WordPress design and development, built for growth.

Chicago-based WordPress development company specializing in enterprise solutions, multisite architecture, and high-performance custom themes. Trusted by 500+ organizations since 2008.

Backed by decades of WordPress expertise, our team designs, develops, and optimizes solutions from complex multi-site systems to lightning-fast marketing websites that adapt to your needs.

Actual results, powered by WordPress.

Each of our builds starts with strategy and ends with measurable impact.
Below are a few examples of how we’ve helped clients transform their digital presence with WordPress.

Red Rocks Ampitheatre

Venue
Wordpress
We worked with the Red Rocks’ team to build a digital visual identity and launch an experience that defines their brand, lays the foundation for today, and provides the flexibility to evolve for tomorrow.

Metropolitan State University of Denver

University
Wordpress
Years ago, we partnered with Metropolitan State University of Denver to redesign their main site and bring their commitment to accessible education to the forefront. Today, we've launched new platforms for their news site, employee hub, and internal newsletter.

Punchbowl

News
Wordpress
By expanding their digital capabilities, streamlining their content strategy, and enhancing their user experience, we’ve helped them increase audience engagement, broaden their revenue streams, and solidify their position as a must-read news source.

1st Source

Bank
Wordpress
By simplifying online banking access, centralizing financial resources, and improving navigation across their site, we helped 1st Source Bank strengthen client relationships, support informed decision-making, and create a smoother digital banking experience.

National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners

Healthcare
Wordpress
We rebuilt NBOME’s website using WordPress Gutenberg with a fresh, contemporary design to enhance user experience. The new site is intuitive and easy to navigate, allowing users to quickly find the information they need.

How we build better WordPress experiences.

Our WordPress projects follow a proven process that balances creativity, usability, and long-term goals.

An icon of a magnifying glass.

Discovery & strategy

Define goals, content needs, and technical requirements.

An icon of 4 abstract symbols.

Design systems

Create reusable components that scale across pages and campaigns.

An icon of two brackets.

Custom development

Build performant, maintainable code for your unique workflows.

An icon of a circle joining 3 squares.

Integrations

Connect Salesforce, Algolia, Spektrix, HubSpot, or any key tool in your stack.

An icon with 2 diamonds and 2 circles.

Training & handoff

Empower your team to manage content confidently.

An icon of a graph going up.

Ongoing optimization

Track performance, evolve the platform, and grow.

Abstract digital interface with a cursor pointing to a grid of blocks, toggle switches, code symbol, and text labels SEO/AEO and API on a black grid background.

What we do best on WordPress.

Custom Theme & Plugin Development
Multi-site & Network Architecture
Accessibility & Performance Optimization
Third-party API & CRM Integrations
SSO / Okta / Security Setup
SEO & Analytics Implementation
Migrations & Rebuilds
Continuous Support & Enhancements

Designed for teams who need more than a template.

We partner with organizations who rely on WordPress to communicate, convert, and scale, whether that’s small business marketing teams launching new campaigns, or universities managing complex content ecosystems.

An icon of a megaphone.

Marketing teams

Publish faster, test ideas, and measure impact.

An icon of a briefcase.

Business owners

Build credibility and drive inbound growth.

An icon of a person with a ribbon.

Professional services

Get your story out there.

An icon of a graduation cap above a book.

Higher education

Manage large content networks easily.

An icon of a building with a heart inside of it.

Nonprofits

Engage with supporters and grow donations.

Our WordPress Development Services

As a leading WordPress development agency with over 15 years of experience, we've helped 500+ organizations transform their digital presence through custom WordPress solutions. Our team combines strategic thinking with technical excellence to deliver WordPress websites that drive measurable business results.

From enterprise WordPress multisite networks serving thousands of users to high-converting marketing websites, our custom WordPress development services are built for organizations that need more than a template. We specialize in complex integrations, performance optimization, and scalable architectures that grow with your business.

Our WordPress web design and development services cover the full lifecycle of your digital platform—from initial strategy to ongoing optimization. Whether you're building a new WordPress site or optimizing an existing one, we deliver solutions that combine beautiful design with rock-solid engineering.

Custom WordPress Theme Development

We build fully custom WordPress themes tailored to your brand, optimized for performance, and designed for easy content management. Our themes are built on modern development frameworks following WordPress Coding Standards with a focus on Core Web Vitals, accessibility compliance, and SEO best practices. From block-based themes to advanced custom post types and taxonomies, we create flexible systems that adapt to your evolving needs. Learn more about our web design process.

Enterprise WordPress Multisite Development

Managing multiple websites? Our WordPress multisite architecture services help enterprises, universities, and large organizations consolidate management while maintaining brand consistency across dozens or hundreds of sites. We've built multisite networks serving millions of users with single sign-on (SSO), centralized user management, shared theme frameworks, and automated deployment workflows. See our work with Northwestern University and the American Osteopathic Association.

WordPress Performance Optimization

Speed matters. Our WordPress performance optimization services include comprehensive audits, code optimization, database tuning, CDN implementation, and caching strategies. We regularly achieve Lighthouse scores of 90+ and ensure your site meets Google's Core Web Vitals requirements for better search rankings and user experience.

Custom WordPress Plugin Development

When off-the-shelf plugins can't meet your needs, we build custom WordPress plugins that extend functionality exactly as you need it. From CRM integrations to custom admin interfaces, our plugin development follows WordPress coding standards and security best practices to ensure compatibility and maintainability.

Headless WordPress Development

Leverage WordPress as a powerful content management system while building lightning-fast frontends with modern frameworks like React, Next.js, or Vue.js. Our headless WordPress solutions use the WordPress REST API or GraphQL to deliver content to any platform—websites, mobile apps, or IoT devices—with unmatched performance and flexibility.

WordPress Security & Compliance

Protect your digital assets with enterprise-grade WordPress security. Our security services include vulnerability assessments, security hardening following web security best practices, malware removal, firewall configuration, SSL implementation, and ongoing security monitoring. We ensure WCAG 2.1 AA accessibility compliance and GDPR/CCPA data privacy requirements are met. Learn more about our accessibility approach.

WordPress Migration Services

Migrating from another CMS platform or moving to a new host? We handle WordPress migrations with zero downtime and improved performance. Our migration process includes full content audits, 301 redirects to maintain SEO value, database optimization, and comprehensive testing to ensure nothing breaks in the transition. Read our ultimate guide to redesigning your website for best practices.

WooCommerce Development & Optimization

Build powerful ecommerce experiences with WooCommerce. Our development services include custom product configurators, payment gateway integrations, subscription systems, complex shipping calculations, and conversion-optimized checkout flows. We optimize WooCommerce sites for performance to handle high-traffic sales events without slowdowns.

WordPress Solutions for Every Industry

Our WordPress development company has deep experience serving clients across multiple industries:

Higher Education: WordPress multisite networks for universities with thousands of departmental sites, student portals, and learning management system integrations. Discover our best practices for association websites.

Healthcare & Nonprofits: HIPAA-compliant WordPress solutions with patient portals, donation platforms, and secure communication systems.

Arts & Culture: Ticketing integrations, event calendars, membership management, and stunning visual experiences for venues and cultural institutions. See our Red Rocks Amphitheatre project.

Professional Services: Lead generation platforms, client portals, and service showcase sites that convert visitors into customers.

Enterprise B2B: Complex WordPress architectures with CRM integrations, marketing automation, and multi-language support for global organizations.

Our WordPress Development Approach

As an experienced WordPress development agency, we follow industry best practices and modern development workflows. Learn more about our proven process:

  • Modern Development Stack: We use Git version control, automated testing, continuous integration/deployment (CI/CD), and staging environments for all projects.
  • WordPress Coding Standards: All custom code follows official guidelines with comprehensive documentation and clean, maintainable architecture.
  • Performance-First Mindset: We optimize for performance metrics from day one with image optimization, lazy loading, code splitting, and efficient database queries.
  • Security by Design: Security considerations are baked into every phase, from data sanitization and validation to regular security audits and updates.
  • Accessibility Compliance: WCAG testing using automated tools and manual audits to ensure inclusive experiences.

SEO Foundation: Technical SEO best practices including schema markup, semantic HTML, XML sitemaps, and optimized page architecture.

WordPress Development Agency in Chicago

Based in Chicago since 2008, Clique Studios has become one of the Midwest's leading WordPress development companies. Our Chicago office has partnered with hundreds of local and national companies and organizations—from startups to established enterprises —to build WordPress solutions that drive business growth.

As a Chicago WordPress agency, we understand the unique needs of local businesses and institutions. Whether you're a Chicago nonprofit looking to increase donations, a local university managing multiple department websites, or a professional services firm seeking better lead generation, we combine local expertise with world-class WordPress development.

Our Chicago WordPress development services include in-person discovery workshops, on-site training for your team, and local support you can count on. We're proud to serve organizations throughout Chicagoland including Evanston, Oak Park, and the broader Chicago metropolitan area. Contact our Chicago team to start your project.

Frequently asked questions

What types of organizations does Clique build WordPress sites for?

We work with marketing teams, educators, nonprofits, and enterprises that need a flexible, secure CMS capable of scaling.

How do you decide whether WordPress is right for a client?

We evaluate content needs, integrations, and internal workflows to match each client to the right platform.

Do you provide ongoing support after launch?

Yes, we offer maintenance, analytics, and continuous improvements to keep your site performing.

How do you handle SEO and accessibility in WordPress?

Every build follows best practices for performance, structure, and accessibility from day one.

Can you migrate my existing site to WordPress?

Absolutely. We handle migrations from any platform with zero downtime and improved performance.

How long does custom WordPress development take?

The timeline depends on project complexity. A typical custom WordPress website takes 8-12 weeks from discovery to launch. Enterprise WordPress multisite projects may require 3-6 months. We provide detailed project timelines during the discovery phase and maintain transparent communication throughout development.

What's the cost of hiring a WordPress development agency?

WordPress development costs vary based on scope, features, and complexity. Small business sites typically range from $15,000-$40,000, while enterprise WordPress solutions can range from $75,000-$250,000+. We provide customized proposals after understanding your specific requirements. Many clients find custom WordPress development more cost-effective long-term than template-based solutions due to better performance and lower maintenance costs.

Do you provide WordPress maintenance and support?

Yes, we offer comprehensive WordPress maintenance services including core/plugin/theme updates, security monitoring, performance optimization, backup management, and technical support. Our maintenance plans ensure your WordPress site remains secure, fast, and up-to-date. Many clients maintain long-term partnerships with us for continuous improvements and feature additions.

Is WordPress secure for enterprise use?

Yes, when properly configured and maintained. WordPress powers 43% of all websites including major enterprises, universities, and government agencies. Our WordPress security services include hardening configurations, regular security audits, malware scanning, web application firewalls, and 24/7 monitoring. We follow OWASP security guidelines and can achieve SOC 2 compliance when required.

Can you integrate WordPress with our existing systems?

Absolutely. We specialize in WordPress API integrations with CRM systems (Salesforce, HubSpot), marketing automation platforms, payment processors, LMS systems, ticketing platforms (Spektrix, Tessitura), and custom applications. Our integration work ensures seamless data flow between WordPress and your existing technology stack. See our Punchbowl News integration work as an example.

What makes your WordPress agency different from others?

Three key differentiators: (1) Strategic approach - we start with business goals, not just design; (2) Technical excellence - our team includes senior WordPress developers with 10+ years experience each; (3) Long-term partnership - 85% of our clients continue working with us after launch. We've completed 500+ WordPress projects with measurable results including 81% increase in donations for nonprofits and 40% improvement in engagement metrics. Get in touch to discuss your project.

Let’s build something on WordPress, together.

Ready to see what’s possible on WordPress? Whether you’re optimizing an existing site or planning a full rebuild, we’ll help you move fast and make it last.

Talk to us
Hand holding a translucent blue digital interface panel with rectangular icons and buttons.