Businesses are using web pages to attract more customers. The cost of printed advertisement is extremely expensive and has a limited area of exposure.
Genealogists use web page to further their research.
Online you can add your page to a search engine, allowing others to find your web page and participate in your genealogy. People in general are using web page to discuss subjects near and dear to their hearts. To research areas in their lives that cause concern or helping others by publishing web page . I have corresponded with others via email, the U S Postal service and telephone and have prepared pages this way. Every business in the local area looks for different ways to advertise, to reach a larger area of customers and to do it within a budget.