PrestaShop upgrading process can be a tricky and time-consuming process, though the benefits of getting to the newer version are completely worth the cost of the upgrade. For insights into overcoming common challenges, explore our pre-migration tips. Keep reading the post to discover the most convenient way to upgrade your PrestaShop store to the most recent release.
The latest stable versions of PrestaShop come packed with lots of improvements and are very exciting to the PrestaShop community. However, this creates a decision point for those online shop owners currently running older versions of the platform - should they upgrade or not? There are numerous advantages of upgrading your existing PrestaShop to its latest version – too many to list here in a short article. However, here’s a few that stand out most:
- Security & stability: new PrestaShop releases contain fixes that patch security vulnerabilities, bugs, and other issues. Therefore, this makes the store more secure and stable.
- New features: PrestaShop is continually improving, and by running the latest version, you have access to the latest features and functionality, enhancing aspects like product variant creation:
- PrestaShop developers continually introduce enhancements, making processes like Product Page creation faster and more intuitive.
- Improved Back Office Navigation. Using the UI/UX experience is much easier to browse.
- Unique default theme created for your business.
How Upgrade PrestaShop?
Once you’ve decided to put your current PrestaShop online store a step forward by moving to its latest version - you might probably be thinking over the way of upgrading.
Note: One more critical thing to keep in mind - the changes between the current major release and its predecessors are quite significant and this fact makes the process of the store data switch not upgrading, but migrating in every sense of the word. This is rather a complicated process that expects a certain level of tech expertise if done manually.
Not for nothing the idea of ecommerce migration scares many online store owners. The reason is the threat of data loss and the lack of time and money. However, the job of ecommerce migration can be quite manageable if done with the right tools that are available on the web (like Cart2Cart).
Steps before the migration
Get your new PrestaShop store ready (download the new PrestaShop at the official website).
Check out your current and new PrestaShop store access details.
Set up PrestaShop upgrade
In the corresponding fields of the migration wizard specify PrestaShop as your Source and Target stores (we’ve mentioned above that due to some reasons the process of database transfer is rather a migration, not just upgrading).
When done, type in the appropriate fields both stores’ URLs.
In order to establish the connection between two stores and launch the data transfer, the Connection Bridge should be downloaded and installed. Following the instructions provided in the wizard, you’ll have the Bridge installed correctly. However, If there are any questions - take time to watch this video:
Choose data and extra options
Once you have established the connection between two stores, take time to specify the entities that need to be imported to the new store. Basically, Cart2Cart service makes it possible to transfer the following data:
- Products,
- Product categories,
- Manufacturers,
- Taxes,
- Customers,
- Orders,
- Coupons,
- Reviews,
- Blogs/blog posts, etc.
Besides, to make the upgrade process even more flawless you can choose additional migration options. The most recommended are:
- “Preserve order IDs on Target Store”. It allows saving your current PrestaShop store order IDs on a new store after the migration.
- “301 redirects on your target store after migration”. It makes it possible to preserve the SEO juice in the new store.
- “Migrate customers' passwords” for your clients have the possibility to log in to the PrestaShop with their existing passwords. Learn more about password migration here.
Launch database migration
Before initiating the Full migration of the store database, it is advised to go through the Demo migration. This option allows observing how the service works and evaluate the results. Once happy with the Demo outcome, you’re welcome to start Full migration.
Note: Cart2cart won’t affect your current PrestaShop store in no way. You can close the browser window and come back to your business running and continue selling. When the store database transfer is over, you’ll be notified by email.
Post-Migration Recommendations
Once you have all your database imported to the PrestaShop store, it’s still not the very end of replatforming. Firstly, take time to thoroughly test your store in different browsers and devices. Besides, choose a new theme to give your store a professional look or customize the existing one. Besides, it is recommended to install all the necessary apps/modules/extensions to expand the store functionality as required.
Final Slice
That’s it! Now you see how easy it is to upgrade your PrestaShop store to the most recent version without shelling out for a developer.
You’re just one step before taking your online business a level up. Take full advantage of the Demo migration and check all those great possibilities that new PrestaShop has to offer.
Monthly Update – November 2025
As November 2025 unfolds, the e-commerce sector continues its rapid evolution, emphasizing efficiency and personalization. For PrestaShop store owners, staying updated isn't just about new features; it's about competitive advantage. The focus this month is on optimizing the post-purchase experience and leveraging AI for customer retention. Modern PrestaShop versions offer enhanced integration with CRM systems and advanced analytics tools, allowing for more precise customer segmentation and targeted follow-ups. Businesses are increasingly adopting automated loyalty programs and personalized outreach campaigns, powered by insights from migrated data, to foster stronger customer relationships. This proactive approach to retention, facilitated by a robust and up-to-date platform, can significantly boost lifetime customer value and reduce churn.
Furthermore, consider the increasing importance of mobile-first optimization. Ensure your upgraded PrestaShop store provides a seamless, fast, and intuitive experience across all devices, as mobile commerce continues to dominate. Integrating expedited checkout processes and diverse payment gateways in your newly migrated store can also lead to higher conversion rates. An efficient migration sets the foundation for implementing these crucial updates smoothly. Don't overlook the strategic benefits of a well-executed upgrade and continuous optimization.
For more details, explore our FAQ section or schedule a call with a migration expert.
