The Internet Behemoth: The Story of Craigslist
Craigslist has become an internet behemoth with annual revenue of over $1 billion. Read this blog to find out how Craigslist, with its simplicity and lack of gimmicks, quickly became a hit in the Bay Area and spread to other cities around the country.
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Andrew Gazdecki
Founder and CEO of @acquiredotcom. https://t.co/wRMIssDmhl has helped 100s of startups get acquired and facilitated $500m+ in closed deals.
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Let's talk about Craigslist. Bootstrapped.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
With annual revenue of over $1 billion.
Without ever changing their design.
The site looks straight out of the '90s.
How did Craigslist become the internet behemoth that it is today?
Here's the story. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/HcqSGtz005 -
Well it all started with a guy named Craig.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
He was a programmer living in San Francisco, and he wanted to create a simple, no-frills way for people to buy and sell stuff online.
And damn did he succeed. pic.twitter.com/M5ysNW8hWy -
Craigslist quickly became a hit in the Bay Area and before long it had spread to other cities around the country.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
People loved the site's simplicity and lack of gimmicks. It was just a straightforward way to find what you needed. pic.twitter.com/PJEKNG2EN9 -
Great deals are found all the time.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
Like this Ford Escape. pic.twitter.com/uYWsSHvhzn -
Of course Craigslist's success didn't come without its challenges. Over the years the site has faced criticism for its "not so work friendly" attitude toward moderation.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
But despite these challenges.
Craigslist has persevered. pic.twitter.com/5xwhWRCWOg -
They've stuck to their guns and remained committed to their original mission of helping people connect with each other in a simple, straightforward way.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
And now more than 25 years after it was founded, Craigslist is still going strong.
That's 1000+ years for a startup. pic.twitter.com/qZxfYoC0fA -
It's a testament to the power of simplicity and the importance of putting the user first.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
And who knows maybe one day they'll update their design. But until then, we'll just have to enjoy their vintage aesthetic. pic.twitter.com/BdLE1JEIGt -
The story of Craigslist is one of simplicity, perseverance, and a healthy dose of quirkiness.
— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
Whether you're looking for a new apartment or just want to buy a used couch, Craigslist has got you covered. pic.twitter.com/ZMv1nCgz7G -
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— Andrew Gazdecki (@agazdecki) April 11, 2023
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