Which Detroit Web Design Companies are Actually Detroit Area-Based?

If you’ve ever looked around on the internet researching web design companies and found many of the agencies advertising services in metro Detroit aren’t actually based in Detroit at all, you’re not alone.

Many agencies go to great lengths to appear as though they are based in cities where they are not to improve their visibility in local search – especially major business hubs like Detroit. Google makes the process of filtering through the impostors even more difficult. Take a look at this search query for “Detroit web design companies based in Detroit.”

If you look up any of these companies, you will very quickly discover that while some claim to be based in Detroit, they really only offer services in the area, and some companies don’t even have physical offices in the city. 

Take Skidmore Studio for example, the very first company to appear in the search. While Google identifies them as being Detroit-area based, if you look up their address on Google Maps, you will see what appears to be a vacant office building:

But why does it matter if an agency is local or not? 

Hello, I’m Bob Ottaway, President of Detroit Website Design, and an actual Metro-Detroit native. Since 2006, my agency, based in Troy, has been producing results like a 78% increase in online sales YoY for Detroit-based businesses just like yours. 

Part of the reason we’re able to produce results like this is because of the unique knowledge our agency has on the Detroit market – knowledge and experience outsiders simply can’t match.

In this blog we’ll take a look at some of the big names that appear when you search Google for Detroit-based web design companies and investigate whether or not they’re telling the full story.

Is Thrive Based in Metro Detroit?

The short answer is no, Thrive is not Metro Detroit based. While this agency appears in the AI Overview when you search for Detroit area web designers, you can see clearly on their website that they are headquartered in Arlington, Texas.

At least for now, AI overviews can be inaccurate from time to time. It’s always important to double-check the responses they give you. They can vary a lot based on where you are located and even the time of day when you search.

 

Is Lunar North Based in Metro Detroit?

Yes, Lunar North is based in Ferndale. In this case, the AI Overview is accurate on their location, but nowhere on their website do they claim to be web designers. They are a design company, but with more of a focus on video production.

Their website meta description states they do design, animation and create interactive experiences.

Is Hexagon Creative Based in Metro Detroit?

It’s hard to say for sure if Hexagon is truly Metro Detroit based. In looking up the location of their office, you will find a co-working office that is currently available for rent. 

Unlike our office, which is fully staffed and in person, so you can always be sure when you call, you’ll be able to talk to a real person, they appear to be a fully digital company.

Is LMT Design Based in Metro Detroit?

LMT Design is another agency that is likely local to the Detroit area but possibly not fully staffed. If you look up their address, it shows a Staples location. This is a smaller operation, though, so it’s possible they don’t have the staff to fill an office space. 

It’s important for us at Detroit Website Design to have a larger staff because we assign every account at our agency a unique account manager whom you can contact anytime during business hours to ask questions or get support for your website.

Is Thunder::Tech Based in Metro Detroit?

No, Thunder Tech is not Metro Detroit-based. Their headquarters is in Ohio, and the address for the Detroit office location is a suite in a Marriott Hotel. 

Their website ranks highly for the query Detroit-based web design companies, but as we’ve seen already, even Google gets it wrong from time to time. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you do your research!

 

The Bottom Line

When it comes to choosing a digital marketing or web design agency, local knowledge makes all the difference. An agency that truly understands Detroit’s market, neighborhoods, and business culture can create strategies that resonate with the customers you really need to be visible to. 

Equally important is knowing you’re working with real people you can meet face-to-face. Having a local, in-person team builds trust, ensures accountability, and gives you the confidence that your project is being handled by professionals who are as invested in your success as you are.Disclaimer: This article is written by a local Detroit agency reviewing other local options, based on our first-hand experience in the area.