Best Website Platforms for Law Firms in 2025

In 2025, law firms face unprecedented digital challenges – from soaring cyber threats to clients demanding seamless online experiences.

Your firm's website has to do more than look slick or sufficiently showcase your partners. It needs to provide your clients with the information they might expect from a leading international or national Band 1 firm - timely information that shows expertise across service lines, sectors and on macro economic trends to build trust in your ability to advise through complex transactions, regulation and disputes.

Your website should be an engaging platform that reflects your position in the market and alignment with your clients.

With cyber attacks on legal practices up and clients expecting the same seamless online service they get from consumer brands, your choice of website platform helps you securely incorporate AI capabilities, automate routine tasks, strengthen client relationships, and stand out in a crowded marketplace. The right website platform should allow you to deliver your services to your partner stakeholders in the same efficient manner that they deliver services to their clients.

This detailed, yet straightforward comparison of legal-focused website builders, Content Management Systems (CMS) and Digital Experience Platforms (DXP) options cuts through the technical jargon to show how platforms can more help your firm deliver legal updates to the market at speed, integrate secure client portals, automate documentation, and boost your online visibility. It should do all that while protecting sensitive client data in an increasingly threatening digital landscape.

Skip ahead:

• Types of website platforms for legal firms
  • Traditional CMS Platforms
  • What is a Headless CMS?
  • What is a Digital Experience Platform (DXP)?
• Top Traditional CMS Platforms
  • Known for
  • Challenges
  • Optimal match for
• Top Headless CMS Platforms
  • Known for
  • Challenges
  • Optimal match for
• Top legacy Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs)
  • Known for
  • Challenges
  • Optimal match for
• The Digital Experience Platform for Intelligent Experiences: Squiz
  • Advantages of Squiz
  • The challenges with Squiz
  • Optimal match for
• Making the Right Choice for Your Law Firm
• Free Migration Offer

It can get confusing, so we’ll start by clarifying the main differences between each platform category below. Then, we’ll compare the pros and cons of each vendor within each category.

Traditional CMSs built many of the first legal websites and still adequately host basic content like lawyer bios, service and sector descriptions. However, they function as just content managers – not comprehensive digital solutions needed by modern law firms.

Law firms quickly hit limitations when trying to implement critical features like conflict-checking workflows, secure client intake portals, or case management integrations. When your business development team needs to track prospect journeys from initial research to consultation request, or your litigation department wants to offer client-specific document access, these platforms often require costly custom development and third-party platforms.

Most also lag in AI implementation, offering limited automation or content discovery capabilities that today's competitive firms leverage to demonstrate competence to sophisticated clients.

Headless platforms separate the "body" of a content management system (the backend) from the "head" (the frontend). For law firms, this means your bios, service area descriptions, and legal updates can be stored once but displayed everywhere – from your website to client portals, mobile apps, and even digital signage in your office reception area.

IT teams appreciate their flexibility when building specialized tools like custom intake workflows that vary by legal service. Marketing teams, however, often find they have less control over design changes. When your legal teams need to quickly publish a new landing page for an emerging legal trend or update a lawyer's credentials across all platforms, you'll typically depend on developers – potentially delaying time-sensitive content about regulatory changes or new precedent-setting cases.

While headless architecture provides superior technical possibilities, law firms without dedicated development teams may face increased operational costs and slower marketing response times, particularly during a crisis or competitive legal area expansions. Without careful consideration of fit - this disconnect between service expectations and operational delays results in sub-optimal experiences for clients, operational teams and stakeholders.

DXPs evolved to address law firms' need for more than basic website content management. They're designed to personalize client journeys, conduct A/B testing on consultation forms, incorporate AI for hyper-relevant content discovery, and integrate seamlessly with essential systems like practice management software and CRMs – all from one secure platform.

While traditional DXPs offer comprehensive capabilities, they often require firms to adopt their entire ecosystem. Modern "composable" DXPs provide greater flexibility, allowing your firm to select specific capabilities while maintaining compatibility with specialized legal tech tools you've already invested in. This matters significantly when integrating matter management systems or client-specific secure portals.

Ease of use varies dramatically between platforms, directly impacting adoption by lean Digital Marketing and Business development teams  – a critical factor we'll explore in our comparisons.

Now, let's look at how specific vendors stack up against the real-world needs of law firms.

Traditional content management systems have long been the backbone of law firm web presence, offering proven solutions for organizations seeking established, community-supported platforms. These systems typically feature open-source architectures with extensive customization capabilities.

Security capabilities and customization: Robust security features including database encryption, though that strength is dependent on vigilant maintenance of modules and integrations. Extensive customization possibilities through thousands of modules and themes, with good control over user permissions and workflows important when you have partners, associates, and marketing all needing different levels of access.

Ease of use and cost-effectiveness: Easier for marketing teams to publish content without technical support. Cost-effective setup for smaller firms or individual practice areas because it's open-source. Easy to find content managers familiar with the platform, reducing training costs.

Community support and functionality: A strong development community – vital due to the highly specialized skills required. Offers extensive customization options through thousands of plugins and themes, with extensive plugins that offer specialized functionality like client intake forms and partner directories.

Technical complexity and developer dependency: Teams struggle with complex interfaces – these aren't platforms Marketing or content teams can quickly learn to update content. Even minor changes like adding new partner credentials typically require developer assistance, creating IT bottlenecks during time-sensitive matters.

Security and performance issues: Security requires regular updates and hardening to protect confidential client information and matter details. Performance load times suffer as firms add necessary plugins and practice management integrations. As your firm adds case studies, service areas, and client resources, the accumulation of modules can slow site performance and create conflicts.

Governance and cost challenges: Multi-office, multi-service firms struggle with governing consistent branding and content standards across the platform. While initially affordable, enterprise-level security, performance optimization, and specialized developer support significantly increase Total Cost of Ownership.

Limited workflow capabilities: Limited native approval workflows are inadequate for firms requiring multi-level review of published legal content. Security updates – critical for client confidentiality – become mini-projects requiring careful planning and testing, straining already busy IT departments.

Escalating expertise costs: While open-source, the specialized expertise to maintain these platforms is increasingly expensive, particularly when competing with other industries for limited talent.

Smaller law firms or individual practice areas that need a straightforward content platform without complex integration, governance or security requirements. Also suitable for large law firms with deep development resources who want complete control over their digital infrastructure, and have ongoing capacity to maintain the solution.

Headless content management systems have emerged as a modern approach to content delivery, separating content creation from presentation layers. These API-first platforms promise omnichannel content distribution and developer-friendly architectures.

Multi-channel content delivery: Headless content delivery means profiles and legal resources can be published consistently across websites, mobile apps, and client portals from one source. Multi-channel delivery of the same content published across firm sites, client portals and apps.

Developer-friendly architecture: API-first developer tools to make custom integrations straightforward. Strong API capabilities for seamless integrations to other systems, with API-flexibility for seamless integration with legal-specific systems.

Content structure and control: Enforces content models, enabling consistent formatting of legal documents and updates across all channels. Control over your setup – custom content models for specific practice areas, matter types, and profiles as required, without platform limitations.

Collaboration and security features: Real-time collaboration features that work well for distributed content teams. A customizable content studio that you can tailor to your firm's workflows. Enterprise-grade security to protect client information and data, with role-based access controls for managing content across different practices.

Visual editing and presentation: Visual editing tools to help non-technical staff view changes before publishing. Maintains uniform presentation across all platforms and devices, reinforcing your firm's professional image.

Developer dependency and learning curve: Marketing teams can't do much without developer support – even for basic changes. The learning curve is steep, especially for non-technical content creators. Demands significant technical expertise to implement and manage effectively.

Limited legal-specific features: Not legal sector focused – firms need developer support as there are no ready-made templates for legal websites and needs. You'll need to build most legal-specific functionality from scratch. Limited out-of-the-box legal-specific templates for practice areas, attorney profiles, or case studies – requiring custom development.

Technical complexity and specialized knowledge: Needs strong technical expertise, requiring a strong development team to build and maintain your digital presence as the learning curve for marketing teams is high due to interface complexity. Teams need to learn proprietary query languages adding complexity.

Cost escalation and performance issues: Costs can spiral as your content and usage grow. Price increases with content volume and API calls, creating budget uncertainty as your content library of legal resources grows. Scaling costs increase with content types and more users – significantly impacting total ownership costs particularly for large firms with many practice areas.

Implementation and support challenges: Left on your own for implementation and ongoing maintenance with free versions – a challenge for firms without dedicated IT teams. Some users report publishing delays with significant wait times for content to go live. Often end up spending more on development, support, security customization, and maintenance.

Interface and ecosystem limitations: Non-technical staff struggle with the content interface, hampering partner or attorney participation in thought leadership content reviews. Small legal ecosystem with fewer prebuilt templates and plugins. Non-traditional block-based editing system versus WYSIWYG editors will require training.

Tech-forward law firms with dedicated development resources who prioritize sophisticated integration capabilities across multiple digital channels, and have complex content distribution needs across service areas or jurisdictions. Also suitable for technology-forward law firms with heavy development resources requiring highly specialized content structures and who prioritize complete control over their digital ecosystem.

Large, legacy Digital Experience Platforms represent the enterprise-grade evolution of content management, combining content delivery with advanced personalization, analytics, and marketing automation capabilities. These comprehensive solutions target large organizations requiring sophisticated digital experiences.

Advanced personalization and analytics: Advanced personalization to target content based on client profiles and behavior. Deep analytics into how clients interact with your site and content. Solid personalization that can adapt content based on client interactions.

Enterprise-scale management: Comprehensive digital asset management for your firm's growing content library. Efficient multi-site capabilities for firms managing multiple locations or practice areas. Handles large content volumes and high traffic well.

Enterprise security and integration: Robust enterprise-grade security essential for sensitive legal information. Enterprise-grade security and compliance features. Seamless integration with other enterprise tools and existing systems.

Marketing and content tools: Built-in marketing tools that help track engagement and automate content delivery.

Significant financial investment: Get ready for a serious financial commitment with high licensing costs plus substantial implementation and maintenance support – both upfront and ongoing. One of the more expensive options in the market with high licensing, implementation and ongoing maintenance costs.

Complex implementation and training: Implementation isn't just complex, it's a major organizational project requiring extensive planning, resources and often external consultancy. Teams will need extensive training to use even basic features, creating potential adoption barriers and ROI inefficiencies.

Specialized skills requirements: Requires specialized developers and administrators that are costly to hire and retain. Requires substantial IT resources for implementation and ongoing maintenance due to platform complexity.

Feature overengineering: Feels like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut for simpler needs. As one of the most costly website platforms, you pay for more than you need – many features exceed the requirements of all but the largest law firms.

Limited legal-specific functionality: Lacks specialized legal functionality that addresses unique law firm marketing and business development needs. Integrations with legal-specific software and systems can be challenging.

Global, well-resourced law firms with highly complex digital needs and substantial budgets. Ideal for firms with sophisticated personalization use cases and content capabilities across extensive service areas. Best suited for large, multi-national law firms with dedicated technical teams, substantial budgets and ongoing resources for ongoing maintenance.

Squiz DXP is a DXP trusted by law firms preparing for an AI-first world. As one of the few Gartner-ranked Digital Experience Platforms in the market, Squiz distinguishes itself with many advantages.

Flexible platform and integration capabilities: Highly flexible platform that can be tailored to specific service and sector areas and client needs. Powerful integration capability to seamlessly connect with your existing martech, document management and CRM tools.

User-friendly, no-code tools: Easy, no-code page building and AI tools – Marketing can create content, build pages, personalize and run tests in minutes – no developer reliance needed and no wait time friction with internal stakeholders.

AI-powered content and search: Powerful AI-driven search and conversational capabilities generate hyper-personalized answers from any content source – such as legal documents, case studies, and practice area web content. Delivers this information as a curated page that includes an AI-generated summary, links to related legal resources, recommended articles on similar topics, and a chat interface for further questions.

Enterprise security and governance: Security and compliance controls that protect sensitive legal content and client data, meeting major corporate and government client expectations. Advanced governance controls with granular role-based permissions and approval workflows.

Scalability and personalization: Scalable architecture that handles large volumes of content and traffic, supporting growing firms with extensive case libraries. Smart personalization that lets you tailor content to different client segments.

Cost-effective solution: More cost-effective than traditional enterprise platforms – with predictable pricing model based on usage metrics.

Misconceptions about complexity: Some assume you need technical expertise to use it – this is a misconception given their focus on ease-of-use, alongside advanced government-grade capabilities.

Template availability: Fewer pre-built templates than niche legal vendors.

Market presence in legal sector: Less established in the legal sector than legacy platforms – but Gartner ranking is evidence of its enterprise credibility.

Planning requirements: Initial setup requires careful planning to maximize independence from IT – this is easily supported by Squiz project experts or via their partner network if needed.

Forward-thinking, mid-to-large-sized law firms that need secure and sophisticated digital experiences without compromising speed. Ideal for Marketing teams to drive performance through personalization, content discovery and optimization without developer dependence and for meeting client information needs with quick and easy content publishing.

Your website platform shapes every aspect of your firm's digital operations, and the difference between choosing the right and wrong platform can be huge. One empowers your marketing and business development team to drive business growth, while the other traps you in endless cycles of IT tickets, slow updates, or mounting costs.

Let's cut through the noise to find what works best for your firm:

For Large, Multi-Practice Firms

If you're juggling multiple service and sector areas and need serious customization and integration capabilities, consider:

• Squiz if you want enterprise power, without compromising on ease-of-use and agility
• A Headless CMS if you've got extensive technical resources and want heavy customization
• A legacy DXP if budget isn't a constraint and you need a very sophisticated enterprise stack

For boutique and mid-size firms

Working with more focused requirements? Look at:

• A Traditional CMS if you need something simple and cost-effective for basic content management
• Squiz if you want enterprise features without the enterprise complexity and cost
• A Headless CMS if you have a lot of technical resources and need multi-channel content delivery

For tech-progressive firms

Have you got strong technical capabilities and want more flexibility? Consider:

• Any of the Headless CMS Platforms if you want to build custom solutions
• A Headless CMS if you prefer a developer-centric CMS with deep customization options
• Squiz if you need both technical flexibility and marketing autonomy to deliver performance fast

For marketing-focused teams

Need to move fast and create great experiences without constant IT support?

• Squiz offers personalization, testing, search and AI capabilities without the technical overhead
• A Traditional CMS for simpler content management needs with minimal technical requirements
• A legacy DXP if you're already using Adobe tools, have advanced use cases and have the budget to support it

Evaluating your options can take time, and there’s always a cost consideration. We’d like to help remove cost and migration headaches from the equation and give you access to Squiz DXP quickly. So much so, that we’ll migrate you for free. for a limited time. Find out more about the offer.

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