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Horribly designed sites can dominate old markets too. Amazon is the perfect example of why design doesn't matter. Likewise Craigslist and eBay... the list goes on and on. It's all about marketing and luck.


I read on HN once that for products that there's an inverse relationship in play here.

The more you need a product the less it's design matters. The less you need a product the more it's design matters.

This is why de-facto standard utilities like Amazon, Craigslist, eBay do not need to be "beautiful"


That only applies when there is no competition. Look at cars and firearms, for example. Pretty crucial items when they are needed but design is still at the forefront when it comes to making a choice.


worth noting that 'beautiful' != easy to use. Those companies all pay careful attention to the usability of their products.


Yeah, it totally depends where your business hits on the Maslows' Hierarchy of Needs.

If what your business provides is a basic need of somebody, a terrible UI/UX wouldn't stop the guy to use your website and get his job done. For example, look at many of the University websites.




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