Over 67% of the world’s population uses the internet — yet many businesses still struggle to convert clicks into clients.
Why?
Because having a website or social media account is no longer enough. To win online, you need a smart strategy, a clear roadmap, and someone who can cut through the noise. That’s where a digital marketing consultant comes in.
What Is a Digital Marketing Consultant?
A digital marketing consultant is a seasoned marketing expert who partners with businesses to help them grow their online presence, optimize their digital campaigns, and achieve revenue-driving results. Unlike in-house marketers or agencies, consultants bring an objective, external perspective along with specialized expertise.
They are not just tacticians; they are strategic advisors. Their role spans across evaluating current digital efforts, identifying gaps, recommending tools, and implementing full-funnel marketing strategies to increase ROI.
What Does a Digital Marketing Consultant Do?
A digital marketing consultant offers a comprehensive range of services tailored to the unique needs of a business. Here’s what they typically do:
- Perform deep audits of existing marketing strategies
- Build multichannel marketing plans
- Optimize current campaigns (SEO, PPC, email, etc.)
- Create customer journeys and conversion funnels
- Provide training or collaborate with in-house teams
- Analyze data to iterate and improve results
Their job isn’t just to “run ads” or “post on social media”—it’s to strategically align marketing with business goals and deliver measurable growth.
When and Why Should You Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant?
Sometimes, your business needs more than just another campaign—it needs a new perspective, proven strategies, and smarter execution. Here are some clear signals it’s time to hire a digital marketing consultant:
Lead Generation
You’re investing in ads, creating content, and optimizing your website—but leads aren’t converting. A consultant can step in, audit the full funnel, and help you attract qualified leads that convert.
Campaign Optimization
If you’ve launched several campaigns without traction—or your ROI is shrinking—a consultant will identify what’s going wrong. Whether it’s poor targeting, weak messaging, or an underperforming landing page, they’ll diagnose and fix it.
Rebranding
Planning to refresh your brand? Consultants can realign your digital strategy, ensuring that design, messaging, and marketing channels reflect your new identity and values.
What To Look For in a Digital Marketing Consultant
Hiring the wrong consultant can cost you time, money, and momentum. Here’s what to look for in a qualified pro:
- Relevant Experience: 3–5+ years in marketing, preferably with clients in your industry.
- Certifications: Google Ads, HubSpot, Meta Blueprint, or other relevant credentials.
- Strategy-first Approach: They ask about goals, not just platforms.
- Tool Proficiency: Experience with GA4, CRM platforms, email automation tools, SEO tools like SEMrush or Ahrefs.
- Reporting: They provide clear KPIs and performance reports.
- Case Studies: Real examples of businesses they’ve helped grow.
5 Best Tools to Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant
1. Marktal – Best for High-Quality, Vetted Talent
Marktal specializes in connecting businesses with pre-vetted, high-performing marketing consultants. With a focus on quality, Marktal ensures that every consultant is tested for skills, communication, and reliability.
- Access to top 3% marketing talent
- Consultants available on-demand (10, 20, or 40 hours/week)
- Fast onboarding (within 72 hours)
- Dedicated project support
Perfect for businesses that want the expertise of a full-time marketer without the hassle of hiring in-house.
2. Upwork – Best for Budget Flexibility
Upwork is one of the largest freelancer platforms where businesses can find consultants at all price points.
- Huge talent pool
- Rating and review system
- Time tracking and milestone-based payment
Ideal for startups or small businesses looking for affordable help.
3. Toptal – Best for Premium Talent
Toptal boasts access to the top 3% of freelance talent. Their screening process ensures only the best make it through.
- Rigid vetting process
- Ideal for complex marketing challenges
- Premium pricing to match premium talent
Use Toptal if you’re scaling fast and need consultants who can keep up.
4. PeoplePerHour – Best for Small Projects
PeoplePerHour is great for small one-off jobs like a campaign audit or SEO checklist.
- Flexible project-based pricing
- Diverse marketing skillsets
- Global freelancer base
Best for businesses that need quick turnarounds on small tasks.
5. Mayple – Best for Data-Driven Marketing
Mayple is a performance-focused platform that matches you with consultants based on your goals and metrics.
- Emphasis on campaign data and analytics
- Specializes in eCommerce and paid ads
- Performance guarantees
Perfect if you’re ROI-obsessed and want to see measurable results.
How To Hire a Digital Marketing Consultant
Hiring doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Follow this step-by-step approach:
- Define Your Needs: Clarify whether you need help with SEO, ads, email, or full-stack strategy.
- Set Budget & Timeline: Know your limits before shopping around.
- Research Candidates: Browse platforms, portfolios, and reviews.
- Ask Strategic Questions: What’s their marketing philosophy? Do they provide reporting? How do they measure success?
- Run a Paid Test Project: Start small to evaluate communication, delivery, and results.
- Set Clear KPIs & Deliverables: Don’t move forward without a clear agreement.
What Skills Do Digital Marketing Consultants Need?
Successful consultants are both analytical and creative. Look for professionals with:
- Strong analytical and reporting skills (Google Analytics, Looker Studio)
- Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
- Marketing automation and CRM workflows
- Ad campaign strategy and execution (Meta, Google, LinkedIn)
- Copywriting and persuasive storytelling
- Keyword research and on-page SEO
- Email segmentation and A/B testing
They should also stay current with trends like GA4, AI in marketing, and emerging platforms.
Responsibilities of a Digital Marketing Consultant
Their role varies based on your needs, but typically includes:
- Evaluating existing marketing performance
- Building a complete funnel strategy
- Optimizing website for UX and SEO
- Managing campaign performance
- Aligning brand messaging across platforms
- Training or collaborating with your internal team
Freelance as a Digital Marketing Consultant – Is It a Good Niche?
Yes—it’s one of the best freelance niches in 2025.
Why?
- It’s remote-friendly
- Demand is booming (especially post-AI boom)
- You can niche down (e.g., only email marketing or local SEO)
- High-income potential: average hourly rate is $61
As a freelancer, you can work on retainer, project-based, or hourly contracts, offering flexibility and scalability.
Challenges of the Traditional Approach to Hiring a Digital Marketing Consultant
Hiring the old-school way (posting jobs, vetting dozens of resumes, long interviews) has pitfalls:
- Takes too long: You need help now, not in 30 days.
- Unqualified applicants: Hard to assess true skills from a resume.
- Risky hires: If the consultant underperforms, you’re back to square one.
Platforms like Marktal solve this with pre-vetted talent and fast onboarding.
Why Is Marktal the Best Choice for Hiring a Digital Marketing Consultant and How It Works
Marktal takes the guesswork out of hiring:
- Pre-vetted, specialized marketing consultants
- Flexible engagements (10, 20, or 40 hours/week)
- Get matched within 72 hours
- Work with experts who understand platforms like HubSpot, GA4, Meta Ads, Klaviyo, and more
- Dedicated project manager to oversee quality
Here’s how it works:
- Book a Discovery Call – Share your goals and needs
- Get Matched – Marktal pairs you with a top consultant
- Launch – Your consultant gets to work immediately
From email strategy to paid campaign optimization, Marktal delivers top-tier marketing help on demand.
FAQs
What’s the difference between a digital marketing agency and a consultant?
Agencies offer teams to handle execution. A consultant brings strategic leadership and may work solo or advise your team.
Do I need a full-time consultant?
Not always. Fractional or part-time consultants are great for strategic gaps or campaign-based work.
Can a consultant replace my marketing team?
No, but they can lead, improve, or complement your internal team.
Should I hire through a platform or independently?
Platforms like MarketerHire or TheMarktal.com offer pre-vetted consultants. Direct hires may require more screening but can be more flexible.
Final Thoughts: Ready to Hire Smarter?
If your growth has stalled, your funnel is leaky, or your team is overwhelmed—a digital marketing consultant might be your fastest win.
At Marktal, we connect you with dedicated, pre-vetted marketing experts ready to plug into your team and start delivering results — fast.
Ready to elevate your growth with a digital marketing expert? 👉 Book a free consultation at TheMarktal.com and get matched within 72 hours.
