German commerce needs favored cruisers over a British-style battle fleet

If Imperial Germany's fleet was meant to support commercial needs rather than threaten Britain, would a cruiser fleet have been more appropriate?

Yes; cruisers would have aligned more directly with protecting German overseas commerce.

A navy designed for economic protection needs ships able to patrol trade routes and sustain an overseas presence. A cruiser fleet better fits Germany's stated commercial rationale than a battle fleet that Britain would read as a direct strategic challenge.