Orbit Media Studios

Since 2001, Chicago's Orbit Media Studios has concentrated on building websites that generate leads, with search engine optimisation built into the design process rather than added later. SEO and web design account for equal shares of its work, and the agency also covers web development, conversion optimisation and the newer field of optimising for answer engines and generative AI search.

The team of 50 to 249 people works entirely in-house, according to the agency, covering design, development and optimisation without outsourcing. It says it uses AI tools to find content gaps, check how well a site matches the intended buyer personas, and apply current practice for SEO, CRO and AI discoverability. Planning and project management are a strong theme in how Orbit describes itself, with an emphasis on listening to clients before work begins.

Orbit states it has served companies across a wide range of industries. It is a certified B Corp and donates web design and marketing services to nonprofits in the Chicago area. Engagements start at $50,000, with hourly rates between $150 and $199, which places it among the higher-budget options for a Chicago web design and SEO agency. It best suits established organisations planning a substantial website rebuild where lead generation and search visibility both matter.