Shopware 6 is the latest version of open-source software offered by the German producer. This solution brings a complete set of new possibilities for developers, e-shop owners, and end-users. Specialists appreciate it for its flexibility and easy integration with external systems. What makes this e-commerce platform so effective? In this article, I explain its advantages and critical functionalities.

How does Shopware 6 work?

Flexible integrations with external systems

Shopware stands out in the market due to its flexible approach. Why? Shopware has 2 APIs that enable integration with external systems such as CMS, ERP, or marketing automation tools. Additionally, the platform allows building a system based on headless architecture, meaning the back-end operates independently from the front-end.

For example:

• Shopware allows the separation of the front-end layer from the back-end and creates it in any technology. This approach increases the number of solutions that can be used during platform setup.
• Shopware is designed to integrate with advanced search engines like Elastic Search and works on its non-relational database. This solution will increase the speed of data searching even on extensive datasets, making it useful for larger stores with significant inventory.

In summary, thanks to the capabilities of the 2 APIs and the wide availability of plugins, system solutions can be easily customized to meet your needs.

Plugins for External System Integrations

Modern software for managing online stores

Shopware comes with a range of built-in tools and the ability to expand the system with additional functionalities. For comprehensive platform operation, free and paid plugins available on the Shopware Store can be used. When managing an e-shop, you can also interfere with the system by creating your plugins. However, caution should be exercised here, which I will elaborate on further in the article.

Features and capabilities of Shopware 6

Shopware 6 is not just a new layout, pleasing to the eye of every developer (although this is also an essential aspect in the store creation process, more on the differences between Shopware versions 5 and 6 can be read here), it is also an improved standard of individual functionalities. Below, I will list a few of them.

Shopware multistore – managing multiple stores in one place

Our clients often react to this feature with a “cool solution.” What exactly does it involve? Suppose we sell our products in multiple channels. By setting up the platform on Shopware, each sales channel can operate under several domains, considering differences on the e-shop page such as language, currency, etc. For example, one domain is configured for the English language with the currency $, while another is handled in German with the currency €. From a technical perspective, Shopware provides a range of settings assuming automatic currency conversion, price modification dependent on the given currency, or advanced conversions used in exceptional circumstances, such as the complex tax system found in the USA. Thus, Shopware allows you to tailor your e-commerce to the requirements of a multi-channel business individually.

Shopware plugin – customizing the platform to your needs

As I mentioned above, many external plugins are available on the Shopware Store for quick implementation in the e-shop. However, we can still create our plugins, which can be better tailored to the system’s needs. At the same time, it is worth considering whether the modifications introduced do not interfere with the currently operating plugins. In this situation, it is worth constantly checking whether the given plugins do not exclude each other or disrupt the operation of others. For example: If a function we introduced does not respond on the category page, first check the operation of the external plugin. Depending on the e-commerce system’s needs, we replace external plugins or create our own.

List of Available Plugins: https://store.shopware.com/en/extensions/

Shopware shopping experience – creating content visualizations

Thanks to the Shopping Experience function, Shopware allows us to manage content and the page’s appearance. With it, we can design the e-shop layout using ready-made tiles. A big advantage is that each tile can be previewed to see how it will look on various devices. This way, we can ensure that regardless of the resolution the user accesses the platform from, they see all the elements in the same way and can navigate the site freely.

Shopware Flow Builder – flexible store process management

With the Flow Builder function, we can define how individual processes within the system should proceed. Considering many customer purchase paths, this is especially useful when planning an unusual process. For example, if an order changes the status to “cancelled,” the customer receives an email with the appropriate content. Moreover, conditions can be freely adjusted depending on needs and factors (e.g., customer data, orders, specific products).

Shopware Rule Builder – creating detailed system behaviors

The Rule Builder function helps define rules for system processes. For example:

• Displaying products in dynamic categories such as brands, promotions, or new arrivals;
• Applying it to set individual delivery conditions, such as a rule that a customer outside the EU must exceed a higher cart value to receive free shipping;
• Based on it, we set actions related to promotions or discount codes, such as:
  • If the user adds 3 products from a specific brand to the cart, the cheapest one is free;
  • If the user subscribes to the newsletter, they receive a voucher worth 50 PLN for the next purchase.

Managing a store with Shopware 6

Product management in Shopware 6

Shopware is a comprehensive platform whose elements can be defined in many ways. For a deeper explanation, I will give a few examples:

• Product Price: As per the mandatory Omnibus directive, we can specify several types of prices from the start, including gross/net price, promotional price, or the lowest price from the last 30 days. Additionally, we can adjust the price depending on where we will sell our product. For example, in a global online store, the price for the same product in Poland will differ from the one set for the United States.
• Product Delivery: Here, we can also introduce modifications depending on the business’s specifics. A B2C store selling single items operates under different conditions than an e-warehouse, sending large quantities of orders to B2B clients.
• Product Properties and Variants: Shopware allows you to precisely define products based on their properties. For each category, we can apply sorting and filters by considering characteristics such as price, size, and colour, as well as individual filters.

Depending on the needs, the product category page can take on a different appearance. Moreover, we can define which sales channel the category is intended for. Importantly, for various sales channels, we can simultaneously assign selected products.

Each product can also be assigned a layout created based on Shopware’s built-in ready-made tiles. Here, we can decide, for example, on the structure, image appearance, or what a specific button should refer to.

Media management in Shopware 6

There is no need to explain the importance of taking care of every detail displayed on the e-shop page. Both functional and visually appealing platforms generate increased user traffic for those who want quick and easy shopping. Therefore, Shopware offers options for displaying media on the page. We can use images, videos, including 3D, and define what sizes they will achieve on various devices. Important: Do not forget about alternative descriptions, the so-called “Alt Tags,” which not only convey the content of the images but also play a significant role in the SEO process.

Advanced B2B and B2C functions in Shopware 6

Depending on business needs, Shopware offers a whole spectrum of functionalities that will be tailored to both B2B and B2C platform operations. Shopware provides 4 types of platforms: the free Community and the paid Rise, Evolve, and Beyond. I described when to choose which one in the article.

Summary

Shopware 6 opens a new chapter in developing e-commerce platforms. If you are interested in a flexible solution operating on open code, take advantage of our specialists’ knowledge!