# Best WordPress Developers in Chicago, IL ![Screenshot - 2025-07-14T235910.237](https://hackmd.io/_uploads/HJcQFRf8le.png) Whether you're a small business looking to launch a simple website or a growing company in need of a custom WordPress solution with API integrations and advanced functionality, Chicago is home to some of the most talented WordPress developers in the country. The city boasts a strong tech scene, and local agencies bring a mix of creativity, technical expertise, and real business savvy. This guide highlights the **[top WordPress development firms in Chicago](https://xcelacore.com/best-wordpress-developers-in-chicago-il/)**, with a special focus on companies that deliver not only stunning websites but also strategic business results. From boutique design shops to full-service agencies that work across industries, each firm here has been vetted for its portfolio, client satisfaction, specialization in WordPress, and local presence. ## 1. Xcelacore – Best for Custom WordPress Solutions with Business Impact Location: Oak Brook, IL **[Xcelacore](https://xcelacore.com/)** is more than just a WordPress developer—it’s a true technology partner. Their team combines engineering depth, business strategy, and flawless execution, making them the best WordPress development firm in the Chicago area. What makes Xcelacore stand out is their ability to take WordPress far beyond basic templated sites. They specialize in custom WordPress development, building everything from dynamic content platforms to membership portals, ecommerce integrations, and enterprise-grade solutions. Their in-house experts cover frontend design, backend architecture, custom plugin development, SEO optimization, and API integrations—ensuring your site works as beautifully behind the scenes as it looks on the surface. Whether you're a startup looking to launch fast, a healthcare provider with HIPAA-compliance needs, or a B2B manufacturer looking to elevate your brand, Xcelacore tailors every WordPress build to meet your strategic goals. ## Why Choose Xcelacore? * Full-stack development team (designers, backend engineers, DevOps, SEO experts) * Proven experience across industries: healthcare, fintech, ecommerce, manufacturing * Emphasis on scalable architecture and long-term performance * WordPress as part of a larger digital transformation strategy * Ongoing support, optimization, and security updates **Who It’s Best For:** Companies that want more than a website—they want a growth engine. ## 2. Orbit Media Studios – Best for Elegant, User-Centric Designs **Location:** Ravenswood, Chicago Orbit Media Studios is a well-known Chicago-based firm that’s been producing beautiful, high-performing WordPress websites for more than two decades. They’re particularly known for their clean, user-focused design and strong content strategy approach. They offer full design and development services, including responsive WordPress sites, SEO-focused content layout, and post-launch training so clients can manage their own updates. They’re also known for excellent customer service and educational content, which has made them a staple in the Chicago digital marketing community. **What They Excel At:** * Responsive WordPress websites * Strong UX/UI and on-page SEO focus * Clean code and efficient CMS backends * Deep experience in nonprofits, professional services, and education sectors ## 3. Solid Digital – Best for Growing Businesses & Branding-Driven Sites **Location:** River North, Chicago Solid Digital positions itself as a “digital growth agency,” and WordPress is one of their core service offerings. Their team blends strong branding capabilities with robust WordPress development, resulting in websites that not only look great but convert visitors into customers. They handle everything from brand strategy and messaging to custom web development, making them ideal for companies that need more than just technical implementation—they need storytelling, visuals, and brand architecture. They also have strong experience in marketing integration, working with CRMs, lead gen tools, and analytics platforms that plug into WordPress for full-funnel marketing. **Best For:** B2B companies, SaaS businesses, or service firms who are revamping their brand and need a website that supports that evolution. ## 4. Frey Design – Best for Design-First WordPress Projects **Location:** Barrington, IL Frey Design brings a boutique, design-first approach to WordPress development. Their team builds fully custom WordPress sites with original designs (no templates here), emphasizing performance, brand integrity, and SEO optimization. They’re especially good for companies that want a sophisticated design presence without losing ease of use on the backend. With a relatively small team, they offer personalized service and close client collaboration throughout the process. Their work spans industries, from medical to real estate to professional services. **Highlights:** * Custom WordPress themes designed in-house * Focus on high-end design, typography, and performance * SEO and Google PageSpeed optimization baked in ## 5. Comrade Digital Marketing – Best for WordPress SEO and Lead Gen **Location:** West Town, Chicago Comrade is a full-service digital marketing agency that happens to be very good at SEO-driven WordPress development. Their strength lies in pairing website builds with lead generation strategy, content creation, and SEO campaigns—making them a smart choice if your site is meant to drive traffic and convert leads. Their WordPress sites are clean, conversion-optimized, and often paired with PPC campaigns or full digital strategy roadmaps. They also offer detailed analytics dashboards to track KPIs after launch. **Best For:** * Law firms, home services, medical practices, and B2B * Companies looking to build and rank their site fast * Businesses needing SEO, PPC, and WordPress under one roof ### 6. Alpha Efficiency – Best for Agile WordPress Development **Location:** Des Plaines, IL (Chicago metro) Alpha Efficiency takes a tech-forward, agile development approach to WordPress. They serve clients across the globe but have deep roots in Chicago. Their developers are experienced in custom WordPress theme creation, REST API development, and site performance optimization. They’re especially popular with clients in need of frequent updates, marketing funnel experimentation, and a data-driven approach to website optimization. They also build headless WordPress solutions, using WordPress as a backend with a modern JavaScript frontend (React, Vue, etc.)—ideal for companies looking for speed and scalability. **Use Alpha If You Need:** * Custom features, integrations, and development support * A tech-heavy partner that knows marketing, too * Regular iteration, A/B testing, and conversion optimization ## 7. Digital Third Coast – Best for WordPress + Content Marketing **Location:** Wicker Park, Chicago Digital Third Coast (DTC) isn’t primarily a web design shop—they’re a digital marketing agency first, but they’ve developed a strong WordPress portfolio as part of their content strategy services. If you’re publishing large volumes of content (blog posts, whitepapers, lead magnets), DTC can help structure your WordPress build in a way that enhances SEO and user experience for long-form content. Their designers and developers work closely with their in-house SEO and content teams to make sure your site ranks and converts. **Ideal For:** * Companies doing content marketing at scale * Sites that require blog architecture, content hubs, or SEO landing pages * WordPress builds paired with SEO retainers ## 8. Olive Street Design – Best for Small Businesses **Location:** Downers Grove, IL Olive Street Design is perfect for small businesses and startups that need a professional website without breaking the bank. They build modern WordPress sites with clean designs and responsive layouts, handling everything from domain setup to post-launch support. They’ve worked with thousands of clients over the years and offer excellent value, especially for local businesses, restaurants, law offices, and service providers. Why Small Businesses Choose Olive: Friendly team, fast turnaround * Budget-conscious packages * Custom design at a template price point * Local and responsive communication ## 9. Kohactive – Best for Complex WordPress + App Builds **Location:** Chicago, IL Kohactive operates at the edge of product development and custom software, but their WordPress work stands out for projects that blend web and app development. They’re a great fit if your WordPress site is just one piece of a larger digital ecosystem—say, you’re building a mobile app or internal dashboard alongside your marketing site. They build fully custom themes and plugins, and are comfortable tackling integrations with third-party systems (e.g., CRMs, ERPs, analytics dashboards, and APIs). **Choose Kohactive If You:** * Need WordPress plus another platform or app * Have a unique customer workflow to replicate online * Want design, development, and strategic tech support in one place ## 10. LLT Group – Best for B2B and Enterprise Branding **Location:** Naperville, IL LLT Group blends branding, strategy, and custom WordPress design for companies that are undergoing a rebrand or digital overhaul. They’re especially skilled at telling complex B2B stories through beautiful design, intuitive UX, and scalable WordPress builds. From industrial firms to SaaS to higher education, they help clients clarify their value proposition and deliver it online with style and substance. **Best Fit For:** * Enterprise or mid-market companies with a branding need * Firms looking for visual storytelling and strong messaging * WordPress sites with layered navigation and multiple user types ## Final Thoughts Chicago is a city filled with talented WordPress developers, from lean boutique studios to strategic tech firms that offer full-scale digital solutions. Whether you need a fast-loading brochure site, an SEO-optimized content platform, or a deeply integrated enterprise-grade build, the firms above represent the best of what the Windy City has to offer. If you want a partner that goes beyond just building a site—and instead helps build your business—Xcelacore is the clear #1. Their ability to blend custom development, AI readiness, cross-platform integrations, and digital strategy into one cohesive offering makes them a true asset for businesses ready to grow.