Shopware Silver & extension partner

80+ Shopware Advanced Certificates

200+ E-commerce Projects

50+ Professional developers

Our Process at Solution25: Excellence in Shopware and Beyond


1. Introduction

At Solution25, we believe that a well-structured and strategically aligned process is the cornerstone of delivering exceptional digital commerce solutions. In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving digital landscape, businesses require more than just a technical implementation—they need a partner who understands their challenges, anticipates their needs, and delivers tailored solutions that scale with their growth.


As a full-service digital agency with deep specialization in Shopware, we have developed a robust and transparent process that blends technical precision, creative vision, and business strategy.


Our approach is guided by the principles of collaboration, agility, and accountability. From the initial consultation to long-term post-launch support, every step we take is designed to ensure that the client’s unique objectives are not only understood but effectively realized. We strive to build long-term relationships grounded in trust, communication, and measurable success. By working closely with stakeholders, we ensure full alignment between our development roadmap and the client’s business model, allowing us to deliver results that matter.


With extensive experience in delivering customized e-commerce solutions using Shopware and other industry-leading platforms, we have refined our methodology to be both agile and results-driven. Our team is composed of certified developers, experienced UI/UX designers, business analysts, and DevOps engineers—all working in sync to transform complex requirements into intuitive, high-performing solutions. Whether working with early-stage startups aiming to enter the digital marketplace or established enterprises looking to modernize and expand their infrastructure, we are equipped to deliver scalable, secure, and user-friendly platforms that elevate the entire customer experience.


Moreover, our process is not a one-size-fits-all template—it is a flexible, evolving framework that adapts to each client’s vision, operational structure, and market dynamics. By applying industry best practices and emerging technological trends, we are able to maintain a high standard of quality while remaining responsive to innovation and change.


In the following sections, we will provide a detailed overview of each phase of our project lifecycle—from discovery and planning to design, development, testing, deployment, and ongoing support. This breakdown will demonstrate how our structured process enables Solution25 to consistently deliver high-quality, business-aligned digital commerce solutions across industries and markets.


2. Discovery & Planning

The first and arguably most critical phase in our process is the Discovery & Planning stage. This is where we establish the foundation upon which the entire project is built. At Solution25, we approach this phase with diligence and strategic foresight, ensuring that every subsequent step is informed by a thorough understanding of the client’s business environment, operational needs, and long-term objectives.


A successful digital commerce solution is not merely about technology—it is about aligning digital capabilities with real-world business goals. Therefore, our discovery efforts focus on capturing both the technical specifications and the strategic context of the project. This enables us to design a solution that is not only feasible from an engineering standpoint but also viable in a competitive, real-world marketplace.


Client Consultation

Our process begins with a comprehensive consultation session that includes all relevant stakeholders—from business executives to marketing leads and technical staff. These sessions are structured to extract insights into several critical areas:

  • The client’s brand identity and value proposition
  • Core business challenges the new solution should address
  • Pain points experienced in current systems or workflows
  • Strategic priorities such as market expansion, customer engagement, or operational efficiency

Whether the goal is to rebuild an existing e-commerce store, implement a custom Shopware plugin, streamline third-party integrations, or launch a new digital storefront, we make it a priority to ensure that all expectations are clearly defined and mutually understood from the outset. These consultations also help establish channels of communication and decision-making protocols for the project.


Requirements Gathering

The next step involves an in-depth requirements analysis that captures both functional and non-functional needs. This is performed through stakeholder interviews, workshops, and audits of existing platforms, where applicable. Our team creates detailed documentation that covers:

  • Product catalog structure: categorization, product variants, digital/downloadable products, and custom attributes
  • Integration requirements: connections with third-party services such as ERPs, CRMs, payment processors, marketing platforms, and logistics APIs
  • User experience needs: interface preferences, customer journey expectations, localization, and accessibility standards
  • Performance targets: acceptable load times, concurrent user handling, page speed goals, and mobile responsiveness
  • Compliance and legal concerns: GDPR adherence, PCI-DSS compliance, accessibility regulations, and data protection measures

This meticulous approach ensures that nothing is overlooked during the later development stages, minimizing the risk of scope creep or misalignment.


Feasibility & Technical Assessment

Armed with a complete picture of the client’s goals and requirements, our technical experts perform a feasibility study. We assess the project’s scope, proposed functionalities, and scalability in relation to Shopware’s capabilities. If necessary, we also analyze alternative tools or custom solutions that may enhance the platform.


This technical audit includes:

  • Evaluating whether the project requires Shopware 6 Community, Professional, or Enterprise editions
  • Recommending optimal hosting solutions (cloud, on-premise, hybrid)
  • Proposing architecture design (monolithic, headless, microservices)
  • Highlighting potential technical risks and dependencies
  • Planning for internationalization, multi-store capabilities, and multi-currency support

Our findings are documented and reviewed with the client, ensuring a shared understanding of technical feasibility and recommended architectural directions.


Project Planning

Once we have all the necessary inputs, we move into the formal project planning stage. Here, we convert business and technical requirements into a structured development plan, which includes:

  • Defined milestones and deadlines for each phase of the project, from design to launch
  • Resource allocation, assigning team members with specific roles and responsibilities
  • Budget planning, including contingencies for unexpected complexities
  • Risk analysis to identify potential obstacles and their mitigation strategies
  • Selection of development methodology, typically agile frameworks such as Scrum or Kanban, depending on project scale and dynamics

We also begin setting up tools for project management, source control, and communication to support ongoing collaboration and visibility throughout the process.


This phase culminates in the creation of a comprehensive project specification document. This document serves as the contractual and technical blueprint for the engagement, guiding both our team and the client through every step of execution.


3. Design & Prototyping

With a solid foundation laid during the Discovery & Planning phase, the project advances into the Design & Prototyping stage. This is where the conceptual framework is transformed into a visual and interactive representation of the final product. At Solution25, we recognize that exceptional design is not merely aesthetic—it is functional, strategic, and rooted in real user needs.


Our design process is driven by user-centered thinking, emphasizing usability, clarity, and emotional engagement. Every visual decision is made with the end user in mind, ensuring that the interface not only looks professional but also facilitates intuitive navigation and optimized user journeys.


UI/UX Strategy

The first step in this phase is to define a robust UI/UX strategy. Our multidisciplinary design team collaborates closely with business analysts and developers to ensure that the design is technically feasible while remaining aligned with business goals. We conduct a thorough analysis of the target audience’s behavior, preferences, and pain points, translating those insights into a clear, data-informed strategy.


  • User personas and customer journeys: We define detailed personas representing typical users to design with empathy and ensure all touchpoints—from product discovery to checkout—reflect real behavior.
  • Conversion path mapping: We outline the steps users take toward purchases, optimizing CTAs and interactions for low friction.
  • Accessibility and responsiveness: We follow WCAG standards and apply responsive design so interfaces work across all devices and for all users.
  • Industry trends and Shopware standards: All UI elements are aligned with modern e-commerce best practices and Shopware’s frontend architecture.

Wireframing

Before any visuals are produced, we begin with low-fidelity wireframes that establish the structure of key pages without distraction from branding. These wireframes allow stakeholders to evaluate layout, content placement, and navigation logic early.


  • Homepage structure and promotional elements
  • Category and product detail page layout
  • Navigation menus, filters, and search bar placement
  • Cart, checkout, and user account pages
  • Any custom modules (e.g., configurators, loyalty dashboards)

High-Fidelity Mockups & Interactive Prototypes

Once wireframes are approved, we create high-fidelity mockups using Figma, Adobe XD, or Sketch. These mockups reflect the final visual identity. We then transform them into interactive prototypes that simulate real-world usage.


  • The visual identity and consistency of the brand
  • The clarity of UI elements such as menus, buttons, and forms
  • The fluidity and logic of navigation paths
  • The impact of design choices on user behavior

Prototypes can also be tested with internal users or clients to validate experience and usability before development begins.


Client Collaboration, Feedback, and Iteration

Design is a collaborative process. At Solution25, we prioritize transparency and iterative refinement. Clients are engaged through structured design reviews using collaborative platforms, versioning, and comment threads.


  • Adjust UI components to meet branding expectations
  • Improve interaction flows based on client input
  • Refine consistency and visual hierarchy
  • Implement revisions rapidly without compromising vision

We use design systems and shared component libraries to ensure consistency throughout the project.


Design Handoff & Final Deliverables

Once the design is finalized, we prepare everything for the frontend development team. Deliverables include:


  • Figma/Adobe XD files with labeled components
  • Style guides with colors, fonts, and usage rules
  • Export-ready image assets and SVGs
  • Component and layout documentation
  • Accessibility annotations and mobile breakpoints

These assets ensure accuracy and consistency during development.


4. Development

The Development phase marks the transition from vision to reality. This is where our designs become fully functional Shopware platforms, built with clean, scalable code by our frontend and backend teams working in parallel.


Agile Workflow

We use Scrum-based agile workflows to organize the project into short sprints. This enables incremental delivery, frequent client input, and adaptability throughout the build phase.


  • Incremental delivery of functional modules
  • Sprint demos for transparency and stakeholder feedback
  • Flexibility to change features mid-project if needed
  • Daily stand-ups and retrospectives for alignment

We manage sprints using tools like Jira or Trello, track velocity, and optimize workflows through ongoing review.


Frontend Development

Using Shopware’s templating system and modern frameworks like Vue.js or React, our frontend team builds responsive, fast, and accessible user interfaces.


  • Mobile-first and responsive layouts
  • Optimized asset loading and performance tuning
  • Compliance with WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards
  • Semantic HTML and metadata for SEO
  • Reusable UI components for consistent design

Backend Development

The backend team builds the business logic, data handling, and integrations that power the store. We follow Shopware best practices and SOLID coding principles for clean, maintainable code.


  • Custom Shopware plugin development
  • API integrations with ERP, CRM, and logistics tools
  • Database modeling for scalable performance
  • Advanced features: loyalty systems, filtering, dynamic pricing
  • User authentication, admin roles, and permissions

Version Control & CI/CD

We manage code through Git and use Gitflow for structured collaboration. CI/CD pipelines are set up to automate quality checks and deployments.


  • Linting and code validation
  • Automated unit/integration tests
  • Docker builds and containerization
  • Push to staging and production with rollback options

Staging Environment & Internal Testing

All features are tested in a staging environment before release. This replicates the live system to ensure production readiness.


  • Functionality is checked against specs
  • Visual QA to ensure design fidelity
  • Cross-browser and device testing
  • Validation of edge cases and external system integrations

This stage concludes only when all features are verified and ready for formal QA and client review.


5. Testing & Quality Assurance

At Solution25, we view quality assurance not as a single step, but as a continuous, integrated discipline throughout the development lifecycle. The Testing & QA phase is where we rigorously validate the stability, performance, usability, and security of the developed solution—ensuring that it performs as intended under real-world conditions and meets the highest standards of digital excellence.


Quality is not a luxury—it is a core requirement for businesses operating in today’s competitive and fast-paced e-commerce environment. As such, we apply a comprehensive, multi-layered testing approach that balances automated precision with manual insight, leveraging a combination of tools, frameworks, and methodologies tailored to each project’s complexity.


Automated and Manual Testing

Our QA process is built on a hybrid strategy, combining both automated and manual testing techniques to ensure complete coverage of functional, visual, and behavioral aspects of the application.


  • Automated Unit Testing: Integrated into the CI pipeline to validate backend and frontend components quickly.
  • Manual Functional Testing: Human testers simulate user interactions including cart, account management, and checkout.
  • End-to-End (E2E) Testing: Using tools like Cypress or Selenium to validate entire user flows and real-world scenarios.
  • Regression Testing: Re-testing previously working features to ensure stability after new updates.
  • API Testing: Validating external integrations for stability, data handling, and error management.

Cross-Browser and Device Testing

We conduct cross-platform testing to ensure consistent behavior and appearance across major environments:


  • Desktop browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge)
  • Mobile browsers on iOS and Android
  • Various screen sizes and responsive behavior

Performance Optimization

We measure and improve performance using tools like Google Lighthouse, GTmetrix, and Shopware Profiler. Key optimizations include:


  • Asset minification (HTML, CSS, JS)
  • Lazy loading of images and non-critical resources
  • Optimized database queries
  • Effective caching and CDN implementation
  • Minimizing third-party script impact

Security Checks

Security validation is integrated into QA to protect user data and store integrity. We check for:


  • SQL injection and parameterized queries
  • Cross-site scripting (XSS) protection
  • Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) safeguards
  • Authentication and secure session handling
  • Vulnerability audits using tools like Snyk and OWASP

Client Review & User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

We invite clients to review the system in staging through a structured UAT process. This includes:


  • Guided walkthroughs of user workflows
  • Feature validation using predefined checklists
  • Client feedback and issue reporting
  • Final bug fixing and readiness confirmation

Completion Criteria

Testing is marked complete when:


  • All requirements have been verified
  • No critical or high-priority bugs remain
  • Performance and security thresholds are met
  • The client signs off the UAT phase

6. Deployment & Launch

Once the solution passes all quality checks and receives final client approval, we move into the Deployment & Launch phase. This stage is carefully managed to ensure a seamless transition from development to a live production environment.


Pre-Launch Checklist

  • Validate all environment-specific settings
  • Ensure database and data integrity
  • Configure SSL certificates and domain settings
  • Set up Google Analytics, Tag Manager, etc.
  • Final SEO checks: meta tags, sitemaps, robots.txt

Infrastructure & Hosting

We assist in selecting the best hosting approach and configure the infrastructure for stability and performance:


  • Scalable hosting (Shopware Cloud, AWS, Azure, etc.)
  • Load balancing and caching layers (Redis, Varnish)
  • Secure storage and automated backups

Code Deployment

DevOps specialists manage the release using CI/CD pipelines or manual methods depending on scale. This includes:


  • Deploying production-ready code
  • Running final migration scripts
  • System health checks post-deployment

Launch Support

After go-live, our team actively monitors the platform:


  • Tracking system metrics and user behavior
  • Fixing post-launch bugs or configuration issues
  • Providing real-time communication and on-call support

Soft Launch (Optional)

For complex launches, we recommend a soft launch with limited access to test production performance in a controlled way before full public rollout.


Once everything is verified, the official launch is made public, and we move into the final stage—support and optimization.


7. Post-Launch Support & Optimization

The deployment of a Shopware solution is not the end of the project—it is the beginning of continuous improvement. At Solution25, our commitment extends beyond launch day. We provide structured post-launch support and optimization services to ensure our clients maintain a competitive edge, achieve business growth, and continue to offer excellent customer experiences.


Ongoing Technical Support

After deployment, our team remains actively involved to address any emerging issues or bugs, ensuring system stability and uninterrupted service. We offer various levels of support agreements based on client needs, ranging from reactive troubleshooting to proactive system monitoring.


Our technical support covers:

  • Emergency issue resolution (e.g., server errors, broken functionalities)
  • Regular system updates, including Shopware version upgrades and security patches
  • Maintenance of third-party integrations (payment gateways, ERPs, logistics APIs)
  • Monitoring of performance metrics and uptime

We use ticketing systems and client portals to maintain transparency and track progress on reported issues.


Performance Monitoring & Optimization

User behavior and traffic volumes change over time, especially after launch. That’s why we continuously monitor application performance through tools such as:

  • Google Analytics and Google Search Console for traffic and behavior insights
  • Application performance monitoring (APM) tools like New Relic
  • Page speed tools like Lighthouse or WebPageTest

Based on analytical data, we perform ongoing optimizations, including:

  • Enhancing page load times and reducing bounce rates
  • Optimizing database performance as product catalogs grow
  • Fine-tuning caching strategies and CDN configurations
  • Updating UX components based on real user interaction data

This process ensures that the platform remains fast, reliable, and responsive under all operating conditions.


Feature Enhancements and Iterative Development

In a dynamic digital commerce environment, businesses often need to introduce new functionalities or adapt to market trends. We support continuous development in an agile manner, working in short cycles to introduce new features without disrupting ongoing operations. Examples include:

  • Developing custom plugins or extensions
  • Adding B2B functionalities such as tiered pricing, quote requests, or restricted access
  • Integrating loyalty programs, CMS enhancements, or third-party marketing tools
  • Scaling infrastructure to support traffic growth or internationalization

We encourage clients to see their Shopware solution as an evolving platform, capable of supporting new strategic initiatives.


Training and Knowledge Transfer

To maximize the client’s autonomy and internal capabilities, we offer tailored training sessions for administrative users, marketers, and IT staff. Training topics may include:

  • Shopware backend navigation and content management
  • Product and order management
  • Customer segmentation and promotions setup
  • Data reporting and analytics interpretation

In addition, we provide documentation and video guides where appropriate, reducing onboarding time for new team members.


Long-Term Strategic Partnership

Finally, our aim is not just to be a vendor but a strategic partner. We participate in long-term planning, helping clients align their e-commerce strategy with evolving technologies, customer expectations, and industry standards. Whether it involves preparing for future migrations, integrating with headless commerce tools, or exploring AI-driven personalization, our team is ready to advise and implement.


We also support marketing and conversion strategies in collaboration with our design and SEO specialists, ensuring clients extract full business value from their digital investments.