PrestaShop 8: The E-commerce Evolution You Need to Know

In the competitive world of e-commerce, PrestaShop 8 has marked a before and after. This version represents not just an update, but a true technological revolution that is redefining how businesses approach their online stores.

In this article, we will explore in depth where PrestaShop comes from, what version 8 brings, and where this leading e-commerce platform is heading.

Where PrestaShop Comes From: A History of Innovation

The Origins (2007)

PrestaShop was founded in 2007 by Igor Schlumberger and Bruno Lévêque in Paris, France, with the vision of providing the best open-source e-commerce platform. What began as a student project called PhpOpenStore at the Epitech IT School transformed into one of the most influential platforms in global e-commerce.

Exponential Growth

In 2008, the company was launched with the name PrestaShop 1.0 and just one month later, they already had over 1000 downloads registered. This promising start was just the beginning of an extraordinary trajectory.

Important milestones in PrestaShop's evolution:

• 2009: Launch of PrestaShop 1.1 and birth of PrestaShop Addons
• 2011: PrestaShop 1.4 launched on March 18 with more than 65 new features for merchants and developers
• 2012: PrestaShop 1.5 launched on September 13, bringing multistore functionality, cart improvements, and pricing rules
• 2014: PrestaShop 1.6 with new design and business intelligence tools
• 2016: PrestaShop 1.7 launched its first stable version on November 7, with Symfony framework integration

Market Consolidation

Since September 2015, PrestaShop has been the most popular e-commerce platform in Europe (mainly Spain and France), with a total of 300,000 installed stores. This dominant position is no coincidence, but the result of years of continuous improvement and adaptation to market needs.

PrestaShop 8: The Definitive Technological Leap

Why PrestaShop 8 and Not 1.8?

The decision to name this new version as PrestaShop 8 and not PrestaShop 1.8 is due to several crucial factors. Version 8 represents a significant change in many aspects, such as a notable improvement in performance through major optimizations.

The Revolutionary Features of PrestaShop 8

1. PHP 8.1 Compatibility

PrestaShop 8 is compatible with the latest version of PHP, 8.1. This is an essential feature for improvements in performance, stability, and security. The benefits are tangible:

• Performance: Version 8.1 is 25% - 45% faster than 8.0, and 52% - 72% faster than 7.2
• Enhanced security: Advanced protection against vulnerabilities
• Modern features: Access to the latest language characteristics

2. Symfony 4.4 LTS Update

PrestaShop 8 has been developed using the latest stable version of the Symfony framework, 4.4 LTS. This brings significant improvements in both performance and security.

3. TypeScript Integration

With PrestaShop 8, all scripts have been integrated into TypeScript. They ensure that the changes will help improve system robustness and maintain a solid project for a longer period of time.

4. Support for New Image Formats

The WebP format is gradually becoming one of the most used image formats by websites of all types because it doesn't compromise quality and is much lighter, a quite attractive factor for SEO.

5. Artificial Intelligence and Automation

One of the most exciting features of PrestaShop 8 is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is used to personalize each customer's shopping experience and offer highly relevant product recommendations.

Performance and Experience Improvements

PrestaShop 8 comes with several performance improvements to make the platform even faster and more efficient. This means your customers will be able to navigate your website more quickly, which will increase their satisfaction.

Continuous Updates of PrestaShop 8

Featured Versions

PrestaShop 8.1.0 (July 2023): An important update that introduced great innovations to improve user experience: New product management page, faster and more intuitive; Multi-format image generation, improving the visual quality of the store.

PrestaShop 8.1.6 (April 2024): This update was crucial for reinforcing the security of online stores using PrestaShop 8. Among the corrected vulnerabilities, the following stand out: Solution to an XSS flaw that affected the contact form.

PrestaShop 8.2.0 (June 2024): The latest major update of PrestaShop 8. Focused on optimization and performance, it introduced key improvements such as: A new Hook called "FrontControllerSetVariablesBefore", which facilitates advanced customizations.

The Future: PrestaShop 9 on the Horizon

What's Coming

PrestaShop 9 is a major version that introduces long-term support technologies like Symfony 6.4, compatibility with PHP 8.4, a completely new Admin API, and an improved developer experience in both the back office and front.

PrestaShop 9 Features:

• Symfony 6.4 LTS: Better performance and lower memory consumption. More solid security base with better protections against common web vulnerabilities. Cleaner and more modern code architecture
• New Admin API: Built on API Platform, facilitating integrations with external systems, CRMs, ERPs, marketing tools and more
• Hummingbird Theme: A completely new theme for the front office built with Bootstrap 5, TypeScript and the BEM CSS naming convention

Availability

It's finally here! PrestaShop 9 is available for download. This new version brings modernized architecture, new developer tools, and powerful features designed to support the future of e-commerce.

The Importance of Maintenance in PrestaShop 8

Why Maintenance is Crucial

With all these innovations and constant updates, maintaining your PrestaShop 8 store becomes more critical than ever. The foundation of a secure store is keeping your software updated. PrestaShop regularly releases updates that not only add new features, but also fix bugs and security vulnerabilities.

Key Aspects of Maintenance

Keeping PrestaShop updated is crucial for your store's security. This includes installing security patches and updating modules and themes. Regular maintenance helps protect your store from vulnerabilities and cyber attacks.

The benefits of professional maintenance include:

• Advanced security: Protection against vulnerabilities and attacks
• Optimized performance: Improved loading speed and user experience
• Assured compatibility: Safe updating of modules and themes
• Specialized technical support: Quick incident resolution

We will update PrestaShop themes and modules without prejudice to your store and its usability. We will inform you of the latest PrestaShop versions so that together we can assess a version change.

The Value of Professional Maintenance

Keep in mind that contracting this maintenance can free you from all kinds of worries and focus exclusively on selling your products or services. In an environment as dynamic as PrestaShop 8, having experts who handle the technical aspect allows you to focus on what really matters: growing your business.

For companies looking to maximize PrestaShop 8's potential, investing in professional PrestaShop maintenance is a strategic decision that guarantees optimal operation, security, and continuous evolution of their online store.

Conclusion: PrestaShop 8 as an E-commerce Catalyst

PrestaShop 8 is not simply another update; it is the materialization of 17 years of experience and evolution in e-commerce. From its humble beginnings in 2007 to becoming the leading platform in Europe, PrestaShop has demonstrated an extraordinary capacity for adaptation and continuous improvement.

The technological innovations of PrestaShop 8 —from PHP 8.1 compatibility to artificial intelligence integration— position this platform as the ideal choice for companies that seek not only to compete, but to lead in the digital market.

With PrestaShop 9 already available and promises of even more revolutionary innovations, it is clear that PrestaShop will continue to be the engine of future e-commerce. For companies that already use or are considering migrating to PrestaShop 8, the key to success lies in staying updated and making the most of the capabilities of this powerful platform.

The future of e-commerce is here, and PrestaShop 8 is the tool that will allow you to make the most of it.