With a boring interface, spam-filled pages and multiples of the same posts, Craig’s List has a lot to work on to keep their users happy. Craig’s List is a small company, only 30 employees, with a big impact on the market. The advertising-based site somehow succeeds with an out-dated and outlandish strategy.
Craig Newmark, owner of Craig’s List attributes the site’s functionality to his belief that, “People are good and trustworthy and generally concerned with getting through the day.” The dull site where almost any ad can be seen will receive no redesign in the near future. Craig’s List currently has more traffic than three other top job-search sites combined. It remains a threat to newspaper classified ads and dailies. Because of the site’s success, owner and CEO of Craig’s List are content with the site as is.
The quirky ideas behind Craig’s List’s strategy come from its creator, Craig Newmark. Known for his evading responses in interviews about his financial status and social awkwardness, it is puzzling how he holds this top site. In interviews he has denied wanting the financial success that Craig’s List has brought. Newmark continues to personally respond to e-mails as he did in 1995, when Craig’s List launched. When asked about his List, his response is always, “Ask Jim.” Jim Buckmaster that is, CEO of Craig’s List. Buckmaster and fellow programmers and a few accountants make up the team of employees.
I still can’t figure out why Craig’s List has succeeded. I must agree with Gary Wolf of Wired Magazine, Craig's List is a mess.
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/theweb/magazine/17-09/ff_craigslist?currentPage=all
7 comments:
I have to agree with that last statement. I have tried to use Graig's List several times and have literally wanted to break my computer. I just seems they are lagging in these changing times. BUT I must say that is probably because we all have become so unaccustomed to the "bells and whistles" of color, advertising, and flashes of life. So maybe the Web site's does have a method for its messiness. It works for some, well for millions, but not for me.
I have used Craig's List a few times, looking for odds and ends, and had little luck, but my roommate however is in love with Craig's List. She was able to completly furnish her apartment and found a few credible modeling jobs as well! The fact that Craig's List isn't 'pretty' in design shouldn't have an effect on its market.
I love craigslist, I got my dog off of it!
In my view, Cragslist stands out because it has gotten away from all the things that we have now become so accustomed to. Every application, web site, or other program or media, has all come to be controlled by the same demands. They all strive to achieve the same look, feel and response as all those that have been deemed "top-of-the-line." This repetitive exposure to similar approaches has made what could be called obsolete a very unique style that obviously has proven to be beneficial. Sometimes the simplest solution is the best. Craigslist is Elite.
I think it's good for the service it provides, but could be a little more organized, so you won't have to scroll through pages of info to find or not find something.
The site is very boring, but it gets the job done. Recently I have checked it almost everyday, searching for new housing post, for sfter I graduate.
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