The homepage of Berkshire Hathaway shows no signs of redesign after decades, remaining largely unchanged. If new CEO Greg Abel attempts to modify it, he may face significant backlash; some investors have explicitly stated they would sell their shares if any changes are made.
Fans appreciate the website's straightforward, minimalist design and are impressed by its exceptionally fast loading speed. At Berkshire Hathaway, certain elements remain constant even when updates might seem warranted.
The official Berkshire Hathaway website, prominently labeled at the top, retains a design aesthetic reminiscent of the era when Netscape Navigator and AOL were dominant. Indeed, the site has seen almost no revisions over the years.
Although Warren Buffett retired in December, concluding his six-decade tenure as CEO, the company’s online presence continues to reflect the style of the nonagenarian investor, who famously claimed to have sent only one email in his lifetime.
Many loyal Berkshire shareholders hope the website remains untouched even as new leadership takes over, preserving the character of an era marked by the Macarena dance craze, the popularity of Seinfeld, and the publication of "Irrational Exuberance."
Search engine optimization analyst Audrey Lee, a Berkshire shareholder since 2023, stated plainly, "If Greg Abel announces a redesign of the Berkshire website, I will immediately sell all my holdings."
Abel has declined to comment on the matter.
Many Berkshire observers note that, much like the company’s annual shareholder meetings in Omaha and its detailed shareholder letters, the vintage website has become a distinctive hallmark of the corporation.
The homepage features 16 bullet-point links that provide access to regulatory filings, Buffett’s historical letters to shareholders, and key announcements, connecting generations of investors with the company’s legacy. (That said, shareholders exhibit less nostalgia when it comes to corporate performance and market capitalization—Berkshire’s valuation has in recent years surpassed $1 trillion, placing it among today’s corporate elite.)
Several design elements are so dated that they would be difficult to replicate today. Lee pointed out that the initial letters of "Berkshire" and "Hathaway" use a 32-point font size, while the rest of the text is in 18-point font. Though it appears simple, she attempted to recreate the layout for her personal portfolio website but could not perfectly match the original typography.
"This retro style has a unique charm, evoking nostalgia like vinyl records," she remarked. "It’s probably the most basic a website can look."
Warren Buffett did not start using a smartphone until 2020 and has said he has sent only one email in his life.
The appeal goes beyond mere nostalgia. Supporters particularly value the site’s rapid load times and distinctive minimalist approach: there are no executive portraits, polished promotional videos, or flashy animations showcasing the company’s diverse holdings in batteries, footwear, candy, and other businesses.
Buffett admitted he was unaware that the website had such a devoted fan base.
"My longtime partner Charlie Munger and I always liked the simple layout," Buffett said, referring to his late friend and business associate. "We rarely received letters praising the website."
Although the company has never actively solicited feedback, the site does include a contact option—though a response should not be expected.
A notice at the bottom of the homepage reads: "If you have any comments about our WEB page, you can write us at the address shown above. However, due to the limited number of personnel in our corporate office, we are unable to provide a direct response."
Lance Patmore, a 24-year-old entrepreneur who runs an e-cigarette testing business, believes the minimalist site aligns with Berkshire’s decentralized holding company structure and reflects the firm’s aversion to unnecessary spending.
"It’s become part of the corporate legend and culture," Patmore said. "As a shareholder, it gives me confidence: they avoid superficial embellishments and stay focused on substantive growth."
Longtime Berkshire CFO Marc Hamburg has overseen the website’s maintenance. When the site launched in 1996, he and Buffett finalized all content. Today, neither can recall who originally built the webpage.
Buffett explained that the website includes only the essential information he wants to see. Consistent with the company’s philosophy, it was not designed to appeal to the average retail investor. Just as he prioritizes content over flashy presentation in annual reports, Berkshire’s shareholders share similar values.
"Our audience cares about the facts," the legendary investor noted. "That’s why our web design has never won any awards."
One common investor complaint is the lack of a mobile-friendly version, which makes for a poor browsing experience on smartphones.
Le Xin Li, a UI designer in Sydney, Australia, spent roughly seven hours creating a proposed redesign that maintains the minimalist aesthetic while optimizing it for mobile devices.
He first encountered the Berkshire website in a Reddit thread debating the "most beautiful web pages." Though he does not own shares, his girlfriend does. He posted his redesign concept on Reddit’s design community, where it received considerable praise—a notable achievement given the forum’s reputation for harsh critiques. "The positive reception suggests the redesign was successful," he observed.
The website, created before smartphones became ubiquitous, also reflects Buffett’s personal resistance to digital trends. It wasn’t until 2020—more than a decade after the iPhone 11 launch and four years after Berkshire’s major investment in Apple—that he switched from a $20 Samsung flip phone to an iPhone.
Buffett joined X (formerly Twitter) in 2013, posting just one message: "Warren is in the house." Despite amassing nearly two million followers, he has only posted nine times and ceased using the account after 2016.
Jia Shao, a former web designer in Ottawa, described the Berkshire site as a classic among industry professionals. He bookmarked the page as a reminder to avoid over-relying on flashy effects in his own work.
Although he does not own Berkshire stock, Shao acknowledged that such a basic website would likely be unacceptable for any other corporation.
"It’s like a billionaire wearing flip-flops—it’s seen as eccentric and confident," he said. "But if an unemployed person does the same, they’re just considered sloppy."
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