Question about websites like facebook...?

[big_j_gizzy]

If every member can join for free, how are places like facebook and myspace worth 2 billiob plus dollars?

Reason I ask, I am trying to develop my own website and trying to figure out how it would be worth anything if you offer free membership. Thanks.
So basically all I have to do is create a website that can generate a ton of people and then it will be worth millions? :-P

[tomasdogg]

Advertising. The more members they have, the more they can charge for advertising. Works the same way with magazines.

[ebethw85]

they make money because advertisers post those banners on the sides of the webpages. so whenever someone clicks on them facebook and the advertiser gets some money

[futgirl4u]

I think is because people pay them to be advertised on their websites you see myspace has advertisements everywhere and that gives money

[Young and Wise]

they sell advertising

[yankeesevan]

Sites that are free sell adspace. Advertisers will pay more to put their ad on a site if more people go to it. So if there are 100,000,000 people on Myspace, its adspace is worth a lot. Those ads can be very profitable, so it is worth more to companies.