Spring cleaning campaigns and software updates have one thing in common: people like to postpone them. While the former can easily be caught up on sooner or later, online retailers should not wait to update their software. In this blog post, we summarize the most important reasons and explain the benefits of regular updates using our JTL-Shop 5 shop system as an example.
Stable and up to date
Critics often argue that new software versions have teething problems and that these can be circumvented by upgrading at a later date. However, this is only half the truth: even though updates can always be followed by improvements, the respective changes are put through their paces before release.
Safety first - Don't get hacked!
Whether it’s an Office program, smartphone app or online store, hackers are finding ever more sophisticated ways to infiltrate your systems and cause damage. Outdated Applications are particularly easy for them to crack. With regular software updates and upgrades, you can ensure that your data and that of your customers is protected from such risks. Even if security is a factor that indirectly affects sales, you should make it a top priority instead of thinking: “It won’t happen to me.” Hackers often hack into online stores to demand ransom money for blocked access. In addition to the financial damage, hacker attacks also affect a currency that is priceless: the trust of your customers and your reputation as a professional retailer. Even if you escape with a black eye, you will have to deal with reputational damage for a long time to come.
Update and upgrade - what's the difference?
While an update involves minor software adaptations, an upgrade also involves significant changes to the core structure. The naming of the respective versions follows the so-called Semantic Versioning Specification (Semver). Here, the software name contains the major, minor and patch version number (MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH). An upgrade thus refers to the update of a so-called major version, for example from JTL-Shop 4 to JTL-Shop 5, while an update involves new features within the respective major version – such as an update from JTL-Shop 5.0 to JTL-Shop 5.1.
Discontinuation of JTL-Shop 4 at the end of 2022
If you want to eliminate security risks in IT, you sometimes have to muck out – like during spring cleaning. That’s why we stop developing systems early if they no longer meet the latest security standards – as is the case with our shop system JTL-Shop 4. From 27.04.22, we will no longer support JTL shops that are older than version 4.06.18 and run on PHP 7.3. With the discontinuation, an upgrade to JTL-Shop 5.1.2 is therefore required.
Users of the EVO template should also be aware that we will discontinue technical support and further development of this design template with the release of JTL-Shop 5.3. The EVO template will then become a so-called custom template. So if you still want to use it, you will have to take over maintenance and care yourself. However, with JTL-Shop 5.1 as the current version of our shop system, users still have enough lead time here. From 28.11.22, JTL-Shop 4 will finally reach its “end-of-life”, as they say in software programming. Even though it is our aim to support you with questions and problems as quickly as possible, there may be waiting times with such deadlines due to high demand. For your own benefit, we therefore advise you not to plan “just before the deadline”, but ideally to upgrade to JTL-Shop 5 in good time before the discontinuation date.
Note in the calendar - important dates for JTL-Shop 4 users:
- 27.04.22: JTL-Shops older than version 4.06.18 are no longer supported – more information in the JTL forum
- 28.11.22: Discontinuation of JTL-Shop 4 – more information in the JTL forum
- From the release of JTL-Shop 5.3: Discontinuation of the EVO template – more information in the JTL forum
Cookies, Consent & Co. - with JTL-Shop 5 through the legal jungle
Up-to-date software not only promotes IT security, but also legal security. Since the GDPR at the latest, data protection guidelines have become complicated and opaque for many online retailers. It takes a lot of time and nerves to read up on the technical implementation options relating to the information obligations. However, anyone who neglects this must expect a warning. We have also reacted to this and implemented a possibility in JTL-Shop 5 with the Consent Manager, with which data protection and notification obligations can be largely automated.
More mobile, faster, more flexible - in eCommerce you also have to be able to keep up technically
Apart from the security aspect, software updates and upgrades are also important in order to keep up technically in terms of usability, functionality and design. After all, customers today have ever higher expectations of online stores – and the competition is just a click away.
This is particularly clear when it comes to mobile use: young target groups in particular browse for the latest bargains on their smartphones these days. If you use an outdated online store template, you could put off potential buyers with poor usability and long loading times. When developing NOVA, the basic template for JTL-Shop 5, we placed particular emphasis on responsiveness. But this has advantages not only for your customers, but also for you: The back end of JTL-Shop 5 also adapts to all screen sizes, so you can design your online shop on the go on a tablet device or even a smartphone.
The devil is in the detail - SEO, filters and shopping cart
Technical processes that take place “under the hood” should also not be ignored, as they often have an impact on your ranking in Google & Co – keyword “search engine optimization”, or SEO for short. An update or upgrade that doesn’t offer too many new features at first glance may still be necessary because it has a significant impact on your findability. In addition, there are the many small details that make up an online shopping experience: precise filter and search functions, personalized recommendation lists or fast ordering processes – all areas that we have significantly improved when upgrading from JTL-Shop 4 to JTL-Shop 5.
Software update made easy - With the JTL-Guide to the new version
As a software provider that is in constant communication with its user community, we know exactly how busy your day-to-day work is. That’s why we attach great importance to providing you with the best possible support for your update and upgrade processes with detailed instructions and information. In the JTL-Guide you will find all the information you need for your updates:
If you need visual input for the upgrade from JTL-Shop 4 to JTL-Shop 5, you can watch our webinar on YouTube:
You can find out exactly which changes have been implemented with each update in our release forum. Please also take a look at the threads for the versions that are higher than the one you are currently using.
The latest version of our store system is always available for download in our customer center.
Whether update or upgrade - both need to be planned
The preparation and planning of an upgrade or update usually takes longer than the implementation itself. After all, you not only have to create backup copies and backups, but also find out about system requirements, among other things. If you are planning a major upgrade, it can’t hurt to familiarize yourself with the new functions and features in a test environment. You can book a test shop for JTL-Shop 5 via our contact form.
If you use templates and/or plugins developed by our service partners, you should check with them in advance about compatibility with new systems. Have you developed your template or plugins yourself? Then our JTL-Shop 5 developer documentation may provide you with important information.
Hit the ground running with a new system
It is generally advisable to allow sufficient time for software updates. We recommend scheduling updates or upgrades far away from seasonal peak times and within the JTL support hours on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so that we can help you quickly with any questions or problems. In any case, take the time you need – it’s worth it! With upgraded systems, you will work faster, more securely and thus create the best conditions for successful online business.
