Mastering SharePoint: A Roundup of Inspiring Site Examples
SharePoint, Microsoft's versatile web-based collaborative platform, is a powerful tool for businesses of all sizes. When designed effectively, SharePoint sites can streamline workflows, enhance communication, and drive productivity. Let's explore some good SharePoint site examples that demonstrate the platform's capabilities and provide inspiration for your own site creation.
1. Intranet Portals: The Hub for Company Communication
An effective intranet portal serves as the central hub for company news, resources, and communication. Here are two SharePoint site examples that excel in this area:
- BP3's SharePoint Intranet: BP3, a business process management company, has created a user-friendly intranet site that features a clean, modern design. The site includes a news feed, quick links to popular resources, and an employee directory, all easily accessible from the homepage.
- SharePoint Intranet by LightUp: LightUp, a SharePoint consultancy, has built an intranet site that showcases the platform's capabilities. The site features a dynamic dashboard, personalized news feed, and a range of web parts that demonstrate SharePoint's flexibility.
2. Team Sites: Collaborate and Share with Ease
SharePoint team sites enable groups to collaborate, share information, and manage projects. Here are two examples that highlight the platform's collaboration features:
- Project Management Team Site: This example site, created by Microsoft, demonstrates how a team site can be used to manage projects. The site includes a project timeline, task lists, and document libraries, all integrated with Microsoft Project for seamless task management.
- Marketing Campaign Team Site: This site, also created by Microsoft, shows how a team site can be used to manage marketing campaigns. The site includes a campaign calendar, approval workflows, and a document library for storing and sharing campaign assets.
3. Communication Sites: Engage and Inform Your Audience
SharePoint communication sites are designed to share news and information with a wide audience. Here are two examples that showcase the platform's communication capabilities:
- Company News Site: This example site, created by Microsoft, features a news feed, hero web part for highlighting important stories, and a events list to keep employees informed about upcoming company events.
- Customer Success Stories Site: This site, created by SharePoint MVP Paul Mather, demonstrates how a communication site can be used to showcase customer success stories. The site features a hero web part with customer logos, a news feed with success story updates, and a customer testimonial library.
4. Knowledge Base Sites: Capture and Share Institutional Knowledge
A knowledge base site enables organizations to capture and share institutional knowledge, ensuring that valuable information isn't lost over time. Here's an example that demonstrates the platform's knowledge management capabilities:
- SharePoint Knowledge Base Site: This example site, created by SharePoint MVP Dux Raymond Sy, features a searchable knowledge base, categorized by topic. The site also includes a feedback system for users to suggest new articles and improvements.
5. Human Resources Sites: Streamline HR Processes
A SharePoint HR site can streamline HR processes, improve communication, and provide employees with easy access to HR resources. Here's an example that highlights the platform's HR capabilities:
- HR Portal Site: This example site, created by Microsoft, features a news feed for HR updates, a document library for HR policies and forms, and a benefits calculator for helping employees understand their benefits packages.
6. Best Practices for Creating Effective SharePoint Sites
To create effective SharePoint sites, consider the following best practices:
| Best Practice | Description |
|---|---|
| Understand Your Audience | Tailor your site to meet the needs and preferences of your target audience. |
| Keep It Simple and Intuitive | Use a clean, uncluttered design and make sure navigation is intuitive and easy to use. |
| Leverage Web Parts | Use web parts to add functionality and interactivity to your site. |
| Optimize for Search | Use metadata, managed properties, and other search optimization techniques to make your site's content easily discoverable. |
| Test and Refine | Gather user feedback and use analytics to continuously improve your site. |
By following these best practices and drawing inspiration from the good SharePoint site examples above, you can create effective, engaging, and productive SharePoint sites tailored to your organization's unique needs.
