Hiring the wrong automation consultant is expensive. You can end up with a system that works for 3 months and then breaks, a subscription to 5 tools you don't need, or an "automation" that still requires manual steps to function. Here's how to identify the right workflow automation consultant for your small business.
What to Look For
- They ask about your business before talking about tools. A good consultant is tool-agnostic — they choose the right technology for your specific situation, not the tool they're most comfortable selling. If the first thing they talk about is a specific platform or software, be skeptical.
- They show you specific results from similar businesses. Not theoretical benefits — actual case studies. "We automated lead follow-up for a [similar business type] and increased their conversion rate by X%." If they can't point to measurable outcomes, they're selling you a promise, not a track record.
- They explain the ongoing cost clearly. Ask: "What will this cost to run monthly after the build?" Every automation has infrastructure costs (software subscriptions, API fees). A trustworthy consultant is upfront about these, not hiding them in a monthly retainer.
- They build something you own, not just rent. Avoid consultants who lock your automations inside a proprietary platform they control. If they stop working with you, you should be able to hand the system to someone else or run it independently.
Red Flags to Avoid
- Promises of "full automation" in days, with no discovery or audit phase
- Heavy pressure to sign up for specific tools with affiliate commissions
- No transparency about how the automation works — "just trust it"
- No post-launch support plan or monitoring
- Case studies that are vague or can't be verified
Questions to Ask Before Hiring
- Can you walk me through the last automation you built for a business like mine?
- What happens if a tool you're using breaks or raises its prices?
- Who owns the automation after you build it?
- What does ongoing support look like, and what does it cost?
- How will we measure whether this worked?
Book a call and I'll answer every one of these for your specific situation — with real examples.