Higher Images

What Higher Images does

Higher Images is a privately held, full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2001 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania, operating as a Pennsylvania-domiciled S-Corp. The company serves SMB and mid-market clients across at least eight verticals—professional services, medical/healthcare, industrial/manufacturing, hospitality, retail, contractors/trades, and nonprofits/events—acquired through a sales-led go-to-market anchored by free marketing audits and direct consultations. Named customers span healthcare practices (King Orthodontics), home services (Patete Kitchen and Bath, Blue Chip Pest Control, Garage Door Supply House), tourism (Visit Mercer County PA), entertainment (Elevate Trampoline Parks), and multiple nonprofit organizations (Veterans Place, Guardian Angels Medical Service Dogs, Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh). The firm reports 3,100+ websites designed and 1.75M+ leads generated cumulatively, with client relationships averaging 5–10+ years.

The company's product portfolio is built around a proprietary technology stack branded as "Digital HI Technology," which aggregates six trademarked tools: Rocket Web-Sitez (website builder), Search Magnet Local (Google Business Profile/local SEO), Reputation Builder Plus (review management), WebTracker (targeted display advertising), Visitor ID (visitor identification), and ADA Compliance. In 2025, the company extended this stack with an AI services line—AISEO, AI GPT Development, AI Website Setup, AI Video Creation, AI Chatbot Development, AI Consulting, AI Reporting, and LLM Info Page Development—positioned around third-party AI platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews). Certified partnerships with Google (Google Partner), Meta (Facebook Marketing Partner), HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, and the WSI Global Network supplement the proprietary stack. The firm maintains iOS and Android mobile applications and a sub-brand, The Market Space (a boutique office space).

The revenue model is hybrid: recurring retainers for digital marketing, managed services, and AI services, combined with project-based fees for website design and development. Pricing is quote-based, determined per scope, industry, and campaign requirements. Distribution is sales-led across four physical locations—Carnegie (PA) headquarters, Fort Lauderdale and Islamorada (FL) offices, and a Pittsburgh warehouse. The company underwent a leadership transition in January 2025, with founder Bryan Thornberg moving from President to CEO and Linda Jo Thornberg assuming the President role; Gina James serves as VP of Technology and Dan Harmon as VP of Sales and Operations. The firm has earned 30+ industry awards including three consecutive #1 Best Places to Work in Western Pennsylvania (2023–2025) and has been listed in the Pittsburgh Business Times Largest Digital Marketing Agencies Book of Lists for 15+ consecutive years.

Name

Higher Images

Legal name

Higher Images, Inc.

Website

https://higherimages.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Higher Images is a full-service digital marketing agency founded in 2001 in Pennsylvania, serving SMB and mid-market clients across healthcare, professional services, hospitality, retail, home services, and nonprofit sectors with website design, SEO, paid media, AI marketing services, and proprietary technology platforms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Search, Review & Ratings Management (SEO/Content/Platforms/Local Listings) (MPAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lead Generation & Performance Media (B2B/B2C) (MPAAACAK), SEO Analytics, Reporting & Attribution (KPIs, Dashboards, Forecasting) (BPAFAJAI), Local Search & Business Directories (BPAMAAAE)

Keywords

• Digital marketing services
• Website design development
• Search engine optimization
• Social media marketing
• AI marketing services

Headquarters

HQ city

Bridgeville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Marketing Services: Comprehensive suite of digital marketing services including SEO, SEM, website design, social media marketing, content marketing, email marketing, and video marketing. Services are offered as ongoing retainer or project-based engagements.
2. Website Design & Development: Custom website design, WordPress development, eCommerce development, mobile applications, landing pages, and blog design services. One-time project fees with potential for ongoing maintenance contracts.
3. Traditional Marketing Services: Branding, design, PR, direct mail, billboards, television, radio, print advertising, and trade show marketing services.
4. AI Marketing Services: AI-powered marketing services including AISEO, AI GPT Development, AI Chatbot Development, AI Website Setup, AI Video Creation, AI Consulting, and AI Reporting.
5. Managed Services: Ongoing marketing management including Google Business Profile Management, reputation management, analytics and reporting, marketing automation, and CRM system services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Higher Images is a full-service digital marketing agency that designs websites and delivers integrated digital and traditional marketing programs (SEO, SEM, social media, email, content, video, branding, PR, AI marketing) for businesses across professional services, healthcare, industrial, hospitality, retail, contractor, events, and nonprofit verticals. Services are delivered through the proprietary Digital HI Technology marketing console, which bundles Rocket Websitez (website builder), WebTracker (targeted display ads), Search Magnet Local (local SEO), Reputation Builder Plus (review/reputation), and Visitor ID (lead identification) tools alongside third-party platforms such as Google, Meta, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp, Shopify, and WordPress.

Product overview

Higher Images is a full-service digital marketing agency offering a comprehensive suite of services spanning website design, digital marketing, AI-powered solutions, and traditional advertising. The company operates a platform-plus-services model built around its Digital HI Technology marketing console, which integrates multiple proprietary tools including Rocket Websitez (website builder), WebTracker (targeted display advertising), Search Magnet Local (local SEO), Reputation Builder Plus (reputation management), Visitor ID (visitor tracking), and ADA Compliance tools. The core product portfolio centers on website design and development (custom, eCommerce, WordPress, mobile apps) complemented by digital marketing services (SEO, SEM, social media, email, content, video). Recently, the company has expanded into AI services including AISEO (AI search optimization), AI GPT Development, AI Website Setup, AI Video Creation, AI Chatbot Development, AI Consulting, AI Reporting, and LLM Info Page Development. Traditional marketing services including branding, PR, direct mail, billboards, and media buying round out the offering, serving diverse industries across professional, medical, industrial, hospitality, retail, contractor, events, and non-profit sectors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Market Space: A boutique office space owned and operated by Higher Images that supports professional collaboration and business growth.

Products and services

• Website Design & Development

Quantifiable outcome

• 64.20% Increase in Request an Appointment Form Submissions in 2020 vs 2019 for dental practice client
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration20 records

AI capability10 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• GooglecoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Google Partner providing Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Google Search Console, Google Business Profile, and YouTube advertising services. The partnership enables Higher Images to deliver effective Google marketing campaigns for clients.
• Meta (Facebook/Instagram)coreTechnology or IntegrationFacebook Marketing Partner providing Meta Ads and Instagram advertising services. Enables social media advertising capabilities across Meta platforms.
• WordPresscoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for WordPress website design and development services. Major platform for building client websites.
• HubSpotmajorTechnology or IntegrationMarketing automation and CRM platform partnership for inbound marketing, email marketing, and marketing automation services.
• SalesforcemajorTechnology or IntegrationCRM integration partnership for customer relationship management and marketing automation.
• MailchimpmajorTechnology or IntegrationEmail marketing platform partnership for email campaigns and marketing automation.
• WSI (We Simplify the Internet) Global NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of WSI Global Network providing international marketing strategy alignment and resources.
• ShopifymajorTechnology or IntegrationE-commerce platform partnership for building and managing online stores for clients.
• WooCommercemajorTechnology or IntegrationWordPress e-commerce plugin partnership for building online stores on WordPress websites.
• HighLevelmajorTechnology or IntegrationCRM and marketing automation platform partnership.
• PipedrivemajorTechnology or IntegrationSales CRM platform partnership for sales pipeline management.
• SharpSpringmajorTechnology or IntegrationMarketing automation platform partnership.
• SEMRushmajorTechnology or IntegrationSEO and competitive analysis tools partnership.
• GivebuttermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGivebutter Expert Partner for nonprofit fundraising technology.
• AI Certification - Ragan CommunicationsmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI certification partnership with Ragan Communications for AI marketing expertise.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Seer Interactive: Philadelphia-based digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, PPC, and analytics with comparable service breadth and mid-market client base.
• Power Digital Marketing: Full-service performance marketing agency covering SEO, paid media, content, and analytics for mid-market and enterprise brands — direct service-line overlap.
• WebFX: Pennsylvania-headquartered full-service digital marketing agency offering SEO, SEM, web design, social, and AI services to SMB and mid-market clients — directly comparable by service mix, geography, and customer size.
• KlientBoost: Performance-focused digital marketing agency specializing in paid media, CRO, and creative — competes with Higher Images' SEM and paid social offerings.
• Disruptive Advertising: PPC, SEO, and lifecycle marketing agency serving mid-market and enterprise clients across industries — closely comparable service-line offering and customer type.
• Coalition Technologies: Full-service digital marketing agency providing SEO, PPC, web design, and eCommerce development — overlapping services and SMB/mid-market focus.
• Ignite Visibility: San Diego-based digital marketing agency focused on SEO, paid media, social, and creative for mid-market clients — overlapping services and customer profile with Higher Images.
• Thrive Internet Marketing Agency: Full-service digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social media, web design, and AI services to SMB and mid-market customers — a direct service-line competitor to Higher Images.
• OuterBox: Ohio-based digital marketing and eCommerce agency offering SEO, paid media, web design, and analytics — directly comparable full-service model.

Broad incumbents

• Tinuiti: Large independent performance marketing agency spanning paid media, SEO, social, and lifecycle — broader portfolio than Higher Images but with significant overlap in the paid search and SEO services Higher Images sells.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/higher-images
• Xx.com/higherimagespgh

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 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 Higher Images