Would a site like "Craigslist" still work if it was launched today?

looks like a dinosaur, but it doesn't seem to matter

[londrum]

i was just reading about the Craigslist site on another topic, and thought i'd take a look. i couldn't believe how dated it is. it looks like it was one of the first websites ever built. It is basic HTML at it's most basic.

Now, I'm not knocking it - because it's one of the most successful sites around and I wish i had a tenth of their traffic, but i was wondering... would it still work if it was launched in 2008?

I reckon if you put that design in front of a client these days, they'd sack you on the spot. Even if you showed them something like Craigslist which works alright with it, they still wouldn't touch it with a bargepole.

Do you think a website designer could get away with a design like that these days?

[willybfriendly]

Probably not.

I am going through this with a long established client right now. Fairly successful site for its intended purpose. The client thinks its "too bland." They want it to be "more exciting."

That means Flash(tm) as far as I can make out. Eye candy.

I looks like that in my efforts to counsel against this, talking about perfromance and usability, that I have successfully lost the account. What has always been an annual contract is now only a 6 month contract :(

On the other hand, there have been several times over the years that I have come close to firing the client.

[dailypress]

I actually started a similar website for a specific region (Country) a while ago and it didnt do well at all. I left the site as it is and started developing new ones.

nothings impossible; you just need a good vision and business plan.

good luck