Ground-effect landing craft work but cost too much

Why did ground-effect aircraft not become practical landing craft?

They can perform the mission, but their cost makes them a poor choice compared with less exotic ways of moving a landing force.

Ground-effect craft can carry troops and equipment and may look compelling on paper. They can therefore serve as landing platforms in a technical sense. The obstacle is the price of obtaining and sustaining that performance. Amphibious forces must compare spectacular speed and lift with the number of conventional craft the same budget could provide.