Geoff CuddMarketing is an indisputably important part of running a successful business. It also takes a lot of work to strategize, implement, and maintain a successful marketing plan.
For those business owners who already have too much on their plate but also understand the need for a solid marketing strategy, plenty of local marketing agencies and freelancers are up to the task.
Luckily, since Chicago is such a large, bustling city, multiple fantastic marketing agencies have been providing clients of all sizes with superior marketing services.
We’ve done the hard work for you to compile this comprehensive list of the best digital marketing agencies in Chicago for every business.
Best for Growth Marketers Best for Paid Ads & CMO's Best for eCommerce Marketing
Comparison of the Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Chicago
Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Chicago |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Name |  Comrade |  Allevi8 |  222 Marketing |  AllCampus |  One North |
| Editor's Notes | Best for eCommerce marketing | Best for small businesses | Best for those looking for SEO services | Best for education businesses, specifically online universities | Best for B2B marketing |
| Type of Agency | Web Design/Development, SEO, PPC, Digital Marketing | Web Dev, Branding, Logo Design, SEO, Social Media, Content Creation | SEO, Email, Social Media Marketing, Web Design and Dev, Brand Reputation | Web Design and Dev, Course Design and Dev, Marketing, and Recruiting | Optimize Digital Assets, Site Performance, Digital Design, and Marketing |
| # of Employees | 11-50 Employees | 5-6 Employees | 16 Employees | 140 Employees | 118 Employees |
| Notable Clients | Europa Eyewear, Matrix Home Fitness, Blockchain Company | Green Therapy, Clint's Draft House, Triton Aviation Advisors | Loan Centers of America, Permatech Permanent Makeup | Adelphi University, George Washington University | Biogen, Founders Workbench, Meta |
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Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Chicago
Here are the best marketing agencies in Chicago.
For a more specific type of agency in Chicago, check out:
1. Comrade Digital Marketing Agency
Best for eCommerce
An award-winning, full-service digital marketing agency in Chicago, Comrade Web Design & Digital Marketing Agency does everything it can to make each of its clients’ online presence incredible.
They specialize in web design, SEO, and PPC, as well as all aspects of digital marketing.
Though we have them listed as our top pick for eCommerce businesses, they have a wide variety of clients across many different industries that they serve. Among others, their clientele includes law firms, healthcare, home improvements and fabricating, and small businesses.
The folks that work at Comrade are from a wide variety of different cultural backgrounds and lifestyles which gives them a variety of different perspectives to offer clients an all-encompassing marketing approach
Pros
- Award-winning, full-service digital marketing expertise.
- Specialization in web design, SEO, and PPC.
- Wide variety of clients across many industries.
- Diverse cultural backgrounds in the team for varied perspectives.
- Strong focus on eCommerce marketing.
Cons
- May not be the most budget-friendly for very small businesses.
- Broad service range could dilute specialized focus in one area.
- The diverse client base might mean less focus on niche-specific strategies.
2. Allevi8 Marketing
Best for small businesses
With a stellar team dedicated to helping small businesses grow, Allevi8 is a great option if you’re looking to build a website for your smaller setup.
They take a full-service approach to helping small businesses build an online presence and maintain it. This includes everything from logo design to website design and even creative content creation including photography and videography services.
Allevi8 uses a mixture of traditional and cutting-edge marketing techniques to give all of its clients a comprehensive leg up on the competition.
We love this company for small businesses because it’s what they specialize in so they know how to do it well. They work with small businesses on a retainer, approaching digital marketing as teammates and allies in your business’s success. Allevi8 is also a part of the Small Business Advocacy Council.
Pros
- Tailored specifically for small business needs.
- Full-service approach including branding and content creation.
- Utilizes a mix of traditional and modern marketing techniques.
- Offers photography and videography services.
- Part of the Small Business Advocacy Council.
Cons
- Smaller team size may limit resource availability.
- Focus on small businesses might not align with larger enterprises' needs.
- May lack the extensive network of larger agencies.
3. 222 Digital Marketing Agency
Best for SEO
Offering prospective new clients free SEO consultations, 222 Digital Marketing is committed to generating new customers for its clients.
Their approach to SEO is detailed and specific. They know the secrets to get businesses listed on the first page of Google, and they will make sure that your company’s site is designed with location-specific language that will rank you higher in search.
The numbers indicating the success of their SEO strategy are impressive; clients have seen up to a 148% increase in organic search traffic and a 48% increase in revenue.
Though SEO is what we believe makes this company stand out, they also offer a full menu of digital marketing services including e-mail marketing, social media management, and conversion rate optimization.
Also worth noting is the brand reputation and management services that 222 Digital Marketing provides.
Pros
- Offers free SEO consultations to new clients.
- Detailed and specific approach to SEO.
- Impressive success numbers in organic search traffic and revenue increase.
- Provides a full range of digital marketing services.
- Specializes in brand reputation and management services.
Cons
- Primary focus on SEO might overshadow other digital marketing aspects.
- May not be ideal for businesses looking for more comprehensive digital strategies.
- The specific SEO approach may not suit all types of businesses.
4. AllCampus
Best for education/universities
Making getting an education online easier than ever, AllCampus is different from any other agencies on this list.
This full-service design, development, and marketing company specializes in providing services to universities that offer online education programs. This includes helping these online institutions with everything from program viability analysis to upskilling with a program certificate design for certain non-credit certifications.
AllCampus also helps these education institutions to develop and design online courses that function well and look great.
From a marketing standpoint, they have a creative team that can help online institutions solidify and grow their online presence. This means increasing recruitment efforts and then using creative content and design services to keep their client’s college successful.
Pros
- Specialized in online education and university marketing.
- Offers full-service design, development, and marketing.
- Expertise in program viability analysis and course design.
- Creative team for solidifying and growing online presence.
- Focuses on increasing recruitment efforts and creative content.
Cons
- Niche focus on education may not suit all business types.
- May lack the broad digital marketing services offered by more generalized agencies.
- Specialization in online education limits client diversity.
5. One North
Best for B2B
If you’re some type of agency that curates talent for other businesses, One North is made for you.
They offer all of the services you could expect from a digital marketing agency, including optimizing UX, tech strategy, web design, and development.
They are also a TEKsystems company, which means they are fully qualified to help organizations optimize their tech stack. One North gets to know your business so they can help you improve the impact and capabilities of your technology.
One North helps businesses optimize their product as well as their website and digital presence.
This company also provides clients with managed hosting and 24/7 support to ensure their web applications are functioning at their best.
Pros
- Ideal for B2B and talent curation agencies.
- Offers a comprehensive range of digital marketing services.
- Expertise in optimizing UX and tech strategy.
- Part of TEKsystems, enhancing their tech optimization capabilities.
- Provides managed hosting and 24/7 support.
Cons
- B2B focus might not align with B2C business needs.
- Tech-heavy approach may not suit businesses looking for more traditional marketing.
- The comprehensive service offering could be overwhelming for small-scale projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is hiring a marketing agency worth it?
Though it depends on your company’s size, budget, and marketing needs, a marketing agency is usually worth it due to how much profit a good marketing strategy can generate for your business.
How much is a digital marketing agency?
Digital marketing agencies charge based on services rendered and using different models, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $2,500 to upwards of $10,000 per month for a digital marketing agency.
What is the best digital marketing agency for small businesses in Chicago?
Allevi8 Marketing is the best digital marketing agency for small businesses in Chicago.
What is a full-service marketing agency?
A full-service marketing agency provides a complete set of services for every aspect of a business’s marketing.
What is the best digital marketing agency for eCommerce in Chicago?
Comrade Digital Marketing Agency is the best marketing agency for eCommerce businesses in Chicago.
Claire Fountain
Stefan Schulz
