Interesting.. I had for years been setting up Contribute for my customers to update their own content. It is easy to define "Editable Regions" within Dreamweaver. The client then logs into Contribute through a "key" that you supply them with (or not, depending).
They can update ONLY the regions that you defined. This gives them the flexiblity of Content Management, avails you a plethora of options for how you would like to design and control the site.
I had previously done all table layouts (dummy boy) because it was easier, I thought, to control libraries items and such. I have since switched to all XHTML and CSS2 which enables easier sitewide updates. Careful though a savvy end user can figure out how to REALLY screw up their site if you don't set your regions properly or give too much freedom to them.
Those are all things that I work out in contracts and in the design process.. the amount of freedom they have to control content and my continued sitewide changes or updates.
You can see a GREAT example and its potential longevity through a link on my site:
http://www.tommylogic.com/current
The Silver Grille:
is a site that I did in 2004 that is STILL in use (butchered slightly with their added cr*p, but the fluent content is still apparent)
Good Luck, let me know if you have any questions.