for digital marketing consultants. Still, it offers information for advertising, promotions, and marketing managers with similar responsibilities.

The Bureau projects a 10% increase in employment for these positions from 2020 to 2030.

The growth is attributed to companies expanding their promotional efforts and developing new marketing campaigns, as well as the rising popularity of digital marketing driven by innovations in digital media.

What Is The Difference Between A Digital Marketing Consultant, A Digital Marketing Specialist, Or A Digital Marketing Manager?

The differences between a digital marketing consultant and other marketing professionals can be summarised as follows:

A digital marketing consultant is more experienced than other digital marketing professionals.
A consultant is self-employed, and it’s not an employee of a company.
The main role of a digital marketing consultant is to design a digital marketing strategy and supervise the work of other marketing professionals working on implementing the marketing strategy.
Digital marketing consultants usually get paid per hour or per project and don’t have a fixed salary.
A digital marketing specialist works as part of a digital marketing team.
A digital marketing manager leads a team of digital marketers in an agency or organization.
A digital marketing freelancer is self-employed and offers marketing services to agencies or direct to businesses.

When to Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant

When businesses find themselves in a situation where they believe a digital marketing consultant can assist, they should consider hiring one. Clearly defined business objectives and a well-established brand purpose are crucial factors in assessing readiness to invest in a digital marketing consultant and drive business growth.

However, certain indicators can signal the right time to hire a digital marketing consultant. These factors include:

You’re not experiencing a positive change in your leads and sales, even if you’ve tried implementing different marketing strategies.
You’re working with a small team already stretched to its limit.
Your team lacks the expertise and knowledge to develop online and offline marketing campaigns.

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How to find the best digital marketing consultant in 10 steps

When choosing a digital marketing consultant, you must analyze each candidate in-depth. To make the process easier, we’ve compiled a list of 10 steps for finding the best online marketing consultant for your business.

1. Research what services you want

When you’re searching for a digital marketing consultancy, you must do some research. Educate yourself about the services you’re looking for, such as content marketing, SEO, or PPC management. That way, you know what an online marketing consultant should deliver regarding that service.

Due to the rising popularity of digital marketing, plenty of trusted and respected websites publish handy guides on every strategy in digital marketing. Many also maintain blogs, resource centers, and email newsletters, updating you on new trends and standards.

.2. Check out their services

With your budget determined and your team educated, you can start building a list of digital marketing consultants or firms for your company. Whether a consultant makes your list will depend on whether they offer the services you want.

Depending on how many services your company needs, you may find it difficult to match with a freelancer or independent digital marketing consultant. In most cases, they specialize in only a few areas of digital marketing — plus, they have more clients to manage.

That can lead to lackluster service and deliverables, which impacts your organization’s bottom line. That’s why many big and small businesses partner with a digital marketing consulting company. They can offer more services, plus a dedicated account manager.

If you choose a full-service digital marketing company, like WebFX, you have quick access to:

PPC advertising
SEO
Email marketing
Content marketing
Social media marketing
Video Marketing
And more

You can even take advantage of our web design services, which are a critical part of a digital marketing strategy, as the speed and usability of your website can influence your online visibility.

You can compare their rates once you compile your list of online marketing consultants and firms.

3. Analyze their prices

One crucial factor to consider when searching for a digital marketing consultant is their pricing. Finding a consultant or firm that offers a rate that aligns with your budget is important. However, it is equally essential to avoid investing in cheap services that may not provide a satisfactory return on investment.

A common challenge businesses face is that consultants often do not publish their prices online. This lack of transparency extends to even some leading digital strategy consulting firms, making it more difficult for businesses to evaluate and compare pricing options.

4. Investigate their tech

An area that many businesses overlook when comparing digital marketing consultants is their technology. While all consultants will use Google Analytics, some also use in-house software that gives their digital marketing strategies a competitive edge.

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5. Review their portfolios

As you continue your search for an Internet marketing consultant, you want to focus on consultants or firms with portfolios. Many online marketing consultants publish portfolios on their websites, providing several case studies to explore.

Focus on the following factors when reviewing a consultant’s portfolio:

Specialty: Do they focus on a specific industry or digital marketing service? If they focus on SEO for industrial companies and you’re a retail store, their skillset may not be the best match for you.
Results: How do they measure their success? Suppose a digital marketing consultant emphasizes results directly impacting a business, such as transactions and leads. In that case, it’s a positive sign that they understand which metrics matter regarding digital marketing.

6. Read their reviews and client testimonials

A critical factor when comparing Internet marketing consultants is testimonials and reviews on third-party websites. They give you immediate insight into a consultant’s potential perks and drawbacks.

Read these reviews, and you can learn about a firm’s:

Customer service
Turnaround times
Service quality
Price range
And more

Depending on what you’re looking for in a digital marketing consultant, these reviews can make your decision simple. For example, if you’re looking for a firm that can meet tight deadlines, you may remove a consultant that misses deadlines from your list of candidates.

Overall, you want to look for a consultant that will treat your business and your team with respect plus invest the time to learn your business, industry, and services. That personalized approach leads to a one-of-a-kind strategy that drives results.

7. Look for credentials

Next, you want to research the credentials of a digital marketing consultant, which can include:

Years of experience
Awards
Certifications

A reputable digital marketing consulting firm or consultant can demonstrate their industry knowledge and the quality of their work through respected awards and certifications. In some cases, specific certifications are essential for consultants to possess.

For example, if you are interested in advertising on Google, partnering with an Internet marketing consultant who is Google Ads Certified is crucial. This certification indicates their expertise in utilizing the Google Ads platform and creating compelling advertisements.

If you are considering working with a digital marketing consulting company, it is beneficial to check if they are a Google Partner Agency. This certification allows firms to showcase the Google Partner badge on their website, validating their specialization in various areas.

By seeking out consultants or firms with relevant certifications and partnerships, businesses can ensure they collaborate with knowledgeable professionals who have demonstrated expertise in specific areas of digital marketing.

These specializations can include:

Search advertising
Mobile advertising
Video advertising
Display advertising
Shopping advertising

Regarding awards, they stress that professionals know and honor a company’s or consultant’s work. An Internet marketing expert doesn’t need a cabinet full of trophies, but it can show the caliber of their work and areas in which they excel.

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8. Explore their values

Whether you’re collaborating with a digital marketing consulting company or a freelance consultant, it’s important to research their background. After all, you want to work with someone that will work well with your team and business.

One area you want to focus on is their company values, which can focus on the following:

Quality of work
Level of customer service
Approach to challenges
And more

9. Check their client retention

A strong indication of a consultant’s expertise lies in their ability to maintain a high client retention rate, often accompanied by positive client reviews and testimonials. When a consultant has a high client retention rate, it demonstrates their proficiency and success in their craft.

However, it is worth noting that most digital marketing consultant companies do not publicly disclose their client retention rates, mainly because they are not impressive. Sharing such numbers would not inspire confidence in their capabilities.

Hence, when a company does share its client retention rates, it is an even more positive sign. One example is WebFX, a digital marketing consultant that proudly discloses its client retention rate.

Their retention rate is an impressive 91 percent, 488 percent higher than the industry average. This statistic highlights their exceptional performance and the satisfaction of their clients.

10. Talk to them

It’s time to contact your short list of potential digital marketing consulting firms for your company. This stage is crucial because it shows whether the consultant or firm embodies its ideals and whether the client testimonials are valid.

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Final Though On Digital Marketing Consulting

Digital marketing consulting plays a pivotal role in helping businesses thrive in the ever-evolving digital landscape. By leveraging the expertise of digital marketing consultants, businesses can navigate complex marketing challenges, optimize their online presence, and achieve their growth objectives.

These consultants bring valuable insights, specialized knowledge, and industry best practices to develop tailored strategies that drive results.

Whether it’s enhancing brand awareness, improving online visibility, or driving conversions, digital marketing consultants provide the guidance and expertise needed to stay competitive and succeed in today’s digital-driven world.

Investing in digital marketing consulting can be a transformative step for businesses, empowering them to unlock their full potential and reach new heights in the digital realm.

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