xara.com getting even further from the Xara DEsigner products?

**slavelle** · 17 May 2018, 05:14 PM

I went to Xara.com today to see if there was anything new being announced about the Designer Pro product. It took me a good 5 minutes to even FIND where that product info is, with the entirety of the Xara.com site seemingly geared to completely selling the new Xara Cloud. The menu at the top has no "products" option. There is no info anywhere on the page that Xara makes software at all. I had to scroll all the way to the bottom and find the "desktop" link under products.

Given how much Xara has been pointing this direction over the past several years, this website move (which might not even be especially new), is quite worrying and maybe telling about where the company is focusing its development efforts.

I'm certainly not the first to mention it, but it sure seems WAY more front and center now.

Looking for feedback as I evaluate whether to continue using the product or look for other options.

**handrawn** · 17 May 2018, 05:24 PM

it's since magix now do both the marketing and the support for xara desktop programs

**Egg Bramhill** · 17 May 2018, 05:29 PM

Yes, the site is devoid of Xara products all but Xara Cloud as you state. Basically Magix has now taken over marketing Xara's previous software titles. Xara is still developing them but it's main focus appears to be Xara Cloud.

**xtom** · 17 May 2018, 07:39 PM

Wow that's a real and worrying shift of focus. You have to go to the footer for the desktop products now. It's kinda sad they're burying away such a great program. The sad reality of SAAS and subscription models replacing good desktop programs.

**handrawn** · 17 May 2018, 07:48 PM

or is it the fact that xara are owned by magix...

**Acorn** · 17 May 2018, 07:54 PM

slavelle, I think you have answered your own question.

Can anyone think a new customer, searching for a Xara web or graphics application to find the majority of first and top hits go to Xara Cloud, would then search a site for a further five minutes?
That is not marketing that is a market withdrawal.

Acorn

@Xara - five months since an Update, 9 weeks since Magix received the Update for packaging, over three weeks since Magix promoted the Update's "New Features" that we all wanted, over a week since MB365 assured the Update was coming...

**xtom** · 17 May 2018, 07:59 PM

Originally Posted by Acorn

That is not marketing that is a market withdrawal.

Seems to be the case. This will redirect sales from desktop program to cloud or bounce. Less people will find or be aware of the desktop programs now. Not good.

**handrawn** · 17 May 2018, 10:32 PM

it's just a step along the way to making 'xara' a magix marque rather than a separate entity... the cloud saas will go that way eventually

@Xara - five months since an Update, 9 weeks since Magix received the Update for packaging, over three weeks since Magix promoted the Update's "New Features" that we all wanted, over a week since MB365 assured the Update was coming...

has anyone yet mentioned that Affinity has just been named 'Application Creator of the Year' in this years Microsoft Developer Awards - Xara can't even get an update out in time...

**DanFelix** · 18 May 2018, 09:14 PM

Agreed. The Magix site is festooned with product variations with Xara tucked in towards the bottom. A very kaleidoscopic approach to marketing. Buyers are not going to loiter long enough to determine which product is right. The majority of graphic designs and websites are still generated on desktops with installed software. I don't see that changing as there is no compelling reason or advantage to abandon current working habits and products. This will be interesting, albeit disappointing.

**stevegill** · 20 May 2018, 12:45 AM

I did exactly the same thing as Slavelle, looking for any updates or new information. I was shocked that everything had changed.

IMHO selling Xara to Magix was the worst thing they've ever done. And the second worst thing they've ever done is promising updates that never happen. I continue to renew my update subscription so that I can get the new features that they said would be released throughout the year, and yet I continue to get.....<insert sound of crickets here>.

It appears that all their focus is on Xara Cloud which I have zero interest in and will never, ever use. I hate cloud-based SaaS products.

I have a small business producing networked business software (totally unrelated to graphic/web design) where users can optionally renew an update plan every 12 months for only 30% of the cost of their licence. They do get several new features throughout the year (usually every month). And if they don't renew their plan they don't lose anything they already have - they just don't get any of the new features that come out after their plan expires. If for some reason I didn't release any updates for 12 months (it has never happened) I would extend the update plans for another 12 months for free. To me that seems a fair way to do things.