elancer team

What elancer team does

elancer-team GmbH is a Cologne-based web and software development agency founded in 2011 by Oliver Hamer and Tobias Derksen, operating with 11–50 employees across 13 years and 760+ delivered projects for over 250 customers. The company delivers bespoke WordPress websites, WooCommerce online shops, TYPO3 implementations, and Ruby on Rails web applications, supplemented by SEO/Google Ads and ongoing maintenance contracts. Core technical differentiators include deep ERP and CRM integration work (notably Pipedrive plus custom reservation systems for travel clients), an ONIX-XML import module for publishing e-commerce, a reusable Charigame gamification WordPress plugin, and a multi-brand WordPress theme architecture. The business runs on project-based custom engagements with itemized proposals following a free initial consultation, complemented by recurring maintenance revenue and selective plugin licensing potential. Customer segments span startups, SMEs (KMU), corporations, and advertising agencies across the DACH region, with reference clients including ARD Plus, WDR Mediagroup, MEDIAFIX, Barf-Box.de, Matratzen Concord, Halem Verlag, Natürlich Afrika, and Natürlich Reisen.

Name

elancer team

Legal name

elancer-team GmbH

Website

https://elancer-team.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Development Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Custom Computer Programming Services (541511)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)

akta.pro primary industry

General Customer Service & Contact Center Operations (BPAAAAAA)

Keywords

• WordPress web development
• Ruby on Rails development
• WooCommerce agency
• TYPO3 web development
• SEO consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Cologne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Web Development & Design Projects: Project-based custom web development and design services. Clients receive a detailed proposal with itemized services and prices. Revenue is earned on a per-project basis through direct client engagements with startups, SMEs, corporations, and agencies.
2. Ongoing Maintenance & Support: Post-launch consulting, maintenance, updates, and continued project support. Customers are retained through ongoing WordPress maintenance, monitoring, and development services.
3. SEO & Online Marketing Services: SEO optimization and Google Ads management services for client web properties.
4. Plugin & Software Licensing: Charigame gamification plugin is described as a reusable product that can be adapted per campaign, suggesting potential licensing or reuse revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

elancer-team is a Cologne-based web and software agency that delivers custom WordPress websites, WooCommerce online shops, TYPO3 enterprise sites, and bespoke Ruby on Rails web applications for startups, SMEs, corporations, and advertising agencies. Service portfolio includes web design, software development, SEO/Google Ads management, and ongoing WordPress maintenance, supplemented by proprietary products such as the Charigame gamification WordPress plugin.

Product overview

elancer-team GmbH is a Cologne-based web agency and software developer offering a portfolio of web design, web development, and SEO services centered on the WordPress CMS and Ruby on Rails framework. Core offerings include custom WordPress websites and WooCommerce online shops, bespoke WordPress plugin development, individual Ruby on Rails web applications, and ongoing WordPress maintenance and support. The agency also develops proprietary products — notably Charigame, a gamification and charity WordPress plugin — and builds custom integrations connecting WordPress sites to external platforms such as Pipedrive CRM and customer ERP/reservation systems. SEO and Google Ads services complement the technical offering.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Charigame: A digital Gamification Tool developed as a WordPress Plugin for interactive charity campaigns, allowing companies to engage customers through games while supporting charitable organizations.

Quantifiable outcome

• >250 satisfied customers served
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• SortlistminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSortlist is an agency discovery platform where elancer-team GmbH has a verified agency profile. The Sortlist badge is displayed on the website footer as a credibility signal for prospective clients.
• agenturtipp.deminorGTM or Marketing Partneragenturtipp.de verified seal is displayed on the website. The platform verifies and recommends agencies based on client reviews and project history.
• onmylist.deminorGTM or Marketing Partnerelancer-team GmbH is listed on onmylist.de, a platform for company discovery and verification, adding to the agency's online credibility.
• PipedrivecoreTechnology or IntegrationPipedrive CRM is integrated into client projects, specifically for the Natürlich Afrika/ Natürlich Reisen projects. Inquiry forms automatically create contacts and deals in Pipedrive with all relevant details (target region, travel period, number of persons, travel type). This is a reference integration used as a selling point for similar client projects.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Raidboxes: German managed WordPress hosting provider and Platinum Partner of elancer-team; comparable customer base (WordPress-driven SMEs) and complementary service offering to a WordPress agency.

Regional players

• nexum AG: Cologne-based digital agency covering strategy, creative, technology, and media — overlapping with elancer-team on web/tech delivery but operating at a significantly larger scale.
• Claneo: Berlin-based SEO and content marketing agency; comparable on the SEO/SEA service line within elancer-team's portfolio, though less focused on web development.

Broad incumbents

• TWT Interactive Group: Full-service German digital agency providing web development, e-commerce, and digital marketing solutions to enterprise clients across multiple verticals.
• diva-e Digital Value Enterprise: Large German digital agency with broad capabilities across web, e-commerce, content, and software development — competes with elancer-team on enterprise digital projects.
• SinnerSchrader (Accenture Song): Long-established German digital agency (now part of Accenture Song) providing end-to-end digital product development, comparable in full-service agency model but with enterprise-scale resources.
• TRKKN Group: European digital transformation agency offering strategy, technology, data, and creative services with significant presence in Germany; broad incumbent across the same target market.

Direct peers

• Netresearch: German PHP and WordPress agency offering custom web development, e-commerce solutions, and TYPO3 services; comparable technology stack and SME/corporate client focus.
• Pluswerk GmbH: Munich-based digital agency offering WordPress, individual software, and digital strategy services; similar mix of bespoke web development and ongoing support.
• Inpsyde GmbH: Germany-based WordPress and WooCommerce agency specializing in custom plugin development, enterprise WordPress projects, and headless WordPress implementations — directly comparable in core WordPress service offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/elancerteam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/elancer-team-gmbh

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 elancer team