The original article doesn't really prove anything. Someone used to think Google's design was bad, and now thinks it's nice. Google did well before they got de

The original article doesn't really prove anything. Someone used to think Google's design was bad, and now thinks it's nice. Google did well before they got design, but they have probably widened their audience and increased conversion by getting design so increasing their profitability. Aesthetically pleasing design is neither necessary nor sufficient to be a successful, but it definitely helps.