2 Methods to Perform Shopware Migration

Thinking of re-starting your eCommerce business on Shopware? You’re making a great choice; Shopware is flexible and clearly built for growth! However, before you can take full advantage of what it offers, there’s one important step to take: Shopware migration. 

But don’t worry. Given the right tools, you can transfer everything without the stress or risk of losing important information. Check out the two methods below and choose the one that works best for you.

Method 1: Use LitExtension (recommended)

For those who want the smoothest path to Shopware without doing any of the heavy lifting, using LitExtension All-in-One is the ultimate Shopware migration solution! From start to finish, our seasoned LitExtension experts will take care of everything for you. Let’s see how it unfolds:

Step 1: Consultant by LitExtension Experts

LitExtension Experts will guide your preparation for Shopware migration

1. Share your requirements

Our experts will take the time to understand your specific business needs, data complexity, and migration goals. Based on your store’s setup, we’ll recommend the best migration strategy and any custom adjustments needed for a smooth transfer to Shopware.

2. Finalize and complete your payments

We’ll help you identify potential roadblocks ahead of time and suggest the right measures to prepare your store environment before the migration even begins. Once we reach an agreement on everything (pricing included), you can sit back and let us handle the rest! 

Step 2. Data mapping & setting by experts

Everything is handled by our experts to ensure the right setup for a smooth transfer

3. Set up your Shopware store

We’ll configure or configure your Shopware store and make sure it’s ready to receive your data. Plus, our team installs any required directories or extensions to ensure your new Shopware environment supports all the data and functionality you’re migrating.

4. Perform expert data mapping

We map your current data (orders, products, customers, and settings) to the correct structure in Shopware, which ensures errors and mismatches are minimized during migration. If something can’t be mapped directly, we’ll offer alternative solutions or set up placeholder structures to make sure nothing is lost or broken during the process!

5. Run a demo migration and fine-tune with feedback

Before kicking off the full migration, LitExtension runs a demo migration using a small sample of your actual store data. This is your first look at how the data will appear and function in Shopware, so here’s your chance to preview the results and catch any issues early!

You’ll walk through the demo with our team to verify that everything is correctly structured and mapped. If something looks off or isn’t working properly, we are more than willing to make adjustments before proceeding. That way, your full migration will be accurate, stable, and ready for the real launch.

Step 3. Perform full Shopware migration

Launch your Shopware migration with confidence

6. Start and monitor full migration

Once everything is ready, we launch the entire migration for you, ensuring all data is transferred safely and without interruptions. All you need to do is sit back and wait for the good news! 

7. Post-migration support

Once your product export and migration to Shopware are complete, our job isn’t done just yet! We’ll conduct a thorough post-migration review to make sure everything in your new store works exactly as expected and aligns perfectly with the requirements we outlined back in Step 1.

And here’s the best part: our support doesn’t stop there.

• For the next 30 days, you’ll get free re-migrations and recent data updates at no extra cost, as long as the new data makes up less than 5% of your total volume.
• For an additional 90 days after the migration, we’ll handle unlimited smart updates to your existing data completely free of charge.

And that’s not all: you’ll get 30 days of free technical assistance after the migration to help with any follow-up questions or tweaks. Plus, your migration is completely risk-free, meaning we guarantee a full refund if any major issues occur within 30 days. That’s how our team ensures you feel confident every step of the way!

The best part? This workflow applies to all types of source carts, regardless of their complexities or structural differences compared to Shopware. 

After all, backed by 12+ years of working with virtually every major eCommerce platform out there, we understand the quirks, limitations, and even hidden challenges that come with each one. It’s this level of foresight and expertise that makes LitExtension the #1 eCommerce Migration Expert for thousands of businesses worldwide!

Method 2: Use Migration Assistant

Besides LitExtension, the Migration Assistant extension is another Shopware migration tool to consider. Since it’s officially maintained by Shopware, you can expect a basic level of compatibility out of the box.

That said, we only recommend this method if your source store is fairly similar to Shopware or if you’re working with a smaller product catalog (just in case things don’t go perfectly during the process). After all, as helpful as automated tools can be, they’re still limited. They can’t adapt on the fly or troubleshoot unexpected issues the way LitExtension’s experts can! Worse, you’re essentially on your own without expert support if any issue arises.

That’s why, for most store owners, LitExtension remains the smarter, safer choice. Still, if you’re comfortable taking the DIY route, here’s how to get started:

Step 1. Create a new integration

First, install the Migration Assistant extension in both your current store and the new Shopware store, and make sure it’s activated in both. Without this, the connection won’t work in the first place!

Next, you need to create a new integration in the source store. Go to “Settings” > “System” > “Integrations,” click “Create Integration,” and set it up as follows:

• Name: Give it a unique name like Shopware Migration
• Administrator: Enable it for full access
• Access ID & Security Key: These are generated automatically; note them down for the next step

Do not complete any remaining details of your store setup until the migration is successful.

Step 2. Check migration data

Now, in the Shopware store, go to “Settings” > “Extensions” > “Migration Assistant.” Next, click “Create Connection.”

Enter a name for the connection, then choose the “Shopware 6.6”  profile and set the gateway to API.

Once connected, you’ll be taken to the “Migration Overview” to confirm the source shop, profile, and interface. 

Then, in the “Data Selection” section, choose what to migrate (e.g., products, customers, orders), including any third-party extension data.

Shopware will then run a data check to match old data with the new system. If some elements (like payment types) can’t be matched automatically, you’ll be prompted to manually assign them before continuing. Note that you can review, change, or override these assignments at any time.

Step 3. Start migration

Finally, click “Start Migration” to begin. There are five stages, all of which are automated so that you don’t have to intervene:

• Data Reading: Collects all chosen data from the source
• Data Writing: Writes the data to Shopware 6 (creates customer groups, sales channels, etc., if missing)
• Media Download: Transfers all media into the target store
• Cleanup: Clears temporary migration data
• Indexing: Triggers Shopware indexers to finalize the process

If you’re using Admin Worker, keep the tab open during migration. For production environments, we recommend using the CLI Worker to avoid disruptions. And that’s it! 

Can You Migrate from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6?

Stuck on Shopware 5 and wondering if the jump to Shopware 6 is even possible? The answer is yes. 

With LitExtension by your side, upgrading to Shopware 6 is totally smooth, safe, and completely managed for you. Our team uses the same expert-led method outlined above to handle the complex structure changes between versions, further ensuring a clean transfer of all your key data and configurations without disrupting your store.

Long story short, we’ve got the tools and experience to help you upgrade with 100% confidence. Contact us now! 

Extra Tips for Smooth Shopware Migration

Moving to Shopware is, all in all, a huge shift in how your store runs and handles data behind the scenes. Even small mistakes can snowball into real issues if you’re not prepared! That’s why we’ve gathered these simple yet practical  tips to help you avoid surprises: 

• Always back up your current store before starting: Even with expert help, having a complete backup of your store gives you a safety net. It protects you from rare mishaps and allows easy comparison post-migration to ensure everything is transferred correctly.
• Declutter your data before the move: Migration is the perfect time to clean house, so use this chance to remove outdated products, inactive customers, unused plugins, and test orders. Simple as that might seem, this tip can reduce errors and speed up the transfer!
• Manually test your store before going live: Even after a successful migration, hands-on testing is a must. Check product displays, carts, checkouts, emails, payment integrations (basically everything). That final sweep ensures a smooth experience for your customers from day one.
• Take full advantage of LitExtension’s post-migration support: Despite careful planning, minor issues (like overlooked product images or formatting inconsistencies) can sometimes still slip through. LitExtension’s support window is your chance to catch and fix those things with expert help without having to troubleshoot on your own later. Don’t let that opportunity go to waste!