Business vs. Digital Consultants: Key Differences [updated for 2025]

Updated:  February 2025

As companies look to evolve in the tech-driven landscape of 2025, many are unsure whether to seek help from a traditional business consultant or a specialised digital business consultant. Understanding the differences between the two can help you enlist the right expertise for your business to attain its goals.

In this blog post, we'll take a look at these roles to understand which type of consultant will better align with your specific needs and provide the most benefit for your business. 

What is a business consultant? 

A business consultant is an expert in advising businesses by providing analysis and guidance to improve and reach their overall goals and objectives. They will give knowledgeable solutions that can affect a company internally and externally. This is as opposed to a digital strategy consultant, who creates comprehensive digital plans that align with your business’ overall strategy.

Businesses hire consultants as a resource that they can learn from and enhance your overall operations' value, both internally and externally. Their solutions will be based on cost efficacy, proven techniques, best practices, and strategy. For these reasons, they are the second-most popular kind of consultant to work with. 

When this consultant begins working with your business, they will need to gain first-hand insights into how you operate before making recommendations. They collect and sift through a lot of data to determine the best possible strategy unique to your business needs. They are then able to provide a company with several benefits, including:

• Accountability: Each business function is evaluated and held responsible according to measures that are put in place.
• Expertise: Insights and knowledge from an outsider can help identify patterns and improve your business operations. 
• Objectivity: An industry expert can assess and implement unbiased strategies.
• Training: Learning new techniques and information from the consultant can help improve your workforce. 
• Insight: Help identify new opportunities and find ways to combat any looming threats. 

Business consultants are often licensed and have both academic qualifications and business experience. They usually have a network that can be beneficial for their clients and expertise within a particular industry.

What does a digital business consultant do?

A digital business consultant uses digital technologies to solve business challenges and drive transformation. These experts take a holistic view of the commercial aspects of your business, identifying and implementing the best sales, marketing, and operational strategies to meet your goals. Their primary focus is to enhance your business's digital presence and improve customer engagement, lead generation, and overall sales.

Specifically, digital consultants can assist with:

• Improving website design and development: A digital consultant helps determine the type of website that aligns with your business objectives. They recommend the most suitable website technology, ensuring it delivers a seamless user experience, enhances functionality, and supports your business's growth.
• Creating effective online marketing campaigns: Digital consultants design data-driven marketing campaigns to achieve quick and measurable results, such as improved sales and brand awareness. They analyse performance data to ensure campaigns reach the right audience with maximum impact.
• Boosting organic visibility for long-term success: By implementing SEO strategies, consultants help businesses achieve better search rankings, driving consistent and cost-effective traffic over time. This approach can reduce reliance on paid advertising and contribute to a more sustainable marketing budget.
• Enhancing sales strategies: Consultants optimise your sales processes, ensuring your team has the tools, techniques, and insights to close deals effectively. They may also recommend automation tools or CRM platforms to streamline operations.
• Recommending quality digital products: From branding tools to sales-enabling software, a digital consultant suggests solutions tailored to improve your brand identity and sales performance, giving your business a competitive edge.

In today's digital-first world, the role of a digital business consultant is indispensable. They bridge the gap between technology and business goals, equipping companies to thrive in an increasingly online marketplace.

How we help your digital business

Building on the expertise described above, we offer tailored solutions to drive your digital business forward. Our approach is grounded in understanding your unique goals and using data-driven strategies to deliver measurable results. Here’s how we can assist your business:

• Data reviewing and planning: We begin by conducting an in-depth review of your current digital landscape. This involves analysing key performance metrics, understanding your audience's behaviour, and identifying gaps in your strategy. Using this data, we create a clear, actionable plan that aligns with your business objectives and ensures a solid foundation for growth.
• Implementing or executing improvements: Whether it’s refining your website, launching new campaigns, or upgrading your digital tools, we focus on executing the right improvements to enhance your business. Our team ensures seamless integration of strategies and technologies to maximise efficiency and effectiveness.
• Generating digital marketing results: From boosting online visibility to increasing lead generation, our services focus on delivering results. We implement performance-driven digital marketing strategies tailored to your business, ensuring you reach the right audience, enhance engagement, and achieve your desired outcomes.
• Data storage for smarter client selection: Using tools like HubSpot, we help businesses manage and store data effectively. This enables you to identify and target the right clients, personalise your marketing efforts, and improve overall customer experience.

Our solutions at NEXA are designed to create long-term value for your business, combining insights, technology, and strategy to help you achieve sustainable growth in 2025 and beyond. But digital business consulting doesn’t end with implementation—it’s driven by constant evaluation and optimisation. This is where detailed research and data analysis come into play.

Research and data analysis in digital consulting

Building on the foundation of tailored strategies and seamless execution, effective digital business consulting relies heavily on leveraging data to inform decisions and strategies. By integrating detailed research and data analysis into the consulting process, businesses can gain actionable insights that drive growth, enhance customer engagement, and improve marketing efficiency. Here’s how these efforts translate into tangible benefits:

• Gathering data from multiple sources: Digital consultants consolidate information from diverse platforms such as Google Analytics, social media insights, and email marketing metrics. This multi-channel approach provides a holistic view of your audience’s behaviour, helping you understand customer preferences, identify trends, and uncover opportunities for growth.
• Instant campaign analysis: Real-time analysis of marketing campaigns allows consultants to evaluate performance instantly. Metrics such as conversion rates and click-through rates (CTR) are continuously monitored, enabling swift adjustments to improve outcomes. This approach ensures your campaigns stay aligned with market trends and maximise returns.
• Customised recommendations: Data insights are translated into tailored strategies that address your business’s unique challenges. For example, if your website experiences high bounce rates, a consultant might suggest optimising user experience through design updates or refining content relevance to better meet audience needs.
• Dedicated support to optimise campaigns: Ongoing data evaluation is a cornerstone of digital consulting. Using tools like HubSpot CRM, consultants ensure campaigns are optimised for maximum efficiency. This includes tracking customer behaviour, assessing campaign performance, and implementing real-time changes to maintain engagement and drive conversions.

This focus on data not only informs decision-making but also ties seamlessly with execution. By aligning strategies with insights, businesses can take confident, data-backed actions that resonate with their target audience.

Integration strategies for seamless digital operations

Building on the insights gained from research and data analysis, seamless integration of digital systems is the next critical step in driving business success. Digital business consulting ensures that platforms like CRM, sales, marketing, and customer service are interconnected to create a cohesive ecosystem that supports your objectives and optimises operational efficiency.

Boosting efficiency through system integration

• CRM integration for sales optimisation: Centralising customer data using systems like HubSpot helps businesses automate sales processes, improve lead tracking, and boost conversion rates. This streamlines workflows and provides sales teams with valuable data to close deals more effectively.
• Unified data for better decision-making: Integration creates a central repository for customer interactions and preferences, enabling informed, data-driven decisions. A digital marketing strategy consultant can leverage this unified data for precision-targeted campaigns, increasing engagement and results.
• Marketing automation for targeted outreach: Tools like email marketing platforms, social media schedulers, and automation software allow businesses to execute personalised campaigns. These technologies digital marketing consultants help increase audience engagement, foster brand loyalty, and generate higer ROI for your business.
• Transforming customer service with digital tools: Integrating live chat, AI chatbots, and helpdesk systems ensures faster response times and greater efficiency in handling customer queries. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and allows teams to focus on complex issues that require human intervention.

You create a strong foundation for efficiency and growth by aligning your digital tools and processes. But seamless integration is just one piece of the puzzle. That’s where a digital strategy consultant steps in. 

When to hire a digital strategy consultant

Hiring a digital business consultant can be a game-changer for businesses at various stages of growth. You can engage them on a contract basis for specific projects or leverage their expertise on an ongoing basis.

There are several scenarios where bringing in a digital consultant is highly beneficial:

• Improving your online presence: If your business is struggling to establish a strong digital footprint, a consultant can help revamp your digital marketing efforts. They provide data-driven analysis and develop a comprehensive strategy, including content creation, community management, and social media engagement, to enhance your visibility and customer engagement.
• Integrating digital systems: When you need to streamline operations by connecting multiple platforms like CRM, sales, and marketing tools, a digital consultant’s expertise is invaluable. They can seamlessly integrate these systems, allowing for better data management and a more cohesive approach to customer service.
• Automating processes for efficiency: Digital consultants are well-versed in using automation to enhance business operations. Whether it’s automating email marketing, customer follow-ups, or data analysis, they can help your business scale effectively while reducing manual tasks.

Partnering with a digital strategy consultant marks the first step in reshaping your business’s digital presence. But what makes these consultants indispensable for growth? Let’s explore why their expertise is essential for driving your business forward.

Speak to a Digital Strategy Expert →

Why digital consultants are essential for business growth

Digital marketing strategy consultants can be a valuable aid to all sorts of businesses, whether they're emerging and want to get off to the right start or whether they're established and need some redirection and guidance. These consultants provide assessments, strategic recommendations, and hands-on assistance in implementing the proposed strategies. Crucially, they also leverage data-driven insights and tools like CRM systems, analytics software, and marketing automation platforms, enabling businesses to streamline operations, enhance customer engagement, and scale efficiently.

When it comes to finding a consultant to work with, one thing is critical for both business and digital specialists: experience is key. Look beyond name-dropping - the portfolios that detail the results achieved for others should be a key indicator for your business when evaluating the right one for your business. 

The rates for consultants are often market-related and influenced by factors like expenses, time, project scope, and level of experience. These costs are typically calculated and charged according to an hourly($100 to $150 per hour), project-based, or retainer fee.

While there are some similarities and differences between business and digital consultants, both have a vital role in helping a business grow. With that out of the way, let’s dive into the current trends paving the way. 

Key 2025 trends in digital business consulting for growth and innovation

Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, several key trends will shape the digital business consulting landscape. Below, we explore the key shifts shaping the industry. 

• AI-driven and automation: Generative AI enhance decision-making, streamline tasks, and provide faster, data-driven insights.
• Data privacy and compliance: Consultants prioritise ethical AI and compliance, ensuring businesses meet global regulations and handle data responsibly.
• Sustainability and ethical practices: ESG initiatives drive consulting strategies, embedding sustainability into operations and decision-making for long-term growth.
•  Advanced technology integration: Consultants utilise digital twins, blockchain, and cloud platforms to enhance efficiency and competitiveness and deliver actionable insights.

Leveraging these trends means staying ahead and growing smarter. Businesses can use these shifts to boost operations, engage customers, and stand out. Next, we explore how the consulting process transforms these insights into actionable strategies.

Digital business consulting process

A well-structured consulting process is essential for crafting strategies that drive growth and align with your business goals. This approach combines in-depth analysis and actionable insights to create custom solutions for success. Here's a breakdown of the key stages involved:

1. Defining business goals and objectives

Start by pinpointing the business’s overarching goals and breaking them down into three core stages:

• Go-to-Market (GTM) messaging: Establish clear, compelling messaging to connect with your target audience effectively.
• Lead generation drivers: Identify strategies and channels that generate quality leads.
• Customer-first approach: Develop tactics that highlight why your offering is the best fit for prospects, putting their needs at the centre.

2. Competitor analysis

A deeper dive into competitors reveals critical insights. This involves comparing perceived competitors with actual online competitors, often uncovering surprising gaps in performance and positioning. Understanding these differences allows businesses to refine their strategies and bridge gaps effectively.

3. Operational alignment with digital platforms

Analyse how the business envisions its operations versus how it actually functions on digital platforms. This step identifies opportunities to optimise customer engagement across the full funnel, including:

• Awareness
• Consideration
• Decision (lead generation)
• Business reputation (customer service)

4. Data-driven omnichannel strategy

Using data insights, digital consultants develop a comprehensive growth strategy. This includes integrating omnichannel communication plans to ensure consistency and engagement across all touchpoints.

By following this process, your business gains clarity, improves efficiency, and positions itself for sustained growth in an increasingly competitive digital landscape.

How staying on-trend can benefit your business

At NEXA, we stay ahead of the curve by integrating the latest digital consulting trends into actionable strategies for your business. By using AI-driven tools, we simplify data analysis and offer predictive insights, helping you make faster, more informed decisions.

We understand the importance of data privacy and compliance. That’s why we ensure your digital operations meet global regulations and ethical standards, giving you peace of mind while handling sensitive data responsibly.

Sustainability matters more than ever. We work with you to integrate ESG strategies into your operations, helping your business grow while aligning with modern ethical and environmental expectations.

To keep your business competitive, we bring in advanced technologies like blockchain, cloud platforms, and digital twins. These tools streamline your processes, improve efficiency, and deliver actionable insights that drive results.

Our goal is to provide you with strategies that are not only innovative but also practical and aligned with your long-term objectives. Let’s build a future-ready business together.

Whether it’s implementing AI-driven tools or integrating sustainable practices, our focus is on delivering strategies that align with your unique goals. But how do these efforts translate into tangible growth for your business? Let’s explore why digital consultants are essential for driving success and scaling your operations effectively.

Book a meeting with our digital business consultants at NEXA and learn how we can help your business thrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the difference between a digital business consultant and a traditional business consultant?

A digital business consultant focuses specifically on leveraging digital tools and strategies to drive growth and transformation, while a traditional business consultant may focus on broader business operations without a digital emphasis.

Q. How can a digital strategy consultant help my business?

A digital strategy consultant develops a tailored digital roadmap for your business, aligning technology and digital initiatives with your overall goals to improve efficiency, customer experience, and market competitiveness.

Q. When should I consider hiring a digital marketing strategy consultant?"

If you want to strengthen your online presence, target new audiences, or enhance customer engagement, a digital marketing strategy consultant can help by creating and implementing data-driven strategies across digital channels.

Q. Is digital business consulting suitable for small businesses?

Yes, digital business consulting can benefit small businesses looking to integrate digital tools, improve efficiency, and reach customers online. Digital consultants can provide scalable strategies that align with your budget and growth goals.