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What consultants in India should know before going online
Management and business consulting is not a licensed profession in India, but some advice areas are regulated. Investment advice for a fee requires SEBI registration as an investment adviser, statutory audit and certain certifications are reserved for chartered accountants, and legal advice belongs to advocates, so describe your services carefully if they touch these areas. Consultants billing companies usually need GST registration once turnover crosses the threshold, and clients will deduct TDS on professional fees. Indian mid-sized companies and family-run businesses often hire consultants through referrals from auditors, bankers and industry associations, and they check LinkedIn and your website for relevant sector experience. Mention sectors and regions you know, and languages you can work in with shop-floor or regional teams.
Common website mistakes consultants make
- Describing yourself as a “strategy and transformation consultant” without a specific client or problem. Name the buyer, the sector and the problem so referrals land accurately.
- Naming clients or sharing figures without permission. Anonymise by industry and size, and ask clients in writing before using logos or quotes.
- Offering regulated advice such as fee-based investment recommendations without the required registration. Remove those services or clearly limit your scope to what you are qualified to provide.
- Hiding how engagements are priced. Explain whether you charge by project, retainer or day rate, even without exact figures, so prospects can gauge fit.
- Relying on a long services list and no writing. One thoughtful article about a problem your clients face often does more than ten service headings.