Shopware 6 Installation Tutorial - Explanation

Should you install Shopware manually and you are not sure if you are doing it correctly? Don't worry about it. This article describes all the installation steps in detail. So you won't encounter any problems. We explain the most important aspects of configuring the server and the shop domain. This will familiarise you with the entire process - from preparation to successful completion. If you follow these Shopware installation instructions, you will be able to discover the full potential of your shop!

Preparations before the Shopware 6.6 installation

Before starting the installation of the software, it is worth visiting the official Shopware website and familiarising yourself with the plans and prices on offer. There are paid plans (Rise, Evolve, Beyond), which also include hosting, maintenance and updates, and a free Community Edition.

Download Shopware

To download the Community Edition, first click on "Download" in the top right-hand corner and then on "Download for free".

In our example, we have version 6.6.6.1. If required, you can also download any older version. You have to click on "Changelog". Then the page opens with the list of versions that have been released so far. You can also download Shopware as a GitHub repository. However, this is a more complex task that is more suitable for developers.

We will now describe the simplest installation method. You need your own server and web space. The latter should fulfil the technical requirements of Shopware 6. To find out more, click on "Resources" - "Documentation". Then select Shopware 6 and click on "First steps" - "System requirements".

Prerequisites

Before you install Shopware 6, you need to enquire about the technical requirements that must be met. You should select the desired version on the left. You will then see which PHP version and memory limit are required. Under Extensions you can see that MySQL 8.0 and higher and MariaDB 10.11 and higher are compatible with your version. There are other points that need to be taken into account during installation.

If you do not understand something, please contact your hosting provider. They will determine whether your server fulfils the necessary requirements.

Shopware installation - clear and simple

If you want to set up a Shopware shop, you need to register a new database and a suitable domain. The webshop can then be accessed via the browser. For our example, we have already created a subdomain on our server. It now says "Hello, world!"

Transfer of installation files to web space

The files are saved in a storage location (web space). Special programmes are required to connect to this location. The data can be uploaded using an FTP client (Cyberduck or FileZilla). There is already an index HTML file on the FTP.

The domain points to this directory, which has the same name. Now you need to drag an installation file that was downloaded from the Shopware page into the directory and upload it to the server.

The file has already been uploaded. When the website is updated, a message appears stating that access is prohibited. This is because there is no longer an index HTML file. To solve the problem, you have to write the file name after the domain.

Automated installation

You will now be taken to the Shopware Installer, which will help you to install Shopware 6 without any problems. Here you can select the language and click on "Next".

You should then specify a PHP file that runs on your server. Shopware should be able to access this file. You should save it in an empty public directory and call it up. You can then click on "Save configuration".

Another window will then open where you can select the desired Shopware version. Please also note the information provided - the document root directory should be changed to the newly created public directory. This must not be forgotten and must be adjusted at the end of the installation. Then click on "Download".

Another window will then open where you can select the desired Shopware version. Please also note the information provided - the document root directory should be changed to the newly created public directory. This must not be forgotten and must be adjusted at the end of the installation. Then click on "Download".

Shop setup and configuration

Shopware Installer opens while Shopware is being installed on the server. Here you select the language and click on "Next".

Then the Shopware installation begins. The next step is to check whether the system fulfils all the requirements. If everything is in order, you can click on "Next".

It is important to confirm compliance with the GTC. Tick the box and click on "Next".

When you install Shopware, you should set up the database configuration. Enter the access data for the database, enter the user name and password. Shopware Installer displays the available database. If desired, you can also create a new database. When all fields are filled in, you can click on "Start installation".

Shopware 6.6 installation takes a few minutes. When it is complete, click on "Next".

After Shopware 6 has been successfully installed, make the settings for your shop. You should enter the shop name and email address and select the default language and default currency.

Finally, the administrator's name, surname, login and password are entered. You should ensure that the password is not too short. It should have at least 8 characters. Once the fields have been completed, click on "Next".

Now the shop is installed and you are taken to the Shopware 6 administration, where additional language packs can be added. You will then be given the suggestion to use the demo data or to install a migration plugin. If you have decided to migrate from Magento to Shopware 6 or from Shopware 5 to Shopware 6, you will need this plugin.

If you are not using demo data but your own data and do not require a migration wizard, click on "Next".

A standard sales channel must then be selected. Set it to "Active" and click on "Next". The next step is to set up e-mail communication. A local email agent is used for email notifications. You can also change it later. Click on "Next" and select "Synchronised mail dispatch".

Next, you will be offered to configure PayPal. You can skip this step during the Shopware installation. This plugin is installed as standard with Shopware.

You will then be offered extensions recommended by Shopware. You can select your country. In the specific category (Payment, Shipping, ERP) you will find the plugins recommended for your region.

If you click on "Continue", you will be taken to the login page. Here you can log in to your Shopware account. This opens up new possibilities for you. Various tools and extensions are available right here. However, you can skip this step.

You can then install the store by clicking on "Activate".

The Shopware shop is activated for a few minutes. This downloads an official plugin for Shopware 6. This makes the Community Store accessible in the administration. You can now install plugins from the administration, test them and much more, and finally the message appears that Shopware 6 is already prepared. Click on "Done" and the application will be restarted.

Finalising the installation

You will then be taken to the administration area of your Shopware store. If you click on the eye next to the sales channel, you will be taken to the storefront of the sales channel.

You can then see that the shop is accessible via a domain with /public. This should not be the case. The shop should only be accessible via the domain.

To solve the problem, you need to adjust the server settings and change the domain settings in the Shopware administration sales channel. The shop domain is labelled /public there. Remove /public so that only the shop domain remains. Then click on "Edit domain" and remove /public. Continue by clicking on "Save".

If you notice after the change that there are no images on the website, you must empty the cache. To do this, go to "Settings" - "System" - "Cache & Indexes" and click on "Empty cache" and when you reload the website, you will see that everything is OK. With the help of our Shopware 6 installation guide, you can make everything error-free.

How can a professional agency help you with the Shopware installation?

If you turn to a qualified service provider, you can only take care of your own business. They take care of everything else. For example, if you hire a find a Shopware agency, they will take care of the following services:

• Your needs are analysed and concrete solutions are offered.
• You receive technical advice and support.
• Shopware is installed either locally or on a web server.
• The database and web server are configured correctly.
• The corresponding data is transferred and cleansed.
• All required extensions are installed and correctly customised.

Our instructions explain the most important steps in detail. The installation is quick and easy. If you are not sure, it is better to contact a Shopware agency. Then you can rely on their services for Shopware Optimization oder Fehlerbehebung verlassen.