How to set up a consultant profile on Websta in Belgium

What your Websta profile should contain

Your profile page is a dedicated web presence for your consultancy. It replaces the need for a separate website and gives you a place to publish information that clients in Belgium will find through Websta's marketplace.

Start with a clear description of what you do. Write in plain terms: say whether you advise on strategy, operations, finance, human resources, digital transformation, or another area. Mention the types of clients you work with - for example, small businesses, non-profits, or specific sectors. Avoid jargon where possible; many people searching for consultants are not specialists in consulting itself.

Add a professional photo of yourself. This is more important for consultants than for many other services because clients want to know who they will be working with. A headshot or a photo of you in your work environment (office, meeting, or on site with a client) works well.

List your services as separate items. Each service can have its own description and associated quote request or booking option. For example, 'strategic planning workshop', 'operational audit', 'financial restructuring advice', or 'team coaching'. Be specific about what each service includes and what the client can expect.

You can add photos for each service or for your practice in general. These might show your office, meeting spaces, materials you use, or examples of your work. Consultants often use stock photos here if they do not have client-specific images to share.

Booking and quote requests for consultants

Most consultant work is not booked instantly like a haircut or plumbing call. Instead, Websta offers a quote request system where clients describe what they need and you respond with your approach and terms.

Set up your main services to accept quote requests rather than instant booking. A client will fill in a form describing their situation, their goals, and their timeline. You then review the request and send back a proposal tailored to them. This matches how consulting actually works.

For some services, you might offer a first consultation call that can be booked directly - for example, a 30-minute initial conversation to understand a client's needs. This is optional and depends on your practice model. If you do offer direct booking, you control which time slots are available.

When you receive a quote request, you will see the client's details and their description of what they need. You can then message them through Websta to ask follow-up questions and agree on scope and terms before formalizing the engagement.

Languages for your profile in Belgium

Belgium has three official languages: Dutch, French, and German. However, most business in Belgium is conducted in Dutch (in Flanders, the northern region) or French (in Wallonia, the southern region and Brussels). German is spoken by a small population in the east.

Create your profile in the language or languages you actually work in. If you are based in Flanders and advise in Dutch and English, publish in those languages. If you work in Brussels or Wallonia and use French and English, publish in those. Websta will show your profile to people in Belgium who search in those languages.

Do not translate your profile into languages you do not speak fluently. A profile in broken French or Dutch will harm your credibility. If you work across regions, starting with your primary language is fine; you can add a second language if you want to expand.

How people in Belgium find consultants on Websta

Websta has a marketplace where potential clients search for consultants by service type and location. They can type 'consultant' or more specific terms like 'business consultant', 'financial consultant', or 'HR consultant', and see results for their area. They can also post a task describing what they need, and consultants can make offers on it.

Clients search by what they need (for example, 'help with business strategy') and often by location (their town or region). Your profile visibility depends on how closely your service descriptions match what people search for and on your location in Belgium.

This means your service titles and descriptions should use words that real clients would type. Instead of 'strategic facilitation', you might write 'business strategy development' or 'helping you plan your company's direction'. The more straightforward your language, the easier it is for the right people to find you.

What to sort out before you launch your profile

Before going live on Websta, check that you have the right business registration in Belgium. Consultants typically work as sole traders or through a limited company. If you are self-employed as a consultant, you need to be registered with the relevant Belgian authority (in Flanders, with the Chamber of Commerce; in Wallonia, with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry). If you work through a company, that company must be registered.

You will need a Belgian bank account to receive payments from clients. Websta uses Stripe to handle card payments, and the money is paid out to your own bank account. Set this up before you activate payments on your profile.

Check whether you need professional liability insurance for your consulting work. This is not always mandatory in Belgium, but many consultants carry it to protect themselves and to reassure clients. Ask your local chamber of commerce or a business insurance broker what applies to your specialism.

If you work with client data, ensure you understand Belgium's data protection rules (GDPR applies). This is especially relevant for HR consultants, financial advisors, and others who handle sensitive information.

Decide whether you will work with clients from other EU countries or outside Europe. This has tax implications in Belgium, so if your client base is international, ask your accountant or tax advisor what you need to do.

What to write in your first hour

You do not need to perfect your profile all at once. Start with the core content and refine it over time.

In your first hour, write a one-paragraph description of what you do. Keep it to 3-4 sentences. Say what kind of advice you give and who you typically help. For example: 'I advise small manufacturing businesses on improving their operations and costs. I work with management teams to identify inefficiencies and implement change.'

List 3-5 of your main services. Do not try to cover everything; pick the services you deliver most often or that you most want to attract clients for. Write one sentence for each explaining what happens during the service and what the client gets.

Add at least one photo - ideally a professional photo of yourself. If you do not have one, take a clear, well-lit photo with your phone. Avoid cluttered backgrounds.

Fill in your contact information and confirm your location in Belgium (the town or region where you are based).

Write a short bio if you want to. This is optional, but many consulting clients want to know your background. One paragraph covering your main experience and why you do this work is enough to start with.

Updating and improving your profile over time

After you launch, you can refine your profile based on what works. If you notice that certain types of quote requests come in, you can adjust your service descriptions to attract more of them. If you find that clients ask the same questions, you can add that information to your profile.

Add new photos as you work with clients (with their permission). Photos of a workshop, a meeting, or a project outcome give potential clients a sense of how you work.

Review your service descriptions every few months. Make sure they still match what you offer and that they use language potential clients would recognise.