Need help ranking first on local search results? Browse our list of top SEO companies in Chicago to gain search engine expertise, improve location-based marketing, and geo-target customers. More importantly, connect with agencies to strengthen your competitive position in the Chicago market. Use our comprehensive tool to filter listings based on their average rates, client reviews, portfolio, industry expertise, team size, and more.
Our list of top Chicago SEO companies was selected from 160+ agency providers based on their range of services, portfolio, industry reputation, pricing, and client reviews. Read this list to find the right agency to improve your local SEO positioning in Chicago.
Table of Contents
The Number 1 Chicago SEO Company as Selected by DesignRush Is...
1. Comrade Digital Marketing

- Best for: Overall
- Average hourly rate: $100
- Minimum budget: $10,000 - $25,000
- Founded: 2008
- Notable clients: Hitachi, Europa Eyewear, American Optical, Kitchen Cabinet Guys
Specializing in web development, pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, and search engine optimization (SEO) for over 20 years, Comrade Digital Marketing has helped 300+ businesses rank on Google’s first page.
The agency provides services in PPC management, SEO auditing and consulting, local SEO, social media and email marketing, search engine marketing (SEM), and conversion rate optimization (CRO). It also develops websites on platforms like WordPress, Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento.
On average, Comrade Digital has helped its clients increase:
- SEO traffic by 2.5x
- Qualified sales leads by 70%
- PPC revenue by 120%
- Conversion rate by 35%
Moreover, it has helped businesses generate a 900% return on ad spend (ROAS) and over $50 million in revenue.
The Kitchen Cabinet Guys sought Comrade Digital Marketing’s expertise to strengthen its online presence and boost website leads by 50%. The Chicago SEO company revamped the Kitchen Cabinet Guys’s website, improved keyword relevance, and performed A/B tests.
Due to its efforts, it secured the Kitchen Cabinet Guys in the top 3 SERP positions in Chicago. Plus, it increased:
- Organic traffic by 142%
- Qualified leads by 55%
- PPC leads by 60%
Check Comrade Digital Marketing Agency Profile
2. 3Q/DEPT

- Best for: Multi-channel digital marketing
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: $50,000 & Up
- Founded: 1996
- Notable clients: Netflix, Patagonia, Reddit, Rituals, Uniqlo
3Q/DEPT maintains its boutique agency experience by providing full-funnel marketing. It does this by using its patented Qontrol™ and Growth Labs approaches:
- Qontrol™: An automated intelligence platform that stores all client online accounts. This allows the Chicago SEO agency to efficiently manage platforms, automate tasks, identify optimization opportunities, and forecast performance.
- Growth Labs: A dedicated market research team that uses the latest industry tools and partnerships to innovate new marketing methodologies. Some of the technologies it uses are Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, Bing, and The Trade Desk.
A testament to the success of these approaches, 3Q/DEPT reports a $3 billion managed spend. Moreover, it has won hundreds of awards, including being named a 2022 Finalist for Lead Generation at the Google Premier Partner Awards.
Before partnering with 3Q/DEPT, Rituals had individual websites for every location. This made it difficult for Google to crawl and index its pages, leading to low searchability and poor online presence. Additionally, it confused customers who spoke the same language but lived in different areas, making Rituals lose conversions.
As a solution, 3Q/DEPT created one website for all locations with an indexable page per language, country, and currency. This improved domain authority, maximized crawl budget, and enhanced user experience. Most of all, it increased Rituals’ revenue by 186% before peak season.
3. Digital Third Coast

- Best for: Bing and Google SEO
- Average hourly rate: $150
- Minimum budget: Inquire
- Founded: 2007
- Notable clients: Intelligentsia, Bedside Manor Ltd., IPX 1031, Dealnews
Digital Third Coast is a Chicago SEO agency with a 15-year track record of dominating search engines. It has helped clients achieve 270+ campaign placements, increase organic traffic by 351%, and boost revenue by 653%. It also boasts a 95% client retention rate.
Digital Third Coast's services include paid media, paid socials, SEO, and digital PR. Its list of tech and tools includes Screaming Frog, Ahrefs, SEMrush, Moz, and BrightLocal. It is also certified by Google Analytics, SEMrush Academy, and BrightEdge Certified Professionals.
Leading investment and property exchange brand IPX1031 partnered with Digital Third Coast to enhance its online presence. The Chicago SEO company eliminated duplicate content on IPX1031’s website, improved site tagging, built better site navigation, and claimed 45 previously unclaimed Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) listings. Additionally, it created a PPC campaign to geo-target audiences.
Through these combined efforts, IPX1031 experienced:
- 94% more meaningful conversions
- 300% increase in leads via calls
- 476% year-over-year increase in Google Business Profile actions
- 4x higher online visibility
- 18.1% spike in exchange orders
Check Digital Thirst Coast Agency Profile
4. OneIMS

- Best for: Inbound marketing
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2006
- Notable clients: Hello Fresh, G2, Samsung, Salesforce, Florock
OneIMS provides expertise in SEO, paid digital media, PR, content marketing, social media marketing, white-label agency services, and video and audio production. The Chicago SEO agency helps businesses attain a consistent sales pipeline and continuous revenue growth through Integrated Marketing Solutions (IMS).
The unique IMS methodology focuses on creating awareness, capturing demand, and converting leads into customers in a continuous cycle. Using this, OneIMS grew its client base to 500+ with a 97% client retention rate.
Florock marketing approached OneIMS to improve its inbound marketing from its website. After partnering with the Chicago SEO agency, the client saw a continuous spike in inbound marketing and quality leads.
5. Linchpin SEO

- Best for: Local and enterprise SEO
- Average hourly rate: $120
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2013
- Notable clients: Tumbleweed Travel Co., Budweiser, Nissan, HairClub
To rank its clients first on search engines, Linchpin SEO provides branding, web design, and content strategy services alongside its main SEO capabilities. In doing so, it ensures long-term returns on investment (ROI) for all its clients.
Its SEO services include website and technical SEO audits, keyword strategy, and competitive analysis. It also offers local SEO strategies, such as Google Business Profile management, local listings and competition audit, and local content creation.
With 120+ franchises across the US, HairClub needed Linchpin SEO’s help to grow its national online presence and simultaneously improve its local SEO. Linchpin SEO built a multifaceted approach, where it conducted national and local audits to develop its local SEO and regional landing page strategies. It also optimized HairClub’s Google Business Profiles to improve local rankings.
After Linchpin created the needed pages, HairClub increased its Google Maps listings by more than 32% and traffic to location pages by 110%.
Check Linchpin SEO Agency Profile
6. Straight North

- Best for: Full-service digital marketing
- Average hourly rate: Inquire
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 1997
- Notable clients: Bluepay, Boston Analytical, Chrysler, EZ Links, Virginia Spine Institute
Operating for over 25 years, Straight North is an established full-service digital marketing agency for B2C and B2B brands. It acquired an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and has a client retention rate of 95%. Its services include SEO, web design and development, paid advertising, and brand development. It also offers traditional marketing services, such as brochures and brand collaterals.
Boston Analytical collaborated with Straight North to amplify its online presence and generate more leads. To do so, Straight North conducted keyword research, optimized backlinks, and mapped target pages on the client’s site. Since then, Boston Analytical has increased SEO leads by 664% and organic traffic by 37%.
Check Straight North Agency Profile
7. Marcel Digital

- Best for: Google Analytics
- Average hourly rate: $199
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2003
- Notable clients: Herbalife Nutrition, John Hopkins Medicine, Kellog’s, RJO Futures
With over 23 years as a Chicago SEO company, Marcel Digital is an expert in web development, paid media, SEO, conversion rate optimization, and Google Analytics. Marcel Digital’s SEO-specific services include off-page improvements, penalty recovery, website migration, and local listings.
It has accomplished 150+ successful SEO migrations and optimized 10,000+ pieces of content, among other projects. Moreover, it has been a Google Analytics Certified Partner for over 20 years and is one of the few Umbraco Certified Gold Partners.
RJO Futures has been partnering with Marcel Digital for more than 10 years for its different marketing needs. This included building its website, which generated 1,500 new leads and increased organic traffic by 317%.
Recently, RJO Futures needed to update its website to maintain its SERP ranking. As such, Marcel Digital developed new content, optimized current content, updated the sitemap XML, and implemented the latest Google best practices.
This attracted 45,000 more users and increased organic traffic by 181.64%. Additionally, the Learning Center section of its website experienced a surge of 31,000 new users, resulting in a new user rate of 861%.
Check Marcel Digital Agency Profile
8. Dabaran

- Best for: Local SEO
- Average hourly rate: $149
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2009
- Notable clients: Seltzer Nation, Cooking Steels, Avery Coonley School, IPaintMyMind
Dabaran delivers long-term results through its seven-stage SEO marketing strategy: discover, evaluate, ideate, implement, assess, report, and recalibrate.
Its expertise covers website audit, link-building, content marketing, and on-page optimization. That said, its specialty lies in local SEO. To date, the Chicago SEO company has served 1,300+ satisfied clients, completed 2,000+ projects, and targeted 350+ cities.
IPaintMyMind, a non-profit art organization based out of Chicago that helps artists find work, approached Dabaran to build its online reputation and improve visibility. Dabaran helped IPaintMyMind rank first for the target keyword “rent art online”. Plus, the client ranked in the top 10 for other keywords like “art leasing companies”, “nonprofit organizations in Chicago”, and “work murals”.
9. WebFX

- Best for: Digital marketing
- Average hourly rate: $150
- Minimum budget: $10,000 - $25,000
- Founded: 1995
- Notable clients: Verizon, Fujifilm, Subway, YMCA, Area Flooring & Tile, Inc.
Known for its data-driven revenue marketing, WebFX is an expert in SEO, lead generation, CRO, and UI/UX. It has generated over 7 million leads and over $6 billion in revenue for its clients. But what really differentiates it from other Chicago SEO agencies is its custom-built MarketingCloudFX software.
MarketingCloudFX is an all-in-one marketing platform that uses IBM Watson and Google Cloud Platform to centralize and harness data. With it, businesses can create personalized content per location and industry, optimize sales team efficiency, and leverage AI to maximize their ROI. On average, MarketingCloudFX increases a business’s ROI by 20%.
Wanting to propel its online traffic and local presence, Area Flooring & Tile, Inc. hired WebFX’s expertise. In doing so, it gained a more robust internal linking structure, targeted more relevant keywords, and attracted higher-quality leads. By the end of the project, its website sessions rose by 50% year-over-year (YoY), and new users increased by 51% YoY.
10. Brafton

- Best for: Content marketing
- Average hourly rate: $150
- Minimum budget: $1,000 - $10,000
- Founded: 2008
- Notable clients: Stanford University, Rubbermaid Commercial, Canva, Crews Control
Brafton’s content marketing strategy combines creativity and data to ensure a maximum ROI for its clients. It does this through the Brafton Content Marketing Platform (CMP), a one-stop hub for all content marketing activities. This includes content planning, project management, and internal team communication. Brafton's CMP also integrates with tools like Google Analytics and SEMrush, so businesses have a centralized location for all of their data.
Brafton provides services in content marketing and sales enablement including eBooks, white papers, and newsletters. It also offers graphic design, web design, video production, and animation.
Crews Control approached Brafton to target local audiences while still maintaining its global positioning. Brafton wrote content for city-specific conversion landing pages, created PPC ads for priority pages, leveraged email drips, and used SEO targeted at informational queries. Within one year, Crews Control:
- Climbed to the #1 position on 16 target SERPs
- Gained 7,000 new organic and paid sessions
- Generated 101 additional qualified leads
How We Picked the Best Chicago SEO Companies
To select the top Chicago SEO companies in 2024, we reviewed their testimonials, case studies, industry reputation, team expertise, client roster, and executive management. Our team of agency experts developed a scoring system to measure their overall performance based on several important factors:
- Reviews: Quality of work, client satisfaction, and level of trustworthiness
- Portfolio: Tangible examples of an agency's track record
- Awards and press: Industry reputation and innovation
- Team bios: The agency’s qualifications and team dynamics
- Top services: Core competencies and areas of expertise
Visit the DesignRush Agency Ranking Methodology for more information on how we research agencies.
10 Most Popular Chicago SEO Companies
Agency name | Hourly rate | Size | Best for |
Comrade Digital Marketing | $100 | Under 49 | Overall |
3Q/DEPT | Inquire | 500 - 999 | Multi-channel digital marketing |
Digital Third Coast | $150 | Under 49 | Bing and Google SEO |
OneIMS | Inquire | 50 - 99 | Inbound marketing |
Linchpin SEO | $120 | Under 49 | Local and enterprise SEO |
Straight North | Inquire | 100 - 249 | Full-service digital marketing |
Marcel Digital | $199 | Under 49 | Google Analytics |
Dabaran | $149 | Under 49 | Local SEO |
WebFX | $150 | 500 - 999 | Digital marketing |
Brafton | $150 | 100 - 249 | Content marketing |
Best Chicago SEO Company Rankings
- HigherVisibility is a Best-in-Class Digital Marketing Agency, specializing in SEO, Paid Media, and Website Design. We are proud to be a 5-Time SEO Agency of the Year Winner. Our professional staff [... view the full profile of HigherVisibility]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsThink Web. Think Smart. Partner with the #1 Rated Digital Marketing Agency.Outsmart the competition with best-in-class digital marketing services. With over 1,000 5-star reviews online, SmartSites is America #1 rated digital marketing agency. Call (201) 870 6000 for a free [... view the full profile of SmartSites]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 $100/hr Inquire Top Rated: 5-star Average ReviewsTop Rated SEO Agency by Forbes, USA Today, Backlinko, & Search Engine LandSearchbloom is a REAL SEO firm that provides REAL RESULTS and has done so for over 10 years. Our mission is to be the most trusted, transparent, and results-driven SEO and PPC marketing company in the [... view the full profile of Searchbloom]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000- The last digital marketing agency you'll ever need. [... view the full profile of Disruptive Advertising]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 Inquire $10,000 - $25,000
- Driven by patented technology and proven strategies, our team works to take market share from your competitors, increase your brand equity, grow qualified traffic, and increase your revenue and [... view the full profile of Intero Digital]Chicago, Illinois 250 - 499 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Digital Silk is an agency focused on Creating Superior Digital Experiences for their clients. They create cutting-edge brand strategies, websites, apps and results-driven marketing campaigns for [... view the full profile of Digital Silk]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 $150/hr Inquire
- Outsmart the competition with best-in-class Custom Software development, web & mobile app development & digital marketing services. Build digital products that let people do things differently. [... view the full profile of TechAvidus]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 $18/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Our team will develop a growth strategy that is tailored exclusively to your company, which will speed up your progression to the next level. In the event that you are an e-commerce or service-based [... view the full profile of SEO Beat Agency]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $60/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Award winning services and cutting-edge software to grow your traffic.LinkGraph - an award winning digital agency crafts marketing solutions for a digital world with our powerful SEO software and [... view the full profile of LinkGraph]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 Inquire Inquire
- PageTraffic is a leading healthcare SEO and small business SEO agency that promises impressive SEO results, with over two decades of experience in the industry. Our ROI-driven SEO services deliver [... view the full profile of PageTraffic]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 Inquire Inquire
Need Help Selecting The Right Agency For Your Project?
We'll Find The Best Agencies For You.- Your website is your online business card. We create high quality, stunning, custom websites designed to convert visitors into leads and sales. Let's make your website one to remember! [... view the full profile of Mojo Media Web Design]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $110/hr $1,000 - $10,000
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- Our team of digital marketing experts has a proven track record of delivering successful campaigns that drive results for B2B enterprises. Contact us today to optimize your marketing strategy! [... view the full profile of WebFX]Chicago, Illinois 500 - 999 $150/hr $25,000 - $50,000
- We help ecommerce brands reach their maximum potential by delivering highly-specialized Amazon channel expertise tailored to their unique needs. [... view the full profile of Emplicit]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- 97 Switch is an award-winning Chicago and Portland digital marketing agency that specializes in marketing, web design and strategy. [... view the full profile of 97 Switch]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $150/hr $25,000 - $50,000
- Offering holistic digital media solutions, specializing in Amazon marketing, based on marketing intelligence, not out-of-the-box formulas. [... view the full profile of 1o8]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $175/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Social Driver is a leading digital agency specializing in social media, digital strategy, content and video, websites, and brand design. Based in Washington DC, with teams in Seattle, Kansas City [... view the full profile of Social Driver]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 $150/hr $10,000 - $25,000
- Hungry Marketers is a digital marketing agency in Andheri, Mumbai that provides every brand its 360 degrees of expertise - from SEO, PPC, Social Media Marketing, Full-fledged Digital Marketing to [... view the full profile of Hungry Marketers]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 $10/hr Under $1,000
- Brafton's LinkedIn Marketing MasteryWe craft impactful content for brands, leveraging LinkedIn's unmatched reach of 60 million senior executives and 65 million B2B decision-makers. With a global [... view the full profile of Brafton]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Marcel Digital is an award-winning website development and digital marketing agency. Founded in March 2003, Marcel remains one of the original and most well established digital marketing firms in the [... view the full profile of Marcel Digital]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $199/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- 3Q/DEPT has been helping innovative businesses succeed since 2008. Through 3Q's assistance, brands such as Square, ModCloth, SurveyMonkey and Eventbrite have evolved from up-and-comers to industry [... view the full profile of 3Q/DEPT]Chicago, Illinois 500 - 999 Inquire $50,000 & Up
- Philippines Outsourcing Company with sales office in Chicago that provides talented staff to small businesses in the US. [... view the full profile of MCVO Talent Outsourcing]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $10/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Americaneagle.com is essentially a one-stop shop offering a comprehensive range of options for anyone wishing to thrive in their online pursuits. A family-owned, privately held business with a proven [... view the full profile of Americaneagle]Chicago, Illinois 250 - 499 $175/hr Inquire
- OneIMS is results-driven online marketing firm that successfully manages all aspect of inbound marketing campaigns for clients in various industries. We help our clients create demand for their [... view the full profile of OneIMS]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- Wpromote operates with a relentless challenger mindset, never content with mediocrity. We continuously optimize underperforming campaigns and push the boundaries of even the best campaigns to achieve [... view the full profile of Wpromote]Chicago, Illinois 250 - 499 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We are creative business marketing strategists. Our exceptional strength in branding and corporate identity has earned us over 1,500 communication awards for many Fortune 500 companies. From [... view the full profile of Paragraphs]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $150/hr $25,000 - $50,000
- CGI Digital, based in Rochester, NY, is a company committed to supporting communities and businesses throughout the United States through innovative digital marketing solutions. [... view the full profile of CGI Digital]Chicago, Illinois 250 - 499 Inquire Inquire
- At Dabaran, SEO isn't just an option — it's essential. With the world economy rapidly transitioning to a digital landscape and competition growing fiercer, businesses that fail to optimize can [... view the full profile of Dabaran]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $149/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- 100% family-owned full-service digital agency with a focus on SEO, web design and development. Our founders have over 30 years of experience in digital marketing, search engine optimization, PPC ads [... view the full profile of AStash Web Design & Marketing]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $120/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Digital Third Coast is a digital marketing agency located in Chicago. We provide a variety of marketing services including SEO, PPC and Digital PR. [... view the full profile of Digital Third Coast]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $150/hr Inquire
- Our holistic approach helps businesses unlock their potential by creating an effective digital presence, building a lasting customer base and ensuring sustained growth. Let us show you how to make the [... view the full profile of Behind The Work]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $199/hr $1,000 - $10,000
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- Periscope, a comprehensive creative agency, recognizes modern brands' daunting challenges in today's ever-evolving landscape. [... view the full profile of Periscope]Chicago, Illinois 250 - 499 $145/hr $50,000 & Up
- At Galactic Fed, every decision is grounded in data, research, and industry expertise, ensuring your success without the need for you to stay on top of every marketing trend. From Fortune 50 brands [... view the full profile of Galactic Fed]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 Inquire Inquire
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- At SBO Buzz, we are focused on supporting small business owners. Our goal is to help businesses that don't have big budgets and want to maximize value and impact. We work with small businesses of all [... view the full profile of SBO Buzz]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $100/hr Under $1,000
- SITE IT NOW provides professional Website Designing & Development, Search Engine Optimization, Social Media Marketing, Mobile App development, and Secure Hosting Solutions. [... view the full profile of SITE IT NOW]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 $25/hr Under $1,000
- Transforming Ideas into Successful Brands, Websites, and Spaces. [... view the full profile of Studio Ostendo]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- iPrism Technologies US base Web and Mobile App Development Company with development centre is India. We are specialized in advanced mobile app and web services including website design, website [... view the full profile of IPrism Technologies]Chicago, Illinois 100 - 249 $15/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- We create killer brands & amazing online experiences for entrepreneurs, out-of-the-box thinkers, start-ups, game changers & side hustlers. [... view the full profile of Brandit360]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $125/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Practice Tech Solutions is a leading healthcare SEO agency that specializes in delivering personalized and data-driven marketing strategies to small and mid-sized healthcare providers. Our services [... view the full profile of Practice Tech Solutions]Chicago, Illinois 50 - 99 Inquire Inquire
- For over twenty years, we've been helping clients meet and exceed sales and strategic goals, through effective marketing that engages their target audiences in meaningful ways. [... view the full profile of Orange Media Group, Inc.]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 Inquire $1,000 - $10,000
- One liners: Baltoro is an agile team that provides rapid, efficient growth to help companies create long term sustainable success. Baltoro drives efficient growth, builds brands, and expands [... view the full profile of Baltoro]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $150/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Chicago Tech Solutions is a digital marketing agency serving clients in the metro. The company helps clients grow their brand by using data-based, ROI-focused, and customer-centric strategies. Its [... view the full profile of CTS]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $120/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- At Grow Law Firm, we're dedicated to fortifying your legal practice's online presence. Whether through crafting new websites, optimizing existing ones, implementing high-caliber SEO tactics, or [... view the full profile of Grow Law Firm]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $50/hr $1,000 - $10,000
- Olive Street Design is a premier web design, graphic design, ecommerce, and search engine optimization (SEO) firm based in the Chicago area (Elmhurst and Villa Park) and Lake Geneva, WI, although we [... view the full profile of Olive Street Design]Chicago, Illinois Under 49 $100/hr $1,000 - $10,000
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Nearby Locations
Chicago SEO Company Hiring Guide
Why should I hire an SEO agency near me?
You should hire an SEO agency near you because it can ensure that your strategy is well-suited to the unique characteristics of your local market. You’ll also tap into the following advantages:
- Local market expertise
An SEO agency familiar with your area understands local search behaviors, trends, and competitive dynamics, enabling them to provide you with more targeted strategies. - Local network
A local agency has established relationships with local media, influencers, and other businesses, which can enhance link-building and community engagement efforts. - Understanding of regional issues
It is more likely to be aware of local current events, news, and issues that can impact your SEO strategy and help you capitalize on local opportunities. - Faster response times
Quick access to the agency can lead to faster implementation of changes and more agile adjustments to your search optimization strategies. - Alignment with local culture
An SEO agency near you is more likely to resonate with and understand the cultural nuances and preferences of your target demographics. - Local reputation
It will have a track record of working with other local businesses, providing insights into its performance, reliability, and results. - Personalized services
Hiring an SEO agency near you may mean receiving more personalized attention to your project.
What services do SEO agencies in Chicago offer?
SEO agencies in Chicago offer a range of services refined for local businesses and industries, including:
- Keyword research
Identifying and targeting keywords relevant to the Chicago market and specific industries within the city - Competitor analysis
Monitoring local competitors to identify gaps and strategies that can improve your business’s visibility in the Chicago area - Local SEO
Optimizing your business for Chicago-specific searches, including GMB setup, local citations, and map pack rankings - On-page SEO
Improving website elements like title tags, meta descriptions, and content for better search engine rankings. - Technical SEO
Ensuring your website’s technical aspects like site speed, mobile-friendliness, crawlability meet search engine standards - Content marketing
Developing locally relevant blog posts, articles, and multimedia content to attract the Chicago audience - Link-building
Acquiring high-quality backlinks from reputable Chicago-based websites and local directories to boost domain authority - eCommerce SEO
Optimizing online stores for local searches, targeting Chicago-based shoppers, and improving visibility of product listings - Mobile SEO
Enhancing mobile user experiences for Chicago’s on-the-go urban lifestyle - Analytics and reporting
Providing detailed reports on SEO performance, traffic patterns, and rankings with a focus on local Chicago trends
How long does it take to complete an SEO project in Chicago?
In total, initial improvements in SEO performance can be seen within three to six months, but achieving significant and sustained results typically takes six to 12 months.
Here's a general timeline for completing an SEO project in Chicago:
- Initial audit and strategy development: 2-4 weeks
Analyzing your current SEO status, understanding the local market, and customizing strategies - On-page optimization: 1-3 months
Updating website content, meta tags, and improving site structure for better search visibility - Technical SEO: 1-2 months
Improving site speed, optimizing for mobile devices, resolving bugs, and fixing crawl errors - Content creation and optimization: Ongoing, with initial results usually visible within 2-3 months
Creating and promoting local content and blog posts - Link-building and outreach: 3-6 months
Building high-quality backlinks, reaching out to local influencers, media, and business directories for local citations - Local SEO and GMB optimization: 1-3 months
Improving local search rankings - Monitoring and reporting: Ongoing
Conducting regular performance reviews and adjustments to ensure the strategies remain effective and adapt to market changes
How much do Chicago SEO companies charge for their services?
Chicago SEO companies charge an average fee of $100 - $300/hour or $1,500 - $5,000/month for a retainer.
The top 50 Chicago SEO companies on DesignRush agencies charge $113/hour. Plus, 21.5% of SEO companies on DesignRush accept a minimum budget under $1,000, and 1.1% accept a minimum budget over $50,000.
When comparing SEO agency rates, Chicago SEO agencies typically charge more than the national average. However, they are not the most expensive, with Dallas SEO companies' hourly rates starting at $150/hour.
Meanwhile, Chicago SEO companies’ monthly retainer rates fall within the U.S. average. And like other SEO companies in the U.S., Chicago SEO companies charge higher fees compared to the global average.
Learn more in this comparison table:
Chicago SEO companies | U.S. SEO companies | Global SEO companies | |
Average hourly rate | 100 - $300 | $75 - $100 | $75 - $200 |
Average monthly retainer fee | $1,500 – $5,000 | $2,500 - $5,000 | $500 - $1,000 |
However, these prices can widely vary depending on the:
- Agency’s level of expertise: Generally, Chicago SEO companies have one of the greatest numbers of marketing experts, which can increase agency fees. Plus, the more experienced the agency, the higher its fees.
- Level of competitiveness: Chicago has a highly competitive business landscape, which increases keyword difficulty and drives up costs of services like PPC.
Costs of hiring a Chicago SEO company can also vary by market niche, project scope, campaign goals, and urgency of results.
Here’s a breakdown of the average Chicago SEO company fees based on services offered and business type:
Chicago SEO Costs by Service | |
Type of Service | Cost |
Local SEO | $300 - $2,500/month |
Reputation management | $350 - $1,200/month |
Technical SEO | $1,000 - $5,000/project |
Content marketing | $1,000 - $5,000/month |
Link building | $100 - $5,000/link |
Chicago SEO Costs by Business Type | |
Type of Business | Cost |
eCommerce SEO | $1,500 - $5,000 |
B2B SEO | $2,500 - $10,000 |
SaaS SEO | $2,500 - $7,000 |
Enterprise SEO | $5,000 - $20,000 |
International SEO | $3,000 - $10,000 |
What should I look for in a Chicago SEO agency?
You should look for local expertise, a track record, and a customized approach from a Chicago SEO agency. Here is how you can evaluate it:
- Proven track record in Chicago
Your Chicago SEO agency should have case studies and testimonials from businesses based in Chicago or the broader nearby region. These demonstrate the agency's ability to understand local search behavior, competition, and industries. Look for success stories and reviews from local clients, such as restaurants, law firms, or retail stores in areas like River North, the Loop, or Wicker Park. - Local market expertise
The agency should deeply understand Chicago’s unique demographics, cultural influences, and industry landscape. For example, if your business targets millennials in neighborhoods like Logan Square, it should know how to tailor SEO initiatives to appeal to that market segment. Additionally, it should be familiar with Chicago's popular search terms, local directories, and region-specific strategies to drive traffic. - Transparent and Chicago-specific reporting
Make sure the agency offers clear, consistent reporting that goes beyond generic SEO metrics. It should provide insights on how your website ranks for Chicago-specific search terms (e.g., “best pizza in Chicago” or “Chicago B2B services”) and local keywords, highlighting how you’re performing against local competitors within your niche. - Customized SEO strategies for Chicago's competitive market
Chicago is home to diverse industries, from tech startups to financial services. Your SEO agency should tailor strategies to your specific industry and local market. It should optimize your Google Business Profile, enhance “near me” searches (e.g., “plumbers near me in Chicago”), and incorporate local content marketing that resonates with Chicago residents. - Technical SEO knowledge with local adaptation
Chicago is a tech hub, so businesses here expect the best in terms of website speed, mobile optimization, and user experience. Ensure your agency partner has technical expertise in optimizing for local factors like geo-targeting, schema markup for Chicago-based businesses, Chicago’s proximity searches, local map packs, and neighborhood-specific searches (e.g., “best boutique in Lincoln Park”). - Up-to-date practices, especially in Chicago’s competitive search landscape
Chicago has numerous SEO agencies, which makes it a highly competitive environment. The agency you choose should be updated with the latest SEO trends, including voice search optimization for local terms (like “directions to Navy Pier”) and strategies for increasing visibility in Chicago’s mobile-first audience. It should understand how to leverage citywide events (like Lollapalooza or the Chicago Marathon) for SEO opportunities and seasonal local search traffic.
What should I avoid when hiring a Chicago SEO agency?
When hiring a Chicago SEO agency, avoid the following pitfalls to ensure you select a partner that aligns with your needs and the unique demands of the Chicago market:
- Black hat techniques
Veer from using unethical practices like keyword stuffing or link schemes that could result in penalties from search engines. - Overpromising results
Beware of agencies that guarantee top search rankings or quick fixes, as SEO is a long-term process, and its results vary. - Lack of local experience
Avoid companies with no specific experience in the Chicago market or familiarity with local SEO nuances. - Generic strategies
Steer clear of firms offering one-size-fits-all solutions without tailoring strategies to your business and sector. - Poor communication
Watch out for unclear communication, lack of, and limited, ineffective reporting.
What are the most sought-after SEO services in Chicago?
The most sought-after SEO services in Chicago include:
- Hyper-local SEO
Tailoring SEO efforts to specific Chicago neighborhoods, like optimizing for searches related to events in Lincoln Park or businesses in Wicker Park - Geo-targeted content strategy
Creating content that resonates with Chicago residents and visitors by integrating local landmarks, cultural references, and neighborhood-specific insights - Chicago-focused market analysis
Conducting in-depth research into local market trends and consumer behavior to refine SEO strategies that align with Chicago’s diverse business landscape - Local link-building
Establishing connections with Chicago-based influencers, media outlets, and community organizations to secure high-quality, locally relevant backlinks - Mobile-optimized solutions
Enhancing mobile search performance crucial for Chicago’s urban population that frequently searches on-the-go - Event-driven SEO
Leveraging major Chicago events, like festivals or sports games, to boost temporary search traffic and enhance local relevance - Local business schema markup
Implementing structured data tailored to Chicago businesses to improve visibility in local search results and enhance SERP features - Cross-channel integration
Integrating SEO techniques with other local marketing channels like Chicago-based social media campaigns and community outreach for a cohesive overall strategy
What kind of clients do SEO companies in Chicago work with?
The most common client types that SEO companies in Chicago work with are:
- Tech startups
Emerging ventures in areas like Fulton Market or River North that aim to increase visibility in the early stages of growing their digital presence - eCommerce Brands
Online stores that target Chicago-based buyers and look to improve search rankings and drive sales - Real estate firms
Realtors that focus on Chicago’s real estate market and look to optimize for property searches within the city’s neighborhoods - Professional services
Law, accounting, and consulting firms that want to improve their visibility in competitive areas like the Loop or West Loop - Healthcare providers
Clinics, hospitals, and dental practices that need to attract local patients through enhanced local searches - Educational institutions
Universities and colleges in Chicago that need optimization for student recruitment and search visibility for specific school programs - Nonprofits
Organizations focused on raising advocacy awareness, gaining volunteers, and attracting donations in the Chicago area - Tourism and hospitality
Hotels, travel agencies, and local attractions that intend to rank higher for visitors searching for places to stay and things to do in Chicago - B2B companies
Businesses that offer services to other enterprises in Chicago, especially in industries like manufacturing, logistics, and technology
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