Do you really need to think about CMS? Only if you have a real need to change your content regularly or extensively. So why should you look at it?

Efficiency

• No need to call in expensive web designers to make general content changes
• Need for a web master is minimised after initial set up
• Documents can be easily maintained and published by more than one person

Speed

• No need to refer to external resource every time a document requires changing or creating
• Editing is controlled and authorised but is all done within the system - no paperwork needed
• Skill requirements are minimised after initial installation - so no lengthy learning curve

Motivation

• Authors and editors can focus on content - they don't need to understand or deal with technicalities
• Changes are fast - reducing the boredom factor
• Content rich sites are easy to create - whole levels of complexity are removed from the user

Extended "shelf life"

• A database-driven content management approach allows a site to be improved incrementally simply by making changes to design, look & feel or structure of site templates.
• Sites can evolve over time, thereby extending their "shelf life" well beyond the typical two to three years of static sites.
• The typical shelf life of a website is somewhere between two to three years and then they are often discarded. CMS sites avoid this by separating content from presentation.Content management allows future redesigns to your site without having to reformat existing and archived content.

Avoids the "loss of opportunity"

• Because CMS sites are easily adaptable, you can implement all the new ideas you get for your site even after it has been completed.
• Instead of waiting until the next redesign implement new ideas now.
• Easily make site-wide changes such as adding new sections, implementing extranets, or a host of other options.

CMS is a big commitment and should only be taken on board if your web presence is to become a significant part of your business strategy.