Fractional CTO

Your CTO for E-Commerce – Flexible & Strategic

Technology leadership on a part-time basis. For startups, scale-ups, and mid-market companies who don't leave tech decisions to chance.

Fractional CTO - Technology Strategy and Architecture
The Situation

Technology Needs Leadership

Many companies have dev teams, agencies, and systems – but no one steering it all strategically. The result: expensive missteps.

The Reality

  • No CTO or IT leader on the team
  • Full-time CTO too expensive ($180-350K/year)
  • Tech decisions made by gut feeling
  • Dev team without strategic direction
  • Over-reliance on a single agency

With a Fractional CTO

  • Strategic technology leadership
  • Clear tech roadmap
  • Independent evaluation
  • Dev team leadership & mentoring
  • Professional vendor management
Responsibilities

What I Handle as Your Fractional CTO

I take strategic responsibility for your technology – with a clear focus on e-commerce and digital business models.

Technology Strategy

I develop your tech roadmap, make architecture decisions, and ensure technology supports your business – not slows it down.

  • Tech roadmap development
  • Architecture decisions
  • Make-or-buy analysis
  • Technology vision

Tech Stack Selection

E-commerce platform, CMS, CRM, ERP, integrations – I evaluate, recommend, and guide implementation.

  • Platform evaluation
  • Tool selection
  • Integration architecture

Dev Team Leadership

Whether internal team or external developers – I provide technical leadership, set standards, and ensure quality.

  • Technical direction
  • Code review processes
  • Hiring support

Vendor Management

I manage your tech vendors, negotiate contracts, and ensure delivery matches agreements.

  • Agency management
  • Contract negotiation
  • Quality control

Security & Compliance

GDPR, IT security, data protection – I ensure your technology meets required standards.

  • Security audit
  • GDPR compliance
  • Best practices
  • Risk management

Tech Network on Demand

When needed, I bring in my network of specialists – developers, DevOps engineers, security experts, data engineers.

  • Vetted partners
  • Fast availability
  • Coordination included
Technology Strategy and Architecture Planning
The Model

Fractional CTO – What Does It Mean?

A Fractional CTO is an experienced technology leader who works for multiple companies simultaneously – each on a part-time basis, but with strategic focus.

Unlike an Interim CTO who manages a crisis or bridges a vacancy, I serve as your permanent external technology leader as a Fractional CTO. I'm not looking for a successor – I am your long-term solution.

This model originated in the US, where Fractional CTOs have been standard for startups and scale-ups for years. The advantage: You get senior expertise that would cost $180,000 to $350,000 per year as a full-time position – at a fraction of that cost.

  • Flexible Commitment. 8-16 hours per week, based on your needs. Remote-first with regular on-site meetings.
  • Ongoing Engagement. No project with an end date. I'm here as long as you need me.
  • Monthly Retainer. Predictable costs instead of day-rate surprises. Transparent terms.
By the Numbers

Fractional CTO at a Glance

8–16

Hours/Week

flexible based on needs

from $6,500

Monthly Retainer

predictable costs

20+

Years Tech Experience

in e-commerce & digital

Duration

ongoing engagement

Tech Team Leadership and Collaboration
The Difference

Fractional CTO vs. Interim vs. Consultant

Three models, three different use cases. Here's the difference:

  • Fractional CTO. Permanent external tech leader on a part-time basis (8-16h/week). Strategic focus, ongoing, monthly retainer.
  • Interim CTO. Bridges a crisis or vacancy. Full-time on-site, fixed term (3-12 months), operational focus, high day rate.
  • Tech Consultant. Analyzes, evaluates, recommends – but without ongoing responsibility. Project-based or hourly.

When Fractional CTO? When you need ongoing tech leadership but don't want to fill a full-time position. Ideal for startups, scale-ups, and mid-market companies.

When Interim CTO? When a leadership position is acutely vacant or you need to manage a tech crisis.

When Consultant? When you need to make a one-time tech decision. See Technology Consulting.

The Process

How We Get Started

From initial inquiry to ongoing collaboration – transparent and structured.

Schritt 01

Discovery Call & Fit Check

We get to know each other, discuss your tech situation, and determine if the fractional model is right for you.

30 min video call Understand your tech situation Check fit
Schritt 02

Tech Audit & Assessment

I analyze your technology landscape: systems, architecture, team, processes, vendors. Duration: 2-4 weeks.

Deep-dive into your tech Meet stakeholders Identify quick wins
Schritt 03

Strategy & Roadmap

I develop your tech strategy and roadmap. Clear priorities, realistic milestones, measurable goals.

Define tech vision Create roadmap Budget planning
Schritt 04

Ongoing Collaboration

I take over strategic tech leadership. Weekly calls, monthly reviews, clear communication.

Weekly status calls Monthly reporting Direct line via Slack/Teams

Technology isn't an end in itself. My job is to make your tech decisions in a way that moves your business forward – not just keeps your engineers happy.

Werner Strauch Fractional CTO
Background

What Is a Fractional CTO?

The Concept Explained

A Fractional CTO is an experienced Chief Technology Officer who works for your company on a part-time basis. Unlike a full-time CTO, they split their time across multiple companies – hence the term "fractional."

The model is particularly established in the US, where Fractional CTOs have been standard for startups and scale-ups for years. The advantage: You get access to senior expertise that would cost $180,000 to $350,000 per year as a full-time position – at a fraction of that cost.

Who Is This Model Right For?

Startups & Scale-ups: You're building your product, maybe already have a dev team, but no experienced tech leader setting the direction. A Fractional CTO brings strategic leadership and experience.

E-Commerce Companies: You have systems, agencies, maybe your own developers – but no one orchestrating it all. I bring order to your tech setup.

Mid-Market Companies Facing Tech Decisions: You're facing a replatforming, cloud migration, or major investment. A Fractional CTO helps make the right decision – and execute it.

How Am I Different From an Agency?

An agency delivers services: development, design, campaigns. But they don't take responsibility for your technology as a whole. They execute what you brief them on.

As a Fractional CTO, I'm part of your leadership team. I think strategically, prioritize, decide, and take responsibility. I manage your agencies and developers when needed – but from your company's perspective, not as an external vendor.

FAQ

Questions About Fractional CTO

More questions? Contact me directly.

01

What exactly does a Fractional CTO do?

A Fractional CTO takes strategic responsibility for your technology on a part-time basis. This includes tech strategy, architecture decisions, tech stack selection, dev team leadership, and vendor management. Unlike a consultant who only advises, I take real ownership.

02

How many hours per week do you work for me?

It depends on your needs. Typically 8-16 hours per week. We define the right commitment together – and adjust it quarterly as needed.

03

What does a Fractional CTO cost?

The monthly retainer starts at $6,500 and depends on the agreed time commitment. Compared to a full-time position ($180-350K annual salary plus overhead), it's a predictable investment with clear ROI.

04

How does communication work?

I'm directly reachable via Slack or Teams. Plus weekly status calls and monthly reviews. You have a direct line to me – no ticket systems or account managers in between.

05

What's the difference from an Interim CTO?

An Interim CTO bridges a vacancy or manages a crisis – full-time, fixed term. As a Fractional CTO, I'm your permanent external tech leadership on a part-time basis. No end date, no successor search. I'm your long-term solution.

06

What's the difference from Technology Consulting?

Technology consulting is project-based: you have a question, I analyze and recommend. As a Fractional CTO, I take ongoing strategic responsibility. For one-time tech decisions, I recommend my Technology Consulting service.

07

Can you also provide developers?

Yes. I have a network of vetted tech specialists: developers, DevOps engineers, security experts, data engineers. When needed, I bring them in – coordinated and quality-assured by me. You get not just leadership, but a complete virtual tech team when needed.

08

Do you also work for my competitors?

No. I strictly maintain industry exclusivity within a niche. When I work for you, I don't take on direct competitors.

Tech Leadership – Flexible & Strategic?

Let's have a brief conversation to determine if the Fractional CTO model fits your situation. No obligation, completely confidential.

Prefer to write first? contact@wernerstrauch.com