9 Best Digital Marketing Agencies in the City of Chicago

Finding a digital marketing agency is more important than ever for businesses. All in, 63% of companies have increased their marketing budgets in recent years, HubSpot reports. That's an investment — especially for small- to mid-sized businesses.

If your company is in Chicago, you may be looking for the right partner. What are the best digital marketing agencies in the city of Chicago? And why consider a hometown agency?

Here at Zoe Marketing & Communications, we have insight. We've offered digital marketing services to Chicago clients since 2019. We deliver high-quality offerings, but we believe you should know about all of your best options. Compare and see which is best for you.

To help you do that, we've compiled this article of 9 top digital marketing companies in the city of Chicago proper. You'll discover details about each one. You'll also learn about what went into these selections and why going local matters.

This blog will help you feel more confident about agencies close to home — and jumpstart your search.

The benefits of a local digital marketing agency

Any agency in any state can theoretically manage your digital marketing. Picking one in your region has some distinct advantages, though.

1. 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.

2. Reachability: They tend to be vested in fellow local companies. They're also in your time zone.

3. Economy: Your business dollars will stay in your community.

How these digital marketing agencies were selected

Chicago is packed with digital marketing agencies. To create this list, we looked at several elements.

• Diversity: We pinpointed agencies with a solid mix of marketing options (email, ads, social media, content, etc.). Some provide even more; some a little less.

• Credibility: We reviewed credentials, affiliations and awards. We also checked reviews to see what customers thought, when available.

• Client base: We focused on agencies that serve small- to mid-sized companies. That means some larger options may not appear. We looked for a variety of industries served, too.

• Skill: We studied their performance. There's a mix of newer and established agencies. But each is customer-focused and has proof of its ability.

• Understandable: Last but not least: We looked at their websites. How easily can you navigate to find good information on services and more? Do they put you first?

The 9 best digital marketing agencies in the city of Chicago

These 9 agencies made the list. They appear in alphabetical order; order doesn't imply rank.

1. 222 Digital Marketing

Location: 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza, Suite 1212, Chicago, IL 60654 (Near North Side)

Founded: 2005

Services: 

• Web design and development

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC)

• Social media marketing

• Email marketing

• Content marketing (interview writing, press releases, white papers, etc.)

• Marketing consulting

• Reputation management

• Sales optimization (conversion rate optimization, affiliation management, etc.)

Who they are: 222 Digital Marketing is a full-service digital creative agency. It covers ads, 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. 

Clients: Examples include plumbing, recruiting, health fitness, home restoration, dentistry, windows, trucking, photography businesses and more.

Certifications/awards: None noted on its website.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details; offers a free quote.

2. Charu Interactive Internet Marketing Solutions

Locations: 1765 N Elston Ave., Suite 211, Chicago, IL 60642 (Bucktown)

Founded: 2013

Services:

• Web and user experience (UX) design

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC) and retargeting/remarketing ads

• Social media marketing

• Social media ads (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)

• Content marketing (blog writing)

• Video marketing

• Branding

• Reputation management

• Conversion strategy

Who they are: Charu is a boutique digital marketing firm with services like web design SEO, digital ads, content and social media. It offers expertise in video marketing, including brief videos for TikTok, Facebook and YouTube. It doesn't list email marketing.

Clients: Podiatry, plumbing, cosmetic surgery, real estate and fitness are noted among its case states and reviews.

Certifications/awards: Notes being featured on UpCity and cites awards from Top SEO Rankers and Top SEOs for "best in search."

Pricing: Contact the agency for details.

3. Comrade Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency

Location: 770 N. Halsted St., Suite 106, Chicago, IL 60642 (River West)

Founded: 2007

Services: 

• Website design and development (includes WordPress and ecommerce sites)

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC)

• Social media marketing

• Content marketing

• Email marketing

• Marketing strategy

Who they are: Comrade touts specializing in helping smaller businesses. It offers a full range of services, including six SEO options, such as local, franchise and ecommerce. It pictures its entire team, along with details about each person. It includes an educational blog.

Clients: It notes small- and mid-sized businesses as its target client. It covers ecommerce, law firms, manufacturing, construction, home improvement, senior living, health care and more.

Certifications/awards: Noted by Clutch as a top B2B company and lists an UpCity Marketplace award for "top SEO agency."

Pricing: Contact the agency for details.

4. Digital Marketers Chicago

Location: 405 W. Superior St., Unit 605, Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)

Founded: 2018

Services: 

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC) and search engine marketing (SEM)

• Email marketing

• Content marketing (blogging, press releases)

• Video marketing

• Landing pages

• Ecommerce (marketing, strategy, etc.)

• Marketing consulting (SEO, web development, WordPress, branding)

Who they are: Digital Marketers of Chicago touts working with businesses of all sizes. It delivers digital marketing and SEO solutions, with expertise in ecommerce. Offers a free quote and initial 20-minute phone consultation.

Clients: Include accounting, advertising, ecommerce, health care, hotels, insurance, law offices, retail, real estate, small businesses, sporting goods and transportation.

Certifications/awards: None noted on its website.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details. 

5. Logical Media Group

Location: 445 W Erie St., Suite 208, Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)

Founded: 2006

Services: 

• Web design and development

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC)

• Social media advertising

• Email marketing

• Creative services (video production, ad design, etc.)

• Amazon advertising

• Branding

• Part-time CMO (chief marketing officer) services

Who they are: Logical Media Group is a full-service digital marketing agency. It offers SEO, PPC, digital ads, creative support and Amazon ad services. Its site features its entire team. Can offer a part-time CMO if needed. It doesn't list content marketing.

Clients: Examples include health services, home products, food supply, industrial tools, flooring, apparel and more.

Certifications/awards: A Premier Google Partner. Touts being Great Place to Work certified.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details. Offers a free quote.

6. Perfect Search Media

Location: 1658 Milwaukee Ave. #100, Suite 7522, Chicago, IL 60647 (Bucktown)

Founded: 2010

Services: 

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC) and display advertising

• Content marketing

• Social media advertising (Meta, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, Reddit, YouTube)

• Graphic design

• Landing pages

• Videography

Who they are: Perfect Search Media specializes in paid search, social ads, SEO, remarketing, design and content. It features a blog and learning resources. Has a focus on analytics and touts its transparency to clients. Doesn't list email or social media marketing.

Clients: Case studies include attorneys, insurance providers, products, nonprofits, universities, AI platforms, craft stores, dentists, photographers and more.

Certifications/awards: Google Premier, Meta Business and Microsoft partners. Certified by HubSpot (inbound, content) and StackAdapt. Notes a top local agency award from UpCity.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details.

7. Pilot Digital

Location: 4619 N. Ravenswood Ave., Suite 104, Chicago, IL 60640 (Ravenswood)

Founded: 2009

Services:

• Web design and development

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC)

• Social media marketing

• Email marketing

• Content marketing (blogs, landing pages)

• Conversion rate optimization

• Analytics

Who they are: Pilot Digital is an internet marketing agency focusing on websites, SEO, PPC, content and social media marketing and more. It's headquartered in Chicago and has an office in Cincinnati. It offers a blog with 10 educational categories.

Clients: Industries include health care, business-to-business (B2B), ecommerce and local businesses (real estate, legal, contractors, accountants, yoga studios, etc.)

Certifications/awards: Premier Google Partner and Microsoft Partner.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details. Offers a free 15-minute consultation.

8. The Loop Marketing

Location: 500 W. Madison St., Suite 1000, Chicago, IL 60661 (West Loop)

Founded: 2009

Services: 

• Website design (including WordPress hosting/maintenance)

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC)

• Social media marketing

• Social media advertising

• Email marketing

• Content marketing (business writing, blogs)

• Graphic design

• Branding

Who they are: The Loop Marketing offers various digital marketing options. Its founder is also an author and speaker, which feeds into its free online marketing training and events. Also has a Lake County location in Grayslake, Illinois.

Clients: Focuses on small- to medium-sized businesses and nonprofits. Case studies include insurance, legal, products and services.

Certifications/awards: Google-certified agency; Constant Contact and Mailchimp partner. Certified in Microsoft AdCenter, Hootsuite social media and YEXT local.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details.

9. VisualFizz

Location: 444 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 1200, Chicago, IL 60611 (Near North Side)

Founded: 2016

Services: 

• Website development and support 

• Search engine optimization (SEO)

• Pay-per-click ads (PPC) and paid search

• Social media marketing

• Content marketing (blogs, ebooks, whitepapers)

• Landing pages

• Videography

• Photography

• Print design

• Branding

• "Chicago marketing"

Who they are: VisualFizz is a digital marketing agency that touts a focus on Chicago-area clients in particular. It offers a "Growth Series" of webinars featuring founders and directors, and it provides a blog with further education.

Clients: Has a Chicago focus, serving small- to mid-sized businesses. Industries include building, tech, real estate, health, hospitality, nonprofits, ecommerce and cities/communities.

Certifications/awards: None noted on its website.

Pricing: Contact the agency for details.

What are the next steps for my digital marketing? 

A digital marketing agency can help you meet your business goals much faster. And, if you're running a small- or mid-sized company in Chicago, there are plenty to help you out.

In this article, we highlighted 9 top options. Common services include digital ads, SEO, social media, content and email, along with web design, creative, strategy and more.

To explore another solid local choice, talk to us at Zoe Marketing & Communications. We deliver quality digital marketing choices and are ready to help you meet your goals.

If you're still researching, reflect on your goals and budget first. These blogs can help you get started:

• How digital marketing can help you achieve your business goals

• How to set a marketing budget for successful digital campaigns