We sat down with Johan, founder at Memo, to talk about something most online store owners don’t exactly get excited about: Shopware updates. But as Johan explains, keeping your platform up to date could be the difference between smooth sailing and a costly disaster.
As a store owner, you've invested time and money into building your Shopware e-commerce platform. But here's the thing, launching your store is just the beginning. One of the most important decisions you'll make for your business is how you handle updates and maintenance.
Too many store owners fall into the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" mindset. Nothing is happening, so we're good, right? Wrong. This thinking can cost you big time down the road.
Johan explains that security should always come first. If a Shopware store runs on old software, it’s like leaving the door unlocked. Hackers look for weak spots in older versions, and if they get in, the damage can be big, from losing customer trust to legal problems and high recovery costs.
He also points out that bug fixes are more important than many think. Even if store owners don’t see these bugs every day, they can build up over time. This can slow the website down, cause issues in checkout, and frustrate customers. Sometimes people leave their shopping cart because of a bug that could have been fixed months ago.
Another risk Johan talks about is the “big update trap.” Skipping small, regular updates often leads to one huge, expensive update later. He compares it to car maintenance: small services cost much less than replacing the whole engine. Regular updates are faster, cheaper, and much less risky.
"We can't afford the downtime." This used to be a valid concern, but not anymore. Modern deployment methods allow for updates without any downtime at all. Your customers won't even notice the update is happening.
"We don't understand why it's important." Look, we get it. Technology can feel overwhelming. But lack of knowledge about the importance is costing businesses real money. Just because everything seems fine on the surface doesn't mean your platform is optimized or secure.
Other than security and bug fixes, every Shopware update brings new features that could enhance your sales. Meaning, improved mobile optimization, better checkout processes, enhanced marketing tools, and upgraded analytics. These aren't just nice-to-haves, they are competitive advantages. Less bugs means happier customers. New features mean better conversion rates.
Most webshop owners shouldn't be handling Shopware updates themselves. You have a business to run. That's where working with an experienced e-commerce agency like Memo makes sense.
When updates are done on a regular schedule, there are fewer sudden and expensive problems. With professionals taking care of the work, nothing breaks and everything runs smoothly. Webshop owners also get peace of mind, knowing that experts keep the platform safe, up to date, and ready for customers.
The best time to start a proper update routine was six months ago. The second best time is now. Your Shopware store is a critical business asset. Treat it like one. Regular updates aren't an expense, they're an investment in your store's security, performance, and growth potential. The question isn't whether you can afford to keep your platform updated. It's whether you can afford not to.
Ready to get your Shopware store properly maintained? Let's talk about setting up a maintenance plan that keeps your platform secure, fast, and competitive.