GIS data can be posted with a geospatial data clearinghouse for public download, or they can be distributed for a price to help recover costs. Many organizations do both, using "value-added" data layers for revenue generation and distributing basic data layers for free. Many local governments view selling their GIS data as a mechanism to fund further GIS data development and data infrastructure improvements.

However, some consideration should be given to the cost of supporting the data sales activity. On one hand, GIS data require time and resources to create, and some data have the potential for a certain amount of revenue to be generated by sales. On the other hand, attempting to recoup cost through a revenue generation scheme has its own administrative overhead, particularly the staff time that is taken from other work to handle data requests.

In some organizations, revenue generation (particularly cost recovery) is required. In some cases, selling high-value data sets (with a carefully considered marketing approach) can actually encourage use of framework data sets to help underwrite the maintenance of the more basic data layers.

In other cases, a revenue generation approach can inhibit the use of data by a broader audience (particularly if the purchasing process is complex). In local government organizations, the ultimate decision is generally made by a city administrator or county commission. In state organizations, other departments may influence the decision, particularly if there are rules or laws governing cost recovery.

Another longer-term consideration for selling GIS data will be the availability of public records mandated by state and federal law. Very little case law exists in this area, and as such, few if any state policies have been enacted.