Warren Buffett, known as one of the wealthiest individuals globally and the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) (BRK.B), presides over a corporation valued at about $1 trillion with an annual revenue exceeding $350 billion.
Despite its immense value, Berkshire Hathaway’s website is a stark contrast to the company’s financial stature. It harkens back to the early internet era, devoid of any flashy visuals, animations, or contemporary design elements.
The landing page of the website is minimalistic, featuring only a plain list of hyperlinks set against a white backdrop. It includes a text advertisement for Geico car insurance and provides a physical mailing address in Omaha for feedback submissions.
Interestingly, the site cautions visitors that due to its small team, responses to inquiries are unlikely. This minimalist approach is surprising for the online presence of America’s seventh-largest public company, which employs approximately 400,000 people across various subsidiaries such as Geico, See’s Candies, and BNSF Railway.
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, a $1 trillion empire, maintains a website reminiscent of the 1990s, embodying Buffett’s belief in ‘less is more’.
Despite its basic design and lack of content, the website attracts around 400,000 visitors monthly, demonstrating the enduring appeal of Buffett’s values. Buffett, known for his aversion to unnecessary spending, has kept Berkshire’s online presence as modest as his personal lifestyle. At 94, he still drives a modest car, enjoys McDonald’s breakfasts, and resides in the Omaha home he purchased in 1958. Despite his $144 billion net worth, Buffett has consistently taken home a salary of no more than $100,000, exemplifying his commitment to thrift and simplicity. In recent years, Buffett has pledged to donate his vast fortune to charitable causes established by his children, further aligning his actions with his values. The website’s layout is not just a cost-saving measure but also aligns with Buffett’s vision for the companies within Berkshire’s portfolio, prioritizing efficiency and investor-centricity.Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffett’s $1 trillion empire, has a website that dates back to the ’90s. This shows his belief in ‘less is more’. There’s no wasteful spending on unnecessary features. For investors in Berkshire, the website offers direct access to essentials like decades of annual reports, shareholder letters, SEC filings, and subsidiary links. Without elaborate design distractions. This ideology has made Berkshire Hathaway one of the best-returning companies in history and attracted a loyal fanbase of dedicated investors. Berkshire Hathaway’s Annual Shareholder Meeting is a top event in the investing world and attracts thousands every year to hear Buffett speak. In a world of sleek, high-budget corporate websites, Berkshire Hathaway stands as a timeless, low-cost online bulletin board that is truly ‘Buffett’ in every way.
Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, a $1 trillion empire, maintains a website from the 1990s as a testament to the belief that ‘less is more’. This anachronistic approach to web design, while ironic, helps the company stand out from its peers. The website’s minimalist design serves as a digital embodiment of Buffett’s core principles: simplicity, valuing substance over style, and frugality.
For Berkshire Hathaway, the concept of frugality is not just a principle but is also the essence of its brand identity. The website, much like the billionaire investor himself, is here to stay. It continues to look and operate in the same manner, regardless of the passage of time or the company’s increasing earnings.
