Despite common belief that appealing aesthetics play a crucial role in online success, several businesses remain successful despite having websites or apps that are deemed unattractive or outdated. Here are a few examples:
Craigslist: Known for its bare-bones and text-heavy design, Craigslist has maintained its position as a leading platform for classified ads. Its simple and functional interface allows users to swiftly accomplish what they need, without any distractions.
Berkshire Hathaway: Warren Buffett’s investment company has one of the most unassuming websites in the corporate world. Focused primarily on functionality, it features plain text documents and minimal design, prioritizing content over aesthetics.
Drudge Report: A leading news aggregation site, the Drudge Report has maintained a large audience with its old-school single-column format. Despite lacking modern web design elements, its simplicity has become part of its brand identity.
Hacker News: As a forum for tech news and discussion, Hacker News sports a minimalist design that sticks to basic styling and functionality. It’s a favorite among tech enthusiasts for its content quality over its visual presentation.
Plenty of Fish (POF): While dating apps usually showcase elaborate designs and intuitive user interfaces to engage users, POF has maintained a substantial user base with a straightforward and highly functional design, ensuring ease of use is prioritized.

In these examples, functionality, simplicity, and focus on core offerings outweigh the importance of having a visually engaging web design. For users engaging with these platforms, the value lies in the direct and efficient access to services or information rather than the aesthetic experience.