Finding the right digital marketing agency in the Windy City can feel daunting. A quick Google search turns up more than 200 choices, many with stellar reviews and various services.
The search can feel even more challenging if you run a small- to mid-sized business. Which agency will meet your needs and budget? And how important is it to find a local partner, anyway?
Starting out, I felt as overwhelmed as you. While I work for Zoe Marketing & Communications — which has offered digital marketing in Chicago since 2020 — I know we’re not the right fit for everyone. So, as I took on the challenge of finding top options, I tapped into my 20+ years of reporting and writing experience to create a solid list for the city proper (note, check out our list of top agencies in the Chicago suburbs, too). Here, you’ll find:
- The value of a local agency
- Considerations for this list
- 9 top digital marketing agencies in Chicago
My goal is for you to compare your choices easily. This blog will help you feel more confident about agencies close to home — and jumpstart your search and next steps.
The value of a local agency
Any agency in any state can theoretically manage your digital marketing. Picking one in your region has some distinct advantages, though.
- Understanding: This company lives in your market and gets it. They’ll need to research your unique needs, but they’re familiar with your audience.
- Reachability: They tend to be vested in fellow local companies. They’re also in your time zone.
- Economy: Your business dollars stay in (and support) your community.
Considerations for this list
So, where to start? To whittle down the options, I honed in on a few criteria, including:
- Diversity: I pinpointed agencies with a solid mix of marketing options (email, ads, social media, SEO, content, etc.). After all, multichannel marketing is essential.
- Credibility: Credentials, affiliations and awards were all considered — along with customer reviews.
- Client base: These companies focus on small- to mid-sized companies in a variety of industries. That means some larger options may not appear.
- Skill: Experience matters. There’s a mix of newer and established agencies. Each is customer-focused and has proof of its ability.
- Approachable: Last but not least, I explored their websites. How easily can you navigate to find good information on services and more? Do they put you first?
9 top digital marketing agencies in Chicago
Based on all this, here are the nine top agencies that made Zoe’s list! Note that they appear in alphabetical order; order doesn't imply rank.
1. 222 Digital Marketing (Near North Side)
222 touts being “clever, clear, credible and consistent,” and this sensibility shows on their website. I found its services easy to explore, and each includes a quick, graphic-filled video showing the concepts in action.
Founded in 2005, this full-service digital creative agency covers ads, PPC, emails, content, social media and web creation. It offers a free SEO consultation and a local SEO strategy designed to get businesses to show up on page one of Google results.
Its clients include plumbing, recruiting, health fitness, home restoration, dentistry, windows, trucking, photography businesses and more. 222 also offers a free general quote.
2. Charu Interactive Internet Marketing Solutions (Bucktown)
Among its 35+ reviews, which average five stars, I noticed Charu clients often commend this agency’s web management and lead generation abilities.
This small boutique digital marketing firm offers web design, SEO, PPC, digital ads, content, and social media services. It also has video marketing expertise, including brief videos for TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
Charu started in 2013 and includes podiatry, plumbing, cosmetic surgery, real estate, and fitness among its case states and reviews. It notes being featured on UpCity and cites awards from Top SEO Rankers and Top SEOs for “best in search.”
3. Comrade Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency (River West)
Comrade, in business since 2007, highlights law firms, home services, healthcare, ecommerce, manufacturing and small businesses among its clients.
As its title implies, this agency’s full range of services includes web design — plus six SEO options, PPC, social media, content and email marketing. Clutch notes it as a top B2B company and lists an UpCity Marketplace award for “top SEO agency.”
Comrade also pictures its entire team with playful descriptions of each; it offers a blog and graphic-filled educational Instagram, too.
4. Digital Marketers Chicago (River North)
One happy reviewer confides she was “lost in the internet wasteland” before working with DMC CEO Arthur Rouse. Created in 2018, this agency notes it helps businesses of all sizes. I like that it’s clear about offering a free quote and initial 20-minute phone consultation.
Services here include SEO, PPC, email, content, video, landing pages and ecommerce strategy.
DMC’s clients work in accounting, advertising, ecommerce, health care, hotels, insurance, law offices, retail, real estate, small businesses, sporting goods and transportation.
5. Logical Media Group (River North)
Logical Media Group has strong roots in web design, SEO and PPC — dating back to 2003. It also calls out its Amazon Advertising solutions for ecommerce, and its creative services.
Another unique option is a “fractional” or part-time CMO (chief marketing officer) you can hire to help fast-track goals, launch an offering or rebrand.
LMG notes being a Premier Google Partner and “Great Place to Work” certified. It works with health services, home products, food supply, industrial tools, flooring, apparel, etc.
6. Perfect Search Media (Bucktown)
They say they have a “fun, dynamic and inclusive company culture,” and that feeling comes through on their website, especially the “our team” page. Founder Ajay Pattani reports he “fell in love with Google AdWords” while helping his family’s souvenir business in 2010.
Paid search remains a focus, along with social ads, SEO, remarketing, design and content. PSM offers a blog and learning resources and notes a focus on analytics and transparency.
Case studies here include attorneys, insurance providers, products, nonprofits, universities, craft stores, dentists and photographers. This agency is a Google Premier partner.
7. Pilot Digital (Ravenswood)
This “one-stop-shop” internet marketing agency, created in 2009, focuses on websites, SEO, PPC, content, social media marketing and more. It’s headquartered in Chicago and has an office in Cincinnati, too.
Pilot Digital offers a blog with 10 educational categories (I noticed one blog is about how they started a 4-day work week in summer 2023, a shift that speaks to their values).
Also a Premier Google Partner and Microsoft Partner, this agency works with healthcare, business-to-business (B2B), ecommerce and local businesses (real estate, legal, contractors, accountants, yoga studios, etc.). They offer a free 15-minute consultation, as well.
8. The Loop Marketing (West Loop)
The Loop Marketing makes its home in both Chicago proper and a Lake County location in Grayslake, Illinois. Its founder, Elijah E. Litscher, is also an author and speaker, which feeds into this agency’s focus on free online marketing training and events.
Its digital marketing options include website design, SEO, PPC, social media marketing and ads, email marketing, content, graphic design and branding.
Established in 2009, The Loop focuses on small- to medium-sized businesses and nonprofits. Its case studies include insurance, legal, products and services.
9. VisualFizz (Near North Side)
Since its start in 2016 VisualFizz has been a remote-first agency, but its headquarters are in Chicago. One thing that stood out to me is its focus on “Chicago marketing” — they work with local brands and get involved in the community.
True to its name, VisualFizz offers website development, video, photography, print design and branding — along with SEO, PPC, social media, content and landing pages.
Its industries include building, tech, real estate, health, hospitality, nonprofits, ecommerce and cities/communities. Also, its blogs and webinar “Growth Series” help educate people on marketing.
Your next steps for picking a digital marketing agency
If you have a small- to mid-sized business in Chicago, it’s worth exploring your agency options. And these nine local choices — in the Bucktown, Near North Side, Ravenswood, River North, River West and West Loop neighborhoods — are all worth considering. (So are these 5 options in the Chicago suburbs.)
And, for another possible contender, we welcome you to talk to us here at talk to us here at Zoe Marketing & Communications, where we’ll chat to see if we’re the right fit. Our 15+ years of digital marketing include deep roots with our sister company, Chicago Parent, based in Chicagoland since 1984.
Before you decide, get even more agency insight by reading:
- The 5 disadvantages of using a marketing agency
- Creating a good relationship with your marketing agency
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