BuildThis

What BuildThis does

BuildThis is a Chicago-based web design and custom application development agency that operates as a division of WebSpec. The company delivers four core service lines: custom WordPress web design and development (including eCommerce builds and redesigns), digital marketing (online ads, social media management, SEO), custom application and software development spanning web to mobile (using PHP/Laravel, Django/Python, and React Native), and managed WordPress hosting with maintenance packages. Its technology stack centers on mainstream web frameworks — PHP, Laravel, WordPress, Vue.js, JavaScript, Django, Python, React Native, Bootstrap 4, and SASS — supplemented by integrations with Yoast SEO, WP Engine, Cloudflare, and Google Analytics. The agency's value proposition rests on an in-house Chicago team (no outsourcing), a four-phase Discovery/Design/Development/Deployment methodology, and direct client engagement through a downtown office at the Chicago Board of Trade Building.

Customer segments are split between small-to-mid-sized businesses seeking custom digital solutions and larger enterprise organizations requiring complex custom web applications and ongoing support. Named enterprise and mid-market clients include Motorola Solutions, ALG Worldwide, The Perfit, BidCab, Adventis CG, BAI, and Fortress Clothing, while a long tail of SMB engagements spans retail, food and beverage, manufacturing, and health and wellness verticals. Pricing is primarily custom/quoted for project work, with a structured Pro Maintenance Package offering monthly managed hosting, 30 prepaid support minutes, and dedicated account management at $100/hour for additional support.

Revenue mechanics blend one-time project fees (web design, custom apps), professional services (digital marketing, training), and a smaller subscription recurring stream (managed hosting). Lead generation runs through a sales-led motion combining content marketing via the BuildThis blog, SEO, Clutch/UpCity-driven industry recognition, social media, in-person meetings at the Chicago office, and referral channels. President Hans Skillrud leads the firm and maintains visible industry presence through conference attendance (RubyConf 2019) and public workshops at Chicago City Hall.

Name

BuildThis

Legal name

BuildThis

Website

https://buildthis.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

BuildThis is a Chicago-based, in-house digital agency delivering custom WordPress web design, custom application development, digital marketing, and managed hosting services to small-to-mid-sized businesses and select enterprise clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Design and Development Services

NAICS

Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Graphic Design Services (541430)

SIC

Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Low-Code/No-Code Application Development & Modernization (BPAEAFAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Creative & Brand Campaign Development (BPAFAAAB)

Keywords

• Custom web development
• WordPress design services
• Digital marketing agency
• Application development services
• Managed website hosting

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Web Design & Development Services: Custom website design, development, and redesign services for businesses. Includes new websites, eCommerce websites, and mobile-responsive, SEO-friendly solutions.
2. Digital Marketing Services: Online ad campaigns, social media management, SEO strategy, and comprehensive digital marketing tactics.
3. Application & Software Development: Custom application and software development services from web to mobile apps using PHP/Laravel approach.
4. Website Hosting & Maintenance: Professionally managed WordPress hosting with maintenance packages including Core, Pro tiers. Pro package includes 30 minutes prepaid support monthly, dedicated account manager, daily backups, security, and SEO services.
5. Customized Training & Documentation: Virtual training sessions and 'how-to' documentation for website management. Billed at regular service hourly rate, typically 3-6 hours per session.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

BuildThis is a Chicago-based digital agency that designs and develops custom WordPress websites, builds custom web and mobile applications primarily using PHP/Laravel (with Django/Python and React Native on select projects), and provides digital marketing services including online ad campaigns, social media management, and SEO strategy. The agency also delivers professionally managed WordPress hosting and ongoing maintenance through tiered packages such as the Pro Maintenance Package, which bundles site updates, enterprise hosting, daily backups, security, SEO tools, and a dedicated account manager.

Product overview

BuildThis is a Chicago-based web design and development agency offering a portfolio of digital services. Its core offerings include Web Design & Development (custom WordPress websites, eCommerce builds, redesigns), Digital Marketing Services (online advertising, social media, SEO), Custom Application & Software Development (web and mobile apps using PHP/Laravel), and Website Hosting & Maintenance (managed WordPress hosting with various support tiers). The Pro Maintenance Package is an add-on service to the hosting offering that bundles enterprise hosting, security, SEO tools, and dedicated account management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Web Design & Development

Quantifiable outcome

• BidCab platform used by hundreds of NYC cab drivers daily for pre-booking shifts and vehicles
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• WebSpeccoreOthersBuildThis operates as a division of WebSpec. The WebSpec logo is displayed on BuildThis's About page with the text 'a division of'. WebSpec careers page is referenced for job opportunities.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Peers

• Thrive Internet Marketing Agency:

Broad incumbents

• WebFX: Large digital marketing and web development agency with a strong emphasis on SEO, web design, and managed services. Overlaps with BuildThis in core services but operates at significantly larger scale with a national footprint.
• Blue Fountain Media: Larger, established digital agency offering web design, development, and digital marketing as part of a broader portfolio. Competes with BuildThis for mid-market and enterprise digital projects, but at a larger scale and with broader service breadth.

Direct peers

• EIGHT25MEDIA: Mid-sized digital agency offering custom web design, web development, and digital marketing services, with a similar mix of SMB and mid-market clients. Directly competes with BuildThis in the same service categories and customer profile.
• Lounge Lizard: Established digital agency providing web design, branding, and digital marketing, including WordPress builds and custom applications. Comparable to BuildThis in scope of services and target SMB/mid-market customers.
• Coalition Technologies: SEO- and design-led digital agency building custom WordPress and eCommerce sites with accompanying marketing services. Closely comparable in technology stack (WordPress) and in serving SMBs seeking integrated design + marketing.
• Digital Silk: Digital agency offering custom website design, eCommerce, branding, and digital marketing with a similar SMB-to-enterprise mix. Competes with BuildThis for the same pool of mid-market web build and digital marketing projects.
• Spinx Digital: Los Angeles-based digital agency specializing in custom web design, development, and digital marketing for SMB and enterprise clients. Similar service mix and target customer to BuildThis.
• WebSpec: BuildThis's parent company and a Chicago-based web design and development firm operating in the same category. BuildThis is explicitly described as a division of WebSpec, with shared careers and brand assets, making it the closest direct peer.

Emerging players

• Solodev: Digital experience platform and agency combining CMS/hosting with web design and development services. Comparable to BuildThis in WordPress-centric delivery, but competes more on a hybrid product-plus-services model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Build_This
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/build-this

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about BuildThis