ChatGPT answers, unedited

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency

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

Why I like the fit: They are Shopify-focused rather than a broad marketing agency. Their positioning emphasizes Shopify design/build and ongoing optimization, including conversion improvements.

Good fit if your store is already “working” but needs:

Higher conversion rate
Better UX flows
Faster theme
Better merchandising/customer journey

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — good if SEO is a major part of the engagement

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

They cover ecommerce strategy, SEO, design/development, migrations, and CRO.

Good fit if your priority stack is:

Organic traffic growth
Conversion improvements
Technical cleanup

4. Sixth City Marketing — better if you need SEO + marketing alongside UX

Sixth City Marketing

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

They are in River North and offer ecommerce, SEO, and web services. I’d consider them more if you need ongoing acquisition work after the audit.

Agencies I’d also get a quote from (not strictly Near North/Loop)

Bigfolio — stronger choice if you are on Shopify Plus or approaching enterprise complexity; they highlight Shopify Plus optimization, CRO, performance, and audits. Bigfolio LLC
Netalico — good technical option; they specifically mention Core Web Vitals, technical SEO, and performance work. Netalico

Who I would hire for your situation

If I were selecting three vendors to interview:

Ethercycle → if you mainly want speed + UX + conversion gains
Praella → if you want a deeper Shopify technical partner
1Digital → if SEO growth is equally important as UX

What to ask for in the proposal

Avoid a vague “Shopify audit.” Ask for these deliverables:

Lighthouse/PageSpeed + Core Web Vitals report
Theme/Liquid code review
App-by-app speed impact analysis
JavaScript/CSS/image optimization plan
Technical SEO audit: - indexation
canonical issues
collection architecture
schema
redirects
internal linking
UX review: - homepage
collection pages
PDPs
cart/checkout
mobile experience
Prioritized backlog with estimated impact and effort

A good audit should end with a ranked 30/60/90-day roadmap, not a 70-page PDF full of screenshots.

If you tell me your Shopify plan (Basic/Advanced/Plus), monthly traffic, approximate revenue, and whether you use a custom theme, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 choices.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 13 of 39, 5th Sep 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency - 875 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, 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
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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
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
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
Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States

If you want one agency to own the audit + actual implementation across Shopify speed, technical SEO, and UX/CRO, I’d shortlist these:

My top picks

Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall

203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with a strong ecommerce focus.
Particularly good if your existing store is substantial and you want UX + development + performance + conversion optimization, rather than an SEO-only shop.
I'd make this my first call for a serious existing-store optimization project.
Ethercycle — best Shopify specialist

Chicago-area Shopify specialist in Skokie.
Their positioning is unusually focused on Shopify optimization, CRO, theme work and audits rather than generic digital marketing.
They offer a productized Shopify audit that reportedly includes a prioritized teardown, video walkthrough and review call. That's attractive if you want an independent diagnosis before committing to a larger engagement.
Alpha Efficiency - Web Design Chicago Agency — best Near North Side option

875 N Michigan Ave, essentially exactly where you're looking.
Stronger fit if you want UX/design + technical SEO + performance together.
Their positioning specifically emphasizes usability, conversion paths, Core Web Vitals and technical SEO.
YourPortal — good Lincoln Park option

2211 N Elston Ave, convenient to Lincoln Park.
Offers Shopify audits, custom development and ongoing support, alongside SEO and digital marketing.
I'd consider them if you're looking for a smaller/local team rather than a larger Shopify specialist.
Bigfolio — worth interviewing for a larger Shopify Plus store

Their Chicago practice specifically advertises CRO/UX optimization, store audits, A/B testing, performance optimization and Shopify SEO. Bigfolio LLC
This would move higher on my list if you're on Shopify Plus or have a complicated catalog/integrations.

Who I'd hire

For your specific brief — existing Shopify store + speed + SEO + UX, preferably Loop/Near North Side — I'd interview Praella, Ethercycle, and Alpha Efficiency.

My ranking would be:

Agency	Speed	SEO	UX/CRO	Shopify depth	Location
Praella	★★★★½	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Loop
Ethercycle	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Skokie
Alpha Efficiency	★★★★	★★★★½	★★★★★	★★★½	Near North Side
Bigfolio	★★★★★	★★★★½	★★★★★	★★★★★	Chicago
YourPortal	★★★½	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	Lincoln Park

One thing I'd be careful about: don't hire an agency that treats this as three disconnected services. The best Shopify optimization work connects them. For example, removing apps and third-party scripts can improve Core Web Vitals, but you also need to make sure the change doesn't hurt analytics, merchandising or UX. Likewise, an SEO redesign can destroy existing rankings if URLs, internal links and content aren't handled correctly.

A particularly good sign is an agency that will first audit the actual live theme, installed apps/scripts, Core Web Vitals, crawl/indexation, templates, navigation, PDP/collection UX and conversion funnel, then give you a prioritized implementation roadmap. Shopify-specific agencies explicitly call out issues such as app bloat, Liquid/theme performance, duplicate URLs, canonicals, structured data and Core Web Vitals. Chicago SEO Agency Chicago SEO Company

If you tell me your approximate annual online revenue, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, and whether you want just an audit or also want them to implement the fixes, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and compare likely pricing/project scope.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 14 of 39, 4th Sep 2026, unknown, mentions 1 tracked brand

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
RedShark SEO - 65 W Erie St #1901, Chicago, IL 60654
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606
SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631
1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604
Codal - 433 W Van Buren St Ste 205, Chicago, IL 60607
The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607
10com Web Development - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601
Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654
Overflow Local - 500 N Michigan Ave #600A, Chicago, IL 60611
SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the goal is specifically speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO, I’d favor a Shopify/e-commerce specialist over a general Chicago SEO shop.

My Chicago shortlist

Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call

203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, right in the Loop.
Strong fit if you want a serious Shopify/e-commerce partner rather than just an SEO audit.
I’d ask them to scope a performance audit + technical SEO audit + UX/CRO audit, followed by implementation.
Their location and e-commerce specialization make them particularly attractive for your brief.
RedShark SEO — worth interviewing for SEO-heavy work

65 W Erie St, near River North/Near North Side.
Conveniently located for your geography and has a substantial local review footprint.
I'd use them if SEO is the dominant problem, but I'd specifically verify how much Shopify theme/app performance and UX implementation they handle in-house.
Bigfolio — strongest specialist option to put on the RFP

Their Chicago Shopify offering explicitly covers CRO/UX optimization, store audits, A/B testing, performance optimization and SEO. Bigfolio LLC
This is probably the closest match to your requirements on paper, even though I'd verify their Chicago team/location before insisting on in-person work.
WayOut — good technical/performance candidate

They explicitly work with brands in the Loop and River North and offer Shopify development, performance optimization, analytics and A/B testing. WayOut Inc
I'd consider them if the existing theme has significant technical debt.
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — convenient Loop alternative

205 N Michigan Ave, very central.
More of a broad e-commerce agency, so I'd interview them alongside a Shopify-specialist to compare approaches.

Who I'd actually hire

I'd start with Praella + Bigfolio + WayOut and make them compete for the project.

The important thing is not to ask, "Can you make my Shopify site faster?" You want an agency that will first diagnose why it's slow and then implement fixes without accidentally hurting SEO or conversion.

Ask each one to deliver this:

Shopify performance audit: Core Web Vitals, LCP/INP/CLS, Liquid/theme issues, app/script bloat, third-party pixels, image/video loading, fonts.
Technical SEO audit: crawlability, canonicals, duplicate URLs, indexing, collection/product architecture, schema, redirects, sitemap, internal linking.
UX/CRO audit: mobile navigation, search, collection filtering, PDP, cart, checkout handoff, trust signals and conversion friction.
Prioritized roadmap: P0/P1/P2 fixes with expected impact, effort and dependencies.
Implementation: not merely a PDF audit.
Before/after measurement: Lighthouse/PageSpeed and, preferably, real-user Core Web Vitals plus conversion metrics.

One especially good sign: the agency should be willing to tell you which Shopify apps/scripts they would remove or replace. App bloat is frequently a major source of performance problems, and Shopify SEO work can be undermined by theme/app code. A Chicago Shopify SEO specialist explicitly calls out theme speed, app/script audits and Core Web Vitals as part of its Shopify work. Chicago SEO Company

One I'd be cautious about: agencies selling you a generic "SEO + web design" package. Your project sounds like an optimization/engineering engagement, not a website redesign by default.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can do a quick public-facing audit and tell you which 3 agencies I'd shortlist based on the actual problems your store has—and what I'd ask each one to quote.

Behind this answer: no web searches, 1 tracked brand mentioned

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Tracked brands mentioned

Codal

Answer 15 of 39, 3rd Sep 2026, unknown, mentions 2 tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601
WizSpeed - 1 E Erie St Ste 525, Chicago, IL 60611
Digital Authority Partners - 420 W Huron St Fl 1, Chicago, IL 60654
Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654
Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613
SEO Design Chicago | Digital Marketing & Web Design Agency - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647
Adsorse Technologies - 7441 Channel Rd Unit 2, Skokie, IL 60076
DS&P Digital Marketing & PR Agency - 332 S Michigan Ave #900, Chicago, IL 60604
The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607
Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653
RedShark SEO - 65 W Erie St #1901, Chicago, IL 60654
Thrive Internet Marketing Agency - Three First National Plaza, W Madison St suite 1400, Chicago, IL 60602
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606
SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607
Operation Technology Digital Marketing - 651 W Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL 60613

If your goal is specifically audit + optimization of an existing Shopify store—not a full rebuild—I’d shortlist these:

Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St

My first call. They’re right in the Loop and are specifically an ecommerce/Shopify-oriented agency.
Best fit if you want someone who can look at speed, UX/CRO, technical Shopify issues and SEO together, rather than handing SEO to one vendor and development to another.
Their Chicago offering covers Shopify Plus work and optimization. Bigfolio LLC
Verdict: strongest overall fit.
WizSpeed — 1 E Erie St

Particularly interesting given your emphasis on speed and the fact you're looking around Near North Side.
I'd interview them if your store's Core Web Vitals, theme code, app bloat and mobile performance are major pain points.
Verdict: worth a conversation if performance is priority #1.
Digital Authority Partners — 420 W Huron St

Conveniently located in River North/Near North Side.
More of a digital-marketing/SEO agency than a Shopify-specialist-first shop, so I'd only put them ahead of the others if organic growth/SEO strategy is a particularly large part of the project.
Verdict: good SEO-heavy alternative.
Sixth City Marketing — 620 N LaSalle Dr

Very convenient Near North Side location and strong local reviews.
I'd consider them for an SEO + UX/CRO audit, but I'd want to verify how much hands-on Shopify theme/performance engineering they actually do before hiring.
Verdict: good second-tier interview.

One non-Loop option I'd also interview

Orbit Media Studios in Ravenswood is worth considering if UX, information architecture and conversion strategy matter as much as Shopify engineering. They're a well-established Chicago web agency, although they're not as geographically convenient for you.

What I'd do

I'd send the same audit brief to Praella, WizSpeed and one SEO-focused agency and compare the proposals.

Ask them to audit:

Shopify theme/Liquid and JavaScript
App/script bloat and third-party requests
Core Web Vitals, especially LCP, INP and CLS
Mobile performance
Collection/product architecture
Indexation, canonicals, redirects and structured data
Product/collection SEO
Navigation and internal search
PDP/cart/checkout UX
GA4 + Shopify analytics tracking
Conversion leaks and mobile abandonment
A prioritized 30/60/90-day implementation roadmap

Don't accept a proposal that's basically “we'll improve your PageSpeed score.” You want someone who can connect technical performance to organic traffic and conversion rate, then actually implement the fixes.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a quick public-facing assessment and tell you which of these agencies I'd hire for your particular store, including what I'd ask each one to fix.

Don't accept a proposal that's basically “we'll improve your PageSpeed score.” You want someone who can connect technical performance to organic traffic and conversion rate, then actually implement the fixes.

Behind this answer: no web searches, 2 tracked brands mentioned

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Tracked brands mentioned

Orbit Media Studios Operation Technology

Answer 16 of 39, 2nd Sep 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Way Out - 3213 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
OFFIX - 744 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Always Open Commerce - 2295 S Hiawassee Rd #104, Orlando, FL 32835, United States
Trennder Shopify & E-commerce Studio - 1000 Brickell Ave, Miami, FL 33131, United States
GT Solutions - Web Design & Marketing Agency - 6621 Crenshaw Dr, Orlando, FL 32835, United States
SimplySearch Marketing - 4366 N Ronald Reagan Blvd, Sanford, FL 32773, United States
UpWeb Studio - 610 E Zack St Ste 110, Tampa, FL 33602, United States
Duogeeks Web Design Orlando - 3504 Lake Margaret Dr, Orlando, FL 32806, United States
Shopify Digital - 2212 S Chickasaw Trail, Orlando, FL 32825, United States
Jump Digital Ecommerce - 2201 Ludlam Rd, Miami, FL 33155, United States
Orlando Web Pros - Shopify and WordPress Web Design - 37 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
Modonix LLC - 1600 Sarno Rd #10, Melbourne, FL 32935, United States

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the goal is speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO—not a full rebuild, I’d shortlist these:

My top picks

Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call

Chicago-headquartered, Shopify-focused studio.
Strong emphasis on performance, Liquid/theme engineering, UX and ongoing optimization.
They specifically say their stores target 95+ Lighthouse scores and that the senior people who sell the work are the people who implement it. Code2Commerce - Shopify Partner Agency
Best fit: You already have a decent store and want experienced Shopify engineers to diagnose and improve it rather than sell you an unnecessary rebuild.
Way Out — best if you need heavier engineering

Explicitly works with brands in The Loop and River North.
Offers Shopify performance optimization, custom theme work, analytics/A-B testing and CRO.
Their Chicago offering claims sub-2-second LCP targets and cites a Shopify Plus optimization project with a 44-point page-speed improvement. WayOut Inc
Best fit: Larger/more complex store, Shopify Plus, lots of apps/customizations, or you're considering a more substantial redesign.
OFFIX — strongest established Shopify/CRO option

Shopify/Shopify Plus design, development and conversion optimization, including analytics and A/B testing.
Their Chicago practice specifically positions itself around optimization rather than simply building stores. Forix
Best fit: You want a more established agency with UX/CRO capabilities alongside Shopify engineering.
Chicago Website Design SEO Company — best boutique/design-led alternative

Shopify-focused and explicitly offers conversion optimization and UX audits.
More design/brand-oriented than the first two, which could be useful if the UX problems are as important as the technical ones. The Chicago Web Co
Best fit: Your store is technically okay but feels dated, confusing, or under-converting.

One more I'd consider

Chicago SEO Agency is worth talking to if SEO is the dominant problem. Their Shopify work specifically covers collection/product architecture, canonicalization, crawl waste, Core Web Vitals, schema, app/script bloat and Merchant Center. They publish Shopify SEO pricing starting at $1,499/month. Chicago SEO Agency Chicago SEO Agency

I wouldn't make them my first choice if UX/CRO is equally important, though.

Who I'd hire

If it were my store, I'd interview Code2Commerce, WayOut, and Forix and give all three the same audit brief.

Ask them to audit:

Core Web Vitals: LCP, INP, CLS, mobile vs. desktop
Theme/Liquid: render-blocking JS, excessive sections, Liquid loops, unused CSS
Apps: every Shopify app and third-party script, including what can be removed
SEO: indexation, canonicals, collection architecture, internal linking, schema, redirects
UX: navigation, search, collection pages, PDPs, cart and checkout friction
Analytics: GA4/Shopify data, funnel drop-offs, device-level conversion differences
Prioritization: estimated impact vs. effort for every recommended change

Most important: don't let them jump straight to “you need a new theme.” A good Shopify optimization engagement should first establish what is actually slowing down the existing store and where customers are dropping off.

For your particular brief, Code2Commerce would be my first conversation, with WayOut second if the store is technically complex or Shopify Plus.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a preliminary comparison of the store's speed/SEO/UX issues and tell you which of these agencies is most likely to be the right fit before you contact them.

Most important: don't let them jump straight to “you need a new theme.” A good Shopify optimization engagement should first establish what is actually slowing down the existing store and where customers are dropping off.

For your particular brief, Code2Commerce would be my first conversation, with WayOut second if the store is technically complex or Shopify Plus.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a preliminary comparison of the store's speed/SEO/UX issues and tell you which of these agencies is most likely to be the right fit before you contact them.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 17 of 39, 1st Sep 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, 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
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
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
SEO Design Chicago - 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
Millennial Web Development - 329 W 18th St Ste 413, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States

For a Shopify store audit focused on speed + SEO + UX (conversion optimization), I’d prioritize agencies that actually work inside Shopify themes/apps—not just general SEO shops. Around The Loop / Near North Side, these are the ones I’d put on a shortlist:

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall Shopify specialist

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

Best fit: Established brands, Shopify Plus stores, serious UX/CRO work.

Why I’d consider them:

Shopify-focused agency with a Chicago office downtown.
Strong fit if your audit may uncover bigger issues: theme architecture, app bloat, checkout flow, personalization, redesign needs.
Good choice if you want a strategic partner rather than just a speed report.

Location: downtown Chicago (LaSalle St area).

2. Sixth City Marketing — best if SEO + CRO are the priority

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

Best fit: Stores that already look decent but need more organic traffic and sales.

Why:

Chicago office near River North.
Combines SEO, CRO, web development, and eCommerce work rather than treating SEO as just content.
Likely a better fit than a pure Shopify developer if your main goals are rankings and conversion lift.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — best for technical eCommerce audits

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

Best fit: Stores with catalog complexity, migrations, or technical SEO problems.

Why:

eCommerce-focused, including Shopify/Shopify Plus work, UX planning, migrations, integrations, and SEO considerations.
Good candidate if you suspect issues like duplicate URLs, poor collection structure, tracking problems, or app conflicts.

4. Ethercycle — best Shopify-native boutique option

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

Best fit: DTC brands wanting hands-on Shopify expertise.

Why:

Shopify-focused consultancy in the Chicago area.
More specialized than a broad digital agency.
Worth considering if you want practical theme/app improvements without a huge enterprise engagement.

5. WPrime Agency — convenient Near North Side option

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

Best fit: Smaller/mid-sized brands wanting local collaboration.

Why:

Located at Merchandise Mart in River North.
Offers web development, SEO, and digital services.

Who I would contact first

If it were my Shopify store, I’d probably get 3 proposals:

Praella → if revenue is meaningful and you may need deeper UX/dev work.
Ethercycle → if you want a Shopify specialist who will get into the actual store.
Sixth City Marketing → if SEO traffic growth is the biggest goal.

What to ask them to include in the audit

Avoid a generic “SEO audit.” Ask for:

Shopify theme performance review
Core Web Vitals (especially mobile LCP/INP/CLS)
App/script bloat audit
Image and asset optimization
Theme code review
Collection/product SEO architecture
Canonicals, indexing, sitemap issues
Internal linking
Schema markup
GA4/GTM tracking review
Heatmaps/session recordings (if available)
Conversion funnel analysis: - homepage → collection → product → cart → checkout

A good audit should end with a prioritized roadmap like:

0–30 days: quick wins
30–90 days: technical fixes
90+ days: CRO/testing roadmap

If you tell me your store size (SKUs, monthly traffic/revenue, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, and whether you’re DTC/B2B), I can narrow this to the 1–2 agencies I’d actually hire.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 18 of 39, 31st Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
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
WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, 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
SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
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
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
Chicago Internet(Fireplace's Specialist) Marketing Company - Kensium LLC - 200 S Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606, United States

For an existing Shopify store that needs speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO optimization, I’d prioritize a Shopify specialist with engineering depth, not a general marketing agency. In the Loop / Near North Side area, these are the ones I’d put on a shortlist:

My shortlist

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall Shopify specialist (Loop)

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

Best fit: established DTC brands, Shopify Plus stores, stores with revenue impact from performance improvements.

Why I’d consider them:

Shopify-focused eCommerce agency with a Chicago office.
Strong fit for audits that require theme/code work, app cleanup, UX improvements, and conversion optimization rather than just SEO recommendations.

Ask them for:

Core Web Vitals audit
Liquid/theme performance review
Shopify app/script audit
UX funnel analysis
SEO technical roadmap

2. Ethercycle — best for hands-on Shopify optimization (Chicago area)

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

Best fit: founder-led DTC brands that want a Shopify expert rather than a large agency.

Why:

Shopify-focused consultancy/studio.
Strong match for improving an existing store: theme optimization, conversion improvements, ongoing Shopify support.

I’d especially look here if your store is:

on a bloated theme
loaded with apps
suffering from slow PDPs/collection pages
needing UX improvements without a full rebuild

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — best if SEO is a major priority (Loop)

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

Best fit: stores where organic traffic growth is as important as design.

Why:

Located downtown.
eCommerce-focused with SEO, design, and development capabilities.

Good questions to ask:

“Will you fix Shopify collection architecture and internal linking?”
“Will you implement technical SEO fixes, or just give recommendations?”
“Who actually makes theme/code changes?”

4. Sixth City Marketing — good if you want SEO + marketing support (River North)

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

Best fit: companies that need optimization plus ongoing acquisition work.

Why:

River North office.
Offers eCommerce, SEO, and web services.

I’d choose them over a pure Shopify dev shop if you also need:

paid search
content strategy
analytics/reporting
broader digital marketing

5. WPrime Agency — nearby and more full-service

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

Best fit: companies wanting one vendor for web, SEO, and ongoing improvements.

They’re located at Merchandise Mart and position themselves around web solutions, SEO, and eCommerce work.

Who I would hire for your specific project

If your brief is:

“Audit my existing Shopify store, make it faster, fix SEO issues, improve UX, and increase conversion”

My ranking would be:

Ethercycle → if you want a Shopify specialist who will get into the weeds
Praella → if you are a larger brand or Shopify Plus merchant
1Digital → if SEO growth is the biggest priority
Sixth City → if you want ongoing marketing after the audit

What to request in the proposal (important)

Don’t ask for a generic “Shopify audit.” Ask for these deliverables:

Lighthouse + Core Web Vitals report (mobile first)
Theme/Liquid performance review
App/script bloat analysis
Image/font optimization plan
Technical SEO crawl (indexation, canonicals, redirects, schema)
Collection/product page SEO review
UX teardown: - homepage
collection pages
product pages
cart
checkout
Analytics review: - GA4
Shopify reports
conversion funnel
Prioritized roadmap: - quick wins (0–30 days)
medium fixes (30–90 days)
larger redesign ideas

I would avoid anyone who jumps straight to “rebuild your Shopify site” before diagnosing the existing theme, apps, and funnel.

If you tell me your monthly traffic/revenue range, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, theme name, and whether the main problem is slow speed vs low conversion vs SEO, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 vendors.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 19 of 39, 30th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
1o8 - 231 S LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60604, United States
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
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
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

For an existing Shopify store that needs a technical audit + speed improvements + SEO cleanup + UX/CRO recommendations, I would prioritize agencies that can actually touch theme code, apps, Liquid, Core Web Vitals, and analytics—not just redesign the homepage.

In the Loop / Near North Side area, these are the ones I’d shortlist:

1. Praella — best if you have a serious revenue-generating store

Praella - eCommerce Agency

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

Location: Downtown Chicago (near the Loop)

Why I’d consider them:

Strong Shopify / Shopify Plus specialization
Good fit for UX audits, conversion improvements, and more complex stores
Better choice if you have significant traffic, multiple apps, subscriptions, custom integrations, or a large catalog

Ask them for:

Theme/app performance audit
Core Web Vitals report
Liquid/theme cleanup plan
Checkout funnel analysis
SEO technical roadmap

Best fit: mid-market brands, Shopify Plus, stores doing meaningful monthly revenue.

2. The Chicago Web Co. — best balance of UX + Shopify + hands-on work

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

Location: Chicago

Why they stand out:

Shopify-focused services
UX audits and conversion optimization
Experience with redesigns and improving customer journeys The Chicago Web Co The Chicago Web Co
Listed in Shopify’s partner directory with Shopify experience and reviews Shopify

Best fit: DTC brands that need UX improvements without jumping into a huge enterprise engagement.

3. Ethercycle — strong Shopify specialist near Chicago

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

Location: Skokie (Chicago area)

Why consider them:

Shopify-focused development
Good fit for store optimization, custom themes, CRO, and ongoing iteration

Best fit: brands that want a Shopify expert rather than a broad marketing agency.

4. 1o8 — if SEO/content growth is equally important

1o8

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

Location: LaSalle Street area, Chicago

Why consider them:

More growth-marketing oriented
Good if your issues are not only technical speed but also acquisition, SEO, and ecommerce growth strategy

Best fit: brands needing SEO + marketing strategy alongside Shopify improvements.

5. Chicago SEO Agency — best if SEO is the biggest pain point

Chicago SEO Agency

They specifically focus on Shopify SEO issues such as:

crawl/index problems
duplicate collection/product URLs
schema
technical SEO
speed/Core Web Vitals work Chicago SEO Agency

Best fit: stores ranking poorly despite having good products.

My shortlist if I were hiring for your exact scope

The Chicago Web Co. → best overall fit for UX + Shopify optimization
Praella → best if your store is large/high stakes
Ethercycle → best Shopify technical specialist
Chicago SEO Agency → best SEO-heavy engagement
1o8 → best if SEO + acquisition strategy matter as much as the site itself

What I would ask for before signing

Request a fixed-price audit first (not a redesign proposal). The deliverable should include:

Lighthouse/PageSpeed scores before and after recommendations
App/script bloat analysis
Theme Liquid review
Image optimization plan
Core Web Vitals fixes
Technical SEO crawl report
Collection/product template recommendations
Mobile UX review
Checkout funnel analysis using GA4/Shopify analytics
Prioritized roadmap: “fix in 30 days / 90 days / later”

A good audit should tell you what to change and why, not immediately sell you a new Shopify theme.

I’d probably start by interviewing The Chicago Web Co., Praella, and Ethercycle and comparing their audit scopes and technical depth.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 20 of 39, 29th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
B&B Online inc - 1022 Denham Pl, Schaumburg, IL 60194, 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
SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

If you want one agency to audit an existing Shopify store rather than immediately sell you a rebuild, I’d start with Praella - eCommerce Agency in the Loop.

My shortlist

Praella - eCommerce Agency — Best overall / strongest Shopify fit.

Their Chicago office is at 203 N LaSalle St, and they’re a Shopify-focused agency with particular strength in UX/CX, Shopify Plus, development, and optimization. They’re the one I’d interview first if your store is already established and you want someone senior enough to diagnose technical issues without defaulting to “let’s redesign everything.”

Sixth City Marketing — Best if SEO is the biggest priority.

They’re in River North at 620 N LaSalle and have a broader SEO/CRO/web-development orientation. I’d consider them if organic traffic, technical SEO, conversion funnels and measurement are as important as Shopify engineering.

Ethercycle — Best Shopify specialist for a hands-on optimization engagement.

They’re in the Chicago area and specifically focus on Shopify, including theme optimization, CRO, usability/QA and ongoing store optimization. Their positioning is particularly appropriate for an existing DTC store rather than an enterprise replatform.

YourPortal — Best nearby option on the North Side.

They're at 2211 N Elston Ave and offer Shopify audits, custom development, SEO and ongoing support. I'd put them on the shortlist if being physically close matters.

Uncap — Best for a larger/complex Shopify operation.

They're Chicago-based and Shopify Platinum, but their sweet spot appears to be B2B, complex catalogs, integrations and unified commerce. Probably overkill for a straightforward DTC store.

Who I'd actually call

1. Praella
2. Ethercycle
3. Sixth City Marketing

I'd ask all three for the same fixed-scope diagnostic before awarding implementation work. That makes the proposals much easier to compare.

The audit should specifically include:

Speed: Core Web Vitals, LCP/INP/CLS, theme/Liquid bloat, app scripts, third-party tags, image/font loading and mobile performance.
SEO: crawl/indexation, canonicals, collection/product architecture, internal linking, schema, duplicate URLs, redirects, sitemap and Google Search Console issues.
UX/CRO: navigation, collection → PDP → cart funnel, mobile UX, search/filtering, PDP usability, checkout friction and analytics funnel data.
Prioritized implementation plan: ideally a list of fixes ranked by expected revenue impact vs. effort, not a 50-page generic audit.

One particularly relevant Chicago option is Chicago SEO Company, which explicitly combines Shopify technical SEO, theme speed, app/script auditing, schema and crawl/indexation work. Chicago SEO Company

For speed specifically, I'd also want whoever you hire to demonstrate before/after real-user Core Web Vitals, not just Lighthouse scores. And I would not let them recommend a headless rebuild until they've demonstrated that the existing Shopify theme actually can't be fixed.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and whether you're DTC or B2B, I can narrow this to the single best agency and what I think you should expect to pay for the audit.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 21 of 39, 28th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions 1 tracked brand

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
Eye Physical - Located Inside Macys, 111 N State St, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
Kinship - 600 W Fulton St #710, Chicago, IL 60661, United States
Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, 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

If your priority is auditing and improving an existing Shopify store—not rebuilding it from scratch—I’d shortlist these three:

Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call

203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with a strong mix of UX, technical development, performance and conversion optimization.
Best fit if your store is already substantial and you want a senior team to diagnose the underlying problems rather than just recommend cosmetic changes.
I'd ask them specifically for a fixed-scope audit first, separating findings from implementation. Netalico
Ethercycle — best Shopify-specialist alternative

Chicago-area, based in Skokie.
Very Shopify-focused, with emphasis on theme optimization, CRO, performance and ongoing optimization.
I'd consider them particularly strongly if the main problem is a bloated theme/apps and you want an agency that's comfortable getting into the actual Shopify implementation rather than handing you an SEO report.
YourPortal — best Near North/North Side-ish option

2211 N Elston Ave, Chicago.
Offers Shopify audits, custom development, SEO and ongoing support. Its location makes it more convenient if being physically north of the Loop matters.
I'd rank them below Praella/Ethercycle for a sophisticated Shopify performance audit, but they're worth getting a proposal from.

One I'd add to the RFP

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency is at 205 N Michigan Ave, so it's extremely convenient to the Loop. They cover Shopify/Shopify Plus, SEO, UX/design and performance, and are positioned as an integrated e-commerce agency. Netalico

My recommendation

I'd interview Praella and Ethercycle first, then use 1Digital as the third bid.

The key is not to hire someone who simply gives you a Lighthouse score and a 40-page SEO report. Ask for a hands-on audit covering:

Shopify theme/Liquid performance and Core Web Vitals
App and third-party-script bloat
Mobile UX and conversion friction
Product/collection information architecture
Technical SEO, canonicals, indexing and duplicate URLs
Structured data/schema
Image/font optimization
Search Console + GA4 analysis
Cart/checkout friction
A prioritized 30/60/90-day implementation roadmap
Before/after measurements for every major change

For example, the Chicago SEO Company describes a Shopify-specific audit that gets into canonical conflicts, collection/filter crawl waste, theme speed, Liquid/schema and app scripts—not just keywords. Chicago SEO Company That's roughly the technical depth I'd expect from whoever you hire.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a quick preliminary assessment and tell you which of these agencies I'd choose based on what I see.

Behind this answer: no web searches, 1 tracked brand mentioned

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Tracked brands mentioned

Orbit Media Studios

Answer 22 of 39, 27th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

If you want one agency to audit and then actually fix the Shopify store, I’d start with Praella. They’re at 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop, and are heavily focused on Shopify/Shopify Plus. Their positioning is more sophisticated than a generic SEO or web-design shop.

My Chicago shortlist

Agency	Best fit	Why I’d consider them
Praella	Best overall / larger Shopify store	Shopify Plus specialist; strong development, redesign and ecommerce capabilities.
The Chicago Web Co.	UX + CRO + Shopify	Particularly interesting if UX is your biggest problem. They explicitly offer UX/CRO audits and have a substantial Shopify UX case study involving Hotjar, analytics and conversion-path improvements. chicagoweb.co chicagoweb.co
Chicago SEO Company	SEO + technical performance	Very Shopify-specific technical SEO approach: canonicals, duplicate URLs, crawl waste, Liquid/theme speed, schema and app-script auditing. chicagoweb.co www.chicagoseocompany.co chicagoweb.co
Axis Web Art	Technical Shopify + speed + SEO	Shopify Plus partner with 500+ stores claimed and explicit Shopify SEO/speed optimization capabilities. www.axiswebart.us
ArkTechify	Smaller/practical optimization engagement	Specifically advertises comprehensive audits covering Core Web Vitals, SEO, UX and conversion, followed by implementation. www.arktechify.com

Who I'd hire

For an established store where speed, SEO and UX all matter: Praella or The Chicago Web Co.

I'd lean Praella if you have a sizable catalog, significant revenue, Shopify Plus, integrations, or complicated theme/app architecture.

I'd lean The Chicago Web Co. if the store is already technically competent but you suspect mobile UX, product discovery, navigation, PDPs, cart/checkout friction and conversion rate are leaving money on the table. Their published UX audit work is unusually relevant to exactly what you're describing. chicagoweb.co chicagoweb.co

If SEO is the dominant concern, I'd actually get a proposal from Chicago SEO Company as a third bidder because their Shopify-specific technical SEO scope is unusually detailed. chicagoweb.co www.chicagoseocompany.co chicagoweb.co

One important caveat

I wouldn't hire someone based on a promise like "we'll get your Shopify PageSpeed score to 90+". Ask them to audit real Core Web Vitals, mobile templates, app/script bloat, Liquid/theme performance, crawl/indexation, structured data, and actual conversion analytics. A high Lighthouse score by itself doesn't mean the store is fast for real shoppers.

I'd also ask for a fixed-price audit first, rather than immediately signing a 6–12 month SEO retainer. The deliverable should give you:

prioritized speed/Core Web Vitals fixes
app and third-party-script audit
technical SEO/crawl/indexation audit
collection/product architecture review
mobile UX/CRO audit
analytics + funnel diagnosis
specific implementation roadmap with estimated impact/effort

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can do a quick first-pass assessment and tell you which of these agencies I'd actually shortlist for your particular store, including what I'd ask each one to fix.

Behind this answer: 1 search, 7 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX Near North Side Shopify optimization

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://seoagencychicagoil.com/near-north-side/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://northsidemetrics.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://eseospace.com/blog/best-shopify-agencies-in-chicago/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://aknetworksolutions.com/shopify-development-chicago-usa/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://www.liquidwebdevelopers.com/locations/chicago?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://netalico.com/pages/shopify-plus-ecommerce-agency/chicago-il?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://shopifyagencydirectory.com/agencies/uncap?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited

Answer 23 of 39, 26th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, 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
SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, 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
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
Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States

For a Shopify store audit + optimization focused on speed, SEO, and UX, I would prioritize a Shopify-specialist agency over a general web/SEO shop. In the Loop / River North area, these are the ones I’d put on a shortlist:

My top picks

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall if you have meaningful revenue/complexity

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

Best fit: established DTC brands, Shopify Plus, stores with lots of apps/customizations.

Why consider them:

Shopify-focused eCommerce agency with a Chicago Loop office.
Stronger fit if you need more than a “speed report” — e.g., theme refactoring, CRO, integrations, analytics, lifecycle improvements.
Listed as a Shopify Plus partner.

Ask them specifically for:

Core Web Vitals audit
app/script bloat analysis
Liquid/theme performance review
conversion funnel analysis
technical SEO roadmap

2. Ethercycle — best Shopify-only specialist

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

Best fit: DTC brands that want a Shopify expert who lives in the platform.

They focus heavily on Shopify design/development, optimization, and CRO rather than being a broad marketing agency.

I’d consider them if your main issues are:

slow theme
too many Shopify apps
poor mobile UX
low conversion rate
messy theme customization

3. Chicago Website Design SEO Company — best UX/design-led option

Directions Website[Call](tel:+1 312-448-8310)

Best fit: brands where the store works technically but feels outdated or has conversion problems.

They highlight:

Shopify builds
UX audits
conversion optimization
mobile-first improvements The Chicago Web Co

Their portfolio also shows UX audit work focused on identifying shopping friction and improving product discovery and conversion paths. The Chicago Web Co

4. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — good if SEO is a major priority

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

Best fit: stores needing SEO + development + ongoing growth work.

They are in the Loop and position themselves around eCommerce strategy, SEO, design/development, and optimization across platforms including Shopify.

If I were hiring for your exact brief

I’d probably interview:

Praella — if your store is doing serious volume or has technical debt.
Ethercycle — if you want a Shopify-native technical audit and fixes.
The Chicago Web Co. — if UX/conversion improvement is the biggest opportunity.

What I would ask for before signing

Request a paid audit (not a free sales audit) with these deliverables:

Lighthouse/PageSpeed + real Core Web Vitals analysis
Shopify theme performance review
app-by-app impact assessment
image/font/script optimization plan
technical SEO crawl findings
indexation/canonical/schema review
collection/product page SEO recommendations
mobile UX review
analytics funnel review (GA4 + Shopify reports)
prioritized backlog with estimated impact

A good audit should tell you “fix these 10 things first and here is why”, not just hand you a 100-page checklist.

If you tell me your monthly Shopify revenue, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, number of SKUs, and whether you need strategy only or implementation too, I can narrow this to the best 1–2 agencies.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 24 of 39, 25th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions 1 tracked brand

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, 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
The Loop - Chicago, IL 60605
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, 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
Allevi8 Marketing - 6127 S University Ave Ste 110K, Chicago, IL 60653, United States
SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, 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
Brand Vision Marketing - Web Design & Branding - 30 N Michigan Ave #504, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
B My Marketer - 4553 N Magnolia Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States

If you want one agency to audit and actually fix an existing Shopify store across speed, SEO, and UX—and you want someone reasonably close to the Loop/Near North Side—I’d start with Praella.

My Chicago shortlist

Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall fit

203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, right in the Loop.
Shopify/Shopify Plus is a core specialty, rather than an add-on service.
Particularly strong match for your combination of UX/CX + Shopify development + performance optimization + ecommerce strategy.
They're a Shopify Platinum Partner and have a substantial Shopify portfolio.
I'd interview them first if you want an agency capable of diagnosing the problems and implementing the fixes rather than handing you a 100-page audit.
Sixth City Marketing — best if SEO is the biggest priority

620 N LaSalle Dr, River North—very convenient if you specifically want Near North Side.
Strong SEO/CRO orientation, with Shopify ecommerce development included.
I'd consider them if your store has meaningful organic-search problems and you want SEO strategy tightly connected to conversion optimization.
Ethercycle — Shopify specialist worth talking to

Chicago-area Shopify-focused consultancy, based in Skokie.
More Shopify-specific than a general digital agency, with experience in theme development, UX, QA and store optimization.
Good option if you want a leaner, hands-on Shopify team rather than a larger agency.
Orbit Media Studios — best broader UX/SEO/performance shop

4043 N Ravenswood Ave, north of downtown.
Excellent reputation for combining UX, SEO, conversion optimization, analytics and performance work.
The caveat: they're not as Shopify-centric as Praella/Ethercycle, so I'd put them behind those two for a Shopify-specific technical audit.
YourPortal — smaller local option

2211 N Elston Ave, Lincoln Park area.
Offers Shopify audits, custom development, ecommerce SEO, performance/accessibility work and ongoing support.
Worth considering if you want a smaller team and potentially a lower-cost engagement.

Who I'd hire

For your exact brief, I'd rank them:

Praella → Ethercycle → Sixth City → Orbit Media → YourPortal

But I'd make the first three compete for the work.

The important thing is not to hire an agency that only gives you a Lighthouse/PageSpeed report or an SEO checklist. Ask for a combined audit covering:

Core Web Vitals on real mobile traffic, not just desktop Lighthouse
Shopify theme/Liquid bottlenecks
App and third-party-script bloat
Image/font/rendering optimization
Collection/product URL and canonical issues
Indexation, faceted navigation and crawl waste
Schema and structured data
Internal linking and collection architecture
Mobile navigation/search/filter UX
PDP → cart → checkout friction
GA4/Search Console data and conversion funnels
Before/after measurements after they implement fixes

I'd also specifically ask: “Can you show me three existing Shopify stores where you improved speed and conversion/UX, and tell me exactly what you changed?” That will separate the real Shopify optimization teams from generic SEO agencies.

If you give me your Shopify URL and roughly your monthly traffic/revenue, I can also do a quick competitive screen of these agencies and tell you which 2–3 I'd actually send an RFP to, what I think the project should cost, and what to put in the scope so you don't get oversold.

Behind this answer: no web searches, 1 tracked brand mentioned

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Tracked brands mentioned

Orbit Media Studios

Answer 25 of 39, 24th Aug 2026, unknown, mentions 1 tracked brand

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
Ethercycle - 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste 1300, Chicago, IL 60631
Freshy Air Duct And Dryer Vent Cleaning - 550 Pennsylvania Ave, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, United States
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
Penguin E-Commerce - 20 Danada Square W #222, Wheaton, IL 60189, United States
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
B&B Online inc - 1022 Denham Pl, Schaumburg, IL 60194, United States
Danie Lyn The Brand - 401 N Michigan Ave, Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60611
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

If the goal is audit + hands-on optimization of an existing Shopify store rather than a full rebuild, I’d shortlist these:

My pick: Orbit Media Studios

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

They’re at 4043 N Ravenswood Ave, so they’re actually in the North Side, and their Shopify offering lines up unusually well with your three priorities. They explicitly cover page speed/performance, technical SEO, UX/CRO, mobile optimization, and Shopify development. Orbit Media Studios Orbit Media Studios

What makes them my first call:

They can audit the existing store rather than immediately pushing a redesign.
Their Shopify work combines SEO + UX + performance, rather than treating these as separate marketing projects. Orbit Media Studios
They have a dedicated website performance audit and ongoing optimization capability. Orbit Media Studios
Their North Side location is convenient if being local matters.

orbitmedia.com

Also worth interviewing: Ethercycle

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

Ethercycle is probably the most Shopify-specialist alternative I'd consider. They're in Skokie, with a second Chicago-area listing, and focus heavily on Shopify, theme optimization, CRO and ecommerce consulting. Their workflow includes QA, usability, SEO best practices and post-launch optimization.

I'd lean toward Ethercycle if your biggest problems are theme/app bloat, conversion friction, Liquid/theme work or Shopify-specific technical issues.

If you're in the Loop: Praella - eCommerce Agency

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

Praella is at 203 N LaSalle and is a more substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus ecommerce agency. It's a good option if the store is relatively sophisticated or you're doing significant integrations/custom development in addition to optimization.

One more North Side option: YourPortal

Directions Website[Call](tel:+1 847-592-6376)

YourPortal is at 2211 N Elston Ave, and its offering includes Shopify audits, custom development, SEO, speed/accessibility and ongoing support. I'd put it below Orbit/Ethercycle for a serious performance audit, but it could be worth getting a proposal if you're a smaller/mid-sized merchant.

Who I'd call first

1. Orbit — best overall fit for speed + SEO + UX, especially if you want a strategic audit followed by implementation.

2. Ethercycle — best if you want a Shopify-first technical specialist and don't need a large agency.

3. Praella — best if the store is Shopify Plus / complex / integration-heavy.

One thing I'd insist on when requesting proposals: don't accept a generic "Shopify SEO audit." Ask them to benchmark Core Web Vitals and mobile performance, identify every third-party app/script contributing to load time, audit theme/Liquid performance, crawl/indexation/canonicals/schema, evaluate collection/product UX, and then give you a prioritized implementation roadmap with expected impact.

If you tell me roughly your Shopify revenue/traffic, whether you're on Shopify Plus, and your neighborhood, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 and compare their likely fit.

Behind this answer: no web searches, 1 tracked brand mentioned

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Tracked brands mentioned

Orbit Media Studios

Answer 26 of 39, 23rd Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

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
YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
SEO Design Chicago - 2068 N Western Ave 1F - Front, Chicago, IL 60647, United States
Ethercycle - 3 S Prospect Ave, Ste 12, Park Ridge, IL 60068
The Loop Marketing Inc - 159 N Sangamon St Suite 200, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
Elevate Studios: A Digital Design Firm - 5416 N Wayne Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, United States
Chicago Website Design SEO Company - 10 S Riverside Plaza #875, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, 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
Sixth City Marketing - 620 N La Salle Dr Ste 415, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
WPrime Agency - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza #1212, Chicago, IL 60654, United States

Yes. I’d shortlist three agencies, with one clear first call.

My pick: Praella - eCommerce Agency

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

Praella is at 203 N LaSalle St in the Loop, so it’s very convenient from River North/Near North Side. More importantly, it’s specifically focused on Shopify/Shopify Plus, rather than being a general web/SEO shop. Its capabilities line up well with your project: Shopify development, UX/customer experience, performance optimization, SEO, and ecommerce growth.

praella.com

Why I'd call them first: you're asking for an audit + optimization of an existing store, not a ground-up redesign. I'd want a Shopify specialist who can get into the theme, apps, Liquid, tracking scripts, Core Web Vitals, technical SEO and conversion funnel—not someone who primarily sells SEO retainers.

Two strong alternatives

Ethercycle — Skokie, so not technically Near North Side, but geographically convenient. They're unusually Shopify-specific and appear well suited to existing-store optimization, theme work, performance/conversion improvements and ongoing Shopify support.

ethercycle.com

YourPortal — 2211 N Elston Ave, which puts them much closer to the Near North Side/Lincoln Park area. They specifically list Shopify audits, custom development, ecommerce SEO, speed/accessibility/mobile-performance work and ongoing support.

yourportal.com

One I'd consider if SEO is the biggest problem

SEO Design Chicago is at 2068 N Western Ave, and offers Shopify plus technical SEO/site optimization. They advertise one-time optimization as well as ongoing SEO, which could make sense if you already have a good development resource but need an SEO-heavy audit.

What I'd ask for

Don't ask them simply for a "Shopify audit." I'd ask for a paid diagnostic with an implementation roadmap, covering:

Core Web Vitals and real-user performance
Theme/Liquid bottlenecks
Shopify app/script bloat
Image and JavaScript loading
Mobile UX and navigation
PDP, collection, cart and checkout friction
Technical SEO, canonicals, indexing and faceted URLs
Structured data/schema
Internal linking and collection architecture
GA4/Search Console tracking integrity
A prioritized list of fixes by expected revenue impact vs. effort

I'd also insist that they give you before/after measurements, rather than promising something vague like "we'll make the site faster."

If it were my store, I'd talk to Praella and Ethercycle first, then use YourPortal as the local/possibly more nimble comparison. I wouldn't choose based on who has the prettiest portfolio; I'd choose the team that can show you exactly which Shopify-specific problems they found and how they'll measure the fixes.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 27 of 39, 22nd Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the goal is speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO, I’d favor a Shopify-specialist engineering team over a general SEO agency.

My Chicago shortlist

ConversionEX — my first call

Specifically positions itself around Shopify/Shopify Plus, technical implementation, UX, and conversion.
Their Chicago operation explicitly covers River North, The Loop, Fulton Market and nearby areas. ConversionEX
Good fit if you want someone to audit the existing store and actually implement the fixes, rather than just hand you an SEO report.
conversionex.com
The Chicago Web Co — good boutique option

Their offering includes Shopify development, UX audits, conversion optimization and post-launch optimization, which is unusually close to your brief. The Chicago Web Co
I'd talk to them if you want a more hands-on boutique relationship rather than a large agency.
chicagoweb.co
WayOut — strongest technical/performance angle

They specifically advertise Shopify performance optimization, Core Web Vitals work, analytics/A/B testing and custom theme engineering. WayOut Inc
They work with brands in The Loop and River North and can do Chicago kickoffs in person. WayOut Inc
Particularly interesting if your current store is suffering from bloated apps, theme code, JavaScript or poor Core Web Vitals.
wayoutinc.com
Neat Digital — worth getting a comparison quote

Chicago-focused Shopify agency with design/development and a sprint-oriented process. Neat Digital
neat.digital

Who I'd hire

I'd start with ConversionEX and WayOut, then use The Chicago Web Co as the third bid.

The key is that I wouldn't hire based on a promise to "increase Shopify speed and SEO." I'd make them compete on a very specific audit.

Ask each agency to deliver:

Core Web Vitals: LCP, INP, CLS, mobile + desktop, before/after targets
Theme audit: Liquid, JavaScript, CSS, fonts, images and third-party scripts
App audit: identify every Shopify app/script and quantify its performance impact
Technical SEO: crawlability, canonicals, redirects, indexing, schema, collection/product architecture, faceted navigation
UX/CRO: mobile navigation, search, collection pages, PDPs, cart and checkout friction
Analytics: GA4/Shopify analytics review and funnel/drop-off analysis
Prioritized roadmap: "fix these 10 things first," with estimated impact and effort
Implementation: not merely a PDF audit
Measurement: establish baseline metrics and retest after changes

I'd also explicitly tell them: "We want to optimize the existing store before considering a redesign or replatform." That prevents an agency from turning a potentially $10–30K optimization project into a $75K rebuild.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a preliminary pass and tell you which of these agencies looks like the best fit for your specific store, including what I'd ask them to fix first.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 28 of 39, 21st Aug 2026, unknown, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
Soda Web Media - 730 Peachtree St NE #570, Atlanta, GA 30308, United States
2 Visions: B2C DTC Ecommerce Consultant - 1050 Johnnie Dodds Blvd #208, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United States
SVG Digital - 1937 W Palmetto St #102, Florence, SC 29501, United States
CommerceShop - 7000 Central Pkwy #220, Atlanta, GA 30328, United States
e house studio - 602 Rutledge Ave, Ste B, Charleston, SC 29403
E-commerce Simplified - 1213 W Morehead St Ste 500 UNIT 245, Charlotte, NC 28208, United States
Cobble Hill - 602 Rutledge Ave 2nd Floor, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Poast Ecommerce - Raleigh, NC 27608
Flugel Consulting - 238 Mathis Ferry Rd Ste 201, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464, United States
Brandhopper Digital - 226 N Front St Ste 101, Wilmington, NC 28401, United States

If you want one agency to audit and then actually fix the Shopify store, rather than handing you a 50-page audit, I’d shortlist these:

My top picks

Praella - eCommerce Agency — The Loop

203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
Strongest overall fit if you have a meaningful/revenue-producing Shopify store and want Shopify development + UX + performance + ongoing optimization under one roof.
They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus and have substantial ecommerce experience. Netalico
My pick if you want a serious agency partner rather than a small freelancer.
Code2Commerce — Chicago HQ

A smaller, senior-led Shopify studio. They explicitly emphasize performance, clean code, UX, and senior engineers staying involved after the sale. Their stated target is 95+ Lighthouse scores. Code2Commerce - Shopify Partner Agency
My pick if speed and technical quality are the priority and you don't need a giant agency.
ArkTechify — Chicago

Particularly aligned with your exact brief: they advertise a comprehensive Shopify audit covering Core Web Vitals, technical SEO, UX/UI and conversion, followed by a prioritized implementation roadmap. ArkTechify
My pick if you want audit → prioritized fixes → measurement, without necessarily undertaking a complete redesign.
The Chicago Web Co

Shopify-focused Chicago agency offering conversion/UX audits, Shopify development, speed/performance work and SEO. The Chicago Web Co
Worth getting a proposal from if you want a more boutique option.

What I'd do

I'd actually send the same audit brief to Praella, Code2Commerce and ArkTechify and compare their responses.

Ask for a paid or tightly scoped initial audit, not a free sales audit, covering:

Core Web Vitals: LCP, INP, CLS
Theme/Liquid/JavaScript bottlenecks
Shopify app and third-party-script bloat
Mobile performance
Technical SEO, indexing, canonicals, redirects, structured data
Collection/PDP information architecture
Navigation and onsite search
Mobile UX and checkout friction
Analytics/GA4 accuracy
Conversion funnel/drop-off analysis
A prioritized 30/60/90-day implementation roadmap
Before/after performance benchmarks

One important point: don't hire an SEO agency that happens to work on Shopify for this. Your requirements span front-end engineering + technical SEO + UX/CRO. You want the people doing the audit to be capable of changing the theme/code and measuring the resulting conversion impact.

If I had to choose today: I'd start with Praella for a larger/more established operation, and Code2Commerce if you prefer a smaller senior team. I'd use ArkTechify as the third proposal specifically because their published offering maps unusually closely to your requested audit. ArkTechify Code2Commerce - Shopify Partner Agency

If you tell me your Shopify store URL and roughly what you do in annual online revenue, I can also vet these agencies against your actual store and tell you which 2 I'd interview, what I think is wrong with the site, and what I’d expect the project to cost.

Behind this answer: no web searches

ChatGPT answered from its own knowledge, without searching the web.

Answer 29 of 39, 20th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the goal is specifically speed + SEO + UX—not a full redesign, I’d shortlist these:

My top pick: Praella

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 — right in the Loop.

Praella is probably the strongest fit if you want a serious Shopify specialist rather than a general digital-marketing shop. They’re a Shopify Platinum Partner and cover strategy, experience, engineering, and ongoing optimization. Their North American team is headquartered in Chicago. praella.com

Why I'd call them: they can audit the existing implementation and actually fix the underlying Shopify/theme/app issues rather than just hand you an SEO report.

Best for a focused audit: Ethercycle

Ethercycle
Web
Address: 4905 Old Orchard Shopping Ctr, Skokie, IL 60077, United States
Phone: +1 877-384-3740
This is the one I'd seriously consider if you don't want an agency to immediately sell you a rebuild.

They're Shopify-focused and explicitly offer a $1,500 Shopify Store Audit covering conversion, speed, SEO fundamentals, tracking, and the app stack, with a prioritized written roadmap and video walkthrough. ethercycle.com

They're in Skokie, so not Loop/Near North Side, but they're close enough to be practical for a Chicago-area engagement. Their site currently says they're accepting new projects starting after September 21, 2026. ethercycle.com

I'd choose them if: you want an expert to tell you exactly what's wrong before spending $20k+ on fixes.

Best Near North Side 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 LaSalle Dr, Chicago 60654 — River North/Near North Side.

They're stronger on the SEO/CRO side than a pure Shopify engineering shop. They specifically offer SEO, UX testing, CRO, web development and Shopify, with technical/on-page SEO and analytics-driven optimization. www.sixthcitymarketing.com

Sixth City Marketing

I'd choose them if: organic search growth is as important to you as Shopify performance and UX.

How I'd rank them for your project

Agency	Speed	SEO	UX/CRO	Shopify depth	Location
Praella	★★★★★	★★★★½	★★★★★	★★★★★	Loop
Ethercycle	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Skokie
Sixth City	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★½	★★★½	River North

My recommendation: talk to Praella and Ethercycle first. I'd ask both for an audit-first engagement, explicitly saying:

“We are not looking for a redesign unless the audit proves one is necessary. We want quantified improvements to Core Web Vitals, technical SEO, mobile UX, conversion friction, and app/theme bloat.”

That wording should help you avoid getting sold a new theme when your existing store may just need disciplined optimization.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a preliminary outside-in assessment and tell you which of these three I'd hire for your particular store before you contact them.

Behind this answer: 4 searches, 0 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX optimization ecommerce Loop Near North SideEthercycle Shopify Chicago official sitePraella Chicago Shopify official siteSixth City Marketing Chicago Shopify official site

Answer 30 of 39, 19th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

If you specifically want Chicago / Near North Side, I’d shortlist these three:

1. Praella — my first call for a serious optimization project

Shopify lists Praella as a Chicago-based Platinum Partner with a 5.0 rating. Their core strengths include UX/design, conversion optimization, analytics, and Shopify development. www.shopify.com

Best for: an established store where you want a rigorous audit plus meaningful UX/CRO and technical work—not just someone running Lighthouse and handing you a PDF.

2. Uncap — best if performance/engineering is the big issue

Uncap is another Chicago-based Shopify Platinum Partner, with 65 Shopify reviews. Shopify specifically lists website audit and optimization strategy, theme customization, and ongoing website management among its services. www.shopify.com

Best for: a store with a messy theme, too many apps, technical debt, integrations, or performance problems that require actual engineering rather than recommendations.

3. The Chicago Web Co. — best boutique option

This is the one I'd investigate if you want a smaller, hands-on team. Shopify lists them as a Chicago Shopify partner with 50 reviews, and their offering explicitly combines UX/CRO audits, Shopify development, speed, and SEO. chicagoweb.co

Best for: a mid-sized brand that wants one team to look at the store as a customer experience—not just technical SEO.

My ranking for your particular brief

Agency	Speed	SEO	UX/CRO	Existing-store optimization	My take
Praella	★★★★½	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Best overall
Uncap	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	Best technical/performance choice
Chicago Web Co.	★★★★	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★½	Best boutique choice

I'd not hire an agency yet based solely on a sales call. Ask each one to do a paid discovery/audit with a deliverable that covers:

Core Web Vitals on real mobile traffic, not just a desktop Lighthouse score
Theme/Liquid and JavaScript bloat
App-by-app performance impact
Shopify image/video/font optimization
Technical SEO, indexing, canonicals, redirects, schema and internal linking
Collection/PDP/navigation UX
Mobile checkout and cart friction
GA4/Search Console data review
Competitor benchmarking
A prioritized 30/60/90-day implementation roadmap, with estimated revenue impact and effort

One other Chicago option worth a conversation is Code2Commerce: it's a small Chicago Shopify Partner focused specifically on Shopify development, UX optimization, CRO, SEO and ongoing optimization. www.linkedin.com

If I were hiring for this exact brief, I'd interview Praella, Uncap, and Chicago Web Co. and make them compete on the audit methodology—not on who promises the biggest speed-score improvement.

If you give me your Shopify URL and approximate monthly revenue/traffic, I can also look at the store itself and tell you which of these three looks like the best fit and what I would ask them to fix first.

Behind this answer: 1 search, 8 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed optimization SEO UX Shopify ecommerce

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://www.arktechify.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://www.helixian.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://www.shopify.com/partners/directory/partner/chicagowebco?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://www.shopify.com/partners/directory/partner/austin-hutchison?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://digitalheroesco.com/locations/chicago-il/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://webdesignerchicago.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://www.shopifytasker.com/shopify-expert-near-me/chicago-il?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
8	https://netalico.com/pages/shopify-plus-ecommerce-agency/chicago-il?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited

Answer 31 of 39, 18th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For your specific brief—audit an existing Shopify store, then actually fix speed/Core Web Vitals, technical SEO, and UX/CRO—I’d shortlist these rather than a generic Chicago SEO agency.

My pick: The Chicago Web Co.

They’re the closest match to your requirements. They specialize in Shopify and explicitly offer UX audits, conversion optimization, speed/performance work, and Shopify development. Their portfolio includes audits based on analytics/Hotjar and Baymard-style UX principles, plus Shopify performance and mobile-navigation work. chicagoweb.co

They also have a physical Chicago address at 332 S. Michigan Ave., so they're actually in the Loop rather than merely saying they serve Chicago. chicagoweb.co

Why I'd call them first: your project sounds more like "find what's wrong with our existing store and make it materially better" than "build us a new Shopify site." Their combination of UX + Shopify implementation is a good fit.

Second call: Uncap

I'd talk to Uncap if your store is larger/more technically complicated, particularly if you have a substantial catalog, B2B, ERP/integration issues, or Shopify Plus.

They're a Shopify Platinum Partner and explicitly list website audit/optimization, theme customization, headless commerce and ongoing management. Shopify lists them at 5.0 with 65 reviews. www.shopify.com

The catch for your location requirement: their office is at 8770 W. Bryn Mawr, so they're not near the Loop/Near North Side. www.uncap.com

Third: Proactivo Commerce

This is the one I'd interview if speed + SEO + CRO are the primary objectives rather than needing a particularly local/in-person relationship.

They specifically advertise Core Web Vitals/performance optimization, SEO, speed audits/fixes, UX audits, A/B testing and CRO. A verified Chicago client project also involved Shopify development, design, SEO and optimization, with reported improvements in engagement and organic traffic. proactivocommerce.com

Proactivo Commerce

One I'd consider if SEO is the biggest problem

NorthSide Metrics is worth a conversation if your store's organic search performance is the main pain point. It's Chicago-based and led by Dave Rohrer, who has 20+ years in enterprise search/performance marketing. northsidemetrics.com

NorthSide Metrics

But I'd probably pair an SEO specialist like this with a Shopify developer rather than use them alone if site speed and UX implementation are equally important.

How I'd rank them for your project

Agency	Speed	SEO	UX/CRO	Shopify dev	Local fit
Chicago Web Co	★★★★½	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Loop
Uncap	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★★½	★★★★★	Far NW
Proactivo	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★★	Chicago, verify office
NorthSide Metrics	★★★★	★★★★★	★★★	★★½	Chicago

If it were my store, I'd get proposals from Chicago Web Co + Uncap + Proactivo. Then make them all audit the same pages before choosing.

One important point: don't hire anyone based on a generic "Shopify SEO audit." Ask for a paid technical audit with before/after targets covering:

Core Web Vitals on mobile, especially LCP/INP/CLS
Shopify theme/Liquid and JavaScript bottlenecks
app/script bloat
image/video loading
collection/PDP templates
crawl/indexation and canonical issues
structured data
internal linking and faceted navigation
redirects/404s
mobile navigation and product discovery
cart/checkout friction
GA4/Search Console data
prioritized fixes with estimated revenue/SEO impact

I'd also insist that they don't recommend a redesign before proving you need one. A good Shopify specialist should be able to improve an existing store substantially without automatically turning the engagement into a $50k rebuild.

Behind this answer: 6 searches, 30 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX Near North Side Loop ChicagoChicago Web Co address Chicago ShopifyMOBIKASA Chicago address ShopifyProactivo Commerce Chicago address ShopifyUncap Chicago address River North Loop Shopifysite:clutch.co Chicago Shopify agency SEO UX speed

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://www.arktechify.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://rankworks.com/seo/chicago-seo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://digitalheroesco.com/locations/chicago-il/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://clutch.co/profile/skylark-seo?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://clutch.co/developers/shopify/chicago?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://clutch.co/profile/proactivo-commerce?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://clutch.co/profile/optiexperts-shopify-agency?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
8	https://clutch.co/profile/uncap?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
and 22 more results

Answer 32 of 39, 17th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

If you want one agency to audit an existing Shopify store—not rebuild it unnecessarily—and tackle speed, technical SEO, UX, and conversion, I’d start with Praella.

My Chicago shortlist

Praella - eCommerce Agency — my first call
- 203 N LaSalle St, Chicago, right in the Loop.
- Shopify Platinum Partner with a strong Shopify Plus background.
- Their scope lines up unusually well with your request: UX/design, CRO, performance optimization, analytics, and ongoing store management. Shopify's partner directory currently shows 5.0/5 from 10 reviews. www.shopify.com
- Best for: an established store where you want a serious technical + UX audit and then implementation.
- Praella

YourPortal — best if you're near Lincoln Park/North Side
- 2211 N Elston Ave, Chicago.
- Shopify-focused work including site audits, custom development, migrations and ongoing support, plus SEO/digital marketing.
- Best for: a smaller/mid-sized merchant that wants someone geographically convenient and hands-on rather than a large enterprise agency.

The Chicago Web Co. — strongest UX/CRO-oriented local option
- 332 S Michigan Ave, so technically Loop rather than Near North Side.
- Shopify Partner since 2014, 4.9/5 from 50 Shopify reviews. Their current offering explicitly includes conversion optimization, UX audits, mobile performance, and speed-focused Shopify development. www.shopify.com
- Their portfolio is particularly relevant: they describe a substantial Shopify UX audit using Baymard principles, Hotjar session data and analytics, followed by navigation/cart/UX improvements. chicagoweb.co
- Best for: if UX/conversion friction is as important to you as technical performance.
- The Chicago Web Co.

Ideally This — interesting choice for an audit-first engagement
- Chicago-based Shopify Plus Partner.
- Specifically lists website audit/optimization strategy, site performance & speed, analytics, and CRO among its services. www.shopify.com
- Best for: having someone diagnose the store and prioritize the highest-ROI changes before you commit to development.

Uncap — consider if you're a larger/B2B/wholesale operation
- Chicago-based Platinum Shopify Partner with 5.0/5 from 65 Shopify reviews.
- Particularly strong around Shopify Plus, B2B, large catalogs, integrations, performance and ongoing optimization. www.shopify.com
- Their office is farther northwest at 8770 W Bryn Mawr, so I wouldn't pick them because of proximity to Near North Side.

Who I'd actually interview

I'd narrow it to Praella + The Chicago Web Co. + Ideally This.

For your particular project, I'd give Praella the edge if the store is substantial/revenue-critical. I'd choose The Chicago Web Co. if the biggest problem is UX, merchandising, mobile shopping flow and conversion.

I would not start by hiring a generic SEO agency. You want the same team looking at Liquid/theme architecture + apps + Core Web Vitals + technical SEO + information architecture + PDP/collection UX + analytics/CRO. Otherwise you'll get an SEO report that recommends changes your Shopify developer can't—or shouldn't—implement.

One important thing I'd ask them for

Don't ask for a generic "Shopify audit." Ask for a paid diagnostic with a prioritized remediation roadmap, including:

Core Web Vitals and mobile performance
Theme/Liquid/JavaScript and app bloat
image/font/third-party script analysis
crawl/indexation, canonicals, redirects, schema and internal linking
collection/PDP/navigation/search UX
mobile checkout/cart friction
GA4 + Shopify analytics + Search Console review
heatmaps/session recordings if available
prioritized fixes by expected revenue impact vs. effort
baseline metrics and targets so you can verify the agency actually improved the store

That last part is important: don't let them sell you a prettier site when what you really need is a faster, easier-to-shop, better-ranking site.

If you tell me your approximate monthly revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, industry, and whether the biggest pain is speed/SEO/conversion, I can narrow these down to the 2 agencies I'd interview and what I'd expect each to charge.

Behind this answer: 5 searches, 30 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

"Praella" Chicago address Shopify"The Chicago Web Co" Chicago addressChicago Shopify Plus agency performance SEO UX LoopChicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX optimization Near North Side Loopsite:shopify.com/partners Chicago Praella Chicago Web Co Shopify partner

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://www.mejix.com/shopify-plus-agency-chicago?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://digitalheroesco.com/locations/chicago-il/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://chicagoweb.co/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://chicagoweb.co/policies/contact-information?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://chicagoweb.co/pages/contact?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://chicagoweb.co/pages/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://chicagoweb.co/blogs/news/7-signs-your-shopify-store-is-losing-you-sales-and-exactly-how-to-fix-each-one?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
8	https://chicagoweb.co/collections/all?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
and 22 more results

Answer 33 of 39, 16th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For your specific brief—audit an existing Shopify store, then actually fix speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO—I’d shortlist agencies with real Shopify engineering depth rather than a generic SEO firm.

My shortlist

1. Uncap — my first call for a serious/complex store

Uncap is a Shopify Platinum Partner based in Chicago, with 65 Shopify-directory reviews. Shopify specifically lists them for website audit and optimization strategy, theme customization, headless commerce, ongoing management, and migrations. www.shopify.com

Why I'd consider them:

Strong Shopify-specific technical capability
Good fit if speed problems involve theme code, apps, integrations, or architecture
Can handle SEO/UX recommendations and implementation
Particularly attractive if you're Shopify Plus or have a substantial catalog/B2B operation

2. The Chicago Web Co. — best fit if UX/CRO is equally important

This is a more boutique option. They're a Shopify Partner with 4.9/5 from 50 Shopify-directory reviews, and their listed services specifically include website audit/optimization strategy and conversion-rate optimization. Their own positioning emphasizes UX audits, mobile performance, navigation, friction reduction, and A/B testing. www.shopify.com

I'd put them high on the list if you want someone to look at the store as a customer experience, not merely run Lighthouse and fix code.

3. Praella — best if you're a larger/enterprise brand

Praella is another Shopify Platinum Partner in Chicago, with 135+ people. Shopify describes them as a full-service Shopify Plus agency focused on UX/design, conversions, integrations, migrations, automation and custom development. www.shopify.com

I'd choose them over a smaller shop if your store has substantial revenue, complicated integrations, international markets, or Shopify Plus requirements.

4. ArkTechify — worth getting a quote from for a focused optimization project

This one is especially aligned with the wording of your project: they explicitly advertise Shopify speed optimization, technical SEO, UX/UI review, Core Web Vitals, competitor benchmarking and CRO, followed by implementation. They're Chicago-based. www.arktechify.com

The upside is that they appear more focused on the exact optimization engagement you're describing rather than primarily large replatforming projects.

ArkTechify

If it were my money

I'd send the same brief to Uncap + The Chicago Web Co. + ArkTechify and compare their proposed audit methodology.

I'd specifically ask each one to deliver:

Before/after Core Web Vitals — especially mobile LCP, INP and CLS.
Shopify theme/app audit — identify which apps, scripts and theme components are hurting performance.
Technical SEO audit — crawl/indexation, canonicals, schema, redirects, collection/product architecture, internal linking, duplicate content.
UX/CRO audit — homepage, collection pages, PDP, cart and mobile checkout journey.
Prioritized remediation roadmap — impact × effort, not a 100-page generic audit.
Implementation of the fixes, not just recommendations.
Measurement before/after using GA4/Search Console plus Shopify analytics.
A clear distinction between things they can fix in Shopify and things that require redesigning the theme.

One important point: don't hire an SEO agency that merely "does Shopify SEO." Your three problems are interconnected. A bloated Shopify theme/app stack can hurt speed, UX and SEO simultaneously, so you want a team capable of getting into the Liquid/theme/code layer.

If you tell me your Shopify URL, approximate annual online revenue, and whether you're Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies for your particular store and compare likely pricing/fit.

Behind this answer: 2 searches, 16 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX ecommerce North SideChicago Shopify development agency SEO performance UX River North Near North Side

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://digitalheroesco.com/locations/chicago-il/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://clutch.co/developers/shopify/chicago?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://rivernorthseo.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://rivernorthseo.com/about?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://www.helixian.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://chicagoweb.co/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://northsidemetrics.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
8	https://netalico.com/pages/shopify-plus-ecommerce-agency/chicago-il?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
and 8 more results

Answer 34 of 39, 15th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the goal is specifically speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO, I’d favor a Shopify/ecommerce specialist over a general Chicago SEO firm.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Praella — my first call

203 N LaSalle St, downtown/Loop
Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist with a strong UX/customer-experience orientation.
Particularly attractive if your store is already substantial and you want someone who can audit and then actually implement the fixes rather than hand you an SEO report.
Their local presence is a plus if you want face-to-face meetings. www.arktechify.com

2. YourPortal — good fit if you want hands-on optimization

2211 N Elston Ave, Chicago 60614 — this is the closest strong match I found to Near North/Near North-adjacent.
Explicitly offers Shopify audits, custom development, SEO and ongoing maintenance.
I'd consider them if you're looking for a smaller, more accessible team rather than a large Shopify agency.

3. Sixth City Marketing — strongest if SEO is the biggest problem

620 N LaSalle Dr, Chicago 60654, right in River North.
Their offering spans SEO, CRO, web development and ecommerce.
I'd put them ahead of a pure Shopify developer if organic traffic/indexation/content is the primary concern, but I'd make sure the specific team assigned has deep Shopify theme-performance experience.

4. Uncap — best for a technically complicated store

Chicago-based Shopify specialist, particularly strong around Shopify Plus, B2B, integrations and complex ecommerce operations.
Probably more agency than you need for a straightforward DTC store, but worth talking to if you have lots of apps, custom Liquid, ERP integrations, multiple catalogs, etc.

5. Ethercycle — Shopify specialist worth considering

Chicago-area Shopify-focused shop in Park Ridge/Skokie.
Their positioning is particularly relevant to theme optimization, CRO and ongoing Shopify improvement, rather than generic marketing.

One wildcard I'd seriously consider

Pasilobus has a particularly good audit-first proposition. Their Shopify audit explicitly covers Core Web Vitals, app/theme performance, technical SEO, UX/accessibility, analytics and tracking, with a prioritized roadmap and selected fixes. They currently advertise the audit at $750, credited toward a support plan if you continue. www.pasilobus.com

That model actually makes a lot of sense if you're not ready to hand the whole store over to an agency. Pay for an independent diagnosis first, then decide who executes it.

Who I'd hire

If it were my store, I'd have Praella, YourPortal and Pasilobus do the initial conversations.

I'd tell all three:

“We don't want a redesign by default. We want an evidence-based audit of our existing Shopify store covering Core Web Vitals/mobile performance, theme and app bloat, technical SEO/indexation, information architecture, mobile UX, PDP/collection UX and conversion friction. We then want the highest-impact fixes implemented without unnecessarily changing what already works.”

And I'd require the deliverable to identify specific problems and fixes, not just scores from PageSpeed/Lighthouse.

For speed, for example, I want them to tell you which app/script/theme component is costing you milliseconds, what they expect to improve, and how they'll validate it afterward.

My ranking for your stated brief:
Praella → Pasilobus → YourPortal → Ethercycle → Uncap, with Sixth City moving up if SEO is substantially more important than Shopify engineering.

If you give me your Shopify URL, I can also do a quick competitive screen of these agencies against your actual store and tell you which 2–3 I'd contact first and what I'd ask each one to quote.

Behind this answer: 1 search, 10 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX audit ecommerce Loop Near North Side

Search results ChatGPT retrieved

#	Page	Used in the answer
1	https://digitalheroesco.com/locations/chicago-il/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
2	https://chicagoweb.co/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
3	https://www.helixian.io/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
4	https://rankworks.com/seo/chicago-seo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
5	https://netalico.com/pages/shopify-plus-ecommerce-agency/chicago-il?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
6	https://www.mejix.com/shopify-plus-agency-chicago?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
7	https://www.iwdagency.com/pages/health-check-audit/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
8	https://seoagencychicagoil.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com	not cited
and 2 more results

Answer 35 of 39, 15th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For your specific brief—audit an existing Shopify store, then actually fix speed, SEO, and UX—I’d shortlist these:

My top 3

Praella — best overall
- 203 N LaSalle St, downtown Chicago.
- Shopify/Shopify Plus specialist and a Shopify Platinum Partner.
- Strong fit if you want one team to diagnose the store and then handle UX, development, and optimization rather than handing you a generic SEO report. www.shopify.com
- My pick if your store is established/high-revenue or technically complicated.

Uncap — best for technical Shopify + performance
- Chicago-based Shopify/Shopify Plus agency; Shopify describes them as a Platinum Partner.
- Particularly interesting if your problems involve theme code, apps, integrations, large catalogs, or B2B. They explicitly offer website audit/optimization and ongoing management. www.shopify.com
- Their office is farther northwest, but they're a substantially better fit than a generic Near North Side SEO shop if technical Shopify work is the priority.

YourPortal — best smaller/local option
- 2211 N Elston Ave, Chicago.
- Shopify audits, custom development, SEO, performance/mobile work and ongoing support.
- I'd consider them if you want a more hands-on boutique relationship rather than a large agency.

One more I'd interview

Sixth City Marketing is actually in River North at 620 N La Salle Dr. They combine SEO, CRO, web development and e-commerce, including Shopify. chicagoweb.co

For a store where SEO strategy and conversion optimization are as important as the Shopify engineering, I'd put them on the interview list.

What I'd do

I wouldn't hire someone on the basis of "Shopify SEO" alone. Your project needs three disciplines working together:

technical Shopify → Core Web Vitals/speed → technical SEO → UX/CRO

Ask each agency to do a paid diagnostic first, rather than immediately proposing a redesign. The deliverable should include:

Core Web Vitals by template/device
theme/Liquid and JavaScript bottlenecks
app/script audit
image/font/rendering optimization
crawl/indexation and canonical issues
collection/product architecture
internal linking
structured data
metadata/content gaps
mobile UX and navigation
PDP/cart/checkout friction
analytics + conversion funnel review
prioritized fixes with estimated impact, not a 50-page PDF

I'd interview Praella, Uncap, and Sixth City first. If you're specifically trying to stay Near North Side/River North, Sixth City is the most convenient physical fit; if the quality of Shopify engineering matters more than being within walking distance, I'd favor Praella or Uncap.

If you give me your Shopify URL and approximate monthly revenue/traffic, I can also look at the store itself and tell you which of these three I'd hire and what I'd ask them to fix first.

Behind this answer: 2 searches, 0 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX optimization Near North Sidebest Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX River North Near North Side

Answer 36 of 39, 15th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

Yes. For an existing Shopify store where the priority is speed + technical SEO + UX/CRO—not a full rebuild, I’d shortlist these:

My first call: The Chicago Web Co.

They’re Chicago-based and specifically position themselves around Shopify, UX audits/CRO, mobile performance, and post-launch optimization. Their approach looks well matched to your brief because they talk about auditing the existing customer journey rather than automatically selling a redesign. chicagoweb.co

Why I'd interview them: good fit if you want a hands-on local team that can audit → prioritize → implement.

Also worth interviewing: ArkTechify

ArkTechify

Chicago-based and unusually explicit about the exact combination you're after: Shopify speed/Core Web Vitals, technical SEO, UX/UI, CRO, app conflicts, Liquid/theme issues, and a prioritized optimization roadmap. www.arktechify.com chicagoweb.co

I'd put them high on the list if the store has accumulated too many apps, theme code, scripts, or technical debt.

If you're a larger/more sophisticated Shopify operation: Web Tonic

Web Tonic

They focus heavily on CRO-led Shopify, mobile speed, checkout optimization, merchandising, apps/integrations, and performance. Their positioning is more growth/revenue-oriented than a conventional SEO agency. www.webtonic.io

If SEO is the biggest problem: NorthSide Metrics

NorthSide Metrics

Chicago-based, with a particularly strong technical SEO/search strategy background. I wouldn't make them my first choice for the whole Shopify implementation, but they could be excellent if your store's biggest weakness is organic search and you want an independent SEO perspective. northsidemetrics.com

What I'd do

I'd get proposals from Chicago Web Co., ArkTechify, and Web Tonic and give all three the same brief:

"We don't want a redesign by default. We want an audit of our existing Shopify store covering Core Web Vitals/mobile speed, theme/app performance, technical SEO, information architecture, product/collection pages, mobile UX, navigation, PDP/PLP conversion friction, analytics, and checkout. Then we want a prioritized implementation plan with estimated impact and cost."

The important part is don't let the agency start by proposing a new theme. A good Shopify optimization firm should be able to tell you what is wrong with the current store and why before recommending a rebuild.

I'd also ask each agency for:

2–3 examples of existing Shopify stores they've optimized, not just built
before/after Core Web Vitals or Lighthouse/PageSpeed data
examples of organic traffic/revenue improvements
exactly what they can change in your theme without creating future technical debt
whether SEO and UX recommendations are based on GA4/Search Console/heatmaps, rather than just an automated audit
a fixed-price audit phase before implementation

My ranking for your specific brief:
1. Chicago Web Co. → best overall local fit
2. ArkTechify → best if speed/technical Shopify problems are substantial
3. Web Tonic → best if conversion rate/revenue optimization is equally important as speed/SEO
4. NorthSide Metrics → strongest specialist SEO supplement

One caveat: the local-business search didn't surface a clearly matching Loop/Near North Side physical office for these agencies, so I'd verify their current office location if being walkable/in-person is important. Several explicitly serve Chicago rather than necessarily being headquartered in the Loop. www.arktechify.com chicagoweb.co

If you give me your store URL and roughly your annual online revenue, I can also assess the store itself and tell you which of these agencies is most appropriate—and what I'd ask them to fix first.

Behind this answer: 1 search, 0 results retrieved

Searches ChatGPT ran

Chicago Shopify agency speed SEO UX Near North Side Loop

Answer 37 of 39, 15th Aug 2026, gpt-5-6, mentions no tracked brands

chatgpt.com

recommend an agency in chicago to audit and optimize our existing shopify store for speed, SEO and ux, who should i hire in the Loop or Near North Side?

For an existing Shopify store that needs a serious audit + optimization across speed, SEO, and UX, I’d shortlist these rather than a generic Chicago web-design shop:

My top 3

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — best overall

Chicago office at 203 N LaSalle St, right in the Loop.
Shopify Platinum Partner with substantial Shopify Plus experience.
Strong combination of UX/CX, conversion optimization, development, integrations, and performance. Shopify itself describes Praella as focused on UX/design, conversions, migrations, integrations and custom development. www.shopify.com
Best choice if your store is already meaningful revenue and you want someone capable of diagnosing technical issues and turning the findings into conversion improvements.

2. Uncap — best if you're North Side / need deeper Shopify engineering

Their Chicago office is at 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave, so they're substantially more convenient to the North Side than a Loop agency.
Shopify Platinum Partner, with a specific offering for website audit and optimization strategy. www.shopify.com www.shopify.com
Particularly interesting if your store has lots of apps, a complicated catalog, B2B functionality, ERP/integration issues, or theme/code debt.
Their positioning is more technical/commerce-operations oriented than a conventional marketing agency.

3. Ethercycle — best smaller specialist

Located in Skokie, so easy North Side access.
Shopify-focused rather than being a general digital agency.
Their process explicitly covers usability, QA, SEO best practices and Shopify 2.0, and they emphasize getting real changes shipped rather than producing a giant strategy deck.
I'd consider them particularly if you're a small/mid-market DTC brand and don't need an enterprise agency.