ChatGPT answers, unedited

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Fresh Design Studio - 53 W Jackson Blvd, Ste 256, Chicago, IL 60604

For a Shopify redesign focused on mobile conversion rates, I’d shortlist these Chicago agencies:

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — Near The Loop (203 N LaSalle St). Shopify Plus-focused agency with ecommerce redesign, UX/UI, and optimization experience. Good fit if you have a larger catalog, complex integrations, or want a strategic partner.
• Design In Chicago — West Loop. More design/brand-led, with Shopify capabilities; worth considering if the store feels visually dated and needs a stronger brand experience alongside usability improvements.
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding — Downtown (30 N Michigan Ave). Offers Shopify, ecommerce design, branding, and digital strategy; a fit if your redesign also needs positioning and creative work.
• SITE IT NOW — Near West Side. Smaller local agency offering Shopify development and optimization; potentially a fit for a focused theme refresh rather than a major replatform.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North Side (875 N Michigan Ave). General digital agency with UX/design and conversion-path work; better if you need broader marketing support too.

Also consider Ethercycle (Skokie) if Shopify specialization matters more than being downtown; it focuses specifically on Shopify merchants and optimization.

For your goal (aging Shopify store + mobile CVR lift), I’d ask candidates for:

• 2–3 Shopify redesign case studies with mobile conversion results
• their CRO process (analytics, heatmaps, A/B testing)
• examples of product-page, cart, and checkout improvements
• Core Web Vitals/mobile speed improvements

My first calls would be Praella, The Chicago Web Co., and Ethercycle based on Shopify depth. shopify.com

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Invesp - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068

If the priorities are Shopify redesign + mobile conversion + a Chicago office, I’d put these on the shortlist:

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop. This is probably the closest match to your brief. They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, including UX/UI redesigns, development, and optimization, and their Chicago office is right in the Loop.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop. More explicitly e-commerce/growth oriented, with Shopify work, design/development, CRO, SEO and paid acquisition. Worth considering if you want the redesign tied closely to revenue and marketing performance.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — 875 N Michigan Ave, Near North Side. Convenient location and a broader web/digital agency. Their positioning emphasizes UX and conversion improvements, although they're less Shopify-specialized than the first two.
• Invesp — Merchandise Mart. This is the interesting option if CRO is the primary objective rather than simply making the site look newer. They're focused specifically on conversion optimization and experimentation, including e-commerce funnels and mobile conversion work.

One additional Shopify specialist

The Chicago Web Co. is worth getting a proposal from even though the location is less aligned with your Near North Side/Loop preference. They're a Shopify specialist offering redesign, UX audits and CRO. Their portfolio includes a Shopify redesign where they report a 26% conversion-rate increase and 57% increase in total sales, as well as mobile-navigation and performance work. Shopify The Chicago Web Co

chicagoweb.co

How I'd approach the RFP

I'd ask each agency for the same deliverables so you can compare proposals meaningfully:

1. Mobile-first UX/CRO audit using your Shopify analytics, GA4, heatmaps/session recordings and funnel data.
2. Redesign of homepage, collection pages, PDPs, cart and navigation, not just a new theme.
3. Specific plan for improving mobile add-to-cart, checkout initiation and purchase conversion.
4. Core Web Vitals/mobile performance targets.
5. A/B testing or post-launch experimentation for at least 60–90 days.
6. Measurement plan showing exactly how they'll establish the baseline and attribute conversion improvements.

I'd especially ask them to show 2–3 comparable Shopify stores they've redesigned where mobile conversion actually improved, rather than relying primarily on screenshots or generic "beautiful Shopify sites."

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product category, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that look most appropriate for your situation.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Straight North - 200 N Green St Fl 3, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States

If mobile conversion improvement is the priority—not just making the store look newer—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, right in the Loop.
• Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with an emphasis on ecommerce redesign, optimization, and lifecycle/CRO work.
• Their positioning is particularly aligned with a store that is aging and needs both a redesign and measurable conversion improvement, rather than a purely visual rebrand.
• Best overall fit based on your requirements.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 810.
• More explicitly ecommerce-focused, with Shopify development, redesigns, migrations, and conversion-rate optimization.
• Worth considering if you want an agency that can combine the rebuild with broader acquisition/growth work.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North Side

• 875 N Michigan Ave.
• Very convenient if being genuinely nearby matters.
• Stronger general web/UX/digital-marketing profile than Shopify specialization, so I'd rank it below Praella for a Shopify-specific conversion project.
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. — Loop

• 200 W Jackson Blvd, Floor 22.
• Much larger enterprise-oriented agency. Potentially a good choice if your Shopify store has complicated integrations, large catalogs, or enterprise requirements, but probably more agency than you need for a straightforward redesign.

One non-local option I'd also interview

Bigfolio looks particularly relevant on paper: its Chicago Shopify practice explicitly combines Shopify Plus redesigns, CRO/UX optimization, store audits, A/B testing, analytics, and performance optimization. Bigfolio LLC

And Commerce Pundit has published a Chicago case study claiming a 54% increase in mobile conversion rate following a Shopify Plus rebuild, along with mobile LCP improving from 5.3s to 1.8s. That's unusually close to the problem you're trying to solve, although I'd ask for attributable case-study evidence before treating the number as a benchmark. Commerce Pundit

My recommendation: interview Praella, 1DIGITAL, and Bigfolio. In the first call, don't lead with "we want a redesign." Say "Our Shopify store is aging and we want to increase mobile CVR; show us how you'd diagnose the existing funnel before redesigning it." The agency that starts with analytics, heatmaps/session recordings, Core Web Vitals, PDP/cart/checkout friction, and a testing roadmap is probably the one I'd choose.

If you tell me your approximate annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and product category, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a suggested project budget/range.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Straight North - 200 N Green St Fl 3, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

If your priorities are Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement, I’d put The Chicago Web Co. at the top of the list.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — Best for a larger, more sophisticated Shopify build. It’s at 203 N LaSalle St in the Loop and is a Shopify Platinum Partner. Good choice if you have a sizable catalog, integrations, or Shopify Plus ambitions.
• The Chicago Web Co. — My strongest fit for your specific brief. They explicitly combine Shopify redesign, mobile-first development, UX/CRO audits, and conversion optimization. Their portfolio includes a Southern Scholar Shopify redesign that reported +26% conversion rate and +57% total sales, with specific mobile-navigation and subscription-flow improvements. The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co Shopify
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Good Near North Side option. Their office is at 875 N Michigan Ave, and they focus on redesigning underperforming sites around conversions, speed, and SEO. I'd consider them if being physically close is especially important.
• Operation Technology — Good Loop-based alternative. They're at 211 W Wacker Dr and offer Shopify/ecommerce work plus mobile-friendly, conversion-oriented redesigns. Chicago SEO Agency
• Web Tonic — Another strong CRO-oriented Shopify option, with a Chicago office at 102 N LaSalle St. Their positioning is particularly focused on mobile speed, conversion optimization, checkout friction, and AOV. Web Tonic

Who I'd contact first

1. The Chicago Web Co. — best match for a redesign specifically intended to increase mobile conversion.
2. Praella — best if the store is substantial/complex and you want a high-end Shopify Plus partner.
3. Web Tonic — best if you want a particularly aggressive CRO/performance focus.

One thing I'd insist on in the proposal: don't let the agency sell you a purely visual redesign. Ask them to establish your current mobile conversion baseline, analyze GA4/Shopify funnel data and session recordings, identify PDP/cart/checkout friction, and define measurable targets before design begins. That separates a conversion project from an expensive theme refresh.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, number of SKUs, current mobile conversion rate, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2 agencies and what I’d expect each to charge.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611
• Flamingo Agency - 3752 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
• Chicago - Illinois
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647
• RedShark SEO - 65 W Erie St #1901, Chicago, IL 60654
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606
• Affordable Web Design Chicago - 5141 W Altgeld St, Chicago, IL 60639
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion optimization + Chicago presence—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
• Strongest fit if you want a serious Shopify/e-commerce specialist rather than a general web-design shop.
• Particularly worth considering if you're on Shopify Plus or have a relatively complex store.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North Side

• 875 N Michigan Ave, very convenient if you specifically want a Near North Side partner.
• More design/web-oriented, so I'd make sure their proposal includes substantial Shopify UX/CRO work rather than just a visual refresh.
• Cybernautic Web Design — Near North Side

• 515 N State St, near River North.
• A local option worth interviewing if face-to-face availability is important.
• Web Tonic — Loop

• Their Chicago office is at 102 N LaSalle St.
• This is actually one of the better strategic fits I found: they explicitly position their Shopify work around CRO, mobile optimization, speed and AOV, rather than simply redesigning the storefront. Web Tonic
• WayOut — Chicago

• Their Shopify offering specifically covers custom themes, performance optimization, analytics and A/B testing, and they say they work with brands in The Loop and River North. WayOut Inc
• They publish starting prices of $25k for custom themes and $75k for headless builds, which is useful for establishing budget expectations.

My pick

I'd start with Web Tonic and Praella, then use WayOut as the third proposal.

The important distinction is that you don't want an agency whose definition of "redesign" is new colors + prettier homepage. I'd ask each agency to commit to:

• Mobile-first UX audit using your actual Shopify/GA4 data
• PDP, collection, cart and checkout funnel analysis
• Core Web Vitals/mobile speed improvements
• Mobile navigation and search improvements
• A/B testing or experimentation after launch
• Measurement of mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation and revenue/session
• A post-launch optimization period, not just a one-and-done redesign

For comparison, one Chicago Shopify/CRO specialist publicly reports a case where mobile conversion rose from 1.62% to 2.28% while mobile LCP dropped from 5.4s to 1.8s—exactly the sort of outcome I'd want an agency to demonstrate with their own case studies. conversionex.com

If you tell me your approximate annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and redesign budget, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to pitch and compare their likely fit.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company - 1 E Erie St Ste 525-2149, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago-based team—I’d shortlist these three:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago — Loop.

Praella is the one I’d talk to first. It is Chicago-headquartered and Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused, with capabilities spanning store redesign, UX/UI, performance, migrations, and conversion optimization. Shopify

The location is particularly convenient for your preference: right in the Loop.

Why I'd choose them: They look better suited to a substantial Shopify modernization rather than simply giving an old theme a visual facelift.

2. 1o8 — best if marketing performance is part of the problem

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-324-4970)

231 S LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Chicago — Loop.

1o8 is more of an integrated commerce + creative + performance marketing agency. Their capabilities include ecommerce/web, UX/UI, SEO, paid media, email, analytics and conversion-oriented work.

I'd consider them if your mobile conversion problem isn't purely UX—for example, if you also want to improve paid-traffic landing experiences, merchandising, email, and acquisition economics at the same time.

3. Ethercycle — best Shopify/CRO specialist

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 877-384-3740)

Ethercycle is Shopify-focused and has a particularly interesting offering: a revenue-impact-ranked Shopify audit before committing to a larger redesign. That can be a smart way to determine whether you actually need a full rebuild or whether the existing store can be substantially improved.

They're in Skokie rather than the Loop/Near North Side, so they're less convenient geographically, but I'd still include them if Shopify expertise and CRO matter more than being downtown.

A fourth option worth considering

Virtina - eCommerce Web Design and Development Company is at 1 E Erie St, in the Near North Side, and does ecommerce UX/UI, Shopify/Shopify Plus development and conversion-focused improvements. It's a closer geographic match to what you asked for, although I'd put Praella and Ethercycle ahead of it for a Shopify-specific engagement.

My recommendation

I'd invite Praella, Ethercycle, and 1o8 to pitch.

For the RFP, don't simply ask "Can you redesign our Shopify site?" Ask each agency to show how they'd approach:

• Mobile funnel analysis: product page → add-to-cart → cart → checkout
• Heatmaps/session recordings and analytics diagnosis
• Core Web Vitals/mobile speed
• Navigation and collection-page UX
• PDP redesign and mobile merchandising
• Cart/checkout friction
• A/B testing after launch
• Shopify theme architecture and app-bloat reduction
• Measurement of mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation and revenue/session, not just page aesthetics

One particularly useful benchmark: The Chicago Web Co. publicly describes a Shopify redesign for Southern Scholar that included legacy-code cleanup, mobile navigation improvements, subscription architecture and UX overhaul, with reported conversion and sales improvements afterward. The Chicago Web Co

If you tell me rough annual Shopify revenue, number of SKUs, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 2 agencies I'd actually hire and give you a suggested project budget/range for Chicago.

Ethercycle is Shopify-focused and has a particularly interesting offering: a revenue-impact-ranked Shopify audit before committing to a larger redesign. That can be a smart way to determine whether you actually need a full rebuild or whether the existing store can be substantially improved.

They're in Skokie rather than the Loop/Near North Side, so they're less convenient geographically, but I'd still include them if Shopify expertise and CRO matter more than being downtown.

A fourth option worth considering

Virtina is at 1 E Erie St, in the Near North Side, and does ecommerce UX/UI, Shopify/Shopify Plus development and conversion-focused improvements. It's a closer geographic match to what you asked for, although I'd put Praella and Ethercycle ahead of it for a Shopify-specific engagement.

My recommendation

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States

For a Shopify redesign focused on mobile conversion rate improvement, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than visual refreshes — you want UX research, product-page optimization, speed work, analytics, and CRO testing. These Chicago options look like the strongest fits, with a preference toward Near North/Loop proximity:

Top picks

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — River North / Loop area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best fit for: established Shopify or Shopify Plus stores that need a serious redesign, not just a theme tweak.

• Location: 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100 (Loop)
• Strong Shopify specialization: UX/UI, storefront redesigns, development, and optimization.
• Good choice if you have: - a large catalog
• complex apps/integrations
• Shopify Plus ambitions
• revenue impact from improving mobile UX

Why I’d shortlist them: They’re geographically convenient and their positioning is very aligned with “aging store → higher-performing commerce experience.”

2. Design In Chicago — West Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

Best fit for: brands that need a stronger brand presence plus Shopify UX improvements.

• Location: 159 N Sangamon St, Suite 200 (West Loop)
• Offers Shopify development alongside branding, design, and content capabilities.

Consider them if: your current store feels dated visually and you need a combined brand + conversion overhaul rather than purely technical CRO.

3. Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North / Michigan Ave area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-300-6746)

Best fit for: companies wanting UX, design, and broader digital optimization support.

• Location: 875 N Michigan Ave
• Focus areas include web design, development, UX improvements, and conversion-oriented work.

Consider them if: your Shopify store redesign is part of a larger digital marketing or customer experience initiative.

4. SITE IT NOW — Near West Side

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-442-0352)

Best fit for: smaller-to-mid-sized Shopify stores needing practical redesign and optimization help.

• Location: 1016 W Jackson Blvd
• Offers eCommerce development, Shopify work, branding, and performance improvements.

5. Ethercycle — Chicago area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 877-384-3740)

Best fit for: Shopify-native merchants who want a specialist rather than a general web agency.

• Shopify-focused consultancy specializing in store design/build and optimization.
• Not Near North/Loop, but worth considering if Shopify expertise matters more than office proximity.

Also worth getting a proposal from

• WayOut — positions itself around Shopify development, performance optimization, CRO, and Chicago brands. WayOut Inc
• Forix Commerce — Shopify redesign/CRO-focused agency serving Chicago merchants. Forix
• The Chicago Web Co. — Shopify builds, UX audits, and conversion optimization work. The Chicago Web Co

My shortlist for your specific goal

If the main KPI is “increase mobile conversion rate”, I’d start with:

1. Praella — strongest local Shopify fit for a substantial redesign
2. Ethercycle — strongest Shopify specialization
3. Forix — strongest CRO/testing angle
4. Design In Chicago — strongest brand + UX combination

When you contact them, I’d ask for:

• a mobile UX audit before redesign
• examples of Shopify stores where mobile CVR improved
• their plan for PDP (product page), cart, checkout, and speed optimization
• how they’ll measure success (conversion rate, add-to-cart rate, revenue/session, AOV)

I’d avoid agencies that lead with “new homepage design” before reviewing analytics — mobile conversion problems are usually hiding in navigation, product pages, trust signals, speed, and checkout friction.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is higher mobile conversion rates, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than visual redesigns: you want UX research, Shopify theme development, speed optimization, analytics/CRO, and mobile checkout improvements.

Here are several Chicago-area options, with preference toward Near North Side / Loop / downtown proximity:

Best fits

Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best for: established brands, Shopify Plus, complex redesigns
Location: 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago (Loop)

Praella is a strong candidate if your store has grown beyond a simple theme refresh. They focus on Shopify/Shopify Plus builds, UX/UI, migrations, and optimization work.
Good questions to ask them:

• Can you provide a mobile CRO audit before redesign?
• How will you use GA4/Shopify analytics, heatmaps, or session recordings?
• What checkout/product-page experiments would you prioritize?

Americaneagle.com, Inc. — Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-291-5970)

Best for: larger organizations needing a full-service digital partner
Location: 200 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago (Loop)

Americaneagle.com is a larger digital agency with e-commerce, design, development, analytics, and support capabilities. It may be a better fit if you have integrations, multiple sales channels, or internal stakeholders.

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 888-982-8269)

Best for: e-commerce-focused redesign + growth work
Location: 205 N Michigan Ave, Chicago (Loop)

Their positioning is specifically around e-commerce services, including Shopify and conversion-focused improvements.

Strong Shopify/CRO specialists (worth considering even if not exactly Near North)

chicagoweb.co

Best for: boutique Shopify redesigns with strong UX/design emphasis

They specifically highlight Shopify builds, mobile-first design, UX audits, and conversion optimization. The Chicago Web Co Their portfolio also includes Shopify redesign work focused on improving product discovery and mobile experience. The Chicago Web Co

wayoutinc.com

Best for: technical Shopify rebuilds and performance work

WayOut emphasizes custom Shopify themes, headless commerce, performance optimization, and analytics/A/B testing. WayOut Inc This is a good fit if your current store feels slow, overloaded with apps, or difficult to maintain.

conversionex.com

Best for: conversion-rate optimization as the primary goal

Their approach is more CRO-led: UX research, wireframes, checkout optimization, speed budgets, and testing. ConversionEX If your main KPI is “increase mobile purchase rate,” this type of partner is worth evaluating.

My shortlist for your specific need

If I were narrowing this to 3 conversations:

1. Praella — if you’re a mid-market brand and want a polished Shopify/Shopify Plus transformation.
2. The Chicago Web Co. — if you want a hands-on boutique redesign partner with strong creative + UX. The Chicago Web Co
3. ConversionEX — if conversion lift matters more than aesthetics and you want a testing-driven process. ConversionEX

When interviewing them, I’d ask for a paid discovery sprint rather than jumping straight into a redesign. The deliverable should include:

• mobile funnel analysis (landing → PDP → cart → checkout)
• top 10 conversion blockers
• app/script speed audit
• recommended Shopify theme architecture
• prioritized A/B testing roadmap

That will separate agencies that make a prettier store from agencies that can actually increase revenue.

Best for: boutique Shopify redesigns with strong UX/design emphasis

They specifically highlight Shopify builds, mobile-first design, UX audits, and conversion optimization. The Chicago Web Co Their portfolio also includes Shopify redesign work focused on improving product discovery and mobile experience. The Chicago Web Co

wayoutinc.com

Best for: technical Shopify rebuilds and performance work

WayOut emphasizes custom Shopify themes, headless commerce, performance optimization, and analytics/A/B testing. WayOut Inc This is a good fit if your current store feels slow, overloaded with apps, or difficult to maintain.

conversionex.com

Best for: conversion-rate optimization as the primary goal

Their approach is more CRO-led: UX research, wireframes, checkout optimization, speed budgets, and testing. ConversionEX If your main KPI is “increase mobile purchase rate,” this type of partner is worth evaluating.

My shortlist for your specific need

If I were narrowing this to 3 conversations:

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• ArtVersion® Creative Agency - 211 W Wacker Dr Ste 1130, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago proximity—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
• Strongest overall fit if this is a serious ecommerce redesign rather than just a theme refresh.
• They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, UX/design, development, migration, and ongoing optimization. Their positioning is explicitly around revenue and retention, which is closer to your mobile-CRO goal than a conventional web-design shop.
• My pick: Best balance of Shopify expertise, CRO orientation, and genuinely local presence.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North Side

• 875 N Michigan Ave, very convenient if you want an agency physically near the Magnificent Mile.
• More of a broader digital/web agency than a Shopify specialist, but they emphasize UX, conversion paths, custom design and digital marketing.
• My pick: Worth interviewing if brand/design is as important as Shopify engineering.
• Operation Technology — Loop

• 211 W Wacker Dr, in the Loop.
• Offers mobile-friendly redesigns, conversion-oriented web design and Shopify ecommerce work.
• My pick: A potentially good local alternative if you want a smaller/generalist agency rather than a Shopify-focused specialist.
• Design In Chicago — West Loop

• 159 N Sangamon St, Fulton Market/West Loop.
• Stronger creative/brand orientation, with Shopify development among its capabilities.
• My pick: Particularly interesting if the aging store also needs a substantial brand/visual refresh, not just UX optimization.

One non-local option I'd still interview

Web Tonic has a particularly relevant proposition: its Chicago Shopify practice is explicitly CRO-first and mobile-performance focused, including checkout optimization, speed, product-page UX and AOV. It lists a Loop address at 102 N LaSalle St. Web Tonic

I'd be somewhat cautious about taking agencies' advertised percentage lifts at face value, though—the important question is whether they can show your specific type of Shopify store and explain the methodology behind their results.

What I'd ask in the first calls

Don't simply ask, “Can you redesign our Shopify site?” Ask:

• “Can you show me 2–3 Shopify redesigns where mobile CVR measurably increased?”
• “Will you run a GA4/Shopify analytics + session-recording audit before designing?”
• “How will you establish the current mobile conversion baseline?”
• “Which parts of the redesign will be A/B tested after launch?”
• “How will you protect SEO, app functionality, tracking and existing Shopify integrations?”
• “Will you optimize PDP → add-to-cart → checkout, rather than just redesigning the homepage?”
• “What Core Web Vitals/mobile-speed targets will you commit to?”

For your particular brief, I'd contact Praella, Web Tonic, and one of Alpha Efficiency or Design In Chicago and give all three the same brief. That should make their proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me your product category, approximate annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a suggested RFP/budget range.

For your particular brief, I'd contact Praella, Web Tonic, and one of Alpha Efficiency or Design In Chicago and give all three the same brief. That should make their proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me your product category, approximate annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a suggested RFP/budget range.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is higher mobile conversion rates (not just a visual refresh), I’d prioritize agencies that combine Shopify expertise + UX/CRO testing + performance optimization. Based on Chicago location and Shopify/CRO focus, these are the ones I’d shortlist:

Best fits

Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop / downtown Chicago

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best for: A serious Shopify redesign with UX strategy, development, and ongoing optimization.

• Location: 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100 (The Loop)
• Strong fit if you need: - Shopify or Shopify Plus redesign
• UX/UI overhaul
• complex customer journeys
• conversion optimization work
• They position themselves around Shopify builds, migrations, UX, and lifecycle optimization.

Why I’d consider them: They’re one of the closest matches to your request geographically and technically.

Ethercycle — Chicago area (Skokie)

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 877-384-3740)

Best for: Shopify-first merchants who want conversion improvements rather than a generic agency redesign.

• Shopify-focused consultancy
• Emphasis on: - Shopify store improvements
• CRO strategy
• optimization roadmaps
• merchant growth consulting

Why I’d consider them: Shopify specialization is a big advantage when the problem is an aging store rather than a brand-new build.

WPrime Agency — River North / Merchandise Mart area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 708-887-3040)

Best for: A design-forward redesign with UX and marketing support.

• Location: 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
• Offers UX/UI, web development, and ecommerce-focused work.

Why I’d consider them: Convenient if you want an agency close to River North with broader digital capabilities.

Design In Chicago — West Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-535-3088)

Best for: Brands that need both ecommerce experience and a broader brand/design refresh.

• Location: 159 N Sangamon St, Suite 200
• Focuses on strategy, design, development, and conversion-focused websites.

Why I’d consider them: Good if the Shopify store feels outdated because the brand experience itself needs modernization.

Shopify specialists worth adding to your RFP list

chicagoweb.co

A Chicago Shopify specialist focused on custom Shopify builds, UX audits, redesigns, and conversion optimization. Their portfolio highlights Shopify redesign and CRO projects. The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co

forixcommerce.com

Worth considering if you want a more analytics-driven Shopify partner; they specifically highlight Shopify design, CRO, analytics, and testing. Forix

My suggested shortlist for your situation

If your store is already getting traffic but mobile shoppers are abandoning:

1. Praella — best overall fit for Loop location + Shopify/CRO depth
2. Ethercycle — best Shopify specialist
3. Forix — best if you want analytics/testing discipline
4. The Chicago Web Co. — best if you want strong design plus conversion work

When you interview them, I’d ask for:

• A mobile conversion audit before redesign
• Examples of before/after mobile checkout or PDP improvements
• Their approach to GA4, Shopify analytics, heatmaps/session recordings
• Whether they run A/B tests after launch
• How they’ll protect SEO during theme replacement

A good agency should be able to point to specific funnel issues (PDP layout, navigation, speed, trust signals, cart friction), not just propose a prettier theme. Forix Agentix Marketing

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611

If Shopify + mobile conversion are the two priorities, I’d put Praella - eCommerce Agency at the top of your Chicago shortlist.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100
• Strongest fit if you want a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus redesign rather than a general web-design refresh.
• They specialize in Shopify builds, migrations, UX/design, and ecommerce optimization. Their downtown location makes them particularly convenient for you.
• Best for: an established store that needs both a visual/UX overhaul and technical Shopify expertise.
• 1o8 — Loop

• 231 S LaSalle St, Suite 2100
• More growth/marketing oriented, with ecommerce and Shopify capabilities alongside performance marketing.
• Best for: redesign + conversion optimization + wanting the agency to help drive traffic and revenue afterward.
• WPrime Agency — River North / Merchandise Mart

• 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
• Very convenient geographically if you specifically want Near North Side/River North. They combine Shopify development with digital marketing and conversion-oriented work.
• Best for: a hands-on local partner where proximity matters.
• Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — Near North Side

• 875 N Michigan Ave
• Very close to the Magnificent Mile/Gold Coast area. They're broader than a Shopify specialist, but offer web design, development, marketing and optimization.
• Best for: a broader digital/brand redesign where Shopify is one component.

One wildcard I'd seriously consider

The Chicago Web Co. isn't in your preferred neighborhood, but their Shopify-specific work is unusually relevant to your brief. They explicitly offer mobile-first Shopify builds, UX/CRO audits, heatmaps and A/B testing, and their portfolio includes a Shopify redesign that reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase and 57% increase in total sales. The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co

For comparison, Web Tonic has a Loop office at 102 N LaSalle St and positions itself specifically around Shopify design, CRO and mobile performance. Its site reports a 1.2-second mobile load time across its work, although I'd treat its published performance figures as marketing claims and ask for client-specific evidence. Web Tonic

What I'd ask them for

Don't ask simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd give each agency the same brief:

"We have an aging Shopify store and want to redesign it around mobile conversion. Before proposing a new design, we want an audit of our analytics, mobile funnel, PDPs, cart and checkout friction, page speed/Core Web Vitals, and session recordings. We want the redesign tied to measurable conversion-rate and revenue goals, with A/B testing after launch."

Then ask for:

• 2–3 recent Shopify redesign case studies, specifically showing mobile CVR improvement.
• Their proposed CRO audit methodology before design starts.
• Whether they'll work from your existing theme or recommend a rebuild.
• How they'll preserve SEO, URLs, apps, subscriptions and tracking during the rebuild.
• Post-launch experimentation rather than treating launch day as the finish line.
• A mobile performance target and how they'll measure it.

My pick: start conversations with Praella, The Chicago Web Co., and WPrime. That gives you three substantially different options—Shopify specialist, CRO/design specialist, and conveniently located local agency—without wasting time interviewing a dozen firms.

Don't ask simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd give each agency the same brief:

"We have an aging Shopify store and want to redesign it around mobile conversion. Before proposing a new design, we want an audit of our analytics, mobile funnel, PDPs, cart and checkout friction, page speed/Core Web Vitals, and session recordings. We want the redesign tied to measurable conversion-rate and revenue goals, with A/B testing after launch."

Then ask for:

• 2–3 recent Shopify redesign case studies, specifically showing mobile CVR improvement.
• Their proposed CRO audit methodology before design starts.
• Whether they'll work from your existing theme or recommend a rebuild.
• How they'll preserve SEO, URLs, apps, subscriptions and tracking during the rebuild.
• Post-launch experimentation rather than treating launch day as the finish line.
• A mobile performance target and how they'll measure it.

My pick: start conversations with Praella, The Chicago Web Co., and WPrime. That gives you three substantially different options—Shopify specialist, CRO/design specialist, and conveniently located local agency—without wasting time interviewing a dozen firms.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• AdverGroup Web Design & Digital Marketing - 2021 Midwest Rd Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• B&B Online inc - 1022 Denham Pl, Schaumburg, IL 60194, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Boostly - Web Design - 862 Lively Blvd, Wood Dale, IL 60191, United States
• Vortex Website Design & SEO Company - 116 E Schaumburg Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60194, United States

If local presence + Shopify expertise + mobile conversion optimization are the priorities, I’d put Praella - eCommerce Agency at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
• Shopify Plus specialist with explicit expertise in UX/design, CRO, migrations, analytics, and custom development. Shopify lists Praella as a Platinum Partner. Shopify
• Particularly good fit if you want more than a cosmetic redesign: they can rethink navigation, PDPs, checkout, mobile UX and the underlying Shopify implementation.
• My pick: best overall match for your brief.
• Bigfolio — Chicago

• Stronger fit if your store is already fairly sophisticated or you're considering Shopify Plus.
• They specifically offer Shopify redesigns, CRO/UX optimization, A/B testing, analytics, and performance optimization. They also report having designed 750+ Shopify storefronts. Bigfolio LLC
• Their positioning is very conversion/performance oriented rather than simply "make the site prettier."
• SITE IT NOW — West Loop

• 1016 W Jackson Blvd, so convenient if you're looking for an actual Chicago office.
• Offers Shopify development, ecommerce optimization, branding, and performance work.
• I'd put them behind Praella/Bigfolio if mobile CRO is the primary KPI, but they're worth including if brand redesign is a major part of the project.

What I'd ask them to scope

Don't frame this as simply a "Shopify redesign." I'd ask for a mobile-first conversion redesign + CRO engagement, including:

• GA4/Shopify funnel analysis segmented by mobile vs. desktop
• Heatmaps/session recordings and usability research
• Mobile collection and product-page redesign
• Faster PDP → add-to-cart → checkout paths
• Sticky/additional mobile purchase CTAs where appropriate
• Site-speed/Core Web Vitals work
• A/B testing roadmap after launch
• Measurement of mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation and revenue/session, not just engagement metrics

I'd also ask each agency for 2–3 examples where they materially increased mobile conversion on an existing Shopify store, rather than examples of attractive new builds.

If you give me your approximate monthly online revenue and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and give you a realistic budget range for the redesign.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Operation Technology - 211 W Wacker Dr 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Invesp - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

If mobile conversion improvement is the priority—not just making the store look newer—I’d shortlist these Chicago agencies:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
• Strongest overall fit if you want a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus redesign rather than a simple theme refresh.
• Shopify-focused UX/UI, development, migrations, and optimization; Shopify lists them as a Platinum Partner. Shopify
• My pick if: you have a meaningful revenue base and want the redesign tied to measurable conversion and retention goals.
• Sixth City Marketing — River North

• 620 N LaSalle Dr, in River North.
• Particularly interesting because CRO is a core service alongside web/ecommerce development. Their offering covers Shopify as well as paid/organic acquisition.
• My pick if: you're looking for someone who can connect the redesigned store to your broader acquisition funnel, not just redesign pages.
• Operation Technology — Loop

• 211 W Wacker Dr, directly in the Loop.
• Offers Shopify ecommerce work and conversion-oriented, mobile-friendly redesigns.
• My pick if: you want a downtown-local agency and also need SEO/technical improvements as part of the project.

One specialist I'd also interview

The Chicago Web Co. isn't as conveniently located based on the results I found, but I'd put them on the call list because their Shopify work is unusually aligned with your problem. Their portfolio includes a Shopify UX audit + complete redesign for LoveShackFancy, including mobile issues and conversion-path improvements, and a Southern Scholar redesign that they report increased conversion rate 26% and sales 57%. The Chicago Web Co Shopify's own directory lists them as a partner with 50 reviews and experience in store redesign and CRO. Shopify

What I'd ask each agency

Don't lead with "we need a new Shopify theme." Tell them:

"Our Shopify store is aging, mobile conversion is the primary KPI, and we want a redesign based on analytics, UX research, and testing—not subjective visual preferences."

Then ask them to show you:

• 2–3 mobile-first Shopify redesigns they've done
• Before/after mobile conversion, add-to-cart, and checkout metrics
• How they'll diagnose your current mobile funnel before designing
• Whether they handle Core Web Vitals/page speed and app bloat
• Their post-launch A/B testing/CRO process
• Who will actually do the UX, design, and Shopify development

My ranking for your specific brief: Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → Sixth City Marketing → Operation Technology.

If you tell me your approximate annual online revenue and product category, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare likely project cost, strengths, and relevant case studies.

Then ask them to show you:

• 2–3 mobile-first Shopify redesigns they've done
• Before/after mobile conversion, add-to-cart, and checkout metrics
• How they'll diagnose your current mobile funnel before designing
• Whether they handle Core Web Vitals/page speed and app bloat
• Their post-launch A/B testing/CRO process
• Who will actually do the UX, design, and Shopify development

My ranking for your specific brief: Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → Sixth City Marketing → Operation Technology.

If you tell me your approximate annual online revenue and product category, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare likely project cost, strengths, and relevant case studies.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• AdverGroup Web Design & Digital Marketing - 2021 Midwest Rd Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + mobile conversion improvement + preference for Near North Side/Loop—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, right in the Loop.
• Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with an emphasis on ecommerce UX, redesigns, migration, and revenue/retention.
• This is the strongest fit if you want a serious redesign rather than just a theme refresh, particularly if your store has meaningful revenue or operational complexity.
• Sixth City Marketing — River North

• 620 N LaSalle Dr, in the Near North/River North area.
• Offers Shopify ecommerce, web design/development, and digital marketing, so it could be a good choice if you want CRO plus acquisition/marketing support rather than purely Shopify development.
• Atwix — Loop

• 20 N Wacker Dr, downtown.
• More of an enterprise ecommerce/development shop, with Shopify Plus among its capabilities. I'd consider them if your store has complex integrations, ERP, large catalog, or B2B requirements.

One specialist I'd also interview

The Chicago Web Co. looks particularly aligned with your conversion goal. They explicitly offer mobile-first Shopify design, conversion optimization/UX audits, and A/B testing. Their published portfolio includes a Shopify redesign for Southern Scholar that reported a 26% conversion-rate increase, plus work addressing mobile navigation and app performance. The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co

They don't appear to be as neatly aligned with your Near North Side/Loop location preference, but I'd prioritize their capabilities over office geography if mobile CVR is the primary KPI.

Who I'd contact first

Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → Sixth City Marketing

When you talk to them, I'd avoid asking simply for a "Shopify redesign." Ask for a conversion-led redesign with a mobile funnel audit and have them show you:

• Mobile PDP and collection-page friction they're seeing
• Current vs. proposed mobile navigation
• Speed/Core Web Vitals plan
• Cart and checkout abandonment analysis
• Analytics/heatmap/session-recording methodology
• A/B testing plan after launch
• How they'll establish a pre-launch conversion baseline and measure incremental lift

That will help distinguish a team that makes the store look newer from one that can actually increase mobile revenue.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product count, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you what I’d expect each to charge.

• Mobile PDP and collection-page friction they're seeing
• Current vs. proposed mobile navigation
• Speed/Core Web Vitals plan
• Cart and checkout abandonment analysis
• Analytics/heatmap/session-recording methodology
• A/B testing plan after launch
• How they'll establish a pre-launch conversion baseline and measure incremental lift

That will help distinguish a team that makes the store look newer from one that can actually increase mobile revenue.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product count, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and tell you what I’d expect each to charge.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

If mobile conversion improvement is a primary goal—not just making the store look newer—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

• 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601, right in the Loop.
• Shopify Platinum Partner with a strong focus on UX/design, CRO, performance, migrations, and Shopify Plus. Shopify
• Particularly attractive if your aging store needs both a visual/UX overhaul and serious technical cleanup.
• They explicitly offer conversion-rate optimization and performance optimization, rather than treating CRO as an afterthought.
• shopify.com
• BlueBolt Solutions — best for a more technical/enterprise rebuild

• 415 N LaSalle Dr, in River North.
• Shopify/Shopify Plus, custom apps, headless commerce, performance optimization and structured conversion testing.
• I'd favor them if your store has complicated integrations, subscriptions, personalization, or a substantial catalog.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — best Loop option if marketing is part of the problem

• 205 N Michigan Ave, in the Loop.
• Their offering combines ecommerce/CRO with broader digital marketing, so they could make sense if you're also trying to improve the quality and economics of the traffic reaching the store.
• Sixth City Marketing — best River North option for a growth-oriented engagement

• 620 N LaSalle Dr, River North.
• Offers CRO, web design/development and ecommerce, including Shopify.
• I'd consider them if you want the redesign tied closely to SEO, paid acquisition and ongoing conversion optimization.

One wildcard worth considering

The Chicago Web Co. has particularly relevant Shopify redesign/CRO experience. Their portfolio includes a complete Shopify transformation for Southern Scholar that they report produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, along with improvements in sales, orders and returning customers. They also show a UX audit/redesign project for LoveShackFancy specifically addressing mobile usability and conversion paths. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

They may be a particularly good fit if you're a mid-market consumer brand where design/brand experience matters as much as the underlying engineering.

What I'd ask each agency

Don't just ask, "Can you redesign our Shopify store?" I'd send them essentially this brief:

We have an aging Shopify store and want a mobile-first redesign focused on measurable conversion improvement. We'd like the engagement to include a UX/CRO audit, analytics/funnel review, mobile performance assessment, redesigned key templates (homepage, collection, PDP, cart), and a plan for post-launch A/B testing. Please provide relevant Shopify case studies and explain how you would establish the baseline and measure conversion improvement.

I'd also ask for 3 specific numbers from past projects: mobile conversion lift, overall conversion lift, and mobile page-speed/Core Web Vitals improvement.

My ranking for your stated needs: Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → BlueBolt → 1o8. Praella is the strongest combination of Loop location + Shopify expertise + redesign + CRO + technical depth. Shopify

For your specific brief, I’d start with Forix. They’re one of the stronger fits I found for an aging Shopify store where the goal isn’t just a visual refresh, but higher mobile conversion.

My shortlist

• Forix — best overall fit. Their Chicago Shopify practice explicitly combines custom design, UX, CRO, analytics/A/B testing, and performance optimization. They also publish substantial conversion results, including reported conversion-rate increases of 28% and 198% on client work. Forix

forixcommerce.com

• WayOut — best if you want a technically ambitious rebuild. They specialize in custom Shopify themes/headless builds, performance, analytics and A/B testing, and specifically say they work with brands in The Loop and River North. Their published examples include a Shopify Plus rebuild with a reported 28% conversion increase. Wayout Inc.

wayoutinc.com

• ConversionEX — best if CRO is the primary objective. Their Chicago offering is unusually focused on experimentation rather than simply redesigning the storefront. They publish a case involving a mobile conversion-rate increase from 1.62% to 2.28% alongside a major mobile LCP improvement. ConversionEX ConversionEX

conversionex.com

• Makro — worth considering for a larger/complex Shopify Plus operation. They cover UX/UI, CRO, Shopify Plus, integrations, large catalogs and replatforming, and specifically market to Chicago retailers and B2B/enterprise merchants. Makro Agency

makroagency.com

What I'd do

I'd invite Forix, WayOut, and ConversionEX to pitch the project. For an aging store, I'd specifically ask each to separate:

1. UX redesign — especially PDP, collection, cart and checkout flows on phones.
2. Technical cleanup — theme/app bloat, JavaScript, Core Web Vitals and image performance.
3. CRO program — analytics audit → prioritized hypotheses → A/B testing after launch.
4. Measurement — mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation, checkout completion and revenue/session, segmented by new vs. returning visitors.

I would not accept a proposal that's essentially "we'll give you a beautiful new Shopify theme." The agency should be able to show how the redesign will be tied to measurable mobile conversion improvements.

One caveat: the local-business search results I received weren't reliably returning Chicago offices, so I wouldn't assume a firm's physical office is actually in River North/The Loop without confirming that directly. The sources do establish that WayOut, for example, serves brands in those neighborhoods, while ConversionEX describes its Chicago work as remote. Wayout Inc. ConversionEX

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product category, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a ballpark project budget.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Doejo - 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + proximity to Near North Side/The Loop—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100
• Strongest overall fit. They’re Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused and offer CRO and performance optimization alongside redesign/development. Their downtown location makes in-person collaboration practical.
• Best for: a substantial redesign where you want UX, development, speed, and conversion optimization handled together.
• Sixth City Marketing — River North

• 620 N La Salle Dr, Suite 415
• Particularly interesting if you want the redesign tied closely to CRO, analytics, SEO and paid acquisition, rather than treating the website as a standalone design project.
• Best for: improving the entire acquisition → product page → checkout funnel.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 810
• Dedicated ecommerce agency with Shopify/Shopify Plus experience and a CRO process involving funnel analysis, heatmaps/session recordings and A/B testing.
• Best for: a data-heavy redesign where you want testing to be central to the engagement.
• Doejo — River North

• 444 N Wabash Ave
• More design/product-oriented than the options above. They emphasize UX/UI, prototyping, development and iterative improvement.
• Best for: a store that feels visually and experientially dated and needs a more fundamental UX rethink.

One more agency worth considering

Forix looks particularly relevant on paper. Its Chicago Shopify offering explicitly combines custom design, CRO, analytics/A/B testing and mobile/performance optimization. It also advertises a free homepage redesign as part of its process. Forix

For a store where mobile conversion is the primary KPI, I'd actually interview Praella, Forix, and 1DIGITAL before making a decision. I'd ask each to show:

1. A before/after Shopify redesign where mobile CVR increased, not merely traffic or revenue.
2. How they diagnose mobile drop-off—GA4, session recordings, funnel analysis, usability testing, etc.
3. Their approach to PDPs, collection pages, cart and checkout specifically.
4. How they protect SEO during the redesign.
5. Whether post-launch A/B testing and CRO is included or becomes a separate retainer.
6. Their expected impact on mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation and revenue per session.

One caution: I'd put less weight on agencies' headline claims like “+48% conversion” unless they can show you the underlying baseline, traffic volume, test methodology and timeframe.

If you give me your approximate annual online revenue, product category, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 2 best agencies and compare likely budget/timeline.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Doejo - 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• JK Marketing Group JKMG - Website Design and Marketing - 448 N La Salle Dr Ste 10-125, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• IDE Interactive, Inc. - 2945 W Peterson Ave Ste 103, Chicago, IL 60659, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• B&B Online inc - 1022 Denham Pl, Schaumburg, IL 60194, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Yes. Based on your criteria—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Near North Side/Loop proximity—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago
• Strongest overall fit. They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus and specifically offer CRO and performance optimization, rather than treating the project as purely a visual redesign.
• Their Chicago office makes in-person collaboration easy.
• Best for: A serious aging-store overhaul where you want UX, development, performance, and conversion strategy handled together.
• Doejo — River North

• 444 N Wabash Ave
• A local digital product/design studio with experience in ecommerce and Shopify, plus broader UX and development capabilities.
• Best for: A brand/UX-heavy redesign where you want a more boutique Chicago studio.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 205 N Michigan Ave
• Particularly interesting if conversion optimization is a major objective: their offering includes funnel analysis, heatmaps/session recordings, A/B testing, and optimization of PDP, collection, and checkout journeys.
• Best for: A more explicitly CRO-led engagement.
• JK Marketing Group JKMG - Website Design and Marketing — River North

• 448 N La Salle Dr
• Local design/branding agency that also supports Shopify, analytics, ongoing optimization, and maintenance.
• Best for: Smaller/midsize brands that want close local attention rather than a large ecommerce agency.

One non-local option I'd seriously consider

Forix has a particularly relevant Shopify/CRO proposition. Its Chicago offering combines custom Shopify design with CRO, analytics and A/B testing, and it publishes substantial conversion-improvement case results. Forix

For your specific goal, I'd probably talk to Praella, Forix, and 1DIGITAL first. I wouldn't choose solely on portfolio aesthetics—the key question is whether they'll diagnose why mobile users aren't converting before rebuilding the theme.

What I'd ask them

Give each agency the same brief:

“We have an aging Shopify store and want a redesign specifically aimed at increasing mobile conversion rate. Before design, we want a funnel/UX audit using GA4/Shopify analytics, session recordings and mobile usability analysis. We want the redesign tied to measurable conversion KPIs, with performance/Core Web Vitals addressed and a testing roadmap after launch.”

Then ask for:

• Their mobile conversion-rate case studies, not just prettier websites.
• Their current Shopify/Shopify Plus experience.
• How they'll distinguish design problems from merchandising, pricing, traffic, or checkout problems.
• Whether they'll establish a pre-redesign conversion baseline.
• What happens after launch—A/B testing, analytics, CRO retainer, etc.
• A clear plan for mobile PDP, collection, cart, navigation, search and checkout.

One useful benchmark: ConversionEX's Chicago CRO practice describes a research-first process using funnel analysis, session recordings, heatmaps and user testing, rather than jumping straight into visual changes. ConversionEX That's the methodology I'd want your eventual agency to emulate.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, number of SKUs, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and what I think each should charge for the project.

Then ask for:

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Codal - 433 W Van Buren St Ste 205, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• Promise Pixel - 640 S Washington St #212, Naperville, IL 60540, United States

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + mobile conversion improvement + preference for Near North Side/Loop—I’d shortlist these three:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601 (Loop)

Praella is the one I’d contact first. It’s headquartered downtown and focuses heavily on Shopify/Shopify Plus, ecommerce UX, CRO and performance optimization. ConversionEX

Why it fits:

• Strong Shopify/ecommerce specialization rather than general web design.
• Downtown Loop location makes in-person collaboration easy.
• Appropriate if the store needs both a visual/UX redesign and deeper Shopify engineering.
• Good candidate if you want continued CRO after launch rather than treating the redesign as a one-off project.

2. Sixth City Marketing — best if conversion optimization is the priority

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-872-7726)

620 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654 (River North)

This is especially interesting because it's actually in River North and lists CRO, ecommerce, web development and Shopify among its core capabilities. If your primary KPI is mobile conversion rate, rather than simply getting a newer-looking site, I'd include them in the RFP.

3. Codal — best for a more complex/technical rebuild

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-219-8691)

433 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607

Codal is a larger digital product/ecommerce consultancy in the West Loop area. It combines UX/UI, Shopify/Shopify Plus, ecommerce engineering, integrations and CRO. That makes more sense if your aging store has technical debt, complicated integrations, or you're contemplating a substantial replatform/headless build—not just a theme redesign.

One more worth looking at

The Chicago Web Co. has a particularly relevant portfolio: it describes Shopify redesigns involving UX audits, mobile navigation improvements, CRO, and measurable conversion gains—including a reported 26% conversion-rate increase for one Shopify redesign. The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co

chicagoweb.co

My pick: I'd start with Praella + Sixth City + The Chicago Web Co. and give all three the same brief. That will let you compare a Shopify-heavy specialist, a River North CRO/performance agency, and a design-led Shopify shop.

For the RFP, I would specifically ask them to audit your existing mobile funnel before proposing a redesign—product-page engagement, add-to-cart, checkout initiation, mobile speed/Core Web Vitals, navigation/search, sticky CTAs, variant selection, and checkout friction. A prettier theme alone isn't necessarily going to move conversion.

If you give me your Shopify URL and approximate annual online revenue, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies that are most appropriate for your store size and likely budget.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is higher mobile conversion, I’d prioritize agencies that can do more than a visual refresh: UX research, theme rebuilds, speed optimization, analytics review, A/B testing, and Shopify development. Based on Chicago location and Shopify/ecommerce focus, these are the ones I’d shortlist:

Best fits near River North / Loop / downtown

Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop / downtown

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601

Why I’d consider them:

• Strong Shopify/Shopify Plus orientation
• Downtown office makes in-person workshops easy
• Good fit if you need a full redesign plus integrations, subscriptions, personalization, or more complex commerce features

Best for: established brands that want a strategic Shopify partner rather than just a theme designer.

BlueBolt Solutions — River North

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

Why I’d consider them:

• Focuses on digital commerce and Shopify/Shopify Plus work
• Better fit if your store has operational complexity (ERP, CRM, inventory, fulfillment integrations) alongside UX problems

Best for: retailers with backend systems that need modernization, not just a prettier storefront.

Sixth City Marketing — River North

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-872-7726)

620 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654

Why I’d consider them:

• Local River North presence
• Combines ecommerce, web design, and marketing services

Best for: companies that also need SEO, paid acquisition, or broader digital marketing after the redesign.

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 888-982-8269)

205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 810, Chicago, IL 60601

Why I’d consider them:

• Ecommerce-first positioning
• Located in the Loop
• Experience across Shopify and other commerce platforms

Best for: merchants who want an ecommerce-focused team rather than a general web agency.

Strong Shopify conversion specialists (Chicago-focused but not necessarily neighborhood-based)

wayoutinc.com

They specifically position around Shopify builds, performance optimization, and conversion-focused storefront work for Chicago brands. WayOut Inc

conversionex.com

Worth a look if your biggest issue is mobile conversion rate rather than just aesthetics. Their positioning emphasizes CRO, testing, and performance improvements. ConversionEX

makroagency.com

More enterprise-oriented Shopify Plus work: redesigns, integrations, complex catalogs, and B2B commerce. Makro Agency

My shortlist for your specific situation

If you told me:

• “Our Shopify store looks dated”
• “Mobile traffic is high but conversion is weak”
• “We need a redesign that improves revenue”

I’d probably interview:

1. Praella — best all-around downtown Shopify partner
2. WayOut — strongest fit if mobile UX/performance is the main pain
3. ConversionEX — strongest CRO/testing angle
4. BlueBolt — if integrations or complexity are involved

For the first call, I’d ask each agency for:

• 3 examples of Shopify redesigns where mobile conversion improved
• their approach to GA4 + Shopify analytics review
• whether they run user testing/session recordings
• expected improvements to Core Web Vitals/mobile speed
• examples of post-launch CRO retainers (not just “launch and leave”)

If you share your store URL, approximate monthly traffic/orders, and whether you’re on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 2–3 agencies and suggest what scope to request.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC - 200 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago location—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Loop

Praella is the strongest match if you want a serious Shopify specialist rather than a general web-design shop. Shopify lists it as a Platinum Partner, with services spanning UX/design, CRO, analytics, migrations, integrations, and custom development. Shopify

Why I'd consider them:

• Strong Shopify/Shopify Plus expertise
• Explicit conversion-rate optimization
• UX and design are part of the core offering
• Convenient Loop location
• Better suited to a substantial redesign than a simple theme refresh

praella.com

2. BlueBolt Solutions — best for a technically complex store

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

415 N LaSalle Dr, River North

BlueBolt is particularly interesting if your aging store has custom integrations, apps, subscriptions, complex checkout requirements, or performance problems in addition to its visual/UX issues. Its Shopify work includes custom development and conversion optimization/testing.

I'd put them ahead of a pure design agency if the existing Shopify implementation has accumulated a lot of technical debt.

3. Sixth City Marketing — best if CRO/marketing is equally important

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-872-7726)

620 N LaSalle Dr, River North

They combine Shopify/web development with CRO, analytics, SEO and paid acquisition, so they're worth considering if you want the redesign tied closely to your broader acquisition funnel rather than treating the website as an isolated project.

4. The Chicago Web Co. — best smaller/local option

This one stood out in the research because its portfolio is unusually relevant to your exact problem. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

They've done Shopify redesigns involving mobile UX, navigation, product discovery, checkout, performance and CRO. One published case study for Southern Scholar reports a 26% conversion-rate increase after a Shopify transformation; another discusses mobile navigation and app optimization. The Chicago Web Co

They also explicitly position themselves around mobile-first Shopify design and UX/CRO audits. The Chicago Web Co

chicagoweb.co

My recommendation

I'd contact Praella and The Chicago Web Co. first, with BlueBolt as the third quote if your store has significant technical complexity.

For your particular brief, I wouldn't ask agencies simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd ask for a conversion-led mobile redesign and require them to show:

• Current mobile funnel/drop-off analysis
• Heatmaps/session recordings or equivalent behavioral research
• PDP and collection-page recommendations
• Core Web Vitals/mobile performance work
• Cart and checkout friction analysis
• A/B testing plan after launch
• Before/after conversion metrics from comparable Shopify clients

That distinction matters: an agency can make an aging store look dramatically better without actually making it sell better.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product category, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a realistic budget range.

They also explicitly position themselves around mobile-first Shopify design and UX/CRO audits. The Chicago Web Co

chicagoweb.co

My recommendation

I'd contact Praella and The Chicago Web Co. first, with BlueBolt as the third quote if your store has significant technical complexity.

For your particular brief, I wouldn't ask agencies simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd ask for a conversion-led mobile redesign and require them to show:

• Current mobile funnel/drop-off analysis
• Heatmaps/session recordings or equivalent behavioral research
• PDP and collection-page recommendations
• Core Web Vitals/mobile performance work
• Cart and checkout friction analysis
• A/B testing plan after launch
• Before/after conversion metrics from comparable Shopify clients

That distinction matters: an agency can make an aging store look dramatically better without actually making it sell better.

For an aging Shopify store where the main goals are a modern redesign + better mobile conversion, I’d prioritize agencies that do UX/CRO work (not just theme development). A few Chicago-area options worth vetting:

Strong fits for Shopify redesign + mobile CRO

Forix Commerce

forixcommerce.com

• Best fit if you want a more established Shopify-focused partner.
• Their Chicago Shopify practice emphasizes custom storefront design, CRO, analytics, A/B testing, and performance optimization. Forix
• Good questions to ask: - Can you show mobile conversion lifts from comparable Shopify redesigns?
• Will you run usability testing/heatmap analysis before redesigning?
• Who will actually build the theme (senior team vs. subcontractors)?

The Chicago Web Co.

chicagoweb.co

• A good fit for brands that need both brand refresh + ecommerce UX improvement.
• They highlight Shopify redesigns, mobile-first builds, UX audits, and conversion optimization work. The Chicago Web Co
• Shopify lists them as a Chicago-based Shopify Partner offering redesigns and CRO services. Shopify

WayOut

wayoutinc.com

• Better fit if your store is technically complex (custom apps, subscriptions, integrations, Shopify Plus).
• They focus on custom Shopify builds, performance optimization, analytics, and conversion-focused development. WayOut Inc

Web Tonic

webtonic.io

• Worth considering if mobile speed and CRO are major concerns.
• They specifically position around CRO-first Shopify design and mobile performance. Web Tonic
• Their listed Chicago office address is in The Loop area. Web Tonic

My shortlist for your situation

If I were narrowing this to 3 agencies to interview:

1. Forix — if you want a mature Shopify/CRO partner with deeper optimization processes. Forix
2. The Chicago Web Co. — if you want a strong visual redesign plus UX improvements. The Chicago Web Co
3. WayOut — if your current store has technical debt, customizations, or scaling issues. WayOut Inc

What I’d ask every agency before hiring

• “Show me a Shopify store you redesigned where mobile conversion rate increased.”
• “What did you change specifically: PDP, navigation, checkout, speed, merchandising?”
• “Will you audit our existing analytics before proposing a design?”
• “Do you include post-launch CRO testing, or is launch the finish line?”
• “Can you provide mobile Core Web Vitals targets?”

If you share your industry (apparel, beauty, food, B2B, etc.), monthly traffic/orders, and whether you’re on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this down further.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Invesp - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
• SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
• Design In Chicago - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + measurable mobile conversion improvement + Near North Side/Loop proximity—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop

• Probably my top choice for a serious Shopify redesign.
• Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with CRO and performance optimization capabilities.
• Their office is right in the Loop, so they fit your location preference particularly well.
• Best if you’re an established store and want a strategic redesign rather than just a prettier theme.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop

• Strong fit if you want design + CRO + ongoing marketing under one roof.
• Their offering includes mobile-first UX, performance work, funnel analysis, heatmaps/session recordings and A/B testing.
• Good option if the redesign needs to be tied closely to acquisition and ROAS.
• Invesp — Merchandise Mart

• I'd consider them if conversion-rate improvement is more important than the visual redesign itself.
• They're specifically focused on CRO and experimentation, including mobile optimization and funnel testing.
• You could potentially pair a CRO specialist like this with a Shopify design/development team.
• Sixth City Marketing — 620 N LaSalle Dr

• Convenient Near North Side location.
• Offers Shopify/e-commerce design plus CRO, SEO and paid search.
• Better fit if you want a broader growth agency rather than a Shopify-only shop.

One specialist I'd also interview

The Chicago Web Co. is worth adding to the RFP even though I wouldn't rank it first purely on location. Their Shopify portfolio is unusually relevant to your brief: they show complete redesigns, UX audits, mobile-navigation improvements, CRO, and measurable conversion results. One published Shopify case study reports a 26% conversion-rate increase after a redesign and UX overhaul. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

Their Shopify work specifically emphasizes mobile-first design and conversion optimization, and their Shopify Partner profile confirms store redesign and CRO as services. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

My recommendation

I'd send the same brief to Praella, 1DIGITAL, The Chicago Web Co., and Invesp and ask each to diagnose the current store before proposing a redesign.

The key question shouldn't be “Can you make our Shopify store look modern?” It should be:

“Show us the 5–10 changes you believe will have the biggest impact on mobile conversion, and tell us how you'll prove they worked.”

I'd also require them to address mobile Core Web Vitals, collection/PDP UX, navigation/search, cart/checkout friction, analytics instrumentation, and post-launch A/B testing—otherwise you risk paying for a visual refresh that doesn't materially improve revenue.

If you give me your approximate annual online revenue, number of SKUs, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a realistic budget range.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Eight Bit Studios - 1 E Erie St, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• AdverGroup Web Design & Digital Marketing - 2021 Midwest Rd Ste 200, Oak Brook, IL 60523, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is higher mobile conversion rates, I’d prioritize agencies that do more than visual redesigns: you want UX research, Shopify theme engineering, speed optimization, analytics/CRO, and A/B testing. Based on Chicago location and Shopify/CRO fit, these are the ones I’d shortlist:

Best fits near Near North Side / Loop

Praella - eCommerce Agency — River North / Loop area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

Best for: Shopify Plus, mature brands, conversion-focused rebuilds

• Chicago office at 203 N LaSalle St (Loop).
• Strong Shopify/Shopify Plus focus, including redesigns, performance optimization, integrations, and CRO work.
• Good fit if your store has complexity: subscriptions, large catalogs, custom apps, integrations, or significant revenue volume.

I’d ask them: “Can you show mobile conversion lifts from Shopify redesigns where you improved PDPs, navigation, and checkout?”

BlueBolt Solutions — River North

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

Best for: technically complex Shopify stores

• Located at 415 N LaSalle Dr in Chicago.
• Focuses on ecommerce experiences, Shopify/Shopify Plus, migrations, integrations, and ongoing support.
• A good choice if your “aging store” problem is partly technical: slow pages, messy theme code, app conflicts, or backend limitations.

Sixth City Marketing — River North

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-872-7726)

Best for: redesign + ongoing growth marketing

• Office at 620 N La Salle Dr in River North.
• Offers CRO, ecommerce, website development, and marketing services.
• Worth considering if your conversion problem is tied to traffic quality, paid ads, landing pages, or lifecycle marketing—not just the storefront.

Eight Bit Studios — Near North Side

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-281-8823)

Best for: UX-heavy redesigns and custom digital experiences

• Located at 1 E Erie St.
• More of a product/design studio than a Shopify-only shop, but strong if you need deeper UX thinking, customer flows, and custom experiences.
• I’d consider them especially if your store needs a brand refresh plus a better mobile shopping journey.

Other strong Shopify specialists (not exactly Loop/Near North)

Ethercycle — Chicago area

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 877-384-3740)

Best for: Shopify-native brands wanting ecommerce expertise

• Shopify-focused studio with experience in store design, development, maintenance, and CRO.
• A good boutique option if you want a hands-on Shopify partner rather than a broad digital agency.

Orbit Media Studios — Chicago

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 773-348-4581)

Best for: UX/CRO process and long-term optimization

• Strong reputation around website strategy, UX, analytics, and conversion improvement.
• Less Shopify-specialized than some above, so I’d verify recent Shopify ecommerce examples.

My shortlist for your specific project

If I were sending out 3–4 RFPs, I’d start with:

1. Praella — if you’re a serious ecommerce brand and want a Shopify Plus-level partner.
2. BlueBolt Solutions — if the current store is technically messy or slow.
3. Ethercycle — if you want Shopify expertise from a focused ecommerce team.
4. Eight Bit Studios — if mobile UX and customer experience are the biggest problems.

When interviewing them, I’d specifically request:

• 3 examples of mobile conversion rate improvements
• before/after screenshots of product pages and checkout flows
• their approach to analytics review before redesign
• expected impact on add-to-cart rate, checkout completion, and site speed
• whether they run post-launch CRO testing rather than considering launch the finish line

A pretty Shopify redesign alone rarely fixes mobile conversion; the stronger agencies will start with funnel data and shopper behavior.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Doejo - 444 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
• Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago presence near the Loop/Near North Side—I’d put these three at the top of the list:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop

• 203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100
• This is probably my first call. Praella is a Shopify Platinum Partner with specific expertise in UX/design, CRO, performance optimization, migrations, and Shopify Plus. Shopify
• Particularly good if your aging store needs more than cosmetic design work—e.g. theme modernization, mobile UX, speed, analytics, and systematic conversion improvements.
• praella.com
• BlueBolt Solutions — River North

• 415 N LaSalle Dr
• A strong option if you want a technically sophisticated Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild. They combine ecommerce strategy, custom Shopify development, integrations, and ongoing optimization, and are a certified Shopify Plus partner.
• Their location is particularly convenient for your Near North Side preference.
• blueboltsolutions.com
• Doejo — River North

• 444 N Wabash Ave
• More design/product-studio oriented. I'd consider them if the store's biggest problem is dated UX/brand presentation and mobile shopping experience, rather than complicated Shopify infrastructure.
• Their River North location makes them an easy local option.
• doejo.com

One wildcard I'd definitely interview

The Chicago Web Co. is worth a look even though I couldn't verify a current Near North Side/Loop office. Their Shopify portfolio is unusually relevant to your exact problem: they describe full Shopify redesigns, UX audits, mobile optimization and CRO, and one case study reports a 26% conversion-rate increase after a Shopify transformation. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

chicagoweb.co

My recommendation

I'd RFP Praella, BlueBolt, and The Chicago Web Co. rather than choosing solely on aesthetics.

For your project, I'd specifically ask each agency to provide:

• A mobile UX/CRO audit before proposing the redesign
• Your current mobile conversion funnel benchmarked against desktop
• Core Web Vitals/mobile performance analysis
• Proposed improvements to PDPs, navigation, cart and checkout
• Their approach to A/B testing after launch
• Examples where they can show before/after conversion metrics, not just prettier screenshots
• A clear separation between Shopify theme work and genuinely custom development

If your store is already generating meaningful revenue, I'd be wary of an agency whose pitch is essentially "we'll give your Shopify site a fresh new look." The better partner should be able to tell you where mobile shoppers are currently dropping out and what evidence supports each redesign decision.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• BlueBolt Solutions - 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• 10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
• Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Americaneagle.com, Inc. - 200 W Jackson Blvd Fl 22, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• 1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
• SEOLEVELUP Website Design SEO Company Chicago - 355 N Laflin St Ste 101C, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + mobile conversion improvement + preference for Near North Side/Loop—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-761-3218)

203 N LaSalle St, Chicago (Loop)

Praella looks like the strongest overall fit. It’s a Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused ecommerce agency with a downtown office, and its capabilities span store redesign, UX/UI, Shopify development, and customer-flow optimization. That combination is important because you don't just want a prettier theme—you want the redesign tied to conversion performance.

I’d ask them specifically for a mobile-first CRO audit before committing to the redesign, including PDP, collection, cart, navigation, page speed, and checkout friction.

Also worth talking to: BlueBolt Solutions

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-236-4507)

415 N LaSalle Dr, River North

This is probably the best geographic match if you want Near North Side/River North. BlueBolt focuses on ecommerce and Shopify/Shopify Plus, including custom builds, integrations, performance work, and ongoing optimization.

I'd favor them if your aging store has technical debt, lots of apps/integrations, or performance problems in addition to the UX issues.

Strong Loop option: 10com Web Development

DirectionsWebsite[Call](tel:+1 312-321-7496)

205 N Michigan Ave, Loop

10com is another centrally located option with Shopify experience, responsive redesign capabilities, and ecommerce UX work. Its location is particularly convenient if face-to-face meetings matter.

One specialist I'd consider beyond the location constraint

The Chicago Web Co. is especially interesting for your goals. Its portfolio shows actual Shopify redesign/CRO work, including a Southern Scholar redesign that reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, plus mobile-navigation and app optimization. Its Shopify Partner profile also lists store redesign and conversion-rate optimization among its services. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

The catch: I'd verify their current Chicago office location before making the Near North Side/Loop requirement a deciding factor.

How I'd choose

If I were hiring for this project, my order would be:

1. Praella — best overall fit for a substantial Shopify redesign in the Loop.
2. BlueBolt Solutions — best if you're in River North and have meaningful technical/performance issues.
3. The Chicago Web Co. — strongest evidence I've found for the specific redesign + CRO + mobile UX combination.
4. 10com — good local/Loop alternative, particularly if convenience and broader web/design support matter.

One thing I'd not do is hire purely on the basis of a portfolio that looks modern. Ask each agency to show you before/after mobile conversion metrics, explain how they identify mobile friction, and tell you what they would test before redesigning the whole store.

If you give me your Shopify URL and approximate monthly traffic/revenue, I can also narrow this to the best 2 agencies and tell you what I'd ask each one to propose.

10com is another centrally located option with Shopify experience, responsive redesign capabilities, and ecommerce UX work. Its location is particularly convenient if face-to-face meetings matter.

One specialist I'd consider beyond the location constraint

The Chicago Web Co. is especially interesting for your goals. Its portfolio shows actual Shopify redesign/CRO work, including a Southern Scholar redesign that reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, plus mobile-navigation and app optimization. Its Shopify Partner profile also lists store redesign and conversion-rate optimization among its services. The Chicago Web Co Shopify

The catch: I'd verify their current Chicago office location before making the Near North Side/Loop requirement a deciding factor.

How I'd choose

If I were hiring for this project, my order would be:

1. Praella — best overall fit for a substantial Shopify redesign in the Loop.
2. BlueBolt Solutions — best if you're in River North and have meaningful technical/performance issues.
3. The Chicago Web Co. — strongest evidence I've found for the specific redesign + CRO + mobile UX combination.
4. 10com — good local/Loop alternative, particularly if convenience and broader web/design support matter.

One thing I'd not do is hire purely on the basis of a portfolio that looks modern. Ask each agency to show you before/after mobile conversion metrics, explain how they identify mobile friction, and tell you what they would test before redesigning the whole store.

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago location—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Best overall fit

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60601 — Loop

Praella is probably the first agency I’d talk to. They’re heavily focused on Shopify/Shopify Plus, with a downtown office, and are geared toward ecommerce rather than general-purpose web design. Their work is particularly relevant if your store has meaningful complexity—subscriptions, integrations, personalization, or a sizable product catalog.

Why I like them for you: Shopify-native expertise + UX/ecommerce focus + convenient Loop location.

2. Codal — Best for a substantial modernization

Codal
Web
Address: 433 W Van Buren St Ste 205, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Phone: +1 312-219-8691
433 W Van Buren St, Chicago, IL 60607 — West Loop

Codal is a Platinum Shopify Partner and does much more than theme design: UX research, strategy, Shopify/Shopify Plus development, integrations, and conversion-focused ecommerce work. Shopify lists their minimum selected-service pricing at $10,000+, so I'd expect them to be more appropriate for a significant redesign than a small theme refresh. www.shopify.com

Why I like them: Particularly strong candidate if your aging store has technical debt, awkward integrations, or a complicated customer journey.

3. 1o8 — Best if growth marketing is part of the project

1o8
Web
Address: 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
Phone: +1 312-324-4970
231 S LaSalle St, Chicago, IL 60604 — Loop

1o8 is in the Loop and combines ecommerce/Shopify work with performance marketing, creative, content and DTC growth. That could be useful if you don't just want a prettier storefront but want the redesign tied directly to acquisition and revenue improvements.

One I'd consider if you're willing to go outside the requested area

Orbit Media Studios is another strong candidate. They're farther north at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave, but their Shopify offering is unusually aligned with your conversion goal: custom Shopify design, UX, analytics, CRO, mobile optimization, performance, and ongoing testing. They specifically say their Shopify work is designed to improve conversion rates across desktop and mobile. www.orbitmedia.com

Their ecommerce practice also cites $22M+ in revenue generated by their ecommerce websites and case studies involving substantial ecommerce growth. www.orbitmedia.com

My ranking for your situation

If this were my project, I'd get proposals from Praella, Codal, and Orbit. I wouldn't frame the RFP as simply "redesign our Shopify site." I'd ask each agency to first analyze your mobile funnel—landing → collection → product page → cart → checkout—and identify the highest-impact conversion leaks, then price the redesign around those findings.

That will help you distinguish an agency that knows ecommerce conversion from one that's primarily selling a visual redesign.

For your brief, I’d shortlist three Chicago agencies, with Praella as my first call.

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit
   • 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago — right in the Loop.
   • Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with a strong ecommerce focus.
   • Particularly relevant if you want more than a visual refresh: CRO, performance optimization, UX, and ongoing growth are part of its offering.
   • Shopify lists Praella as a Platinum Partner, which is a useful credibility signal for a substantial store redesign.
   • My take: Best choice if your aging store needs a serious UX/technical overhaul while keeping conversion performance front and center.

2. BlueBolt Solutions — best Near North Side option
   • 415 N LaSalle Dr, in River North.
   • Focuses on ecommerce strategy, Shopify/Shopify Plus, custom development, integrations, and ongoing optimization.
   • A good candidate if the redesign also involves speed, third-party integrations, personalization, or more complex Shopify functionality.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — best if CRO is the priority
   • 205 N Michigan Ave, in the Loop.
   • Their offering specifically includes mobile-first ecommerce design, CRO, funnel analysis, heatmaps/session recordings, and A/B testing.
   • That makes them worth considering if the primary business case for the redesign is "increase mobile conversion" rather than simply modernize the brand.

A couple of other interesting options: Codal in the West Loop is a larger UX/ecommerce consultancy that can handle sophisticated redesigns and integrations, while Sixth City Marketing in River North combines Shopify development with CRO and broader digital marketing.

What I'd ask each agency

Don't let the pitch become "we'll make your Shopify store look modern." Give them the same brief and ask for:

• A mobile funnel audit using your GA4/Shopify data and session recordings.
• Specific hypotheses for improving PDP → add-to-cart → checkout conversion.
• Their plan for Core Web Vitals/mobile performance.
• Examples of Shopify redesigns where conversion actually increased, not just prettier screenshots.
• Whether they'll run A/B tests after launch or simply hand you the new theme.
• A clear distinction between theme redesign, CRO, and ongoing optimization in the proposal.

Shopify's own partner directory also confirms that The Chicago Web Co. offers store redesign, checkout upgrades and CRO, with a 4.9/5 rating across 50 reviews, so I'd include them if you're interested in a smaller shop rather than a larger agency. www.shopify.com

If it were my shortlist: Praella → BlueBolt → 1DIGITAL. Praella is the one I'd contact first given the combination of Loop location, Shopify specialization, and CRO/performance capabilities.

Yes. For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + redesign + measurable mobile conversion improvement + preferably Near North Side/Loop—I’d put Praella at the top of the list.

My shortlist

1. Praella — Loop
   • 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago
   • Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with a strong ecommerce focus.
   • Particularly interesting for you because their offering includes CRO and performance optimization, not just visual redesign.
   • I'd make them the first call if you want a serious redesign rather than simply a new theme.

2. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop
   • 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Very close to your preferred area.
   • Their CRO approach includes heatmaps/session recordings, funnel analysis and A/B testing, alongside mobile-first ecommerce design. That's a good combination if conversion lift is the primary KPI.

3. Sixth City Marketing — Near North Side
   • 620 N LaSalle Dr
   • Convenient River North/Near North Side location.
   • More of a growth/CRO + marketing agency than a pure Shopify design studio, but they explicitly offer CRO, ecommerce, Shopify and web development.

4. WPrime Agency — Merchandise Mart
   • 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza
   • Another good Near North Side option, particularly if you want UX/UI + Shopify + ongoing optimization under one roof.

One wildcard I'd seriously consider

The Chicago Web Co. isn't in your preferred neighborhood, but its Shopify work is unusually relevant to the problem you're describing. Its portfolio includes a Shopify redesign for Southern Scholar that reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, alongside improvements in sales, orders and returning-customer rate. It also specifically emphasizes mobile-first Shopify builds and UX/CRO audits. chicagoweb.co

The Chicago Web Co.

Who I'd contact first

Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → 1DIGITAL.

When you talk to them, I wouldn't ask simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd ask for a conversion-focused redesign with a mobile funnel audit, and require them to establish a baseline for:

• mobile conversion rate
• add-to-cart rate
• checkout initiation/completion
• mobile page speed/Core Web Vitals
• PDP engagement
• cart abandonment
• revenue per mobile visitor

I'd also ask each agency to show you 2–3 comparable Shopify redesigns where they can demonstrate actual conversion/revenue results, rather than just attractive screenshots.

If you tell me roughly your annual/monthly Shopify revenue and what you sell, I can narrow this to the best 2 agencies and give you a realistic budget range for the redesign.

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago location—my first call would be The Chicago Web Co..

My shortlist

1. The Chicago Web Co. — best overall fit

• Location: 332 S. Michigan Ave., right in the Loop. chicagoweb.co
• Shopify-focused since 2013, with 1,200+ stores claimed.
• Specifically offers mobile-first Shopify design, UX/CRO audits, redesigns, and post-launch optimization. chicagoweb.cowww.shopify.com
• Their portfolio is unusually relevant to your situation: they have done legacy-store redesigns, mobile UX improvements, navigation/checkout work, and reported conversion lifts. For example, their Southern Scholar redesign reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, while their Stan's Donuts work focused heavily on mobile performance and shopping UX. chicagoweb.co
• Shopify's partner directory currently shows a 4.9/5 rating from 50 reviews. chicagoweb.cowww.shopify.com

Why I'd pick them: They're close to exactly what you're describing rather than being primarily a general marketing agency. I'd ask them to start with a mobile UX/CRO audit of your existing store before proposing a full rebuild.

The Chicago Web Co.

2. Dumo Digital — strongest if you're a CPG/consumer brand

• Chicago-based, with a primary location listed in 60614 (Lincoln Park area). www.linkedin.com
• Shopify Plus partner focused specifically on CRO, storefront optimization, AOV and retention. www.dumodigital.com
• Their stated results include a 32% average conversion-rate increase and 48% average AOV lift across their portfolio. www.dumodigital.com
• Particularly compelling if you're selling food/beverage, beauty, wellness, home goods, or another physical CPG product.

Dumo Digital

3. Alo Agency — worth a conversation for a more technical Shopify rebuild

• Chicago-based Shopify partner with a 5.0/5 rating from 49 Shopify reviews. www.shopify.com
• Handles redesigns, theme customization, custom apps/integrations, and Shopify API work. www.shopify.com
• I'd favor them if your aging store has substantial custom Liquid/code, app integrations, or technical debt, rather than just needing a visual/UX refresh.

Alo Agency

What I'd do

I'd get proposals from Chicago Web Co. + Dumo Digital, and make the agencies compete on the same brief:

“We have an aging Shopify store and want to improve mobile conversion, not simply make the site prettier. Audit our current funnel, identify the biggest mobile drop-offs, recommend a redesign, and give us a measurement plan for conversion rate, add-to-cart, checkout initiation, and completed purchase.”

I'd specifically ask for before/after mobile conversion data from comparable Shopify projects, their approach to Core Web Vitals/page speed, whether they run A/B tests after launch, and what analytics/heatmap data they'll need from your existing store.

If you tell me what you sell, approximate annual online revenue, and whether you're on Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 2 best agencies and give you a rough expected project budget.

Given your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + Chicago proximity—I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100 — The Loop

Praella is the strongest fit if you want a fairly sophisticated Shopify/Shopify Plus partner. It’s downtown, Shopify-focused, and combines redesign/development with CRO and performance work. Its local office also makes it practical for in-person strategy sessions.

Why I’d call them first: your project sounds like more than a visual refresh—you want the agency to diagnose why mobile shoppers aren't converting and rebuild around that.

Best smaller/local-feeling option: Sixth City Marketing

Sixth City Marketing
Web
Address: 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-872-7726
620 N La Salle Dr — River North

This is particularly interesting if you want CRO to be central to the engagement, rather than hiring a design agency that happens to offer CRO. They combine conversion optimization with web/ecommerce work and are right in River North.

Best if you're heavily design/brand-led: The Chicago Web Co.

This is a Shopify-specialist agency with a Chicago base. Shopify's partner directory lists it at 4.9/5 from 50 reviews, with store redesign, checkout upgrades and CRO among its services. www.shopify.com

Their portfolio is especially relevant to your brief: they've done complete Shopify redesigns involving mobile UX, navigation, checkout and conversion optimization, including a Southern Scholar project reporting a 26% conversion-rate increase. chicagoweb.co

The Chicago Web Co.

Also worth a conversation: BlueBolt Solutions

BlueBolt Solutions
Web
Address: 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-236-4507
415 N LaSalle Dr — River North

A good choice if your aging store has technical baggage—custom integrations, apps, complicated catalog logic, etc.—in addition to UX problems. They're a Shopify Plus partner and emphasize custom builds, integrations and ongoing optimization.

How I'd rank them for your specific project:

One other agency, Web Tonic, is worth putting on the competitive bid list: its Chicago Shopify practice explicitly centers on CRO, mobile speed, checkout optimization and AOV, rather than treating conversion as an afterthought. www.webtonic.io

Web Tonic's Chicago Shopify practice

If it were my store, I'd solicit 3 proposals from Praella, Chicago Web Co., and Sixth City. In the RFP, I'd require each agency to show (1) a mobile UX/CRO audit before proposing the redesign, (2) their approach to Core Web Vitals/mobile speed, (3) specific PDP/cart/checkout changes they'd test, and (4) how they'll establish a pre-launch conversion baseline and measure the post-launch lift. That will separate a genuine CRO engagement from a prettier Shopify theme.

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + redesign + mobile conversion improvement + preferably Near North Side/Loop—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop
   • 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
   • Strongest overall fit in my view: Shopify/Shopify Plus-focused, with CRO and performance optimization alongside redesign/development.
   • Particularly worth considering if this is a meaningful revenue-generating store rather than a small brochure-style ecommerce site. www.webtonic.io
   • My pick: Start here.

2. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Loop
   • 205 N Michigan Ave, also in the Loop.
   • Their offering explicitly includes Shopify/Shopify Plus redesigns, CRO research, heatmaps/session recordings, funnel analysis and A/B testing. That combination is very aligned with your goal of improving mobile conversion rather than merely making the site look newer.
   • Good choice if you want a more data/marketing-heavy engagement.

3. Sixth City Marketing — River North
   • 620 N LaSalle Dr, which puts them squarely in the Near North Side/River North area.
   • Their mix includes ecommerce, web design/development and CRO, with a performance-marketing orientation.
   • I'd consider them if you want the redesign tied closely to your broader acquisition/SEO/PPC program.

4. BlueBolt Solutions — River North
   • 415 N LaSalle Dr.
   • More technically oriented: Shopify/Shopify Plus, custom builds, integrations and ongoing optimization. They also emphasize experimentation/personalization.
   • A good candidate if the aging store has technical debt, bloated apps, integrations or performance problems in addition to UX issues.

One more agency I'd investigate

The Chicago Web Co. is particularly interesting from a portfolio perspective. Their published work includes full Shopify redesigns, UX audits, mobile-navigation improvements and documented conversion gains—for example, their Southern Scholar case study reports a 26% conversion-rate increase after a Shopify transformation. chicagoweb.co

The catch: I wasn't able to establish from the current search results that their office is specifically in Near North Side/Loop, so I'd prioritize the four above if physical proximity matters.

How I'd choose

I'd ask each agency for a proposal that doesn't start with “let's redesign the homepage.” Specifically request:

• Mobile funnel/GA4 analysis before design
• Shopify theme and app-bloat audit
• Product-page and collection-page UX analysis
• Core Web Vitals/mobile-speed baseline
• Cart and checkout friction analysis
• Heatmaps/session recordings
• A prioritized CRO test roadmap
• A/B testing after launch
• Clear KPIs: mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation, revenue/session and AOV

That will separate a genuine ecommerce/CRO partner from a conventional web-design shop.

My order for initial calls: Praella → 1DIGITAL → BlueBolt → Sixth City. Praella is the best geographic + Shopify-specialist combination; 1DIGITAL looks especially strong if you want rigorous CRO experimentation; BlueBolt moves up the list if the store has substantial technical complexity.

If you tell me roughly annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, product count, and your target budget, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare likely project scope/pricing.

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is redesign + measurable mobile conversion improvement, I’d prioritize agencies that do UX/CRO work (not just “pretty Shopify themes”). A few Chicago-area options that look like strong fits:

Best matches for a Shopify redesign + mobile CRO

1. Praella — Loop / downtown Chicago

• Strong Shopify and Shopify Plus focus.
• Better fit if you have a mature store with integrations, subscriptions, personalization, or a larger catalog.
• Their Chicago office is in the Loop area (203 N LaSalle St).

2. BlueBolt Solutions — River North

• Good option if your store needs more than a visual refresh: UX improvements, Shopify Plus work, integrations, and ongoing optimization.
• Located at 415 N LaSalle St.

3. Sixth City Marketing — River North

• More of a broader digital agency, but they offer Shopify/ecommerce work and are conveniently located near your preferred area.
• Their Chicago office is at 620 N LaSalle Dr.

4. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — The Loop

• Ecommerce-focused and located downtown (205 N Michigan Ave).
• Worth considering if you want Shopify redesign plus broader ecommerce marketing support.

5. Ethercycle — Chicago area

• Shopify-specialist studio with a strong ecommerce focus.
• Less “big agency,” more Shopify-focused partner approach.

If mobile conversion rate is the main KPI

I’d specifically ask any agency you interview whether they will:

• audit mobile funnel drop-off in GA4/Shopify Analytics
• review heatmaps/session recordings (e.g., Clarity, Hotjar)
• redesign PDPs (product pages) for mobile shopping behavior
• improve Core Web Vitals/page speed
• test navigation, search, filtering, cart drawer, checkout friction
• run A/B tests after launch rather than declaring victory at launch

A couple of Shopify-focused firms that emphasize CRO/mobile optimization (though not necessarily in your preferred neighborhoods) are:

• Dumo Digital — focuses on Shopify CRO, retention, and DTC growth. www.dumodigital.comchicagoweb.co
• The Chicago Web Co. — offers Shopify redesigns, UX audits, and conversion optimization. chicagoweb.co

My shortlist to contact first would be:

1. Praella (if you’re a serious revenue-generating Shopify brand)
2. BlueBolt (if you need UX + technical modernization)
3. Ethercycle (if you want Shopify depth from a more focused studio)
4. The Chicago Web Co. (if you want a smaller, design-led partner)

When reaching out, I’d send them your current conversion rate, mobile share of traffic, monthly sessions/orders, and your top 3 mobile pain points. That will usually separate agencies that do real CRO from agencies that mainly redesign themes.

For an aging Shopify store where the goal is mobile conversion improvement (not just a visual refresh), I’d prioritize agencies that do UX research, CRO, Shopify theme development, and analytics—not general web design shops. These Chicago-area options look like strong fits, with several close to the Near North Side/Loop:

1. Praella — Best fit if you want a sophisticated Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218

• Location: The Loop (LaSalle St)
• Strong choice for a mature brand that needs more than a theme swap: UX redesign, Shopify Plus work, performance improvements, integrations, and CRO.
• I’d consider them if your store has:
  • large catalogs
  • subscriptions
  • complex apps/integrations
  • significant paid traffic you want to convert better

2. The Chicago Web Co. — Best boutique Shopify redesign option

Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding
Web
Address: 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Phone: +1 312-741-0303

• Chicago-based Shopify specialist with a strong focus on design, UX, conversion optimization, and mobile-first storefronts. www.shopify.com
• Their portfolio highlights Shopify redesigns, UX audits, CRO work, and mobile shopping improvements. chicagoweb.co
• Good fit if you want a hands-on boutique partner rather than a larger enterprise agency.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — Best Loop-based CRO/ecommerce option

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 888-982-8269

• Location: The Loop (Michigan Ave)
• Focuses on ecommerce design/development and conversion optimization, including funnel analysis, UX improvements, and testing.
• Worth considering if you want a more data-driven CRO engagement.

4. Sixth City Marketing — Best if redesign is tied to marketing growth

Sixth City Marketing
Web
Address: 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-872-7726

• Location: River North area
• Offers CRO, ecommerce work, and digital marketing services.
• Better fit if your problems include not only conversion rate but also acquisition, SEO, paid traffic, and analytics.

5. Web Tonic — Strong CRO-first Shopify positioning

• Their Chicago Shopify practice emphasizes mobile optimization, checkout improvements, speed, merchandising, and conversion-focused design. www.webtonic.io
• Good match for a brand saying: “We have traffic, but our store isn’t turning enough visitors into buyers.”

My shortlist for your specific need

If I were narrowing this to three agencies to interview:

1. Praella — if you’re a serious revenue-generating Shopify store and want a strategic rebuild.
2. The Chicago Web Co. — if you want a high-touch Shopify redesign with strong UX/design instincts.
3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — if improving conversion rate through testing and analytics is the priority.

When you talk to them, I’d ask for:

• 2–3 examples of mobile conversion rate improvements they delivered
• their process for analyzing your current funnel (GA4, Shopify analytics, heatmaps/session recordings)
• whether they run A/B tests after launch or only hand off a redesigned theme
• examples of product page, cart, and checkout improvements

A good agency should be able to show you exactly where mobile shoppers are dropping off before proposing a redesign.

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + genuinely Chicago-based + Near North Side/Loop preference—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella — best overall fit

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100, Loop

Praella is the one I’d contact first. It’s a Chicago-headquartered Shopify/Shopify Plus agency with explicit experience in CRO and performance optimization, rather than treating the project as purely a visual redesign. Its downtown location is also an excellent match for your geography.

Why I like it: strong Shopify specialization, local office, and enough technical depth if your aging store has accumulated apps, integrations, or theme debt.

2. Sixth City Marketing — best Near North Side option

Sixth City Marketing
Web
Address: 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-872-7726
620 N LaSalle Dr, River North

This is particularly interesting if your goal is conversion improvement rather than just a prettier storefront. They combine Shopify/ecommerce web development with CRO, SEO and paid acquisition, so they can look at the entire funnel.

I'd put them on the shortlist if your mobile conversion problem may partly stem from traffic quality, landing pages, merchandising or analytics—not just UX.

3. UX 4Sight — best if UX/mobile friction is the central problem

UX 4Sight
Web
Address: 111 W Jackson Blvd Unit 1700, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
Phone: +1 312-224-0095
111 W Jackson Blvd, Loop

They specialize in UX/UI and conversion-oriented experience design. They're less of a Shopify-first implementation shop than Praella, so I'd consider them if you already have solid Shopify development resources and primarily need research, mobile UX diagnosis, customer journeys and redesign direction.

Worth considering: The Chicago Web Co.

The Chicago Web Co. is a Shopify-focused Chicago agency offering custom, mobile-first design plus conversion optimization and UX audits. Shopify's partner directory currently shows a 4.9/5 rating from 50 reviews and specifically lists store redesign and CRO among its services. www.shopify.com

My ranking for your project:
Praella → Sixth City → The Chicago Web Co. → UX 4Sight

One thing I'd insist on in the RFP: don't ask simply for a “Shopify redesign.” Ask each agency to audit your current mobile funnel first—PDP → add-to-cart → cart → checkout—and establish a conversion baseline, Core Web Vitals/mobile speed baseline, and prioritized hypotheses for improvement. That will separate agencies capable of actually improving revenue from agencies that mainly produce attractive themes.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product category, and whether you're on Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2 agencies and compare likely project scope/pricing.

For your brief, I’d put Praella - eCommerce Agency at the top of the list.

It’s especially well matched because Praella is a Chicago-based Shopify Plus agency with capabilities spanning UX/design, conversion-rate optimization, migrations, integrations, and performance. Shopify’s own partner directory lists it as a Platinum Partner and specifically includes CRO and store redesign work. www.shopify.com Its Chicago office is at 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.

Praella

My shortlist

One more I'd interview

The Chicago Web Co. is another Shopify-focused Chicago option. Shopify's directory lists store redesign and CRO among its services, and its own site emphasizes mobile-first Shopify builds, UX audits, and conversion optimization. www.shopify.com

The Chicago Web Co.

If mobile conversion is the primary KPI, I'd make the RFP less about "redesigning the site" and more about diagnosing and improving the mobile purchase funnel. Ask each agency to show:

• 2–3 Shopify redesigns where they can demonstrate conversion-rate or revenue improvement
• Their process for analyzing mobile PDP → add-to-cart → checkout drop-off
• How they'll improve Core Web Vitals/mobile speed without sacrificing merchandising
• Whether they run A/B tests after launch rather than treating launch as the finish line
• Their approach to apps/scripts—aging Shopify stores often have substantial performance drag from app bloat
• A proposed measurement baseline: mobile CVR, add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation, purchase completion, AOV and revenue/session

My ranking for your particular project: Praella → The Chicago Web Co. → Uncap, with Alpha Efficiency as a fourth conversation if having a very local design partner matters.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and what you sell, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to the RFP and compare their likely strengths/weaknesses.

For your specific brief—aging Shopify store + mobile conversion improvement + preference for Near North Side/Loop—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — Loop
   • 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
   • Strongest overall fit if you want a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus redesign rather than just a visual refresh. They focus on Shopify and e-commerce, including CRO and performance optimization.
   • Best choice if your store has meaningful revenue, integrations, or technical complexity.

2. BlueBolt Solutions — River North
   • 415 N LaSalle Dr, in the Near North Side.
   • Particularly interesting if the aging store has technical debt. They work with Shopify/Shopify Plus, custom development, migrations, integrations, and ongoing optimization.
   • I'd put them high on the list if speed, UX experimentation, and backend architecture matter as much as visual design.

3. Sixth City Marketing — River North
   • 620 N La Salle Dr.
   • More performance-marketing-oriented than a pure Shopify studio, but they specifically offer CRO + e-commerce + Shopify web development. That makes them worth considering if you want the redesign tied closely to acquisition and conversion data.

4. SeedCart | Web Designers In Chicago — Loop
   • 222 S Riverside Plaza.
   • E-commerce-focused and explicitly works with Shopify/Shopify Plus, including speed, conversion optimization, custom themes and integrations.
   • Potentially a good option if you want a more hands-on redesign without necessarily going all the way into an enterprise Shopify engagement.

One specialist I'd also interview

The Chicago Web Co. is worth putting on your RFP list even though I wouldn't choose it primarily based on neighborhood. Shopify's partner directory lists it as a Chicago-based partner offering store redesign, checkout upgrades, and CRO, with a 4.9/5 rating from 50 Shopify reviews. www.shopify.com

More importantly, their published portfolio has unusually relevant evidence for your situation: a Shopify redesign for Southern Scholar reportedly produced a 26% conversion-rate increase, while their LoveShackFancy work involved a UX audit specifically examining mobile glitches, shopping friction and conversion pathways. chicagoweb.co Their own site also emphasizes mobile-first Shopify builds and UX/CRO work. chicagoweb.co

The Chicago Web Co.

My ranking

If it were my RFP, I'd start with Praella, BlueBolt, and Chicago Web Co. I'd ask all three to audit your existing mobile funnel before proposing a redesign. That will tell you whether your biggest opportunity is navigation/PDP UX, page speed, cart/checkout friction, merchandising, or something else.

One especially important request: don't accept “mobile responsive” as the KPI. Ask for a baseline and targets for mobile add-to-cart rate, checkout initiation, purchase conversion rate, Core Web Vitals/page speed, and revenue per mobile visitor. That will separate a genuinely conversion-focused Shopify agency from one primarily selling a prettier theme. www.webtonic.io

If you tell me roughly your annual Shopify revenue, industry, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a suggested RFP/scope and questions to ask each one.

Yes. Based on your priorities—Shopify redesign + mobile conversion improvement + genuinely Chicago-local—I’d shortlist these:

1. Praella — Best overall fit

Praella - eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-761-3218
203 N LaSalle St, Loop

Praella is the strongest match if you want a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus partner rather than a general web-design shop. It’s a Chicago-headquartered ecommerce agency with Shopify redesign, CRO, and performance optimization capabilities. The Loop location is a particularly good fit for your preference. www.webtonic.io

Why I'd call them: They can handle the redesign as an ecommerce growth project rather than simply giving the store a visual refresh.

Praella website

2. BlueBolt Solutions — Best Near North Side option

BlueBolt Solutions
Web
Address: 415 N La Salle Dr, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Phone: +1 312-236-4507
415 N LaSalle Dr, River North

BlueBolt is especially interesting if your aging store has technical baggage—slow performance, legacy integrations, custom functionality, or a messy theme. They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus and ecommerce experiences, including optimization and ongoing support.

BlueBolt Solutions website

3. 1Digital Agency — Best Loop alternative

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency
Web
Address: 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 888-982-8269
205 N Michigan Ave, Loop

They explicitly offer CRO involving funnel analysis, heatmaps/session recordings and A/B testing, alongside Shopify design/development. That's attractive if mobile conversion rate is the primary KPI rather than just aesthetics.

1Digital Agency website

4. 10com Web Development — Worth considering for a smaller project

10com Web Development
Web
Address: 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Phone: +1 312-321-7496
205 N Michigan Ave, Loop

They do Shopify and responsive redesigns and have a very strong volume of local reviews. I'd put them behind the three above if you're a sizable ecommerce operation, but they could make sense if the redesign is relatively straightforward.

My recommendation

I'd talk to Praella first, then BlueBolt and 1Digital as comparison bids.

For your situation, I wouldn't ask agencies simply for a "Shopify redesign." I'd ask for a proposal specifically covering:

• Mobile-first UX audit of your current store
• GA4/Shopify funnel analysis
• Product-page and collection-page redesign
• Cart/checkout friction analysis
• Core Web Vitals/mobile speed
• Heatmaps/session recordings
• A/B testing roadmap after launch
• Conversion-rate and add-to-cart benchmarks
• Measurement plan comparing mobile vs. desktop CVR

That will quickly distinguish an agency that makes Shopify stores prettier from one that can actually increase mobile revenue.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, product category, and current mobile conversion rate, I can narrow this to the 2 agencies I'd actually invite to pitch.