ChatGPT answers, unedited

Yes. I’d narrow the field to downtown/Loop firms that can actually handle both a Shopify rebuild and accessibility, rather than hiring a general web shop and bolting an accessibility audit on afterward.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St
   • Probably my first call for a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Downtown Chicago office and strong Shopify/e-commerce focus.
   • Better fit if you have complex integrations, subscriptions, B2B, or a sizeable catalog.
   • Ask specifically: who owns WCAG testing and whether accessibility is built into design, Liquid development, and QA—not treated as a post-launch add-on.

2. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Very convenient Loop location.
   • Does Shopify/Shopify Plus builds and migrations, with accessibility-minded design called out in its service profile.
   • Worth putting in the RFP if you want a broader e-commerce/growth agency rather than a pure development shop.

3. BlueBolt Solutions — 415 N LaSalle Dr
   • Strong option for a more technical Shopify Plus implementation.
   • Particularly worth considering if your rebuild involves integrations, migration, or ongoing technical support.
   • I'd make WCAG 2.2 AA manual testing an explicit contractual deliverable.

4. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North
   • Interesting option because its listed capabilities specifically include Shopify/e-commerce plus ADA accessibility work.
   • Its accessibility approach is described as audit → remediation → QA/maintenance, which is closer to what you want than an accessibility-overlay pitch.

5. Cybernautic Web Design — 515 N State St
   • Downtown-adjacent and explicitly offers e-commerce/web development and accessibility services.
   • I'd rank it below the first three for a major Shopify rebuild, but it's worth getting a proposal if accessibility is a major part of the evaluation.

One important caveat

I wouldn't simply ask agencies for "ADA compliance." Put WCAG 2.2 Level AA into the RFP and require evidence of how they'll test it.

For example, specify:

• keyboard-only navigation
• NVDA and VoiceOver testing
• semantic HTML/headings/landmarks
• focus management and visible focus
• color contrast
• accessible product filters, menus, modals and forms
• accessible cart and checkout flows to the extent Shopify/apps permit
• alt text and content-authoring guidance
• accessibility testing of third-party Shopify apps
• automated and manual testing
• a documented remediation report mapped to WCAG success criteria
• regression testing before launch

That's important because an agency can honestly say it builds "accessible" sites while relying primarily on automated scans or an overlay. For comparison, accessibility-focused Shopify specialists describe manual screen-reader and keyboard testing alongside automated testing, which is the standard I'd want your rebuild agency to commit to. cartmade.com

A fifth firm I'd consider outside your downtown requirement

The Chicago Web Co. has particularly relevant Shopify experience and its portfolio describes a Shopify UX audit that identified ADA compliance gaps as part of a broader redesign. Shopify's own partner directory also lists it for store builds/redesigns. www.shopify.com

If accessibility is the deciding factor, I'd shortlist Praella, Alphazeta, 1DIGITAL, and BlueBolt and make them all answer the exact same WCAG requirements. That will make the proposals much easier to compare.

If you tell me roughly your current Shopify store size, annual online revenue, and whether you're on Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 3 and give you the questions/scoring criteria to use in the RFP.

Yes. I’d narrow the field to agencies that can handle both Shopify rebuild work and accessibility as an engineering/UX requirement, rather than agencies that simply bolt an accessibility widget onto the store.

Downtown Chicago firms I’d contact

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St
   • Probably my first call for a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Downtown office and strong Shopify/ecommerce focus.
   • Ask specifically for the person responsible for accessibility QA and whether they will contractually target WCAG 2.2 AA rather than merely saying "ADA compliant."

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr
   • Particularly interesting if accessibility and inclusive UX are major priorities.
   • Their published capabilities include accessibility design, usability testing, and WCAG 2.1, alongside design and engineering.
   • I'd ask whether they have recent Shopify ecommerce examples—not just general web accessibility work.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Right in the Loop and explicitly focused on ecommerce.
   • Shopify/Shopify Plus experience plus accessibility-minded design.
   • Worth getting a proposal from as a comparison point.

4. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr
   • Better candidate if your rebuild involves complex integrations, ERP, B2B, or sophisticated ecommerce architecture.
   • Shopify Plus is among the platforms they work with, although their heritage is particularly strong in Magento/Adobe Commerce.

One non-downtown firm I'd seriously consider

Alphazeta — River North, 325 W Huron St

This one caught my attention specifically for your requirement. Its published capabilities include Shopify plus ADA/WCAG work, with an audit → remediation → QA → maintenance approach. That's much closer to what I'd want than an agency simply promising an accessibility overlay.

There's also a useful Shopify-specific benchmark: Netalico publicly describes ADA compliance audits and remediation for Shopify Plus, including accessibility testing. netalico.com

What I'd put in your RFP

Don't just ask, "Can you make the site WCAG compliant?" Ask:

• WCAG version: Can you commit to WCAG 2.2 AA?
• Testing: Will you perform both automated testing and manual testing?
• Keyboard: Full keyboard-only navigation and visible focus states?
• Screen readers: Testing with NVDA/JAWS and VoiceOver?
• Forms/checkout: Accessibility testing of cart, account, search, filters and checkout—not just content pages?
• Shopify theme: Will semantic HTML, ARIA, headings, labels, focus management, error handling, etc. be built into the theme?
• Third-party apps: How will they evaluate accessibility problems introduced by Shopify apps?
• Design: Are accessibility requirements incorporated into Figma/design-system work before development?
• Acceptance criteria: Will WCAG criteria be written into the statement of work and launch acceptance criteria?
• Post-launch: Will they remediate accessibility regressions after Shopify/theme/app updates?
• Evidence: Can they provide a sample accessibility audit or VPAT/ACR-style documentation from a comparable ecommerce project?

My shortlist would be Praella + Clique + Alphazeta + 1DIGITAL, with Atwix added if the rebuild has substantial backend/integration complexity.

One important distinction: "ADA compliant" and "WCAG compliant" aren't interchangeable guarantees. For your RFP, I'd make the contractual target explicit—ideally WCAG 2.2 Level AA, with defined testing methodology and remediation obligations.

If you tell me roughly your current Shopify store size/revenue, whether you're on Shopify Plus, and what integrations you have (ERP, subscriptions, B2B, etc.), I can narrow this to the 3 firms I'd actually send an RFP to and give you the questions I'd use to compare their proposals.

• Praella - eCommerce Agency - 203 N LaSalle St Suite 2100, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency - 205 N Michigan Ave Suit 810, Chicago, IL 60601, United States
• Atwix - 20 N Wacker Dr Ste 1200, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Alphazeta - 325 W Huron St, Ste 506, Chicago, IL 60654
• Cybernautic Web Design - 515 N State St #14-126, Chicago, IL 60611, United States
• PlanetX Technologies - 222 W Merchandise Mart Plaza Suite 222, Chicago, IL 60654, United States
• Orbit Media Studios - 4043 N Ravenswood Ave #316, Chicago, IL 60613, United States
• Rise, a Quad agency - 1 S Wacker Dr #3, Chicago, IL 60606, United States
• Uncap - 8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave #1300, Chicago, IL 60631, United States
• SeedCart | Web Designers In Chicago - 222 S Riverside Plaza #15, Chicago, IL 60606, 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
• SITE IT NOW - 1016 W Jackson Blvd, Chicago, IL 60607, United States
• YourPortal - 2211 N Elston Ave Ste 208, Chicago, IL 60614, United States
• Garenne Bigby - 200 E Randolph Dr, Ste 5100, Chicago, IL 60601

Yes. I’d put accessibility expertise ahead of simply finding a Shopify agency here. For a rebuild, you want WCAG considered in UX, design, Liquid/theme development, third-party apps, QA, and post-launch monitoring—not just an accessibility widget added afterward.

My Chicago shortlist

• Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop. Probably the first downtown firm I’d contact for a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild. They’re Shopify-focused and have a downtown office. I’d specifically ask them to show their WCAG testing/remediation process before putting them on the shortlist.
• 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop. A strong option if you want ecommerce strategy, UX/design, development, and migration under one roof. Their Chicago offering explicitly mentions accessibility-minded design and Shopify/Shopify Plus migrations.
• Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop. Worth considering for a technically complex store, particularly if you have integrations, B2B, ERP, or other substantial backend requirements. They work with Shopify/Shopify Plus, although their roots are more heavily in enterprise commerce than Shopify specifically.
• Alphazeta — River North. This one is particularly interesting for your requirement: its published capabilities include ADA/WCAG work using an audit → remediation → maintenance approach, alongside Shopify ecommerce.
• Cybernautic Web Design — 515 N State St, River North. Another local option that explicitly offers accessibility/ADA support and Shopify/ecommerce development. I would ask whether accessibility is incorporated into the actual rebuild and manual QA rather than relying on their widget offering.

One non-downtown firm I'd seriously consider

Uncap is not downtown—it’s on Bryn Mawr—but it's much more Shopify-centric than many general digital agencies. They specialize in Shopify/Shopify Plus, migrations, B2B, integrations, and custom development. Uncap

Also, Third & Grove is worth a look if you're open to a larger agency rather than requiring a Chicago office. Their Shopify practice explicitly lists ADA & WCAG compliance, along with custom development, migrations, integrations, and performance optimization. Third and Grove

Who I'd contact first

I'd send the same RFP to Praella, Alphazeta, 1DIGITAL, Uncap, and Third & Grove and compare their answers. The key questions I'd put in the RFP are:

1. Which WCAG version/level will you target? I'd specify WCAG 2.2 AA unless you have a particular legal/contractual requirement.
2. Will accessibility be included from wireframes/design through development, rather than treated as post-build remediation?
3. Do you perform manual keyboard, screen-reader, focus-management, zoom/reflow, and form-error testing, in addition to automated scanning?
4. How do you test Shopify apps, third-party scripts, reviews, search/filtering, cart, checkout, and other injected components?
5. Will you provide an accessibility VPAT/ACR, conformance report, or detailed remediation report at launch?
6. Who performs the final accessibility QA, and can they demonstrate two or three Shopify stores they've made accessible?
7. What is their process for preventing accessibility regressions when your merchandising team changes content after launch?

One important distinction: “ADA compliant” or an accessibility widget isn't the same thing as a genuinely accessible Shopify implementation. I'd give substantially more weight to an agency that can demonstrate manual WCAG testing and accessible component/theme development.

If you tell me roughly your store size/revenue, current platform/theme, whether you're Shopify Plus, and whether you need B2B/integrations, I can narrow this to the best 3 Chicago agencies and give you a suggested RFP/scoring matrix.

One important distinction: “ADA compliant” or an accessibility widget isn't the same thing as a genuinely accessible Shopify implementation. I'd give substantially more weight to an agency that can demonstrate manual WCAG testing and accessible component/theme development.

If you tell me roughly your store size/revenue, current platform/theme, whether you're Shopify Plus, and whether you need B2B/integrations, I can narrow this to the best 3 Chicago agencies and give you a suggested RFP/scoring matrix.

Yes. For a Shopify rebuild where WCAG accessibility is a core requirement—not an accessibility widget bolted on afterward—I’d put these Chicago firms on the shortlist:

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop
   • Probably my first call for a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Downtown Chicago office and Shopify-focused.
   • Good candidate if you need strategy, UX, development, integrations, and a substantial replatform rather than just a theme refresh. clutch.co
   • Ask specifically: who owns WCAG QA, which WCAG version/level they contract to, and whether accessibility testing involves actual keyboard and screen-reader users.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Particularly interesting if accessibility/inclusive design is as important as ecommerce.
   • Their Chicago operation explicitly covers accessibility design, usability testing, and engineering/QA; their stated accessibility approach targets WCAG 2.1 AA.
   • I'd consider them if the store has a complex UX or you want accessibility embedded in the design system from day one.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop
   • Downtown and ecommerce-focused, with Shopify/Shopify Plus experience.
   • Their service profile includes accessibility-minded design and development.
   • Worth getting a proposal, particularly if you want ecommerce strategy/SEO/marketing bundled with the rebuild.

4. ArtVersion Creative Agency — 211 W Wacker Dr, Loop
   • More design/UX-oriented than a pure Shopify specialist.
   • Their process includes UX research, usability, accessibility considerations, and user testing.
   • I'd shortlist them if brand/design + accessible UX is a major part of the project.

One non-downtown firm I'd seriously consider

Uncap is not downtown—their office is at 8770 W Bryn Mawr—but they're very Shopify-centric and particularly strong for Shopify Plus, B2B, integrations, migrations, and operationally complicated stores. www.uncap.com

Also worth a look is Conspire: their Chicago Shopify Plus offering explicitly includes Shopify SEO & accessibility and says they work with certified auditors for ADA compliance. www.conspireagency.com

My shortlist

If I were sending out an RFP, I'd probably invite:

One important distinction: I'd avoid selecting an agency merely because it says "ADA compliant." Ask for a WCAG 2.2 AA acceptance criterion in the SOW, accessibility requirements in the design system/component library, manual keyboard testing, screen-reader testing, automated testing, and remediation/QA before launch. That makes accessibility an actual deliverable rather than a marketing claim.

If you tell me roughly how big your store is (revenue/SKUs), whether you're already on Shopify, and whether you need Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the best 3 firms and compare likely project fit, accessibility depth, and price tier.

Yes. I’d put accessibility capability ahead of simply finding a “Shopify agency.” For a rebuild, you want the agency to own accessibility from UX/design through Liquid/HTML/CSS/JS, QA, and launch—not bolt an accessibility widget onto the finished store.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, downtown
   • Strongest overall fit if you want a sophisticated Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Downtown Chicago office and Shopify-focused.
   • I’d specifically ask them to demonstrate how accessibility is incorporated into their design system and development QA, rather than assuming their general Shopify expertise means WCAG expertise.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Particularly interesting for your requirement because their published capabilities explicitly include accessibility design, usability testing, QA, accessibility engineering, and ecommerce.
   • This makes them worth interviewing if WCAG is a first-class project requirement rather than a compliance checkbox.

3. BlueBolt Solutions — 415 N LaSalle Dr
   • Shopify Plus-focused, with custom builds, migrations, integrations, and ongoing support.
   • Good candidate if your rebuild involves substantial integrations or a more complex commerce architecture.

4. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Downtown/Loop location and specifically describes accessibility-minded ecommerce design and development.
   • Their scope includes Shopify/Shopify Plus migrations and custom development, so they're worth getting a proposal from.

5. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North
   • Interesting hybrid option: Shopify/ecommerce development plus explicitly listed ADA accessibility services.
   • I'd investigate their recent Shopify work and ask for WCAG 2.1/2.2 examples before putting them on the final shortlist.

One non-downtown firm I'd seriously consider

Cybernautic Web Design is at 515 N State St and specifically advertises accessible builds and ADA/WCAG-oriented support. It's more of a general web agency than a Shopify specialist, though, so I'd rank the Shopify-focused firms above it for a major store rebuild.

There's also a particularly relevant Shopify-specific example from The Chicago Web Co.: its portfolio describes a Shopify Plus redesign for Naked Cashmere that was designed to meet ADA accessibility standards, and another UX audit identified accessibility issues as part of a broader Shopify UX review. chicagoweb.co

Who I'd contact first

For a serious rebuild, I'd send the RFP to Praella, Clique Studios, BlueBolt, and 1DIGITAL. That gives you four somewhat different capabilities to compare.

In the RFP, I'd make these requirements explicit:

• WCAG 2.2 AA as the target—not merely “ADA compliant”
• Keyboard-only navigation throughout
• Screen-reader testing (NVDA/JAWS + VoiceOver)
• Semantic HTML and correct heading/landmark structure
• Focus management and visible focus states
• Color contrast
• Accessible forms, errors, filters, modals, menus, search and checkout
• Accessible product variants, accordions, carousels and dynamic Shopify components
• Alt-text/content governance for your merchandising team
• Accessibility testing during design, development, and pre-launch QA
• A third-party accessibility audit before launch
• Remediation of audit findings before acceptance
• An ongoing accessibility regression-testing process after launch

One important question to ask every agency: “Show us the accessibility test plan and WCAG audit from your last Shopify rebuild.” That will separate firms that actually engineer for accessibility from firms that simply say “ADA/WCAG compliant” in their sales material.

If you tell me roughly your store size/revenue, current Shopify setup, and whether this is Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 3 best-fit Chicago agencies and compare their likely strengths, accessibility depth, and project fit.

Yes. For a Shopify rebuild where accessibility/WCAG is a first-class requirement, I’d put these Chicago firms on the shortlist:

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St
   • Probably my first call for a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Downtown office and strong Shopify specialization.
   • Ask specifically for a WCAG 2.1/2.2 AA acceptance criterion in the project scope, rather than treating accessibility as a post-launch audit.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr
   • Particularly interesting if accessibility is as important as visual design and UX.
   • Their accessibility practice explicitly references WCAG 2.1 and AA, along with accessibility design and usability testing. chicagoweb.co
   • I'd ask whether they have recent Shopify-specific accessibility/replatforming examples.

3. Alphazeta — River North
   • A good fit if you want accessibility expertise alongside ecommerce development.
   • Their services specifically describe ADA/WCAG work involving audit, remediation, QA and ongoing maintenance, and they list Shopify among their ecommerce platforms.

4. Americaneagle.com, Inc. — 200 W Jackson Blvd
   • Worth considering for a larger/complex rebuild where accessibility, integrations and enterprise-grade QA matter.
   • Their downtown Chicago office is in the Loop, and they handle substantial ecommerce and complex digital projects.

5. The Chicago Web Co.
   • Not strictly a downtown-office pick, but I'd include them because the actual Shopify/accessibility evidence is unusually relevant: their portfolio describes a Shopify Plus redesign for Naked Cashmere as fully ADA-compliant and discusses accessibility work on other brand experiences. chicagoweb.co
   • This may be the strongest candidate if you want a Shopify-native agency with demonstrated accessibility work, rather than a general accessibility consultancy.

One I'd put on the second tier

1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave is another Loop option. They work with Shopify/Shopify Plus and mention accessibility-minded ecommerce design, but I'd want stronger evidence of WCAG delivery before putting them ahead of the firms above.

My suggested RFP shortlist

I'd send the same brief to Praella, Clique Studios, Alphazeta, Americaneagle.com, and The Chicago Web Co. That gives you a useful mix of Shopify specialization and accessibility depth.

One important point: don't accept "ADA compliant" as a checkbox or an accessibility widget as the deliverable. Shopify itself doesn't make an individual storefront automatically WCAG-compliant; the theme, components, content and integrations all matter. plus-launch-hub.myshopify.com

In the RFP, I'd require the agency to commit to:

• WCAG 2.2 AA as the target (or 2.1 AA if there's a specific reason)
• keyboard-only navigation
• screen-reader testing
• semantic HTML and accessible forms
• color/contrast and focus-state requirements
• accessible menus, filters, modals, cart and checkout-adjacent experiences
• accessibility of third-party apps
• automated and manual testing
• a pre-launch accessibility audit and remediation round
• an accessibility regression-testing process after launch
• a written list of any known exceptions

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, current platform/theme, number of SKUs, and whether you're Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 3 firms I'd actually invite to bid and compare them on Shopify expertise, WCAG depth, likely project size, and downtown location.

Yes. I’d put Praella at the top of the list for this particular brief because they combine a downtown Chicago presence, deep Shopify/Shopify Plus expertise, and explicit accessibility work.

My Chicago shortlist

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop
   • Best overall fit. Praella is a Shopify Platinum Partner with substantial Shopify Plus experience, including redesigns, migrations, custom development, and UX/UI. praella.com
   • More importantly for you, they explicitly discuss accessibility and have an accessibility initiative using Deque, targeting WCAG 2.1 AA, with automated testing plus feedback from users with disabilities. praella.com
   • Their own Shopify accessibility guidance covers keyboard navigation, contrast, text alternatives, responsive design, and accessibility auditing. praella.com
   • Praella — contact / proposal

2. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North
   • Interesting accessibility-first alternative in downtown/River North.
   • Their listed services include Shopify/ecommerce plus an ADA/WCAG process covering audit → remediation → maintenance.
   • I'd specifically ask them how much of that accessibility work is performed during Shopify theme/component development, rather than as a post-build audit.
   • Alphazeta

3. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Better suited if this is a technically complex rebuild—ERP/integrations, B2B, large catalog, custom commerce functionality, etc.
   • They work with Shopify/Shopify Plus and have a downtown Chicago office, although their core strength is broader complex-commerce engineering rather than accessibility specifically.
   • Atwix

4. SeedCart | Web Designers In Chicago — 222 S Riverside Plaza
   • Downtown option with Shopify/Shopify Plus ecommerce development, custom themes, integrations and migrations.
   • I would rank them behind Praella/Alphazeta because I found less compelling evidence of a mature WCAG-specific practice. Make accessibility a condition of the proposal rather than assuming it.

One important distinction

I wouldn't simply ask, "Can you make our Shopify site ADA compliant?" Ask for WCAG 2.2 AA as an explicit engineering and QA requirement.

Your RFP should require things like:

• Manual keyboard-only testing
• Screen-reader testing (VoiceOver/NVDA, as appropriate)
• Automated testing with something like axe/WAVE plus manual review
• WCAG success criteria mapped to defects and fixes
• Accessible navigation, menus, modals, forms, filters, product variants and checkout-related UI
• Color contrast and visible focus states
• Semantic HTML and appropriate ARIA
• Alt-text/content governance
• Accessibility testing of third-party Shopify apps, not just the theme
• A final accessibility regression test before launch
• Documentation showing what was tested and what remains outside the agency's control

That's important because automated scanners alone don't establish WCAG conformance. For comparison, an ecommerce accessibility provider I found describes a process combining automated scans with keyboard and screen-reader testing and code-level remediation. www.i95dev.com

If I were sending three RFPs tomorrow: Praella, Alphazeta, and Atwix. Praella is the clearest first call for the combination of Shopify Plus + Chicago + accessibility.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, Shopify plan (Basic/Advanced/Plus), catalog size, and whether you're B2B, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 agencies and give you a set of questions to use on the intro calls.

Yes. For a Shopify rebuild where WCAG/accessibility is a first-class requirement, I’d shortlist these downtown Chicago firms rather than choosing a generic Shopify developer.

My top contacts

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop
   • Strongest overall fit if you want a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Shopify-focused, downtown-based, and experienced with store redesigns and complex ecommerce implementations.
   • I’d ask specifically who handles accessibility QA and whether WCAG testing is performed by an independent specialist.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Particularly interesting for your requirement because accessibility is part of its stated design practice; its own site says it follows WCAG 2.1 and targets AA.
   • Better candidate if you want accessibility incorporated into UX/design and development rather than bolted on afterward.
   • Confirm their current Shopify-specific team and recent Shopify examples before selecting them.

3. Americaneagle.com, Inc. — 200 W Jackson Blvd, Loop
   • Good option if this is a larger, enterprise-style rebuild with integrations, substantial catalog complexity, or formal compliance requirements.
   • Their downtown office is directly in the Loop.
   • I'd put them on the RFP list if the project has a significant budget.

4. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • More technically oriented and suitable if your Shopify rebuild involves complicated integrations or commerce architecture.
   • Shopify/Shopify Plus is among its commerce capabilities, although its roots are particularly strong in Adobe Commerce.

5. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop
   • Shopify/ecommerce-focused and explicitly markets accessibility-minded design and development.
   • Worth getting a proposal from as a potentially more ecommerce-specialized alternative.

One non-downtown firm I'd still contact

Sandstorm Design is in Ravenswood rather than downtown, but I'd seriously consider them specifically for accessibility. Their positioning includes inclusive design, accessibility audits/remediation, and IAAP accessibility expertise.

There's also a particularly relevant Shopify example from The Chicago Web Co.: its portfolio describes a Shopify Plus redesign for Naked Cashmere that was built to be ADA-compliant. Shopify's partner directory also lists them for store builds/redesigns. www.shopify.com

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't simply ask, “Do you make sites WCAG compliant?” Ask them to commit to:

• WCAG 2.2 AA as the target standard (unless your legal/compliance team specifies another version).
• Keyboard-only testing.
• Screen-reader testing (e.g. NVDA/JAWS + VoiceOver).
• Color contrast and focus-state testing.
• Semantic HTML, headings, landmarks, labels and error handling.
• Accessible product filters, variant selectors, cart and checkout.
• Accessible third-party apps/widgets—not just the Shopify theme.
• Automated and manual accessibility testing.
• A documented accessibility issue log and remediation process.
• Testing again after fixes and before launch.
• Accessibility requirements incorporated into the design system/component library.
• A post-launch accessibility QA process so future merchandising/content changes don't regress compliance.

My first three calls would be Praella, Clique Studios, and Americaneagle.com, with Sandstorm as the accessibility-focused specialist to compare against them.

If you tell me roughly your store's annual revenue, number of SKUs, current Shopify/Shopify Plus status, and approximate rebuild budget, I can narrow this to 3 agencies and compare their likely fit, accessibility depth, Shopify expertise, and project scale.

Yes. I’d prioritize firms that can demonstrate actual WCAG work on Shopify, rather than agencies that simply install an “accessibility widget.”

Downtown Chicago firms I’d contact

1. Praella - eCommerce Agency — 203 N LaSalle St

Strongest overall fit if this is a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild. They’re a Shopify Platinum Partner with a downtown office and specialize in complex ecommerce implementations. I’d specifically ask them to include WCAG 2.2 AA requirements in the technical specification and QA process.

2. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr

A good option for a technically complicated store, especially if you have ERP, PIM, B2B, or other integrations. They work with Shopify/Shopify Plus alongside their broader ecommerce expertise. www.mejix.com

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY | eCommerce Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave

Worth an RFP if you want ecommerce + design/development + migration + accessibility under one roof. Their Chicago listing specifically describes accessibility-minded design and Shopify/Shopify Plus migrations.

4. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North

Particularly interesting for your requirements because they explicitly describe an ADA/WCAG audit → remediation → maintenance process, alongside Shopify and ecommerce development. That's closer to what I'd want than a generic agency promising that a site will be “ADA compliant.”

5. Cybernautic Web Design — 515 N State St

Accessibility is explicitly among their services, including accessible builds and WCAG/ADA-related work. I'd put them on the shortlist if you're looking for a smaller Chicago team.

One non-downtown firm I'd seriously consider

Orbit Media Studios is in Ravenswood rather than downtown, but I'd still interview them. They're strong on accessibility, UX, performance, SEO and structured website rebuilds. For a major redesign where accessibility needs to be baked into UX/content/development rather than treated as a final audit, they're worth a conversation.

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't just ask “Can you make our Shopify store WCAG compliant?” Ask for:

• WCAG 2.2 AA as the target standard
• Accessibility requirements incorporated into UX, Figma/design system, Liquid/theme development, apps and content
• Keyboard-only testing
• Screen-reader testing with NVDA/JAWS and VoiceOver
• Color contrast, focus states, forms, error handling, menus, modals, carousels and dynamic cart behavior
• Accessible product filtering/search and Shopify checkout considerations
• Testing of third-party Shopify apps—not just the theme
• Automated testing plus manual expert testing
• A pre-launch accessibility audit and remediation cycle
• A documented accessibility conformance report / VPAT-style deliverable where appropriate
• Post-launch regression testing and an accessibility maintenance plan

I'd also specifically ask who performs the manual accessibility testing and what their accessibility credentials are. That's a useful way to distinguish genuine accessibility expertise from agencies selling overlays.

My first three calls would be Praella, Alphazeta, and 1DIGITAL—with Orbit as the wildcard if you're willing to go outside downtown. www.shopify.com

If you tell me roughly your current Shopify setup, annual online revenue, number of SKUs, and whether you're on Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to 3 firms and compare them on Shopify expertise, WCAG capability, likely project size, and Chicago location.

Yes. I’d shortlist downtown/central Chicago firms that can handle both a serious Shopify rebuild and accessibility as part of the engineering process, rather than hiring a generic Shopify designer and bolting on an accessibility widget afterward.

My top Chicago shortlist

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop
   • Strongest overall fit if you want a substantial Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Chicago-headquartered, Shopify-focused, and listed as a Shopify Platinum Partner.
   • Worth asking specifically for their WCAG 2.2 AA development/testing process, because Shopify expertise alone doesn't establish accessibility expertise.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Particularly interesting for your requirements because its published capabilities explicitly include accessibility design, usability testing, engineering, QA, ecommerce, and accessibility.
   • I'd put this high on the list if accessibility needs to be integrated into UX, design system, frontend development and QA—not just audited at the end.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop
   • Downtown location and ecommerce focus, including Shopify/Shopify Plus.
   • Its profile specifically mentions accessibility-minded design practices.
   • I'd interview them alongside Praella and Clique, but make them demonstrate their actual WCAG testing methodology before selecting them.

4. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North
   • Not quite the Loop, but very relevant to your brief.
   • Its public positioning includes an Audit → Fix → Maintain accessibility approach involving automated and human testing, remediation and QA.
   • The combination of Shopify/ecommerce development and explicit WCAG/ADA work makes this one worth a conversation.

5. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • More of an enterprise/complex-commerce engineering option.
   • Particularly worth considering if your Shopify rebuild involves substantial integrations, complex B2B functionality or migration work.
   • I would specifically probe their recent Shopify accessibility portfolio rather than assuming their broader ecommerce expertise translates to WCAG.

One important wildcard

The Chicago Web Co. is worth contacting even though I wouldn't put it ahead of the firms above for a large enterprise rebuild. Shopify's partner directory lists it as a Chicago Shopify expert with store redesign/build experience, and its own portfolio mentions ADA compliance corrections on a major brand engagement. www.shopify.com

The Chicago Web Co.

Who I'd contact first

If this were my RFP, I'd start with:

Clique Studios → Praella → Alphazeta → 1DIGITAL → Atwix

The reason I'd put Clique unusually high is that your requirement isn't simply "make us a Shopify store." You want accessibility embedded in the design + code + QA process. Their listed capabilities line up unusually well with that.

What I'd put in the RFP

Don't just ask, "Are you WCAG compliant?" Ask each agency:

• Can you commit to WCAG 2.2 AA as a project acceptance criterion?
• Will accessibility be addressed during UX/design, not just after development?
• Do you perform manual keyboard testing and screen-reader testing in addition to automated scans?
• Which screen readers/browsers do you test? (e.g. NVDA, VoiceOver, JAWS)
• Will you test Shopify's cart, checkout, account flows, search, filters, modals and third-party apps?
• How do you handle accessibility of third-party Shopify apps?
• Will you provide an accessibility issue log mapped to individual WCAG success criteria?
• Who performs the final accessibility QA, and is that person independent of the developer who made the fix?
• What happens when an app/theme update introduces a regression?
• Can they show you two recent Shopify stores where accessibility was an explicit project requirement, rather than merely saying they "follow ADA best practices"?

One other thing: I'd avoid agencies whose primary solution is an accessibility overlay/widget. For a rebuild, you want semantic HTML, keyboard behavior, focus management, headings, forms, contrast, alt text, accessible components, etc. fixed in the underlying theme/code.

If you tell me your approximate store size/revenue, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, B2B vs DTC, and rough rebuild budget, I can narrow this to 3 Chicago firms and give you a side-by-side comparison of likely fit, accessibility capability, Shopify strength, and what to ask each in the first call.

Yes. If downtown Chicago is a hard requirement and accessibility/WCAG is a core part of the rebuild—not an afterthought—I’d start with these:

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St
   • My first call. Praella is a Shopify Plus Platinum Partner with a downtown Loop office and substantial Shopify rebuild/migration experience. www.shopify.com
   • More importantly, they explicitly operate an accessibility program with Deque, target WCAG 2.1 AA, and describe automated plus user-based accessibility testing and remediation. praella.com
   • Best fit if you're a mid-market/enterprise merchant with integrations, complex UX, or a significant migration.
   • Praella

2. 1Digital® Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Probably the strongest explicit WCAG + Shopify combination I found downtown. Their Chicago office is in the Loop, and they are a Shopify Plus Partner. www.1digitalagency.com
   • They specifically say their custom Shopify designs are engineered to WCAG 2.2 AA, including keyboard navigation, focus states, semantic structure, contrast and screen-reader support. www.1digitalagency.com
   • They also handle Shopify migrations, custom development and redesigns, so this looks particularly relevant to a ground-up rebuild. www.1digitalagency.com
   • 1Digital Agency

3. Atwix — 20 N Wacker Dr
   • A genuine downtown/Loop option with experience in complex ecommerce implementations and Shopify/Shopify Plus. www.atwix.com
   • I'd put them on the RFP list if your rebuild involves ERP/integration complexity, B2B, or a technically demanding architecture.
   • Caveat: I found strong evidence for their ecommerce/Shopify capabilities, but not the same explicit WCAG evidence I found for Praella and 1Digital. I'd make accessibility a specific contractual requirement in the RFP rather than assuming it.
   • Atwix

My shortlist

One important point: don't accept "we install an accessibility widget" as your definition of WCAG compliance. For a rebuild, I'd require the agency to address accessibility in the theme/component code and UX, then independently test it with automated tools and keyboard/screen-reader testing.

For your RFP, I'd specifically ask each agency to commit to WCAG 2.2 AA, provide an accessibility audit before development, test the actual Shopify theme/components and third-party apps, and deliver a post-launch accessibility report with remediation of identified Level A/AA issues.

If you tell me roughly your annual online revenue, Shopify vs. Shopify Plus, and whether you're B2C/B2B, I can narrow this to the best 2–3 firms and give you a suggested RFP scorecard.

Yes. For downtown Chicago, I’d put these at the top of your outreach list, with accessibility treated as a core rebuild requirement rather than an overlay added afterward:

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St
   • Best overall fit for a serious Shopify rebuild.
   • Shopify Plus/Platinum Partner with substantial enterprise ecommerce experience.
   • Particularly interesting for your requirement because Praella has an accessibility initiative with Deque, and says accessibility is prioritized across its projects. Its published accessibility approach includes WCAG 2.1 AA and automated plus user testing. praella.comwww.1digitalagency.com
   • Praella

2. 1Digital Agency — 205 N Michigan Ave
   • Best if WCAG is a major procurement requirement.
   • Explicitly offers Shopify/Shopify Plus development and currently advertises WCAG 2.2 AA in its Shopify design/development work. It also describes code-level accessibility remediation rather than relying solely on an accessibility widget. www.1digitalagency.com
   • 1Digital Agency

3. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr
   • Best if UX, accessibility, and a larger digital-experience engagement matter as much as Shopify.
   • Their Chicago team offers UX/UI, usability testing and accessibility design, and their published accessibility commitment targets WCAG 2.1 AA.
   • I'd specifically ask them to identify the person/team responsible for Shopify implementation, since they're a broader digital agency rather than a Shopify-only specialist.

4. Cybernautic Web Design — 515 N State St
   • Worth getting a proposal from if you're looking for a smaller Chicago team.
   • Their offering includes Shopify/ecommerce work and accessibility/ADA support, including accessible builds.
   • Cybernautic

My shortlist

If this were my RFP, I'd start with Praella + 1Digital + Clique, then use Cybernautic as a smaller-agency comparison.

One important distinction: don't accept "ADA compliant" or an accessibility widget as the specification. Put WCAG 2.2 AA into the actual statement of work and require manual keyboard and screen-reader testing, accessible forms/error handling, focus management, color contrast, semantic HTML, accessible product filtering/navigation, and testing of the Shopify apps and checkout-related components.

I'd also ask each agency:

• Will you build against WCAG 2.2 AA from the design system onward?
• Who performs manual accessibility testing, and which assistive technologies do they use?
• Will accessibility acceptance criteria be tied to launch/sign-off?
• How will you handle accessibility problems introduced by third-party Shopify apps?
• Will you provide an accessibility audit/report and remediation log?
• What happens to accessibility when our staff add products, images, promotions and content after launch?
• Can you show me 2–3 Shopify stores you've rebuilt where accessibility was a contractual requirement, not merely an optional service?

One caveat: Mightybytes is probably one of the strongest accessibility-focused Chicago agencies—I found that it states its deliverables comply with WCAG 2.2 AA by default—but its office is in Ravenswood rather than downtown. www.mightybytes.com If "Chicago" matters more than literally being downtown, I'd absolutely add Mightybytes to the RFP. Mightybytes

If you tell me roughly your current Shopify revenue/traffic, number of SKUs, and whether you're on Shopify or Shopify Plus, I can narrow this to the 2–3 agencies I'd actually invite to pitch and give you a short RFP scorecard.

Yes. For a Shopify rebuild where WCAG accessibility is a first-class requirement, I’d put these Chicago firms at the top of your outreach list:

1. Praella — 203 N LaSalle St, Loop
   • Probably my first call for a serious Shopify/Shopify Plus rebuild.
   • Chicago-headquartered, Shopify-focused, and their downtown office is right in the Loop.
   • Strong fit if you need a substantial replatform/rebuild rather than just theme tweaks.

2. Clique Studios — 20 N Wacker Dr, Loop
   • Especially interesting for your accessibility requirement. They explicitly offer accessibility design and usability testing and state that their own site targets WCAG 2.1 AA.
   • Better candidate if you want accessibility integrated into UX/design, development and QA—not bolted on afterward.

3. 1DIGITAL AGENCY — 205 N Michigan Ave, Loop
   • E-commerce specialist with Shopify/Shopify Plus experience.
   • Their listed capabilities include accessibility-minded design, migrations, custom development and integrations.
   • Worth including in an RFP if you're comparing several implementation-oriented agencies.

4. Alphazeta — 325 W Huron St, River North
   • Particularly interesting on the accessibility side: they describe an audit → remediation → QA → ongoing maintenance approach based on WCAG/ADA guidance.
   • They also list Shopify among their e-commerce platforms.
   • I'd consider them if accessibility compliance is as important as the Shopify engineering itself.

5. Cybernautic Web Design — 515 N State St
   • Chicago-based, with Shopify capability and explicit ADA/WCAG accessibility services.
   • Potentially a good fit if you're looking for a smaller/more hands-on shop rather than a large transformation agency.

One more I'd seriously investigate

The Chicago Web Co. is a Shopify specialist with a strong store-redesign portfolio. More importantly for your particular brief, its portfolio specifically describes a Shopify Plus redesign for Naked Cashmere as ADA-compliant, and discusses accessibility work on other e-commerce experiences. www.shopify.com

My shortlist

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

Praella + Clique Studios + The Chicago Web Co. + Alphazeta

That gives you a useful mix of Shopify depth + accessibility expertise + downtown/local presence.

One caution: don't accept "ADA compliant" or an accessibility widget as sufficient evidence of WCAG compliance. In your RFP, I'd require the agency to commit to a specific target such as WCAG 2.2 AA, with keyboard/screen-reader testing, automated + manual testing, documented exceptions, and accessibility QA before launch.

If you tell me roughly your store's revenue/size, Shopify vs Shopify Plus, number of SKUs, and budget range, I can narrow this to the best 3 agencies and give you the specific questions to ask each one.

For a Shopify rebuild where WCAG accessibility is a core requirement, I’d prioritize firms that can handle both Shopify engineering and accessibility QA/remediation rather than just a visual redesign. A few Chicago-area firms worth contacting:

For your first outreach, I’d ask each agency these questions:

1. Do you build to WCAG 2.2 AA (or a specific WCAG target), and how do you verify it?
2. Will accessibility testing happen during design, development, and before launch—not just after?
3. Do you include manual testing with keyboard-only navigation and screen readers (for example NVDA/JAWS/VoiceOver), or only automated scanners?
4. Who owns accessibility acceptance criteria in the project plan?
5. Can you show Shopify stores you rebuilt with accessibility requirements?
6. How do you handle Shopify theme limitations, third-party apps, reviews, subscriptions, search/filter tools, and checkout-related accessibility issues?

If this is a mid-market or enterprise Shopify store, my shortlist would probably start with Praella, Uncap, Clique Studios, and Mightybytes. If the store is smaller but needs a careful accessibility-first rebuild, The Chicago Web Co. is also worth a conversation. www.shopify.com

One note: “WCAG compliant” is often used loosely in agency pitches. I’d require the contract to specify the target (for example, WCAG 2.2 Level AA) and the testing/acceptance process.