What Makes Digital Agencies In Chicago Unique?

Digital agencies in Chicago stand out from their US peers by their high-quality services and world-leading expertise.

By hiring a digital agency in Chicago, you will get access to some of the finest experts in the nation.

This is because Chicago entices qualified professionals of all stripes from around the globe as well as the country.

With a GDP of $618 billion in 2019, Chicago is the third-largest metropolitan area by GDP in the US.

It’s a major financial hub and boasts one of the healthiest and most diverse economies in the world spanning across various sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, finance, technology and more.

The city of Illinois also offers higher-learning education through its top schools: University of Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, University of Illinois at Chicago and more.

These prestigious institutions attract high-end talent from all over the US and roll out the world’s leading experts in all things digital.

So, have no doubt that digital agencies in Chicago employ highly skilled talent that can provide the best quality of services.

In fact, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chicago metropolitan area employs:

  • 29,960 market research analysts and marketing specialists
  • 9,950 graphic designers
  • 4,830 web developers and designers
  • And more

Moreover, a few huge brands listed in Fortune 500 call Chicago their home, including:

  • Boeing
  • Walgreens Boots Alliance
  • Allstate
  • Caterpillar
  • State Farm Insurance
  • And more

To meet the requirements of these high-profile companies, digital agencies in Chicago must stay ahead of the curve and bring into play the latest technologies and most effective online strategies.

Plus, Chicago is the tenth most expensive city in the US, above San Diego or Miami. The high cost of living as well as the fierce competition within the industry mean that only the top-performing digital agencies can succeed in Chicago.

view of downtown Chicago
Chicago is the third-largest US metropolitan area by GDP

What Does A Digital Agency In Chicago Specialize In?

Compared to their US counterparts, a digital agency in Chicago is likely to hold robust expertise in the locally dominant sectors.

According to the World Business Chicago, these are the key industries in The Windy City:

  • Healthcare
  • Finance
  • Transportation
  • Food
  • Manufacturing
  • And more

Therefore, Chicago-based digital agencies tend to be more qualified in providing services for clients operating within these sectors.

Just like any other digital agency out there, digital agencies operating in Chicago comprise specialists from various fields of expertise who closely cooperate to help brands build a strong online presence and stimulate business growth.

As such, top digital agencies in Chicago engage in multiple activities across different digital channels to drive actionable results like higher conversion rates or better ROI.

Their typically specialize in these services:

Looking for the best video production companies?
Find them here!

How Much Do Top Digital Agencies In Chicago Charge For Their Services?

Most digital agencies in Chicago price their services by the hour. So, their hourly rates vary between $150 and $199 depending on your project complexity or their seniority status.

Nevertheless, you can also find award-winning digital specialists in Chicago that demand between $200 and $300 per hour.

Another billing model made available by the top digital agencies in Chicago is the flat fee. This means they issue fixed prices for individual services such as:

  • Web design ($10,000 to $15,000)
  • Search engine optimization ($750 to $2,000 per month)
  • Email marketing ($300 - $5,000 per month)
  • And more

Why Hire A Digital Agency In Chicago, IL?

Hiring a digital agency to build your brand from scratch or handle its expansion in an ever-changing digital landscape will help you save time and money.

This is because a digital agency provides an army of different specialists, enabling access to their expertise. It’s far more expensive to hire in-house employees to fill those key roles.

So, a digital agency in Chicago, IL has teams of senior-level experts who work together to help your online business thrive:

  • Web designers
  • Developers
  • SEO experts
  • Brand strategists
  • PPC specialists
  • Content writers
  • Graphic designers
  • Social media specialists
  • Video producers
  • And more

They have the specialized expertise, resources and tools to help you better understand your target audience, generate high-quality leads, increase your conversions and more.

Plus, they keep up with the latest trends in the industry which means they are equipped to help your brand stay relevant in a crowded marketplace that is permanently evolving.

Have a look at two specific reasons why you should hire a digital agency in Chicago:

  • Access to world-leading expertise: Chicago is one of the leading US metro areas with the highest employment level in the digital realm. Apart from this, the city draws stellar talent from across the world through its higher-education schools. So, digital specialists in Chicago are sure to provide internationally competitive services and world-leading expertise.
  • Local market experience: Operating in the same environment for a long time, Chicago-based digital agencies have gained deep knowledge into the local market. They are aware of the challenges, opportunities or trends within the local ecosystem and can help you reach and connect with a local audience more easily.

How To Choose The Best Digital Agency In Chicago

Choosing the best digital agency in Chicago is not such an easy task. Take the following steps to make the selection process easier:

Step #1: Define Your Business Goals

This is a key step you need to take prior to seeking digital agencies. Define your business goals to understand exactly how a digital agency can help you achieve them.

For example, do you want to grow brand awareness, increase your social media followers or acquire more prospects? These answers will help you to clearly communicate your objectives and express your expectations to a potential candidate.

Once you possess a clear-cut scheme for your intentions, steer towards a digital agency that excels in the type of services you need.

Step #2: Explore Their Portfolio

Closely study an agency’s portfolio to gain insight into their creativity, quality of work as well as relevant experience.

We definitely recommend choosing a digital agency that boasts experience in your niche.

If they have already dealt with similar clients within your industry, it means they are better fitted to deliver successful results in a timely fashion.

Step #3: Know The Key Team Players

The top digital agencies in Chicago only hire senior-level experts meaning that no juniors or trainees will work on your account.

However, it’s advisable to learn about the key team members involved in your project and what’s their hands-on experience in solving similar business problems.

This way, you will ensure that a well-rounded team takes charge of your project and leads it to successful completion.

Step #4: Read Their Reviews

Take the time to carefully read an agency’s reviews as they will reveal insights into their capabilities, transparency and reliability.

The client feedback weighs a lot in deciding which agency you should hire for your business. Basically, their own experience with a digital agency in Chicago will pan out what you can expect from your future collaboration.

We’ve ranked the top eCommerce development companies.
Find them here!

10 Questions To Ask Top Digital Agencies In Chicago

Before shaking hands with a digital agency in Chicago, be sure to have collected as much information as possible into their processes, company culture or reliability.

Further ask them this set of questions:

  1. Have you ever worked on projects within our industry?
  2. How do you devise data-based strategies for your clients?
  3. Can you tell us an estimated timeline for hitting our goals?
  4. Can we see some of your best-case studies or most proud projects?
  5. What social platforms do you think we should target first?
  6. Will you apply the best SEO practices to our website?
  7. Do you outsource any of the initiatives required?
  8. How frequently will you update us on your progress?
  9. Do you keep abreast of the latest trends?
  10. How much will our project cost?

Takeaways On Digital Agencies In Chicago

One of the most powerful cities in the United States, Chicago is an alluring destination for talented, ambitious and skilled digital specialists.

Digital agencies based in Chicago stand apart from their US colleagues by their:

  • High-end talent pool
  • Local market proficiency

They are more experienced in delivering successful results for clients activating in the locally dominant industries: finance, manufacturing, technology, healthcare and more.

Most digital agencies in Chicago, IL have an average hourly rate between $150 and $199.

The recommended steps to finding the right partner for your brand are:

  • Clearly outline your business goals
  • Explore their previous work
  • Get to know the team

Best of luck!

...

Scroll Up To Find The Top Digital Agencies In Chicago And Pick A Partner Today!