Why Did Warren Buffett Use Simple Website Design for Berkshire Hathaway? 

Buffett's Simple Philosophy: Efficiency Above All

Berkshire Hathaway's website not only reflects functionality, but also reflects Warren Buffett's business philosophy. The site consists of a simple interface: a white background, a list of hyperlinks, and a little additional information such as the company address and Geico insurance advertisements. 

Many see this site as a reflection of the basic principles applied by Buffett in running his company, namely simplicity, efficiency and cost savings. 

This website may look like a relic from the early days of the internet, but it has a very effective function for investors. The site is regularly updated quarterly with financial reports, and Buffett occasionally adds relevant new links. 

For example, in 2021, Buffett added clarification regarding Berkshire's investment in Activision Blizzard. 

According to Chris Bloomstran, President of Semper Augustus Investments and longtime Berkshire Hathaway shareholder, the site has everything an investor needs on one simple page. 

Investors can easily access financial reports, letters to shareholders, press releases, as well as links to subsidiary websites. In this case, the Berkshire website is more than just a visual display; it meets investors' functional needs in an efficient and direct manner. 

Berkshire Hathaway: A Conglomerate Operating with Autonomy

Berkshire Hathaway is a vast network of autonomous businesses. The company has various subsidiaries such as Geico, See's Candies, Fruit of the Loom, and BNSF Railway. 

Each subsidiary is operated independently, and Berkshire's headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska has only a handful of staff tasked with managing the allocation of profits generated from the various businesses. 

One reason Buffett didn't feel the need to improve the appearance of Berkshire's website was because it was deemed irrelevant to the company's culture. Berkshire's primary focus is on real numbers and results, not on unnecessary spending on aesthetics. 

Savings as a Basic Principle

Warren Buffett is known for his frugal lifestyle. Despite leading one of the world's largest companies, Buffett commanded a salary of just US$100,000 per year with no bonuses or stock awards for more than 40 years. 

Buffett's personal lifestyle also reflects the principles applied in his company. He still lives in the house he bought in the 1950s and often buys breakfast at McDonald's on his way to work. 

This approach is also visible on Berkshire's website. Buffett apparently doesn't see the need to create a "fancy" website because it doesn't fit his frugal financial management principles. 

According to Lawrence Cunningham, Director of the Weinberg Center on Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware, Berkshire's website is an example of Buffett's principles of maintaining efficiency and cost savings. 

One of the most striking things about Warren Buffett is his tendency to avoid unnecessary spending, both in his personal life and in managing Berkshire. 

This philosophy is clearly reflected in the design of Berkshire's website, which, despite its dated appearance, is considered by many shareholders and observers to be a perfect representation of the values ​​of efficiency and tight financial management. 

Effective Simplicity

Even though many large companies are overhauling their websites to be more interactive and colorful, Buffett remains true to simplicity. Berkshire's website doesn't need to be glamorous to provide important information to stakeholders. 

In doing so, the website not only reflects Berkshire's values, but also provides a clear signal to investors about the company's priorities. 

For example, Darren Pollock, a portfolio manager at Cheviot Value Management, said the website reflects Buffett's belief that his shareholders value hard data and facts over catchy site copy or fancy visuals. 

Buffett believes that his investors are more interested in management that counts every penny spent, rather than splurging on fancy website development. 

Symbol of Order and Austerity Policy

Berkshire Hathaway's simple website is no mere coincidence. This is a symbol of Warren Buffett's approach which prioritizes thrift, order and efficiency. 

As stated by David Kass, a finance professor at the University of Maryland, the website is completely investor-oriented and very efficient in conveying information. 

This minimalist approach is Buffett's way of showing that he is minimizing expenses at Berkshire. In fact, his Nebraska license plate once read "THRIFTY," reflecting the same values.