How could Xero improve the homepage?

Hey Xero - you can solve 99% of the complaints here in 1 day without going back to square 1. Do this:

1. When editing a dashboard, create a checkbox for "Narrow layout" - limit layout to 2 columns if selected (like you already do in your current 1000px breakpoint look.

This will make it look a lot more like the old dashboard and easier to use.

2. If the narrow column at the top is ticked, make the dashboard-template-beta-grid--wrapper max width 1020px like it was before - 900px you have at the moment is too narrow to display simple 4-column tables in one of the 2 visual columns (e.g. Chart of Accounts overflows horizontally)

3. Go through your card designs and compare old to new looks - be honest with yourself. The new bank account and Chart of Accounts cards look significantly worse and are less user-friendly than the old ones. Just change the layout to remove clutter and make them fit into the columns like they used to.

That's it. Save the "Narrow layout" flag and Bob's your Uncle. You can keep your new fancy layout if you want and users can go make it look exactly like the previous layout relatively easily.

Another point about recent changes:
Wouldn't it be really great if invoicing had the same simple, efficient and responsive feel and layout as Billing.

I would recommend this main command like Purchases, Sales, Payroll, Tax Account, Banking should be on the top dashboard; however, its look is very clear, simple, and convenient similar to the old Xero.

Spot on Pierce! This should be the default position that they take for any platform upgrades and should have been the way they approached invoicing before and now the homepage too.

While the homepage is fine for me (and, yes, I did help with some initial testing), it is obviously not for a lot of folks...which makes me think they are not gathering feedback from a wide enough section of their customer base.

The current system is working really well for our small org. If the dev's need to transition us for some coding related reason, than please create a matching skin in the new format that looks like the old format.

Agree with the other comments. If Xero is going to "allow" customization, then they should allow a feature to lock the widgets in place. If there was a lock feature I would lock each widget in place making it look EXACTLY like the original version. This isn't just a change the user needs to get used to and familiar with, it's a massive downgrade and a pain to use making navigation more cumbersome and harder to use.

The new homepage is a crime against user experience.
It is less helpful. It is less useful. It is more frustrating to use.

The layout is garbage - even the same Dashboard (e.g. Account Watchlist) looks much better in the Classic Dashboard without lines going off screen and custom sorting and ordering.

Every single person is telling Xero that the old dashboard is better. Are they still going to force switch everyone in April just because they don't want to make the developers feel bad?

I too am not liking the new layout...it's just too busy looking, and I find it hard to navigate. I'm all for change if it helps the user experience but this has missed the mark.

Remove the "View Account Transactions" from each widget - this is not needed as you can already access all transactions by clicking on the account name. It would make the dashboard feel less cluttered.

I'm chiming in with everyone else here. The new homepage is NOT an improvement on the old one. It is way too busy, feels cluttered and makes is harder to navigate!

agreed. New look homepage feels wayy too cluttered. I had no issues with the old one and would rather stick with something like that

I agree with everyone else on this. The old format worked so much better. It was easy to read and pick out the information you needed quickly. The new version is a mess, it has too much info on it and yet you cant show the things you want to see. Please leave the old version for those who would like to stick with it. It is very frustrating being forced into a new version when that is not what we want.

I can only reiterate what everyone else is saying about the new homepage. Its too cluttered and I would rather stick with the old one. If it ain't broke, don't fix it comes to mind! Would it not be better to allow users the choice to switch to the new layout if desired instead of forcing the change?

It looks like xero is heading the way of so many companies who have their heads in the sand. The best way to have a nice little company is start with a big one. It seems xero does not want to listen to it's clients who are all business people, it is a little like Socialism where everyone has to agree with you. Good until you run out of money.

Its obvious to everyone (except Xero) that the new layout is universally hated by users - yet Xero plow forward with forcing this change upon us! I've recently revisited a competitors product because Xero was just too **** expensive for the basic needs I had for a new enterprise - this forced homepage change may just make me move everything yet!

Nothing in the responses from the Xero Community Manager indicates that they are listening or taking on board what we are saying. What we need/want to hear from the community manager is this;
'You will not be forced to use the new Homepage.
The option for the Original & Good Homepage will remain forever available'

Is that too much to ask?

This is the message in the banner on the homepage atm;
On April 13 2026, you'll be permanently switched to the new homepage, featuring a new look and improved functionality.

what it should really say is; featuring an awful new look and DISimproved functionality!

I find the new layout extremely overwhelming, with too much information. The simplified, easy-to-read layout of the 'old' or current site is preferred.

I find myself back on here again to voice my continued dissatisfaction and frustration with both this homepage update and the stubborn backing of it by Xero.

For the love of easy accounting, please return the original homepage as an option for those that have backed XERO for the very reason of it being uncomplicated. It's ease of use and simplicity is why we are here and not with your competitors. Capiche?

What Kelly Ross said!!

The beta version of the new Xero layout. updated interface feels overly busy and cluttered, which makes navigation more difficult—particularly for clients who manage multiple bank accounts.

I believe users should have the choice to switch to the new layout when they’re ready, rather than being automatically transitioned.
Additionally, clients pay for Xero to streamline their financial management, not to have advertising pushed at them.

The current design detracts from the user experience and makes it harder to find and complete tasks efficiently.

Bring back the ability to see the historical activity statements on the new dashboard. Once I have lodged a statement then it disappears.