Blackthorn Publishing

What Blackthorn Publishing does

Blackthorn Publishing is a privately held, founder-operated web design and digital marketing agency headquartered in Reseda, California (Los Angeles area). Founded in 2013, the firm delivers professional website design and development primarily on the Wix and Wix Studio platforms, alongside Shopify-based e-commerce implementations, for SMB and mid-market clients across the United States and Canada. Service breadth covers web design, e-commerce development, logo design, SEO, local marketing, social media marketing, content creation, copywriting, analytics, press release generation, domain services, and a recently added AI Video Generation line, with the firm also operating Food Journal Magazine as an owned sub-brand editorial property.

The business is a project-based professional services agency rather than a software platform, monetizing through quote-based engagements booked via Calendly consultation calls, direct outreach, and client referrals. Core technology stack is built on Wix and Shopify certified-partner tooling, supplemented by full-stack custom coding (HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, Liquid) for Shopify customization. Distribution leverage comes from certified-partner status inside the Wix and Shopify ecosystems, including Wix Tier 5 Legend Status, consecutive Wix Top 100 recognition, and a 2025 Wix Top 20 Agency ranking with Nasdaq Tower feature placement. Cumulative scale signals include 850+ Wix projects, 100+ Shopify projects, 854 trusted clients, and 400+ verified 5-star reviews.

Customer mix is diversified across healthcare and medical spas, food and beverage, retail, media, entertainment, and nonprofit verticals, with one notable enterprise reference (SiriusXM employee store). The firm is small (1-10 employees), with two named platform experts (Matthew Tropp for Wix/SEO/marketing and Darren Zapanta for Shopify and full-stack coding), no disclosed institutional funding, no M&A activity, and no parent organization. Operating model is a lifestyle-agency configuration: high platform-ecosystem credibility offset by limited bench depth and key-person concentration.

Name

Blackthorn Publishing

Legal name

Blackthorn Publishing

Website

https://blackthornpublishing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Blackthorn Publishing is a privately held Los Angeles web design and digital marketing agency delivering Wix, Wix Studio, and Shopify-based websites plus SEO, social, and AI video services to SMB and mid-market clients across the US and Canada.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Design and Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Other Publishers (51319), Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers (5131)

SIC

Services-Advertising (7310), Miscellaneous Publishing (2741)

akta.pro primary industry

Blogging & Website Publishing Platforms (MPACAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Digital Magazine & Newspaper Subscription Platforms (Paywalls, Membership) (MPAJAMAD)

Keywords

• Web design services
• Shopify e-commerce development
• Wix Studio web design
• SEO and local marketing
• Digital marketing agency

Headquarters

HQ city

Reseda

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

Revenue model

1. Web Design Services: Project-based web design services using Wix and Shopify platforms. Services include website creation, redesign, customization, and website overhauling.
2. Digital Marketing Services: SEO, local marketing, social media marketing, content creation, and analytics services.
3. Logo Design: Custom logo design services for brand identity.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Blackthorn Publishing is a full-service web design and digital marketing agency that builds websites and e-commerce stores using Wix Studio, Wix Classic Editor, and Shopify platforms. The company sells project-based services including custom website design and redesign, Shopify e-commerce development with custom Liquid/HTML/CSS/JavaScript coding, logo design, and a full digital marketing stack covering SEO, social media marketing, local marketing, AI video generation, content creation, copywriting, press release distribution, analytics, and domain registration. It also operates Food Journal Magazine as a sub-brand media publication under the company.

Product overview

Blackthorn Publishing is a full-service web design and digital marketing agency based in Los Angeles, California. The company operates as a unified service offering rather than a modular platform, providing professional website design and development using Wix Studio and Wix Classic Editor, e-commerce solutions through Shopify, and comprehensive digital marketing services including SEO, social media marketing, local marketing, AI video generation, content creation, copywriting, press releases, analytics, logo design, and domain services. The core offerings include Web Design Services (Wix-based), Shopify E-Commerce, Wix Experts Services, Wix Studio Services, Logo Design, Digital Marketing, SEO, Social Media Marketing, Local Marketing, AI Video Generation, and various add-on services such as Content, Analytics, Copywriting, Press Releases, Domain Names, and Blog Design. The company also operates Food Journal Magazine as a sub-brand publication. Their service portfolio is delivered by a team with expertise in Wix and Shopify platforms, and they serve clients across all 50 US states and Canada.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Food Journal Magazine: An independent Los Angeles food media publication operated under Blackthorn Publishing.

Products and services

• Web Design Services Professional web design services using Wix Studio and Wix Classic Editor platforms, creating visually stunning, responsive websites that drive engagement for businesses across the U.S. and Canada.
• Shopify E-Commerce Development Shopify e-commerce store setup, customization, and optimization including custom coding using HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, and Liquid, targeted at SMB and enterprise retailers selling online.
• Wix Studio Design Services Design services leveraging Wix Studio, a fully responsive modern CMS, to create visually stunning and highly functional websites for clients.
• Wix Experts Services Wix design, redesign, website overhauling, cleanup, and customization using the Wix Editor and Wix Studio platforms for businesses.
• Logo Design Professional logo design to create brand imagery and visual identity for businesses.
• Digital Marketing Services Tailored digital marketing services designed to drive traffic and convert visitors into customers for businesses.
• SEO Services Search engine optimization services to generate organic traffic and improve search engine rankings for client websites.
• Social Media Marketing Social media marketing services including Facebook marketing to help organizations brand and reach target markets.
• Local Marketing Local search marketing services to help businesses appear in local search results and Google Business listings.
• AI Video Generation AI-powered video generation tailored to amplify marketing efforts, creating promotional videos and engaging marketing material.
• Press Release Services Press release generation and article syndication distribution services for client visibility.
• Food Journal Magazine Independent Los Angeles food media publication under Blackthorn Publishing, featuring editorial content on dining trends and food experiences in LA.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tara Hill Estates: 400% increase in keywords, 994 keywords on Google
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• WixcoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Wix Experts and Wix Studio Experts partner. Blackthorn Publishing has completed over 850 projects on the Wix platform. They hold Tier 5 Legend Status and are recognized as a Wix Top 100 agency, serving as a premier implementation partner for Wix-based web design projects.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationCertified Shopify Partner with over 100 projects completed on the platform. Specializes in Shopify e-commerce development including custom coding using HTML, CSS, Java, JavaScript, and Liquid.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blue Fountain Media: Digital agency offering web design, branding, and digital marketing services for SMB to enterprise. Competes in the same service categories and customer base.
• SmartSites: Full-service digital agency offering web design, SEO, PPC, and e-commerce (Shopify, Wix) for SMBs. Highly comparable in service mix, customer segment, and professional-services model to Blackthorn Publishing.
• Coalition Technologies: Web design and SEO agency with Shopify and e-commerce specialization. Directly comparable in service mix and customer profile to Blackthorn Publishing.
• Thrive Internet Marketing Agency: Full-service digital agency offering web design, SEO, social media, and e-commerce development. Strong comparable in offering portfolio and target customer segments.
• OuterBox Solutions: E-commerce-focused web design and digital marketing agency specializing in Magento, Shopify, and BigCommerce. Comparable in e-commerce development and Shopify focus.
• Sagapixel: Full-service digital marketing agency offering web design, SEO, and design services for medical and professional services SMBs. Comparable in service mix and SMB customer focus.
• WebFX: Large digital marketing agency providing web design, SEO, content, and analytics services to SMB and mid-market clients. Competes directly with Blackthorn on web design and SEO capabilities.
• Lform Design: Web design and digital agency providing custom websites, web development, and digital marketing. Comparable in agency model and target customer segments.
• Lounge Lizard: Web design and digital marketing agency delivering website design, branding, and SEO services. Comparable in agency positioning and service depth.

Emerging players

• Cubicle Ninjas: Boutique digital agency offering web design, branding, and digital marketing services. Comparable in size and service portfolio, though with a stronger custom-development emphasis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/BlackthornPublishing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackthorn-publishing-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackthornpublishing
• Xx.com/publishingteam1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Blackthorn Publishing