When do you not need a content management system as a framework for your website? Put simply--when all you want is an online "business card." With customers increasingly searching the internet to find out about a company that has products or services in which they are interested, being visible online is a crucial part of those prospect's decision making process.
For a small business that has very little extra money to invest in a website, a full-fledged content management system can be overkill. This is not to say that the company wouldn't benefit from an enhanced internet presence. It is just that they may not have the financial resources or internal skill sets required to update and maintain a website with constantly changing content, blog, and online community.
For these companies, individuals or organizations, a simple, but attractive design in straight HTML or PHP is a great solution to their needs. They can provide information about their products and services, company history, and contact information. Sometimes that is all a prospect really needs. Tasteful graphics, well-written site content and a user-friendly design will serve as your online business card.
One negative aspect of this limited presence is that, with the intense competition for high placement in search engine results, a small site faces an uphill battle in being found by prospects who are not already familiar with the business. However, in most cases the business name can be matched up with a domain name that will allow people to locate the business online.
