Updated October 21, 2026
What your profile page should contain
Your Websta profile is where clients first meet your work. Start with a clear description of what you do - whether you advise on business strategy, marketing, finance, HR, sustainability or another field. Clients in France search the marketplace by service type and location, so being specific matters more than being broad.
Add a professional photo of yourself. Most clients want to know who they are dealing with. Include photos of your workspace or examples of your work if relevant to your field.
List the services you offer with a short description of what each one covers. A consultant might offer initial diagnostics, ongoing advisory, training sessions, project support or implementation guidance - each can be a separate service line on your profile.
Set your own prices or indicate that you work on a quote basis. You control the rates. Many consultants in France quote per day, per hour, or per project depending on the work. Make clear on your profile what you charge and how you bill.
Choose your availability. If you work certain days or hours, set that on your profile so clients know when you can take on work.
Add contact details. Clients should be able to reach you directly through a contact form on your profile or by phone. Websta profiles have a built-in contact form and the option to add your phone number.
Booking and quote requests on your profile
You can choose whether to accept direct bookings or quotes on your profile. Direct booking works well for fixed services like a two-hour strategy session. Quote requests work better if your price depends on the scope of work.
When someone books a session or requests a quote through your profile, you receive the request and can respond. Payment through Websta (when a booking is confirmed) goes to your own bank account via Stripe. You set the prices, so you control your revenue.
Languages to publish your profile in
Publish in French if your main clients are French companies and individuals. English works as a second language if you work with international clients or multinational firms based in France. Some consultants in France use both languages on the same profile to reach a wider market.
How clients in France search for consultants
People in France find consultants through the Websta marketplace by filtering for service type and location. They search by what they need - 'business strategy', 'marketing advice', 'financial consulting' - and by town or region. The marketplace currently lists consultants across France in the /marketplace/consulting section.
Clients also use the task posting feature: they describe their project and invite consultants nearby to make offers. This works well if you want to pitch for specific work rather than wait for inbound inquiries.
What to sort out as an independent consultant in France
Before you take clients, you need to be registered as a self-employed consultant (travailleur indépendant) or set up a business structure. The most common choice for solo consultants is auto-entrepreneur (now called micro-entrepreneur), which has a simplified tax and social contribution system. Check the requirements with your local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) or the URSSAF (the social contribution authority in your region).
You will need to register with the French tax authority and declare your business activity. Social contributions and taxes apply to your revenue. The exact obligations depend on your turnover and the type of consulting you do, so check with your regional CCI or a business adviser.
Professional liability insurance is worth checking with your accountant or business adviser - some clients may expect it depending on the type of advice you give.
If you work with any regulated fields (financial advice, legal advice, certain HR functions), verify that you meet the professional requirements or disclaimers needed in France.
What to write in your first hour
Start by writing a one-sentence description of what you do. Example: 'I advise small businesses on sales strategy and market entry.' This becomes the headline of your profile.
List three to five services you offer. For each, write two sentences explaining what the service covers and who it is for. Be concrete: instead of 'general consulting', write 'I help retailers plan their transition to e-commerce' or 'I advise family businesses on succession planning.'
Add your phone number and check the contact form is live.
Upload one clear photo of yourself.
Set at least your base availability - which days you are open to new clients - even if you handle scheduling by email after a first conversation.
Write a short sentence about how you prefer to work with clients - for example, 'I start with a free 30-minute call to understand your situation' (if you offer that) or 'I work on a project or daily rate basis.'
After your profile is live
Check that your profile appears in search results for your town and service type. Respond quickly to inquiries and quote requests - speed matters to clients evaluating consultants.
Keep photos and your service list up to date. If you take on a new type of work or close an offering, update your profile so clients see what you actually do now.
Ask satisfied clients if they will leave a note on your profile. This builds credibility over time.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a website if I have a Websta profile?
- No. A Websta profile includes a page where clients can see your services, book or request a quote, and contact you. It works as your web presence. You can add your Websta link to your email signature and business cards. If you already have a website, you can link to your Websta profile from it.
- What happens when a client books a service through my profile?
- You receive the booking request with the client's details. You can confirm the booking, and the payment is processed through Stripe to your own bank account. You keep control of the money - Websta does not hold or withhold payments. The exact process depends on whether you offer direct booking or quote-based work.
- Can I change my prices after I publish my profile?
- Yes. You can update your rates and services at any time. The changes appear on your profile once you save them.
- Is there a registration fee or commission?
- Check the current terms on the Websta website for France. Do not rely on assumptions about cost.
- What if I work in multiple towns or regions in France?
- You can set your profile location to the town where you are based or where you spend most time. Clients can still find you through the marketplace if they search your region. If you travel to clients across France, mention that in your service description - for example, 'I work on-site with clients across France' or 'I offer remote consulting.'
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.