Two Good Agencies.
Different in the Right Ways.
Orbit Media is a Chicago-based web design and digital marketing agency. They offer web design and development, SEO, content marketing, and conversion rate optimization, and are known for content marketing education through their published research.
This comparison exists to help you decide. We'll tell you what they do well, where we differ, and which option is likely the better fit for your situation. We'd rather you make the right choice — even if that's not us.
What They Offer
Chicago web design and content marketing
Orbit Media focuses on web design, SEO, and content marketing. They publish annual blogging and content marketing research that has made them a reference point in the content marketing field.
Where Sidestreet Is Different
Video production and photography in-house
Orbit Media focuses on web and content. Sidestreet adds broadcast-trained video production, commercial photography, and drone aerial — in-house, from a broadcast journalism background. For businesses that need visual content assets alongside their digital marketing and web work, Sidestreet covers both without additional vendor coordination.
PR and crisis communications
Sidestreet operates a PR and crisis communications practice. Media relations, crisis preparedness, and earned media strategy aren't services Orbit Media covers.
Full marketing strategy beyond web and content
Orbit Media centers on web design and content marketing. Sidestreet covers digital advertising, paid media, SEO, social media management, and brand strategy alongside web and production.
Church media practice
Sidestreet has a dedicated practice for faith communities. Orbit Media serves commercial businesses and doesn't specialize in the faith sector.
How to Decide
Orbit Media is probably the right choice if: you're a Chicago business primarily needing web design and content marketing strategy, and content-driven SEO is your primary growth channel.
Sidestreet is probably the right choice if: you need video production alongside web and marketing, want integrated PR/crisis capability, or need a broader full-service scope that extends beyond web and content.
If you're genuinely unsure, talk to both of us before committing. Any agency worth working with will give you a straight answer about whether they're the right fit — and so will we.