Migrating from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6: Your Detailed Checklist

Table of Contents

Introduction

With Shopware 5 reaching its end of life, now is the perfect time to migrate to Shopware 6. The new version offers improved performance, a modern tech stack, and enhanced customization options.
However, migrating is not a simple “click and done” process — it requires careful planning and execution.
This detailed checklist will guide you step-by-step to ensure a smooth transition without risking downtime or data loss.

1. Understand Why You’re Migrating

Before diving in, define your goals:

Future-proofing your store before Shopware 5 support ends
Leveraging new features like Shopping Experiences & Rule Builder
Improving SEO performance and page speed
Preparing for better scalability and integrations

2. Audit Your Current Shopware 5 Store

A proper audit helps identify what you need to migrate and what can be left behind.

List all plugins & extensions and check Shopware 6 compatibility
Review theme design — decide to rebuild or redesign
Export product data and verify attribute mapping
Check custom code or integrations that may require redevelopment

Tip: Remove unused plugins and outdated content before migration to save time.

3. Choose Your Migration Approach

You have three main migration paths:

In-place migration — Moving directly from your existing environment (fast but risky for big stores)
Staging environment migration — Safest option, allows testing before going live
Full rebuild — Ideal for outdated setups that need a fresh start

4. Prepare the Technical Foundation

Set up Shopware 6 environment (PHP version, server requirements, database setup)
Install the Shopware Migration Assistant
Configure SSL certificates and SEO-friendly URLs
Ensure backup systems are in place

5. Migrate Core Data

Using the Migration Assistant:

Products, categories, and attributes
Customer accounts and order history
CMS pages & blog posts (if applicable)
Payment & shipping configurations

Pro Tip: Test each migration batch to avoid mapping errors.

6. Rebuild or Adapt Your Theme

Shopware 6 uses a Twig-based templating system, so Shopware 5 themes won’t work directly.

Rebuild from scratch or adapt an existing Shopware 6 theme
Optimize for mobile-first and Core Web Vitals
Keep design consistent with brand identity

7. Reinstall and Configure Extensions

Replace incompatible plugins with Shopware 6-ready versions
Explore native features that might replace third-party extensions
Test each extension individually to avoid conflicts

8. Test Everything

Before going live:

Functional testing: Checkout, search, filters, and forms
SEO testing: URLs, meta tags, redirects
Performance testing: Page speed, server response time
Security testing: SSL, user permissions, and vulnerability scans

9. SEO and Redirect Strategy

Map all old URLs to their new counterparts
Set up 301 redirects to preserve SEO rankings
Regenerate your sitemap and submit to Google Search Console
Monitor search rankings post-migration

10. Go Live and Monitor

Schedule the migration during low-traffic hours
Keep a backup of the Shopware 5 store
Monitor for errors, broken links, or customer issues
Continue optimizing performance and SEO

Conclusion

Migrating from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6 is an investment in your store’s future. By following this checklist, you can reduce risks, maintain SEO value, and unlock the new platform’s full potential.

If you need expert help with the migration, our team specializes in seamless Shopware upgrades — ensuring your store is ready for the next generation of eCommerce.