The realm of User Experience (UX) Consulting, as any discipline, is fraught with intricacies that often escape the uninitiated eye. The process of hiring a UX consultant, therefore, may often result in surprises if not approached with the right set of knowledge and expectations.

• UX Consulting is NOT Website Design: A common misconception is that UX consulting is only about creating visually attractive websites. While aesthetics matter, UX consulting delves deeper into the more complex aspects of user engagement, such as user behavior analysis, usability testing, and creating seamless user journeys.

• Comprehensive Skill Set: The ideal UX consultant is a hybrid of an analyst, designer, and psychologist. They are skilled in various technologies like HTML, CSS, Javascript, and possess a strong understanding of cognitive psychology to comprehend user behavior.

• User-Centered Approach: The primary tenet of UX consultants is to adopt a user-centric approach. They don't just design to make things look pretty or to merely implement a client's vision. The focus is to enhance user satisfaction by improving usability, accessibility, and interaction.

• Expensive but Worthwhile: Hiring a UX consultant might seem expensive, but it should be viewed as an investment. A well-crafted user experience can drastically improve customer satisfaction and retention, convert more visitors into customers, and ultimately increase your revenue.

• Iterative Process: Just like the principles of Agile Development, UX consulting also works on an iterative process. The UX consultants continually measure, learn, and iterate to improve user experience.

• Quantitative and Qualitative Data: A skilled UX consultant will work with both qualitative and quantitative data. They collect valuable user data through various methods like user interviews, surveys, and usability testing, and supplement it with quantitative data from website analytics.

• They Empathize with Users: A UX consultant tries to step into the users' shoes and understands their pain-points. They empathize with users and aim to make their interaction with your product as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

• They are Problem Solvers: UX consultants are often brought in to solve specific user experience problems. By leveraging design thinking and user-centric design principles, they can help diagnose and remedy UX issues that may be hurting your business.

• They Advocate for the User: Often, in an organization's quest for innovation or efficiency, the user's needs can get overlooked. The UX consultant plays an essential role as a user advocate, ensuring that user's needs and experiences are at the forefront of any design decisions.

• Results May Take Time: The results of UX consulting are not always immediate. Instead, the impact is often seen over time as usability improves, and more users are converted into customers.

• They are Critical for Competitive Advantage: With the digital world becoming increasingly competitive, a stellar user experience can be a key differentiator for your business. By hiring a UX consultant, you can create a user experience that not only meets but exceeds user expectations, giving your business a competitive edge.

In conclusion, the decision to hire a UX consultant should not be taken lightly. It requires a comprehensive understanding of what UX consultants do and how they can add value to your business. Armed with this knowledge, you're now better equipped to make an informed decision. Remember, the goal of a UX consultant is not just to make things look pretty, but to craft an experience that aligns with your user's needs and expectations, and ultimately drives business growth.