An In-Depth Look at Shopware 6: The Pinnacle of Flexibility, Versatility, and Innovation in Ecommerce Platforms
Shopware 6 stands as the flagship offering from the eponymous company headquartered in Germany’s Münsterland region. In the sections that follow, we will delve into the robust features that distinguish this platform, explore why it’s widely recognized as a paragon of innovation among ecommerce platforms, and distinguish among its various hosting and pricing options. Additionally, we will provide comprehensive insights into the installation and migration processes for Shopware 6.
In early 2020, Shopware 6 emerged as the successor to its previous version, firmly establishing itself as the flagship product of the family-owned business based in Münster. Unlike a mere update to Shopware 5, this version was reconceived and built from scratch.
The outcome: A profoundly revitalized interface marked by simplicity and ease-of-use, enriched with a suite of new features that distinctly differentiate Shopware 6 from competing offerings in the realm of ecommerce platforms. In addition, the highly-regarded cloud solution now extends its appeal to even those who are new to the e-commerce space.
Inhaltsverzeichnis
Core Technologies and Cutting-edge Innovations in Shopware 6
Pure Innovation: Core Features of Shopware 6
An In-Depth Look at Shopware 6 Hosting Options: Shopware Cloud vs. Self-Hosting
Rise, Evolve, and Beyond: Unveiling the Three Shopware 6 Pricing Plans
Getting Started: System Requirements and Installation Guidelines for Shopware 6
Time for a New Chapter: The Essential Guide to Migrating to Shopware 6
Elevate Your Multichannel Sales with magnalister and Shopware 6: A Partnership Designed for Success
Shopware 6 leaves little to be desired for ambitious retailers – Multichanneling maximizes potential
Core Technologies and Cutting-edge Innovations in Shopware 6
Underlying Architecture and Technology
Technologically, Shopware 6 is a quantum leap from its predecessor, Shopware 5, making it stand out among ecommerce platforms. This shift accounts for the remarkable differences in both functionality and visual appeal. The platform leverages Vue.js for both its front and back ends (replacing jQuery and ExtJS), Twig for its templating engine (supplanting Smarty), and integrates a Symfony framework. These advancements not only supercharge the platform’s performance but also simplify maintenance significantly, setting it apart in the crowded field of ecommerce platforms. Plus, they lower the entry barriers for developers who now require fewer Shopware-specific skills.
Revamped User Interface
The back-end user interface of Shopware 6 has been completely reimagined. The design achieves two key goals: enhanced visual elegance and streamlined usability. The transition away from the older “window system” paves the way for an interface that is both intuitive and straightforward. Notably, the design also scales responsively, adapting to mobile device screens which further distinguishes the ecommerce platform.
API-First Strategy
Shopware 6 champions an “API-First Strategy,” designed to facilitate seamless and flexible software integration, such as for future extensions. All functionalities can be accessed and managed through the API, enabling straightforward integration with other software like apps or ERP systems.
The Rise of Headless Commerce
Headless Commerce is one of the defining trends in recent ecommerce history and is increasingly becoming a focus among ecommerce platforms. The separation between the front-end and back-end architectures provides a plethora of advantages, including a more engaging customer experience, increased flexibility, and effortless scalability. The architecture achieves this by allowing each front-end element—from product displays to search functionalities and checkouts—to be individually connected via APIs. This empowers Shopware 6 to swiftly adapt to market shifts without back-end concerns.
Introducing Composable Frontends
Shopware’s Composable Frontends are essentially a Self Development Kit (SDK) designed for the rapid and efficient development of innovative ecommerce storefronts. Paired with the headless approach of Shopware 6, this SDK enables the creation of highly adaptable webshop frontends, built on well-established concepts, without sacrificing customization capabilities.
Pure Innovation: Core Features of Shopware 6
Shopware 6 excels not just technologically, with numerous advancements, but also shines in its tangible features, which are aligned towards innovation, flexibility, and automation. Here’s an overview:
Shopping Worlds
The “Shopping Worlds” feature is a crucial element of the integrated CMS and represents the evolution of the popular “Shopping Worlds” from Shopware 5. It aims to create a personalized, emotionally engaging shopping experience that embodies brand identity and fosters higher customer loyalty. Here, several intriguing functionalities come into play:
- Drag and Drop: Design layouts easily and intuitively using pre-made blocks, without any design or programming knowledge.
- Quick View: Visitors get all crucial product information at a glance, increasing their time spent on the website.
- Rule-based Visibility: Create tailored customer journeys for different customer groups or at different times.
Digital Sales Rooms
Digital Sales Rooms enhance your B2B sales by offering interactive product advice and thorough digitalization of sales channels. Among other features, it enables customers to instantly access appealing product presentations and offers. The outcomes for the ecommerce platform speak for themselves: you save not only costs and resources but also benefit from up to ten times higher conversion rates and up to 50% shorter sales cycles, according to a study by McKinsey.
Flow Builder
The Flow Builder allows for the definition and automation of individual business processes without any need for programming skills. For instance, you can categorize customers into different groups and send targeted emails or offer specific payment and delivery options based on these categories. This not only saves time and resources but also provides unparalleled flexibility, scalability, and control in your business operations—applicable to all sectors (B2C, B2B, and D2C).
Rule Builder
The Rule Builder complements the Flow Builder as a central control unit for all customer-centric business operations. Currently, it supports over 50 conditions that let you establish customized rules for unique workflows and customer journeys—ranging from content management to shipping, payment, and marketing—all without a line of code!
B2B Suite
Developed in close collaboration with long-standing partners of the Shopware ecommerce platform, the B2B Suite is integrated as standard in the Beyond and Evolve plans. It offers a wide array of configurable B2B features to make interactions with your business clients easier, quicker, and more efficient. These include:
- Assignment of employee roles, permissions, and budgets.
- Conducting recurring orders via file upload.
- Defining customer-specific pricing structures.
- Sending, viewing, and custom management of offers.
- Seamless bidirectional offer management.
To help clients navigate your B2B Suite more comfortably for things like placing orders on their own, you can activate the “Easy Mode,” which further simplifies the dashboard without sacrificing core functionalities.
An In-Depth Look at Shopware 6 Hosting Options: Shopware Cloud vs. Self-Hosting
Shopware 6 has redefined its approach to hosting, moving away from the standalone hosting requirement that characterized its earlier versions. The platform now offers a more flexible Shopware Cloud architecture through the integration of Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) and Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS). These choices are available across three new pricing plans, which we’ll explore in detail below.
The Self-Hosting Model
In a Self-Hosting or On-Premise setup, you are responsible for operating your own web server to host your online shop. This method demands a considerable investment of time and effort, as you’ll need to handle regular security updates and server maintenance. Specialized technical staff are often essential for this operation. Additionally, scaling your online shop can pose a considerable challenge.
On the flip side, Self-Hosting offers certain benefits, such as a more cost-effective operation and complete control over every facet of your ecommerce platform, including customer data. The software can be customized to meet specific business needs, and some business models may even legally necessitate a private server.
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
SaaS stands as the antithesis of the Self-Hosting model and is a key component of the “Shopware Cloud” platform. Here, Shopware takes care of all operational aspects of your ecommerce store, ranging from hosting services to software updates.
Opting for SaaS essentially provides you with an all-in-one solution, allowing you to hit the ground running without worrying about technicalities like security and scalability. However, this convenience comes at the cost of limited customization options.
Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS)
The Platform-as-a-Service option serves as a hybrid between Self-Hosting and SaaS, combining the best of both worlds. As part of the Shopware Cloud suite, PaaS operates on a cloud-hosting model, inheriting the benefits of easy scalability and robust security measures.
Unlike SaaS, PaaS does not offer a turnkey solution. Instead, it provides a flexible development environment, granting you substantial room for customization. Like the Self-Hosting model, PaaS offers enhanced control over your data but requires you to manage the infrastructure, including updates, which demands a certain level of technical skill and resource commitment.
Rise, Evolve, and Beyond: Unveiling the Three Shopware 6 Pricing Plans
Shopware 6 currently presents its users with a trio of specialized pricing plans—Rise, Evolve, and Beyond. Each plan varies not just in price and the breadth of features it offers but also in the level of personalized support that comes along with it. Moreover, all three plans can be implemented through Self-Hosting, SaaS, or PaaS models, offering a flexible choice for those looking for diverse ecommerce platforms. Shopware assesses these plans across several crucial feature dimensions, including:
- Content Management & Design
- Workflow & Automation
- Customer Experience & Marketing
- Inventory & Order Management
- B2B Capabilities
- AI Functionalities
- Levels of Support
The Rise Plan: Your Gateway to E-commerce
Priced at a fixed monthly rate of 600 EUR, the Rise plan offers a robust suite of features focusing on content management and design, along with capabilities in artificial intelligence. However, it is comparatively limited when it comes to automation and workflows. Although it provides a wide range of functionalities, it lacks the sophistication in B2B features, customer experience, and inventory management that the other plans offer. Customer support is written and available only from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Rise plan is particularly suited for online retailers who operate primarily in the B2C or D2C market segments and require a high level of customer experience and shop adaptability, but don’t need the most advanced features.
The Evolve Plan: Balanced Features for a Growing Business
Occupying the middle ground both in cost and functionality, the Evolve plan surpasses the Rise plan by offering enhanced B2B features and more sophisticated marketing tools aimed at elevating customer experience. While it holds its own, it falls short in inventory and order management when compared to the high-end Beyond plan.
In terms of customer support, Evolve users enjoy the added benefit of telephone support with extended hours from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and shorter response times. The pricing for Evolve is customized, making it a flexible choice for both B2B and B2C merchants who seek a harmonious blend of features and affordability.
The Beyond Plan: The Pinnacle of E-commerce Excellence
The Beyond plan sets a gold standard in ecommerce platforms, excelling in every feature category. It outperforms not just the Rise and Evolve plans but also sets a benchmark in the market landscape.
Users of Beyond gain access to pioneering features, such as Digital Sales Rooms, tailored B2B pricing schemes, and product subscription options. Moreover, customer support is unmatched, including custom onboarding processes, a dedicated account manager, and round-the-clock telephone assistance.
The pricing for Beyond is individually negotiated, making it the go-to choice for businesses that will settle for nothing less than unparalleled support, exceptional functionality, and limitless flexibility.
Getting Started: System Requirements and Installation Guidelines for Shopware 6
If you opt for one of the Cloud versions, SaaS or PaaS, both the software and hosting come from a single source, so your new shop can be ready in just a few clicks. Shopware 6 is among the leading ecommerce platforms that provide such convenience. Alternatively, if you prefer to manage your own infrastructure for greater control over your data and applications, you’ll need to handle the installation process yourself. Here’s a detailed guide to ensure a smooth installation on one of the most customizable ecommerce platforms.
Essential System Requirements
Before you dive into the installation, make sure to review the system prerequisites for Shopware 6. Your server should comply with the following standards:
Operating System
While Shopware 6 is compatible with most Unix-based systems, a Linux environment like Ubuntu is recommended.
Environment
- PHP: Version 8.1 or higher, memory_limit 512M or higher, max_execution_time 30 seconds or higher
- SQL: MySQL 8 or higher (except 8.0.20 and 8.0.21) or MariaDB 10.3.22 or higher (exceptions as per documentation)
- Other: Apache 2.4 or higher with mod-rewrite enabled
Additional Technical Recommendations
- Zend Opcache 256M or higher
- APCu 128M or higher
- Webserver with HTTP/2 support
- Adminer for database administration
Other Software Compatibility
- Opensearch: Version 1.0 and above
- Elasticsearch: Version 7.8 and above
- Redis: Version 5.0 and above
- Varnish: Version 6 and above
- Node-js: Starting from Version 18
Hosting and Routing Configuration
While you can host Shopware 6 on your own server (sometimes a legal necessity), it’s generally recommended to use one of Shopware’s vetted hosting partners for optimal performance of your ecommerce platform.
Next, prior to installing Shopware 6, certain adjustments should be made to the Htaccess file, which regulates access rights to files and folders on the web server. In some cases, it’s also advisable to adjust routing settings so that customers can find your webshop more easily later on (more information on both topics can be found here).
A Step-By-Step Guide to Shopware 6 Installation
The Shopware Installer is your go-to tool for both initial installation and future updates.
1. Download: Retrieve the requisite PHP file from the download section and place it in a designated folder on your web server. Then, initiate the installation assistant by navigating to: www.your-domain.com/ShopwareDirectory/shopware-installer.phar.php
2. System Check: The Installer will automatically validate your system against the listed requirements, flagging any issues or areas for improvement.
3. License Agreement: Your consent to Shopware’s license terms is mandatory to proceed with the installation.
4. Database Configuration: After accepting the terms, you’ll need to provide database credentials in Shopware. You have two options:
- Pre-create an empty database
- Let the Shopware Installer create a new database for you
5. Database Import: The last step involves setting up your Shopware 6 shop’s basic configurations. These include:
- (Global) e-mail address of the webshop
- Primary language for storefront and administration
- Default currency (currency factor 1)
- Administrative email address
Note: Additional languages and individual currency conversion factors can be added later, but the main language and default currency cannot be changed.
Time for a New Chapter: The Essential Guide to Migrating to Shopware 6
Migrating to Shopware 6 represents a strategic move for many online retailers. However, the process can be intricate and time-consuming. This section delves into the fundamental elements of migrating to Shopware 6 and directs you to the official documentation for more nuanced guidance.
Supported Source Systems for Migration
You can seamlessly transition to Shopware 6 from three primary source systems:
- Shopware 5
- Shopware 6 (For instance, moving from a self-hosted solution to Shopware Cloud)
- Magento
A specialized Migration Assistant tool facilitates a smooth transition, ensuring that your customer data, product information, and order history are completely transferred without any gaps.
Three-Phase Approach to Migration
The migration process can generally be broken down into three critical phases: Preparation, Execution, and Finalization. The specifics of each phase might vary slightly depending on your original ecommerce platform.
- Preparation Phase: This stage involves gathering all the vital information required for migration. This preparation encompasses understanding system requirements, sorting out licensing matters, and completing the initial installation of Shopware 6.
- Execution Phase: At this juncture, all data from your existing shop system is ported into Shopware 6’s test environment. You’ll likely need to make some manual adjustments, for which Shopware’s “Upgrade Guide” provides valuable insights. This phase can be carried out multiple times to ensure your test environment always mirrors the most current data.
- Finalization Phase: Now, your newly configured Shopware 6 store is ready to go live. You’ll implement the final settings in your Shopware account, positioning your online shop to kickstart sales successfully.
By following this structured approach, you pave the way for a smooth and effective migration to Shopware 6.
Elevate Your Multichannel Sales with magnalister and Shopware 6: A Partnership Designed for Success
Achieving exceptional sales performance hinges on one fundamental factor: ensuring your products are visible to your target audience. To amplify their market reach, savvy online retailers often adopt a multichannel sales strategy—a proven method for harnessing the power of multiple sales avenues, including ecommerce platforms and online marketplaces like eBay and Amazon.
However, this strategy is not without challenges. Operating across multiple sales channels can become an administrative labyrinth, requiring constant updates to prices, inventory levels, and other crucial data to avert order cancellations and keep your customer base content.
Enter magnalister—a revolutionary plugin that simplifies this complexity. Seamlessly integrating with Shopware 6 and numerous other ecommerce platforms, magnalister empowers you to effortlessly extend your product listings to premier online marketplaces.
Unmatched Core Features for Streamlined Multichannel Operations:
- Central Product Upload: Eliminate redundancy by uploading products directly from your shop to all connected marketplaces efficiently.
- Attribute Matching: Easily harmonize your product attributes with marketplace-specific categories and features.
- Price and Inventory Synchronization: Automate real-time updates or customize prices for each marketplace while synchronizing inventory levels.
- Automatic Order Import: Import orders from various marketplaces into your Shopware webshop for centralized management.
- Order Status Matching: Automatically transmit updated order statuses like “shipped” or “cancelled” to all marketplaces.
- Interface Customization: Leverage Hook-Points to tailor the plugin to your specific needs.
The value proposition of multichannel sales is underscored by our compelling data: magnalister users have listed close to 150 million products across various online marketplaces, collectively generating over 6 billion Euros in revenue.
Available for a comprehensive range of top-tier webshops, the magnalister plugin can be fully evaluated with a 30-day free trial. We also offer a zero-cost, in-depth training session to familiarize you with all the features and capabilities of the magnalister interface.
Conclusion: Shopware 6 leaves little to be desired for ambitious retailers – Multichanneling maximizes potential
In direct comparison with its predecessor, Shopware 6 attracts attention with massive improvements in terms of user-friendliness, design, and richness of features. Two attributes aptly sum up the high-end software solution: Innovative and extremely flexible.
As part of the Shopware Cloud, resource-saving cloud hosting is offered for the first time, which also opens the doors to Shopware for beginners. Particularly demanding merchants can continue to fall back on self-hosting and thus take full advantage of the new possibilities for individual customization.
While none of the three new plans, Rise, Evolve and Beyond, are nominally cheap, the price seems relative against the backdrop of innovative features such as the Experience Worlds or Digital Sales Rooms, as well as the countless automation options. The two advanced plans, in particular, offer very powerful functions for the demanding B2B sector.
You benefit twice from Shopware 6 in combination with our webshop plugin or our app magnalister, respectively, which enables foolproof and smooth multi-channel sales. Test magnalister now for 30 days free of charge and with full functionality.