What makes craigslist look like shit? It's boring sure, but it doesn't look like shit. Many designer portfolios I see with hideous colors and abstract out of proportion illustrations are much worse looking than craigslist.

> What makes craigslist look like shit?

You said "poorly looking sites" can't work well. But Craigslist works fine, even though it's visual design is as homely as anything you'll find.

The point is that "visual design" is not "design". If you don't like my example, surely you can think of others.