Thelia to Shopware Migration - Step-by-Step Guide & Expert Services

A Comprehensive Guide to Transitioning from Thelia to Shopware

Embarking on an e-commerce platform migration can be a significant undertaking, but the rewards of moving to a robust and scalable solution like Shopware are substantial. Shopware offers unparalleled flexibility, a rich feature set, and a thriving ecosystem, making it an excellent choice for merchants looking to expand their digital presence and enhance the user experience.

This expert guide will walk you through the entire process of migrating your online store from Thelia to Shopware. Since Thelia is not directly supported by automated bridge connections, we'll leverage the power and flexibility of a CSV file migration method to ensure all your critical data – including products, customer records, and orders – makes a seamless transition to your new Shopware store. Follow our step-by-step instructions to ensure a smooth and successful replatforming experience, minimizing downtime and preserving your valuable SEO rankings.

Prerequisites for a Successful Migration

Before initiating the data transfer, careful preparation of both your existing Thelia store and your new Shopware environment is crucial. These preparatory steps help ensure data integrity and a smooth transition.

Thelia (Source) Store Preparation

• Data Backup: Always create a complete backup of your Thelia store's database and files. This is your safety net in case any unforeseen issues arise during the data extraction process.
• Data Export to CSV: Since direct bridge connection is not available for Thelia, you will need to export your store data into CSV (Comma Separated Values) files. Focus on essential entities such as products (including SKUs, variants, descriptions, images), product categories, customer information, and order history. Ensure your CSV files are well-structured and clean for optimal import. For more detailed guidance, consider our CSV.File Data Migration service.
• Data Cleanup (Optional): Take this opportunity to clean up any outdated or redundant data in your Thelia store. Migrating clean data will result in a more efficient and organized Shopware store.
• For general advice on preparing your source store, refer to our How to prepare Source store for migration? FAQ.

Shopware (Target) Store Preparation

• Shopware Installation: Ensure you have a fresh installation of Shopware ready. This guide supports Shopware versions 5.2.2 and 6.0.0. Verify that your hosting environment meets Shopware's technical requirements.
• Cart2Cart Shopware Migration Module: To establish a secure connection for data transfer, you must install the Cart2Cart Shopware Migration module on your Shopware instance. This plugin is essential for the migration tool to communicate with your target store.
• Clear Target Store (Optional but Recommended): If your Shopware store contains any sample data or test content, you might consider using the 'Clear Target' option during migration. This ensures a clean slate for your incoming data. Learn more about this option here: Clear current data on Target store before migration option.
• For comprehensive target store preparation, consult our How to prepare Target store for migration? guide.

General Prerequisites

• Access Credentials: Have all necessary access details ready, including FTP/SFTP access to your Shopware root directory for bridge upload, and administrative logins for both platforms. For more details on required credentials, read The Short & Essential Guide to Access Credentials for Cart2Cart.

Performing the Migration: A Step-by-Step Guide

With your preparations complete, let's dive into the step-by-step process of transferring your store data from Thelia to Shopware using a reliable migration wizard.

Step 1: Start the Migration Process

Begin your migration journey by navigating to the migration tool's interface. This is typically the starting point where you'll initiate your new data transfer. You can choose to perform a DIY migration or explore assisted services.

Step 2: Connect Your Source Store (Thelia via CSV)

The next crucial step is to specify your source platform. Since Thelia is not directly supported by automated bridges, you will select the "CSV File to Cart" option. You'll then be prompted to upload the CSV files containing your exported Thelia store data. This method allows you to transfer a wide range of entities, including products, product categories, manufacturers, reviews, customers, orders, invoices, taxes, stores, coupons, CMS pages, blogs, and blog posts.

Step 3: Connect Your Target Store (Shopware)

Now, select "Shopware" as your Target Cart. You'll need to provide your Shopware store's URL. To establish a secure connection, the migration wizard will provide a "Connection Bridge" file for download. This file, usually a zip archive, contains a folder named 'bridge2cart'. You must unpack this archive and upload the 'bridge2cart' folder to the root directory of your Shopware installation via FTP/SFTP. This bridge acts as a secure data conduit for the migration.

Remember, the root directory is the highest-level directory of your website, typically where your Shopware core files reside. Ensure the Cart2Cart Shopware Migration module is already installed on your Shopware store as per the prerequisites.

Step 4: Select Data Entities for Transfer

This step allows you to specify exactly which types of data you want to transfer from your Thelia CSV files to Shopware. You can choose to migrate "All entities" or selectively pick items like products, product categories, customers, customer groups, orders, product reviews, and CMS pages. This granular control helps tailor the migration to your specific business needs.

Step 5: Configure Additional Migration Options

Enhance your data transfer with a range of additional options designed to optimize your new Shopware store and preserve data integrity:

• Clear Target Store Data: As mentioned, this option (Clear current data on Target store before migration option) ensures your Shopware store is free of any existing data before the migration begins.
• Preserve IDs: Options like "Preserve Customers IDs" and "Preserve Orders IDs" can maintain original IDs from your Thelia store in Shopware. Be aware that Shopware 6+ has certain limitations regarding ID preservation. Learn more about how Preserve IDs options can be used.
• Migrate Images in Description: Ensure that all product images embedded within descriptions are transferred correctly.
• Password Migration: This option, available when migrating from CSV, allows for the transfer of customer passwords, enhancing the post-migration user experience.
• Create 301 Redirects: Essential for SEO, this option helps preserve your search engine rankings by automatically creating redirects from old Thelia URLs to their new Shopware equivalents, preventing broken links and lost link equity.

Step 6: Perform Data Mapping

Data mapping is a critical step to ensure consistency between your old and new stores. Here, you'll match specific data fields from your Thelia CSV source to the corresponding fields in Shopware. This typically includes mapping customer groups (e.g., "Guest" to "Customer") and order statuses (e.g., "Pending payment" to "Open" or "Processing"). Proper mapping guarantees that your data is categorized and displayed correctly in Shopware.

Step 7: Run a Free Demo Migration

Before committing to a full data transfer, we highly recommend running a free demo migration. This trial run transfers a limited number of entities (e.g., 10 products, 10 customers, 10 orders) to your Shopware store. It allows you to:

• Verify the connection settings.
• Check data integrity and formatting.
• Review the data mapping results.
• Estimate the time and cost for the full migration.

The demo is an invaluable opportunity to catch and rectify any potential issues, ensuring a smoother full migration.

Step 8: Initiate Full Migration

Once you are satisfied with the demo results, proceed to the full migration. Review the final summary of selected entities and total cost. You might also consider opting for a Migration Insurance Service, which provides a set number of re-migrations, offering peace of mind. Initiate the full data transfer, and the system will begin moving all your specified data from Thelia to Shopware.

Post-Migration Steps

After the data transfer is complete, there are several crucial steps to finalize your Shopware store and ensure it's fully operational and optimized.

• Thorough Data Verification: Rigorously check all migrated data in your new Shopware store. Confirm that products (including SKUs, prices, images, variants), categories, customer accounts, order history, and other content have transferred accurately. Pay close attention to product images, descriptions, and metadata.
• Configure Shopware Essentials: Set up your preferred payment gateways, shipping methods, and tax rules within Shopware. Customize your store's theme and install any necessary plugins or extensions from the Shopware App Store to enhance functionality and user experience.
• Update DNS and SEO: Once you're confident your Shopware store is ready, update your domain's DNS records to point to your new Shopware hosting. Crucially, verify that all 301 redirects are functioning correctly to preserve your SEO rankings and link equity from your old Thelia URLs. Monitor your search engine indexing to ensure a smooth transition for organic traffic.
• Test All Functionality: Conduct extensive testing of your Shopware store. Place test orders, register new customer accounts, use search filters, and check contact forms to ensure everything functions perfectly for your customers.
• Inform Your Customers: Announce your new Shopware store to your customer base. Highlight any new features or improvements they can expect.
• Ongoing Maintenance: Regularly back up your Shopware store, keep your platform and plugins updated, and monitor performance.

Should you encounter any challenges or require further assistance, our team is always ready to help. Explore our Frequently Asked Questions, or Contact Us directly for expert support. If you need to migrate new data that appeared after the initial transfer, consider our Recent Data Migration Service. For additional remigration options, check our Cart2Cart Remigration Service.