Thinking about upgrading to Shopware 6.7 but unsure if it's the right time? Upgrades can feel like a challenge - There are costs, efforts, and compatibility concerns. But what if upgrading could actually save you time, improve performance, and unlock new opportunities?
In this post, we are breaking down when an upgrade makes sense for you and why it's worth it. Let's cut through the noise and talk about what really matters when moving to a major release.
When do you need to upgrade?
Generally speaking, upgrading to the latest Shopware version is not mandatory or even sensible for every shop. In many cases, you can continue to operate your shop on an older version of Shopware.
While upgrading isn’t always urgent, keeping your Shopware version up to date ensures ongoing security patches, access to the latest features, and continued support. Over time, staying on older versions might mean missing out on improvements that streamline your shop’s operations
If you are an extension developer and sell extensions in the Shopware Store, you must update your extensions to be compatible with the latest Shopware version. So, keeping up with the newest release is essential for extension developers.
As a merchant, agency, or freelancer running a Shopware shop, you don't need to update immediately, but it is a good choice in many scenarios.
What is a major version?
Every year, Shopware releases a major version. In case you are not familiar with the terminology, a major version means that this particular version introduces breaking changes. "Breaking changes" describes changes that cause Extensions and Themes to stop working, requiring additional changes from the developer's side of said Extensions and Themes.
In contrast, the minor and patch versions released throughout the year do not break anything and can be installed with relative ease. Minor versions bring new features.
We are committed to publishing a new major version of Shopware 6 each year. It is a pivotal strategy for the continuous evolution of Shopware to innovate and ensure that our software meets the ever-changing demands of the market.
Likewise, we want to offer customers the right balance between new updates and stability. Therefore, we have introduced extended support for the previous major version in the form of direct patch updates for the last minor version of the major version cycle. These releases will include selective bug fixes and security updates via direct patch updates. Other minor versions of the previous major cycle will still get security fixes via the security plugin, as usual.
The extended support is offered for one year until the next major release supersedes it. Following the extended support time frame, there will be one year of additional security updates via the security plugin, resulting in two years of support for these kinds of versions. More information in our documentation.
When should you upgrade?
While a new Shopware major release might not introduce a flood of brand-new features, it lays the groundwork for future feature releases throughout the coming year. Think of it as building a strong foundation for added features over the next year.
Here's a practical approach:
Check the Roadmap: Review the Shopware roadmap and identify any upcoming features that could significantly benefit your shop or your clients' shops.
Consider the Long-Term: You'll eventually need to upgrade to every other major version. The "Extended Support" period, as detailed in the Shopware Release Calendar, only covers the most recent release of the previous major version. Planning your upgrade strategically ensures you're not caught off guard later. Also keep in mind, minor versions are not breaking anything, those versions are just about new features, stability and performance fixes.
In summary, plan early when to upgrade and be aware that you need to upgrade at least every two years to receive further fixes and minor updates.
The Special Case of Shopware 6.7: The European Accessibility Act (EAA)
Things get particularly relevant here, regardless of your usual upgrade approach. The European Accessibility Act (EAA) is coming into effect. This means all shops need to take steps to ensure accessibility, independent of any Shopware updates. For many shops, this will involve considerable work.
Shopware 6.7 is designed to do a significant portion of the heavy lifting for you regarding EAA compliance. Upgrading to 6.7 will provide a solid base upon which to build. More communication regarding the EAA and Shopware 6.7 will be released before the 6.7 major release.
However, it's crucial to remember that if you're not using Shopware's default storefront template, you'll still need to adjust your custom theme to ensure full accessibility compliance.
This also applies to shops using the default theme. All product descriptions, images, and content created by you or your merchant/customer should be checked for EAA compliance.
We know the EAA and upgrades can be a bit overwhelming. Shopware 6.7 is designed to prepare for future features and help you comply with the EAA.
Start planning your upgrade today!
We want to make the transition to 6.7 as smooth as possible. Here's how you can stay informed and get involved:
Join the Conversation: Hop onto our Slack workspace at slack.shopware.com and join the #feedback-release-6_7 channel. It's a great place to ask questions, share feedback, and connect with the Shopware community.
Stay Tuned to the Blog: Keep an eye on the official Shopware blog for updates and insights.
Get Involved on GitHub: Contribute to the discussion and development process on GitHub.
Revisit the initial blog post: Introducing Shopware 6.7
We're doing this together, and Shopware is committed to supporting you every step of the way.
