What Does a Digital Marketing Consultant Actually Do? A Friendly Guide to Growing Your Business Online

If you’re trying to grow your business online but aren’t sure where to start—or you feel like your current strategy is falling flat—you might need a digital marketing consultant. They’re like your go-to expert for making sense of online marketing and helping you turn ideas into action (and clicks into customers).

This guide will break down exactly what a digital marketing consultant does, how they can help you, and why services like a Facebook ads audit are often part of the package. We’ll keep it simple, friendly, and full of practical tips you can use right away.

What Is a Digital Marketing Consultant, Anyway?

A digital marketing consultant is a professional who helps businesses develop and improve their online marketing strategies. They don’t just manage ads or write content—they look at the big picture to make sure every part of your digital presence is working together smoothly.

Whether you’re running paid ads, building email campaigns, posting on social media, or trying to rank higher on Google, a consultant helps you figure out what’s working, what’s not, and how to improve.

Think of them like a personal trainer for your business—someone who guides you, keeps you on track, and makes sure your energy is being spent in the right places.

Why Businesses Turn to a Digital Marketing Consultant

Hiring a full-time marketer or agency isn’t always realistic—especially for small businesses or solo entrepreneurs. That’s where a consultant comes in.

Here’s why you might need one:

You’ve tried doing it all yourself, but you’re not seeing results

You want a custom strategy that fits your business, not a one-size-fits-all plan

You’re running ads but not sure they’re working (ahem—you might need a Facebook ads audit)

You feel overwhelmed by all the marketing options and don’t know where to start

A digital marketing consultant helps you make smarter decisions, prioritize tasks, and avoid wasting time (or money) on things that won’t move the needle.

What to Expect From Working With a Consultant

If you’ve never worked with a digital marketing consultant before, here’s what you can typically expect:

A full review of your current efforts: They’ll look at your website, social media, ads, email marketing, SEO, and more.

Goal setting and strategy building: They help you define what success looks like and create a roadmap to get there.

Practical recommendations: No vague advice—just actionable steps tailored to your business.

Performance tracking: Many consultants will help set up dashboards or reports so you can easily see what’s working.

Regular check-ins: Whether it’s weekly Zoom calls or monthly strategy sessions, they keep you focused and accountable.

They may also recommend a Facebook ads audit if you’ve been running paid campaigns but aren’t seeing the return you hoped for.

Why a Facebook Ads Audit Is So Valuable

Let’s say you’ve been spending money on Facebook ads, but the leads are low or the results just aren’t adding up. A Facebook ads audit can reveal where things are going wrong.

Here’s what a digital marketing consultant might look at in a typical audit:

Are you targeting the right audience?

Are your ad creatives grabbing attention?

Is your landing page doing its job?

Is your campaign objective aligned with your goals?

Are you spending your budget efficiently?

By identifying these weak spots, a consultant can help you stop wasting money and start optimizing your ads for better performance.

Actionable Tips from a Digital Marketing Consultant

You don’t have to wait to hire someone to start improving your marketing today. Here are a few easy-to-follow tips most consultants would recommend:

• Focus on one main goal per campaign: Whether it’s traffic, conversions, or brand awareness—don’t try to do it all at once.

• Use data to guide decisions: Look at the numbers regularly to see what’s working. Don’t guess—track.

• Repurpose your content: That blog post? Turn it into a video, social post, or email. Get more mileage from every piece.

• Build an email list early: Social platforms come and go, but your email list is yours to keep.

• Run a Facebook ads audit every few months: Even if things are going well, regular check-ins help keep your strategy sharp.

These small shifts can have a big impact—and a digital marketing consultant can guide you through implementing them the right way.

Real-Life Example: From Chaos to Clarity

Take Sam, a local service provider who had a website, social media pages, and was boosting posts randomly. He wasn’t seeing much return on his efforts and felt overwhelmed.

He hired a digital marketing consultant, who:

Did a Facebook ads audit and uncovered that Sam was targeting too broad an audience

Helped him create a focused content plan that matched his ideal clients’ needs

Simplified his website to guide users toward booking a service

In two months, Sam’s leads doubled, and his marketing felt less like a burden and more like a growth tool.

Final Thoughts: Should You Work With a Digital Marketing Consultant?

If your current marketing efforts feel scattered, unclear, or like a total mystery, working with a digital marketing consultant might be the best next step. They don’t just give you advice—they offer real support, tailored strategies, and often, the boost you need to finally get results.

And if you’re running Facebook campaigns, don’t underestimate the value of a Facebook ads audit—sometimes a few tweaks can completely change your ROI.

No matter your industry or size, every business can benefit from clear strategy, smart tools, and a little expert help.