Training: SharePoint Online – Site Templates

/ Charles

[SharePoint Online] empowers teamwork with team sites. These “dynamic and productive” team sites are created using prebuilt templates to scaffold workspaces for:

  • Projects,
  • Departments,
  • Divisions,
  • etc.

Classic vs. Modern

For those coming from the [SharePoint Server] world, SPO has some noticeable differences. First at bat, the site template options are limited. SPS offered several different site templates for different purposes…

But these traditional SPS site templates are now “classic” SharePoint. The newer SPO site templates are “modern” SharePoint.

NOTE: Additional site templates are still available with scripted solutions, but not via the web interface. Instead, use PowerShell, C#, etc.

Communication vs. Team

Next up, there are two “modern” site templates:

  • Communication site templates are new to the family.
    • Great as intranets and information portals.
      • Ideal for teams, departments, or divisions responsible for creating content for larger audiences.
    • Great for pretty site aesthetics.
  • Team site templates have been rebuilt with some new bells and whistles.
    • Great for group collaboration.
      • Everyone creates and everyone reads.
    • Great for leveraging Office 365 groups,
      • Built-in connectivity with Outlook, Teams, Planner, Stream, etc.
    • Great for self-managed teams.
      • Team owners can add and remove team members.
      • Team owners can configure team and site permissions.
      • Team owners can invite external guests.
      • Team owners can archive sites.

Conclusion:
“Modern” SharePoint is quickly being adopted as everyone transitions away from “classic” SharePoint. But each template has its pros and cons. Communication sites can’t be converted to team sites, and vice versa. Because of this, its best to create SPO sites properly the first time: “Measure twice, cut once!”.

“We have to acknowledge that there are massive problems if we want to facilitate change. There has been no effort to change the design of this country.”

Elaine Brown

#blacklivesmatter

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