The 23 Creative
The 23 Creative is a Madagascar-based freelance web design studio founded in 2014, building custom showcase and CMS-integrated websites for SMBs across tourism, automotive, professional services, and NGOs using WordPress, PrestaShop, and Siooka, and serving clients locally and regionally including Réunion Island.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersTananarive, Madagascar
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What The 23 Creative does
The 23 Creative is a freelance web design and development studio registered as an auto-entrepreneur (sole proprietorship) in Antananarivo, Madagascar, founded in 2014 by Safidy RAZANAKOTO. The business specializes in designing and integrating custom showcase websites, known locally as Site Vitrine, for small and mid-sized businesses, primarily using WordPress, PrestaShop, and Siooka CMS platforms with responsive HTML5, CSS3, and Bootstrap implementations. The service covers the full engagement lifecycle: initial contact, needs assessment, custom quote, bespoke design in Figma, CMS-based development, and deployment with domain and hosting setup. The portfolio spans tourism, automotive (including Volvo Réunion and Ford.re), professional services, associations, NGOs, real estate, education, music, and insurance, with 120+ projects completed over roughly a decade and a self-reported 90% referral-driven acquisition rate.
The business model relies on one-time project fees for custom website builds supplemented by ongoing webmaster maintenance retainers, with all pricing delivered through bespoke quote requests rather than published tiers. Go-to-market is direct-to-consumer via the company website, supplemented by LinkedIn and Facebook presence; the founder personally handles client engagement, design, and integration. There is no disclosed external funding, no employee headcount growth beyond the founder, and no formalized sales infrastructure. The founder simultaneously operates ESN Siooka (founded 2022) and has held concurrent product owner and project manager positions at unrelated firms (OnlyTravaux, Nosyweb Digital) during 2020-2023, indicating a constrained and personally scalable operating model.
The 23 Creative firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- The 23 Creative
- Legal name
- The 23 Creative
- Website
- https://the23creative.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The 23 Creative is a Madagascar-based freelance web design studio founded in 2014, building custom showcase and CMS-integrated websites for SMBs across tourism, automotive, professional services, and NGOs using WordPress, PrestaShop, and Siooka, and serving clients locally and regionally including Réunion Island.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
The 23 Creative industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Web Design Services
- NAICS
- Graphic Design Services (541430), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming Services (7371), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams) (BPAFAIAJ)
Keywords
Where The 23 Creative is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Tananarive
- HQ country
- Madagascar
Offices1 record
Markets served
The 23 Creative business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Website Creation Services: One-time project fees for custom website design, integration, and deployment. Services include web design, WordPress/PrestaShop integration, responsive development, and domain/hosting setup.
- Website Maintenance Services: Ongoing webmaster services for existing client websites, likely billed separately or as retainers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Custom project-based pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
The 23 Creative product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The 23 Creative designs and develops custom showcase websites (Site Vitrine) for businesses, integrating them on WordPress, PrestaShop, or Siooka CMS platforms with responsive layouts and full deployment including domain and hosting. Services span UX design, web integration, CMS-based development, and ongoing webmaster/maintenance, delivered through a structured six-step process from initial contact and needs assessment through deployment. The studio has delivered 120+ projects for local Madagascar clients and international brands including Volvo Réunion and Ford.re.
Product overview
The 23 Creative is a freelance web design and development studio based in Antananarivo, Madagascar, founded in 2014 by Safidy Razanakoto. The company specializes in creating showcase/portfolio websites (Site Vitrine) for businesses across sectors including tourism, associations, NGOs, services, real estate, education, music, and insurance. The core service offering comprises custom website design, web integration using CMS platforms (WordPress, PrestaShop), and responsive web development. The company operates the ESN (IT services company) Siooka founded in 2022 alongside its freelance operations. Website creation follows a structured process: initial contact, requirements gathering, quote preparation, custom design delivery, CMS-based development with responsive web implementation, and final deployment with domain connection.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Site Vitrine (Showcase Website Service) Bespoke showcase/portfolio website service that lets companies display their services, professional image, and contact information online. Each site is custom-designed (no templates), implemented on a chosen CMS (WordPress, PrestaShop, or Siooka), delivered as responsive across desktop, tablet, and mobile, and includes web hosting and domain connection as part of deployment.
- Website Maintenance / Webmaster Services Ongoing webmaster and maintenance services for client websites already delivered by The 23 Creative, supporting updates, content changes, and technical upkeep.
Quantifiable outcome
- Tourism sector websites can exceed 5,000 visits per month with proper professional design and content
Companies that use The 23 Creative
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments7 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
The 23 Creative technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration1 record
Feature3 records
The 23 Creative partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
The 23 Creative competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Webflow: Webflow is a design-driven visual web development platform enabling designers to build custom sites without code. It appeals to the same designer-leaning SMB audience as The 23 Creative and represents an alternative when clients want in-house control over their site.
- GoDaddy: GoDaddy offers integrated web services for SMBs including domains, hosting, and website builders. Both entities target SMBs who need a complete online presence, with GoDaddy providing an automated path versus The 23 Creative's bespoke service offering.
- Wix: Wix is a website builder platform serving SMBs and individuals who want to create an online presence without agency help. Both target the Malagasy SMB 'needs a website' market, though Wix DIYs whereas The 23 Creative does custom design and integration.
- Fiverr: Fiverr is a global freelance marketplace where SMBs can purchase web design and development services from independent professionals. It is the macro-platform equivalent of what The 23 Creative offers as a single freelancer, putting downward pricing pressure on independent designers.
- WordPress.com (Automattic): WordPress.com is the hosted version of the WordPress CMS that The 23 Creative uses to build client sites. Both serve SMBs wanting a WordPress-based web presence; WordPress.com offers the DIY path while The 23 Creative delivers a done-for-you service on top of the same technology.
- Squarespace: Squarespace provides a hosted design-first website builder aimed at SMBs and creators needing branded sites. It competes for the same end customers as The 23 Creative (small businesses wanting professional websites) but offers a self-serve alternative to custom design work.
Direct peers
- Blue Fountain Media: Blue Fountain Media is a digital agency that designs and develops custom websites for SMB and mid-market clients. Direct peer to The 23 Creative in service offering (custom web design, CMS integration, responsive development), though at larger scale.
- Lounge Lizard: Lounge Lizard is a boutique web design and digital marketing agency specializing in custom websites and brand experiences for SMBs. It is a direct peer in business model: custom CMS-based web design, integration services, and ongoing maintenance for SMEs.
Emerging players
- 99designs: 99designs is a design marketplace connecting SMB clients with freelance designers for logos, web design, and branding projects. It competes for the same kind of one-off design engagements that The 23 Creative sells, with pricing typically lower due to platform dynamics.
Regional players
- Pixel506: Pixel506 is a Costa Rica-based creative and digital agency serving SMB clients in Central America with web design, branding, and digital marketing. It is a regional analogue to The 23 Creative — boutique digital agency serving under-digitized SMBs in an emerging market.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
The 23 Creative social profiles
Digital presenceThe 23 Creative financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
The 23 Creative leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
The 23 Creative funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
The 23 Creative M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about The 23 Creative
What does The 23 Creative do?
The 23 Creative designs and develops custom showcase websites (Site Vitrine) for businesses, integrating them on WordPress, PrestaShop, or Siooka CMS platforms with responsive layouts and full deployment including domain and hosting. Services span UX design, web integration, CMS-based development, and ongoing webmaster/maintenance, delivered through a structured six-step process from initial contact and needs assessment through deployment. The studio has delivered 120+ projects for local Madagascar clients and international brands including Volvo Réunion and Ford.re.
Is The 23 Creative a public or private company?
The 23 Creative is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was The 23 Creative founded?
The 23 Creative was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is The 23 Creative based?
The 23 Creative is headquartered in Tananarive, Madagascar.
How does The 23 Creative make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Website Creation Services are the primary driver. The others are website Maintenance Services.
Who are The 23 Creative's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Webflow, GoDaddy, Wix, Fiverr, WordPress.com (Automattic) and Squarespace. Direct peers are Blue Fountain Media and Lounge Lizard. 99designs is listed as an emerging player. Pixel506 is listed as a regional player.
Does The 23 Creative have an API?
No public API is recorded for The 23 Creative.
What industry is The 23 Creative in?
The 23 Creative's product category is Web Design Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPAAAAAD, Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX), with a secondary code of BPAFAIAJ, Content Studio & Creative Resourcing (In-house/Embedded Teams). Its NAICS code is 541430 and its SIC code is 7371.