Last updated: October 2026 · For Shopware, Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, WordPress and TYPO3
For a running shop or an existing website, the AI Crew is the most predictable solution for all ongoing development, from a small fix to an extensive feature: changes are developed and tested on a copy and only go live after your approval, for a fixed monthly flat fee. An agency is a better fit for relaunches, strategy and design. A freelancer suits clearly defined individual projects. ChatGPT or Claude help with ideas, copy and code drafts, but you then handle implementation, testing and go-live yourself.
Twelve criteria that matter when developing a running shop or an existing website: speed, cost, security, data protection and the effort required from you.
| Criterion | AI Crew | Agency | Freelancer | ChatGPT / Claude |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work? | ✓Strong: 16 AI specialists, led by an AI Team Lead | ✓Strong: A team of project management, design and development | ◐Partly: One person, depending on their specialism | ✕Not covered: You do. The tool provides suggestions and code |
| Time to first result | ✓Strong: Often the same day | ◐Partly: Days to weeks, depending on workload | ◐Partly: Depending on availability | ✓Strong: Instantly, as text or code |
| Pricing model | ✓Strong: Fixed monthly flat fee | ◐Partly: Hourly rate or project price | ◐Partly: Hourly rate or project price | ✓Strong: Free to start or subscription |
| Works on a copy of your system | ✓Strong: Always. The live system stays untouched | ◐Partly: Common, depending on the setup | ◐Partly: Depends on the person | ✕Not covered: Not without your own setup |
| Automated tests | ✓Strong: With every change | ◐Partly: Depending on project and budget | ◐Partly: Depending on the person | ✕Not covered: You have to set it up yourself |
| Approval before go-live | ✓Strong: Only by you | ✓Strong: Usually with sign-off | ◐Partly: Agreed individually | ◐Partly: You put it live yourself |
| Technical knowledge required | ✓Strong: No | ✓Strong: No | ✓Strong: Hardly any | ✕Not covered: Yes, for implementation and testing |
| Several tasks in parallel | ✓Strong: Yes, the agents work in parallel | ◐Partly: Depends on team size | ✕Not covered: Limited to one person | ◐Partly: Yes, but implementation stays with you |
| Ongoing updates & maintenance | ✓Strong: Tested on the copy, with a backup | ✓Strong: Often as a maintenance contract | ◐Partly: Possible, depending on availability | ✕Not covered: Not covered |
| Data protection | ✓Strong: Servers in Germany, anonymised data in the copy | ◐Partly: Depends on the agency and hosting | ◐Partly: Depends on the person and tools | ◐Partly: Depends on provider, plan and settings |
| New build or system migration | ✕Not covered: Not included (available via signundsinn) | ✓Strong: Core competence of many agencies | ◐Partly: For smaller projects | ✕Not covered: Only as support |
| Strategy & design consulting | ◐Partly: Focus on implementation | ✓Strong: Yes | ◐Partly: Depending on the person | ◐Partly: As a source of ideas |
Swipe the table sideways →
No solution is best at everything. What matters is what you need right now.
Ongoing development of existing shops and websites by specialised AI agents.
A good fit if: your shop or website is already up and running and needs ongoing development: new features, adjustments, updates and bug fixes.
A team of consultants, designers and developers for larger projects.
A good fit if: you're planning a relaunch or a new system, or need strategic consulting and design.
A single specialist for clearly defined tasks.
A good fit if: you have a clearly defined individual project and want one dedicated personal contact.
AI assistants for answers, copy and code suggestions.
A good fit if: you or your team can develop yourselves and want to get to code, copy and ideas faster.
Often the best solution isn't either-or, but the right order.
Relaunch, system choice and design: the agency lays the foundation.
After that, the AI Crew develops the running shop further, keeps it up to date and fixes bugs.
Day to day, AI assistants help your team with copy, ideas and research.
ChatGPT and Claude are AI assistants: they provide answers, copy and code, while you handle implementation, testing and go-live yourself. The AI Crew implements changes directly on a copy of your shop or website, tests them automatically and only puts them live after your approval.
The AI Crew works for a fixed monthly flat fee instead of hourly rates. According to our sample calculation, savings of up to 70% compared with traditional models are possible. We'll show you the calculation for your case in the demo.
No. For relaunches, new builds, system migrations and strategic consulting, an agency remains the right choice. The AI Crew takes care of the ongoing development, updates and bug fixing of existing shops and websites.
When you have a clearly defined individual project and want one dedicated personal contact. With lots of parallel tasks, a single person reaches their capacity limits sooner.
Yes, if you're technically skilled. You get code suggestions, but you have to review, test and put them live yourself. Without your own test environment, errors quickly end up in the live system.
Yes. One sensible approach, for example: the agency handles the relaunch and design, then the AI Crew develops the running shop further and keeps it up to date.
For Shopware, Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento and Adobe Commerce, WordPress and TYPO3.
The servers are located in Germany. In the copy, the Crew works only with anonymised data, and only what you approve goes live. Your own Git can be connected.
In the demo, we show you the Crew working on an example from your shop or website and calculate your savings.
Book a demoIn 20 minutes, we show you live, using an example, how your crew completes a task. Free, no obligation and no preparation needed.
LEOTell me your idea. I'll show you live how the crew turns it into a plan.Bring your idea →
MIKEDon't worry: nothing happens to your live shop during the demo.Book your slot →
QUINNAnd I'll show you how every change is tested before you see it.Watch live →
