Did you know that consulting is one of the most versatile and in-demand industries worldwide? According to IBISWorld, the global consulting market was valued at over $860 billion in 2023 and continues to grow as businesses seek expert advice to overcome challenges and seize opportunities.
This growth is driven by the need for specialized knowledge in areas like technology, sustainability, and leadership development. From data analytics to wellness coaching, consulting allows entrepreneurs to offer impactful solutions while building a profitable business.
In this article, I’ll guide you through 25 innovative consulting business ideas that cater to various industries and needs, helping you explore exciting opportunities in this thriving market.
1. Health and Wellness Consulting
Health and wellness consultants assist individuals and organizations in improving their physical and mental well-being. Their services often include fitness planning, nutritional advice, and stress management techniques. Companies may hire wellness consultants to develop employee wellness programs that enhance productivity and morale.
To be successful, you should have a background in health-related fields like nutrition, personal training, or psychology. Certifications in wellness coaching, yoga, or fitness training can help you stand out. It's also important to stay informed about trends like holistic wellness and digital health tools.
The global wellness industry was valued at $4.7 trillion in 2023 and is expected to grow significantly, driven by increasing awareness of self-care. Offering an app with features like goal tracking, virtual coaching sessions, or personalized wellness plans can differentiate your business from competitors.
2. Career Coaching and Resume Writing
Career coaching helps clients identify their professional strengths, set career goals, and succeed in job applications. Services often include resume optimization, interview preparation, and career path planning. With the rise of remote work, career coaches are increasingly offering services online to a global audience.
Strong communication skills and a background in HR, recruitment, or counseling are essential. Certifications in career development or resume writing can enhance your credibility. Hosting free webinars or LinkedIn workshops can attract potential clients.
The rise of automation and changing work environments has increased the demand for career coaching. An app that provides career assessments, resume templates, and mock interview features could boost your consulting business.
3. Executive Coaching
Executive coaching focuses on enhancing leadership skills, decision-making, and team management for business leaders. Services may include one-on-one sessions, leadership assessments, and performance evaluations.
To succeed in this field, you need a deep understanding of organizational dynamics and substantial corporate experience. Certifications in executive coaching or leadership development can increase your credibility. Building a strong network of corporate clients is essential.
This consulting niche is very profitable, with some executive coaches earning six-figure incomes. Offering an app for scheduling sessions, tracking progress, and delivering personalized leadership content can improve your services.
4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Consulting
DEI consultants help organizations build inclusive cultures, address unconscious bias, and ensure fair policies. Their work often involves training sessions, diversity audits, and policy reviews.
Having a background in HR, sociology, or organizational psychology is helpful. You should also understand social justice issues and corporate structures well. Offering free DEI workshops to small businesses can help build your reputation.
The increasing emphasis on workplace inclusion has made DEI consulting a priority for many companies. An app that tracks DEI metrics, gathers employee feedback, and offers interactive training modules can enhance your services.
Financial consultants help individuals and businesses manage budgets, investments, and financial goals. Services can include anything from retirement planning to corporate financial restructuring.
A degree in finance or accounting is essential, along with certifications like CFP (Certified Financial Planner) or CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst). Specializing in niche areas such as small business finance or sustainable investing can help you stand out.
The financial advisory market is expected to reach $224 billion by 2028. Providing an app with tools for budgeting, portfolio management, or goal tracking can enhance your value proposition.
6. Legal Consulting
Legal consultants guide businesses on compliance, contracts, and risk management without offering direct legal representation. Industries such as healthcare, real estate, and technology often require specialized legal advice.
Having a law degree or significant legal experience is essential. You can create a niche by specializing in areas like data privacy, intellectual property, or employment law.
The global legal services market is projected to reach $1.36 trillion by 2024. Creating an app to automate legal documentation, schedule consultations, and track compliance can appeal to tech-savvy clients.
Cybersecurity consultants help protect organizations from cyber threats by securing their networks, systems, and data. Their services include risk assessments, security audits, and incident response planning.
Certifications like CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professional) or CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) are important. Focusing on sectors like finance or healthcare, which have high data security needs, can boost demand for your services.
With the cybersecurity market valued at $225 billion in 2023, this is a growing field. An app for monitoring security risks, providing real-time alerts, and offering training modules can be a game-changer for your business.
8. Marketing Consulting
Marketing consultants assist businesses in creating strategies to effectively reach their target audiences. Their services include managing campaigns, developing social media strategies, and providing analytics reports.
Having a background in marketing or advertising is important. Specializing in areas such as influencer marketing, SEO, or PPC campaigns can help you stand out. Networking with small businesses and startups can help grow your client base.
The digital marketing industry is projected to reach $807 billion by 2027. An app that automates campaign tracking, client communication, and performance analysis can improve your services.
Brand consultants assist businesses in defining their identity, building customer loyalty, and standing out in competitive markets. Their services may include logo design, messaging strategy, and market positioning.
Strong creative skills and experience in branding or design are essential. Offering brand audits or workshops can attract clients who want to enhance their public image.
As businesses compete more online, brand consulting is in high demand. An app that offers brand health metrics, customer feedback analysis, and collaboration tools can add significant value.
10. Interior Design Consulting
Interior design consultants help clients create functional and beautiful spaces, whether for homes or businesses. Their services often include layout planning, color selection, and furniture recommendations.
Having a design portfolio and expertise in tools like CAD software is essential. Networking with contractors and furniture suppliers can offer additional opportunities.
The interior design market was valued at $162 billion in 2023. An app with features like 3D design previews, budgeting tools, and real-time collaboration can enhance your business.
Fashion consultants help individuals or businesses refine their style, improve wardrobe choices, and keep up with the latest trends. Their services often include personal styling, seasonal wardrobe planning, and corporate image consulting.
To be successful, you’ll need a sharp eye for fashion, strong networking skills, and knowledge of various clothing brands and trends. A background in fashion or retail can be beneficial. Social media platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are powerful tools for showcasing your expertise.
The global fashion industry is booming, with sustainability and inclusivity driving innovation. An app that offers personalized style recommendations, virtual wardrobe planning, and AR try-ons can set your consulting service apart.
12. Start-Up Consulting
Start-up consultants assist entrepreneurs in transforming their ideas into successful businesses. Their services include business planning, market research, and developing funding strategies.
To succeed, you should have a background in business management, experience with start-ups, or a strong understanding of entrepreneurship. Building connections with investors and industry experts can also enhance your credibility.
The global start-up ecosystem received over $415 billion in funding in 2023, making this a profitable consulting field. A mobile app that provides business plan templates, connects start-ups with potential investors, and tracks milestones can be very attractive to entrepreneurs.
13. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Consulting
AI consultants help businesses use AI tools to make operations smoother, improve decision-making, and enhance customer experiences. Their services may include developing AI strategies, implementing tools, and training employees.
You'll need expertise in AI technologies and platforms, along with knowledge of how they apply to specific industries. Certifications in AI or data science can boost your credibility. Consider focusing on sectors like healthcare, finance, or retail, where AI use is growing quickly.
The global AI market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 37% through 2030. An app that offers AI model monitoring, training resources, and real-time analytics can position your business as a leader in this field.
CX consultants help businesses boost customer satisfaction by analyzing feedback, streamlining processes, and optimizing touchpoints throughout the customer journey.
You'll need experience in customer service, UX design, or marketing analytics. Offering CX audits to small businesses or startups can help you build a portfolio.
As customer expectations increase, CX consulting is becoming essential. An app that gathers customer feedback, visualizes data insights, and tracks improvements can enhance your services.
15. Employee Engagement Consulting
Employee engagement consultants help organizations increase employee morale, enhance workplace satisfaction, and reduce turnover. Their services often include surveys, feedback sessions, and team-building activities.
A background in HR, organizational psychology, or team management is essential. Certifications in employee engagement strategies or workplace wellness can help you stand out.
As organizations focus more on employee well-being, this niche is growing. An app that enables anonymous surveys, offers engagement metrics, and suggests personalized solutions can add significant value.
Event planning consultants help clients organize corporate events, weddings, and social gatherings. Their services may include budgeting, coordinating with vendors, and managing event logistics.
To succeed, you’ll need strong organizational skills, creativity, and a network of reliable vendors. Specializing in a niche like corporate events or destination weddings can set your business apart.
The global events industry was valued at $1.1 trillion in 2023, making it a lucrative field. An app that assists with event planning, tracks budgets, and manages guest lists can streamline your services.
17. Travel and Tourism Consulting
Travel consultants offer customized itineraries, travel advice, and booking help to clients. They might focus on luxury travel, adventure tourism, or corporate travel planning.
To succeed, you need a strong understanding of popular destinations, travel rules, and booking systems. Certifications like IATA Travel and Tourism can boost your credibility.
The travel industry bounced back in 2023 and is expected to continue growing steadily. An app that provides itinerary planning, real-time travel updates, and booking tools can enhance your consulting business.
Interior design consultants assist clients in transforming their spaces, whether residential or commercial. Services often include space planning, color selection, and furniture sourcing.
You'll need a design portfolio and familiarity with tools like AutoCAD or SketchUp. Partnering with furniture suppliers or contractors can provide additional opportunities.
The global interior design market was valued at $162 billion in 2023 and continues to grow. An app that offers 3D design previews, material selection guides, and cost estimations can enhance your client experience.
19. Cybersecurity Consulting
Cybersecurity consultants help businesses stay safe from online threats by securing their networks, data, and systems. Their services include security audits, risk assessments, and breach response planning.
Certifications such as CISSP or CEH are important, and having experience in IT security boosts your credibility. Targeting industries with strict compliance requirements, like finance or healthcare, can create niche opportunities.
The cybersecurity market was valued at $225 billion in 2023 and is expanding quickly. An app that tracks security risks, offers training resources, and sends real-time alerts can distinguish your business.
20. Marketing Consulting
Marketing consultants assist businesses in creating and improving campaigns, analyzing performance metrics, and connecting with target audiences. Their services may include social media strategy, email marketing, and paid advertising.
You'll need a background in marketing or advertising, along with skills in analytics tools like Google Analytics or HubSpot. Specializing in areas like influencer marketing or SEO can increase your attractiveness.
The global marketing consulting market is thriving, with digital channels driving demand. An app that tracks campaign metrics, schedules social media posts, and manages client communication can enhance your services.
21. Sustainability Consulting
Sustainability consultants help businesses reduce their environmental impact by adopting eco-friendly practices. Their services include carbon footprint assessments, energy efficiency strategies, and waste management solutions.
You'll need knowledge in environmental science, renewable energy, or corporate sustainability. Certifications like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or a specialization in ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) can make you stand out. Networking with eco-conscious organizations can also help you find clients.
The global sustainability consulting market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% through 2030. An app that tracks sustainability metrics, provides step-by-step action plans, and includes carbon offset calculators can greatly enhance your consulting services.
22. Public Relations (PR) Consulting
PR consultants assist businesses in managing their public image, building brand awareness, and handling crisis communications. Their services often include media outreach, press releases, influencer partnerships, and event promotions.
Having a background in communications, journalism, or media relations is helpful. Building strong connections with journalists, editors, and influencers is key to success. You can also specialize in specific industries like entertainment, tech, or healthcare.
The global PR market is expected to reach $130 billion by 2025. Providing an app that manages media contacts, tracks PR campaigns, and monitors brand sentiment can streamline your consulting business.
23. Data Analytics Consulting
Data analytics consultants help businesses make informed decisions by analyzing trends, finding inefficiencies, and predicting growth opportunities. Their services include creating dashboards, automating reports, and interpreting key performance indicators (KPIs).
You'll need skills in tools like Tableau, Power BI, or Python, and certifications in data analytics can enhance your credibility. Specializing in areas like retail, healthcare, or finance can help you attract high-demand clients.
With the data analytics market expected to reach $303 billion by 2030, this field offers great opportunities. An app that visualizes analytics, provides real-time insights, and integrates with business systems can improve your service delivery.
24. Real Estate Consulting
Real estate consultants offer expertise in property investments, market trends, and project feasibility. Their services often include property appraisals, market analysis, and portfolio management.
To succeed, you need knowledge of real estate markets and the necessary licensing in your region. Specializing in areas like commercial real estate, luxury properties, or green buildings can set your business apart.
The global real estate consulting market is expected to grow as urbanization increases and property investment becomes more competitive. An app that provides property search tools, market trends, and portfolio tracking can attract tech-savvy clients.
25. E-Commerce Consulting
E-commerce consultants assist businesses in setting up and expanding online stores by optimizing platforms, managing marketing campaigns, and enhancing user experience. Their services include website audits, SEO strategies, and sales funnel optimization.
Having a background in digital marketing, UX design, or e-commerce platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce is essential. Offering free website audits or consultations can help attract new clients.
The e-commerce industry exceeded $5.7 trillion in sales in 2023, generating a high demand for specialized consulting. An app that tracks sales performance, monitors inventory, and integrates with marketing tools can establish your consulting business as a leader.
That's a wrap on these 25 consulting business ideas to kickstart your next venture. I'll keep adding more ideas as I discover them, so stay tuned! In the meantime, if you're brainstorming your next app idea, feel free to reach out to us.
At Zeroqode, our team of certified Bubble developers and designers has built over 500 apps, turning ambitious concepts into reality. Whether you're building a simple tool or a full-scale platform, we're here to help bring your vision to life.