About Xblu
Built to Be Found. Run by Someone You Know.
Xblu is a Chicago digital marketing agency, founded by Charlie Burns more than 26 years ago and run from the South Loop, two blocks from Soldier Field. One senior partner on every account, a full agency behind them, and our own software built in-house, so your website, search, ads and AI all work as one. Most of our clients are Chicago businesses. We’re glad to work with anyone who isn’t, as long as you’re okay with the occasional game-day traffic report.
Meet the founder
Hi, I’m Charlie.
When you work with Xblu, you work with me. Not a sales rep, not a hand-off. One person who knows your business and a team that gets it done.
Charlie Burns, FounderI started Xblu more than 26 years ago to bring Accenture-trained strategic discipline to organizations that need results without the overhead. No junior teams. No layers of account managers between you and the work.
Since then we’ve launched more than 400 projects for 158 clients, from Chicago restaurants and theaters to manufacturers, contractors and a lake resort up north. I’m still hands-on every day: Google Ads, WordPress development, SEO, and the Linux servers that host our clients’ sites.
Over the years we started building the tools we wished existed. Today Xblu makes its own software, including an AI assistant that talks to your customers in four languages, an SEO tool that shows exactly who outranks you, and a lightweight CRM so no lead goes quiet. Lately that has grown into custom apps that aren’t websites at all: ResortWorks, a voice-driven maintenance app a resort crew runs from their phones, and booking tools that sit on top of systems a client already has. Small, fast programs on your own server, built around how your people actually work.
What makes Xblu different
One Senior Partner. A Full Agency Behind Them.
A real partner, not a ticket number
Every client works directly with a senior partner who knows the business, the goals and the numbers.
How we work →Our own software
The Xblu AI Assistant, EASEO, Good Morning, Carma CRM and ResortWorks are built in-house, so they fit together and keep getting better. When nothing off the shelf fits, we build the tool.
See Blu Horizon™ →We host what we build
Fast, secure Xblu hosting with real people watching the servers, because a great site is useless when it’s down.
Hosting & pricing →Who we help
Built for Businesses That Build Chicago.
We work across industries, with deep playbooks for a few we know especially well.
20 minutes. Real answers.
Let’s Talk About Your Business.
Tell us where you want to grow. You’ll get honest advice and a clear plan, whether or not we work together.
📍 1307 S. Wabash Avenue, South Loop, Chicago, IL 60605. Bears country. Parking is easier when they’re away.
