Different sites serve different purposes.
Some are mainly created for the purpose of improving the image of the company.
That happens a lot with corporations where everyone knows the product. Yes, you can order thru the site, but mainly they want to do something cool that people visit and that increases sales indirectly offline. (example:
http://www.coca-cola.com/glp/d/index-d.html )
Most sites of course are there to sell products, make people order online and such. Others are create to raise awareness for something, and many of those are also created to raise funds).
I guess what it always comes down to is how a website profits you short term, mid term, and/or long term.
Some sites are created to accumulate huge databases of email addresses.
Youtube, forums etc.
Few are there to only have fun with. Once a webmaster or blogger finds out about ways to benefit financially from their product, they want to know more.
Branding is a very import of website promotion. A site may not make a ton of money, but the value can increase thru branding.
Google used to make a lot less than now. Craigslist.org makes little, yet the value is intense.
Mike
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