What is a Content Management System (CMS)?
Content Management Systems do precisely what they sound like - they help you manage your website's content. Essentially, a CMS permits you to create/edit/delete your website pages without having to get into the raw code.
For more extensive websites, they also make organization simpler. The website's content is stored in a site database, which resides on a web server, alleviating the need to back up hundreds of HTML or PHP files (if your law firm's website is that big).
Benefits of Using a CMS for Your Law Firm's Website
Knowledge of HTML or PHP is not required!
While the installation can get somewhat technical and creating the custom design integration involves coding, in the long term working with a CMS means working with less HTML/CSS and server side scripting (PHP, for instance). That means a simpler time for content editors and authors. It means you won't have to rip your hair out trying to discern which HTML tag wasn't closed properly. It also means you won't need to know what an HTML tag is at all, in the majority of cases. This saves an enormous amount of resources and time in the long term.
Built In On-page SEO
Search engine optimization (SEO) is a concern for every website developer, and most content management systems include beneficial features. There are several available SEO plugins for Joomla, for example, that facilitate the creation of well-optimized title tags, image alt tags, links, etc. Once your CMS is producing SEF (search engine friendly) pages there won't be a need to go back and fine tune on-page optimization or change file names. This allows you to focus on creating great content without worrying about your law firm's on-page SEO.
Minimized risk of losing/overwriting important website files
Since your law firm's website content lives primarily in the database with a CMS, there is a very low risk of someone accidentally overwriting a recently modified page or losing important data. Many website owners can work from strictly within the confines of the CMS and never bother saving or uploading files. This will save you and your law firm countless headaches. Just ensure that you take actions to back up your database regularly, and most importantly before upgrading your CMS.
Ability to modify your website from any computer, at any location
The majority of content management systems are web-based, meaning they exist solely on your web server. The only steps necessary to access or modify your law firm's website is the admin's log in credentials. This means you find yourself worrying about being at your computer or having your website files with you when you are away from the office. Modifying the website pages are as simple as logging in and utilizing the editor to get it done. Website updates are then published instantly, with one click of a button, and you will have no need for FTP.
Simple website updates don't require your web developer
With a CMS, you will no longer need to call your website developer every time you need to correct a spelling error or add an event to a calendar. The point is: making small text changes are easy. You no longer have to wait for simple updates to be made, and you don't need to spend time communicating the changes via email.
