"appcmd start site" command fails with message "The object identifier does not represent a valid object."

Question

When I run

C:\Windows\System32\inetsrv\appcmd.exe start site /site.name:"Some_site_name"

on Windows Server 2008 R2, it fails with message

ERROR ( hresult:800710d8, message:Command execution failed.
The object identifier does not represent a valid object.
)

... although the site exists.

Answer 1

I forgot to check if there is a binding present! Site without bindings cannot be started and the utility thinks that "The object identifier does not represent a valid object." is a good way to remind me of this.