9 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in the City of Chicago

Finding the right digital marketing agency in the Windy City can feel overwhelming. A quick search brings up hundreds of options with great reviews and diverse services.

For small- to mid-sized businesses, the search is even tougher. Which agency fits your needs and budget? And is a local partner really necessary?

I get it. As content manager at Zoe Marketing & Communications, I know we’re not a fit for everyone. So, I used my 20+ years of reporting experience to curate this list of top agencies (check out our list of Chicago suburb agencies, too!).

Here, you’ll find:

• The value of a local agency
• How this list was made
• 9 top Chicago agencies

Our goal is to help you feel confident in your search and next steps.

The value of a local agency

Choosing an agency in Chicago offers key advantages:

• Market understanding: They live in your market and know your audience.
• Reachability: They’re in your time zone and tend to be locally vested.
• Economy: Your business dollars stay in (and support) your community.

Considerations for this list

To whittle down the options, I honed in on a few criteria, including:

• Diverse services, from SEO and social media to ads and content marketing.
• Industry recognition, strong credentials and positive client reviews.
• A focus on small- to mid-sized businesses across industries.
• User-friendly websites that are centered on your needs.

9 top digital marketing agencies in Chicago

That said, here are our picks, listed in alphabetical order.

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. This full-service digital creative agency began in 2005.

2. Charu Interactive Internet Marketing Solutions (Bucktown)

Among its 35+ reviews, which average five stars, I noticed clients often commend this agency’s web management and lead generation abilities. This boutique agency, created in 2013, offers video marketing services alongside web design, SEO, PPC, social media and more.

3. Comrade Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency (River West)

This agency, founded in 2007, offers a full range of services including web design and six SEO options. Clutch notes it as a top B2B company and lists an UpCity Marketplace award for “top SEO agency.” 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. 

5. Logical Media Group (River North)

This group has strong roots in web design, SEO and PPC — dating back to 2003. It also calls out its Amazon Advertising solutions and “fractional” or part-time CMO (chief marketing officer), which you can hire to help fast-track goals, launch an offering or rebrand.

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.

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 also offers a blog and a free 15-minute consultation.

8. The Loop Marketing (West Loop)

The Loop Marketing makes its home in Chicago proper and Grayslake, Illinois. Its founder is also an author and speaker, and they offer free online marketing training and events. Established in 2009, The Loop focuses on small- to medium-sized businesses and nonprofits.

9. VisualFizz (Near North Side)

This remote-first agency has been based in Chicago since 2016. They have a focus on “Chicago Marketing” — they work with local brands and get involved in the community. Alongside standard digital marketing, they offer video, photography and even print design.

Your next steps for picking a digital marketing agency 

If you’re a small- to mid-sized business in Chicago, explore your options! These nine local agencies are worth considering — along with these five in the suburbs.

You can also talk to us at Zoe Marketing & Communications to see if we’re the right fit. Before you decide, check out these helpful reads:

• The disadvantages of using a marketing agency
• Creating a good relationship with your marketing agency
• What to expect in a marketing partnership with Zoe