Especial Digital
Especial Digital is a Düsseldorf-based enterprise Shopify Plus agency delivering migrations, B2B commerce, headless builds, custom apps, Webflow sites, and AI-assisted delivery for enterprise and mid-market clients across DACH and Europe.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2019
- HeadquartersDüsseldorf, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Especial Digital does
Especial Digital is an enterprise Shopify Plus agency headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany (Especial Digital GmbH, registered at Amtsgericht Düsseldorf HRB 99266), founded in 2019 by Malte Dietrich and Daniel Kolb. The company delivers Shopify Plus migrations, B2B commerce implementations, custom apps and integrations, headless commerce solutions, Webflow enterprise websites, hybrid and native app development, Shopify workshops, and AI-assisted delivery services for enterprise and mid-market clients across the DACH region and broader Europe.
The technical practice centers on the Shopify Plus ecosystem extended with headless and API-first architectures using React.js, Node.js, GraphQL, Next.js, MongoDB, Hygraph, AWS, and Vercel, supported by cloud-native microservices, Auth0 for B2B authentication, and design systems validated through A/B testing. Notable engagements include Shopify Plus migration and B2B storefronts for Unilever Food Solutions, BayWa, and BES; multi-country Shopify for Pieroth; headless Shopify plus a custom app for PGM ArtWorlD; a hybrid app platform for the German Chemical Society (GDCh) serving 30,000+ chemists across web, iOS, Android, and Apple Watch; and Shopify Plus performance optimization for Vetevo.
The business operates as project-based professional services with scope-dependent, multi-year contracts, no publicly disclosed pricing, and a sales-led go-to-market in which co-founders and senior staff serve as primary client contacts. The company is founder-led, privately held with no disclosed external investors, runs a distributed delivery team across Germany, Portugal, and South Africa, and claims 40+ international clients with 100% repeat business and long-term post-launch support engagements.
Especial Digital firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Especial Digital
- Legal name
- Especial Digital GmbH
- Website
- https://especial.digital
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2019
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Especial Digital is a Düsseldorf-based enterprise Shopify Plus agency delivering migrations, B2B commerce, headless builds, custom apps, Webflow sites, and AI-assisted delivery for enterprise and mid-market clients across DACH and Europe.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Especial Digital industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Digital Commerce Implementation Services
- NAICS
- Other Services Related to Advertising (541890)
- SIC
- Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370), Services-Computer Integrated Systems Design (7373)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Digital Strategy & Transformation (BPAHAEAA)
Keywords
Where Especial Digital is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Düsseldorf
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Especial Digital business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Professional Services - Enterprise Shopify Implementation: Project-based professional services for Shopify Plus migrations, B2B commerce implementations, custom app development, and digital transformation projects. Revenue derived from consulting, UX/UI design, web development, app development, and ongoing technical support engagements. Pricing depends on scope, complexity, and level of ongoing support required.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Project-based professional services with pricing based on scope and complexity |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels6 records
Especial Digital product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Especial Digital is a digital agency specializing in Shopify Plus implementations, B2B commerce solutions, and enterprise digital projects. The firm provides consulting, design, and custom development services for enterprise-grade ecommerce platforms, primarily serving business clients across Germany, Portugal, and South Africa.
Product overview
Especial Digital is an enterprise Shopify agency that offers a comprehensive suite of digital commerce services. The core offering centers on Shopify Plus implementation including migrations, B2B commerce platforms, custom apps and integrations, and ongoing support. Complementing this are AI-powered delivery services, app development (web and mobile), Webflow websites, and Shopify workshops. The company also delivers headless commerce solutions using modern frontend architectures. These services are delivered as custom professional services rather than a packaged software product, with each engagement tailored to specific client requirements.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Shopify Plus Implementation End-to-end implementation of the Shopify Plus ecommerce platform for enterprise brands, including store setup, theme customization, app integration, and go-live support.
- B2B Commerce Solutions Custom B2B commerce builds on the Shopify Plus platform, featuring B2B-specific functionality such as custom pricing, account hierarchies, complex catalog structures, and buyer-specific catalogs for business customers.
- Enterprise Digital Projects Large-scale digital transformation and ecommerce projects for enterprise clients, spanning strategy, design, custom development, and integration with surrounding enterprise systems.
Quantifiable outcome
- 100% repeat client rate with long-term partnerships continuing after initial project launches
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Especial Digital
Customer profileNamed customers13 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Especial Digital technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability1 record
Feature6 records
Especial Digital partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.
- Shopify PluscoreEspecial Digital is a Shopify Plus Partner specializing in enterprise Shopify implementations. They provide Shopify Plus migrations, B2B commerce setups, custom app development, and ongoing platform optimization for enterprise clients. The partnership forms the core of their service offerings.
- WebflowcoreEspecial Digital is a Webflow Expert Agency providing enterprise marketing teams with fast, flexible websites and landing pages built on Webflow that support commerce platforms without slowing them down.
- Auth0supportingAuth0 is used for external authentication providing controlled access to customer-specific content, prices, and functions beyond the shop. Implemented for Unilever Food Solutions project to manage B2B customer authentication.
- AWS (Amazon Web Services)supportingCloud infrastructure provider used for hosting front-end and back-end systems. Provides scalable, secure infrastructure with minimal maintenance requirements for client projects.
- VercelsupportingCloud platform used for hosting front-end applications and serverless functions. Enables rapid deployment and scalable infrastructure for headless commerce and custom app implementations.
- GraphCMS (Hygraph)supportingHeadless CMS used for content management in commerce implementations. Enables flexible content structuring for multi-channel commerce experiences.
- GSAP (GreenSock Animation Platform)supportingAnimation library used for creating dynamic animations that enhance user experience in Shopify themes and web applications.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Especial Digital competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Codal: US-based digital agency focused on Shopify, e-commerce, and enterprise web builds. Comparable in Shopify enterprise development, headless commerce, and custom integrations.
- The Working Party: US-based Shopify Plus agency focused on enterprise commerce builds, migrations, and custom integrations. Directly comparable as a specialized Shopify Plus partner competing for enterprise B2B and migration work in the same category as Especial Digital.
- Eastside Co: UK-based Shopify Plus agency delivering enterprise builds, migrations, and custom development. Closely comparable in Shopify Plus specialization, enterprise B2B capabilities, and custom app development.
- Blue Acorn iCrossing: Shopify Plus-focused agency (formerly Blue Acorn, now part of iCrossing/Cheil) serving enterprise commerce clients. Comparable in Shopify Plus enterprise migration and customization work at a larger scale.
- OuterBox: US-based Shopify Plus partner agency focused on enterprise e-commerce implementations, SEO, and conversion optimization. Comparable in Shopify Plus enterprise focus and performance-oriented delivery.
- We Make Websites: London-based Shopify Plus agency delivering enterprise commerce builds and migrations. Comparable in business model, Shopify Plus specialization, and enterprise client focus, with a similar boutique-to-mid-market positioning.
Regional players
- Netzpiloten: German digital agency specializing in enterprise web, e-commerce, and platform implementations including Shopify. Regional peer operating in the same DACH market with comparable enterprise e-commerce delivery.
- Create8: Dutch Shopify Plus agency serving enterprise commerce clients in Benelux and broader Europe. Comparable in Shopify Plus enterprise focus, with regional overlap in the European market where Especial operates.
Broad incumbents
- Accenture Song: Global commerce and customer experience practice of Accenture, including Shopify Plus enterprise work. Competes for the same enterprise commerce RFPs that Especial targets but offers global delivery scale and broader services portfolio.
- Deloitte Digital: Global consultancy's digital practice delivering enterprise commerce transformation including Shopify implementations. Competes for marquee enterprise commerce RFPs but with much larger delivery capacity and balance sheet.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Especial Digital social profiles
Digital presenceEspecial Digital financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Especial Digital leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Especial Digital funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Especial Digital 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 Especial Digital
What does Especial Digital do?
Especial Digital is a digital agency specializing in Shopify Plus implementations, B2B commerce solutions, and enterprise digital projects. The firm provides consulting, design, and custom development services for enterprise-grade ecommerce platforms, primarily serving business clients across Germany, Portugal, and South Africa.
Is Especial Digital a public or private company?
Especial Digital is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Especial Digital founded?
Especial Digital was founded in 2019. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Especial Digital based?
Especial Digital is headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Especial Digital make money?
One revenue line is on record: professional Services - Enterprise Shopify Implementation.
Who are Especial Digital's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Codal, The Working Party, Eastside Co, Blue Acorn iCrossing, OuterBox and We Make Websites. Regional players are Netzpiloten and Create8. Broad incumbents are Accenture Song and Deloitte Digital.
Does Especial Digital have an API?
No public API is recorded for Especial Digital.
What industry is Especial Digital in?
Especial Digital's product category is Digital Commerce Implementation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAEAA, Digital Strategy & Transformation. Its NAICS code is 541890 and its SIC code is 7370.