10 Expert Tips for Building a High-Performance SharePoint Site
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform for building intranet sites, collaboration portals, and document management systems. However, to ensure optimal performance and user experience, it’s important to follow best practices when developing a SharePoint site. In this article, we will share 10 expert tips for building a high-performance SharePoint site.
1. Plan Your SharePoint Site Structure
Before diving into development, it’s crucial to plan your SharePoint site structure. This includes defining the site hierarchy, organizing content into logical categories, and determining the navigation structure. A well-planned site structure will make it easier for users to find information and navigate through the site.
2. Optimize SharePoint Performance
SharePoint performance can be optimized by implementing various techniques such as caching, minification, and bundling. Caching allows frequently accessed data to be stored in memory, reducing the need to fetch data from the database. Minification and bundling help reduce the size of JavaScript and CSS files, resulting in faster page load times.
3. Use SharePoint Online for Better Scalability
If you’re building a new SharePoint site, consider using SharePoint Online instead of SharePoint on-premise. SharePoint Online offers better scalability and performance, as it is hosted on Microsoft’s cloud infrastructure. It also provides automatic updates and maintenance, reducing the burden on your IT team.
4. Leverage SharePoint Framework (SPFx)
The SharePoint Framework (SPFx) is a modern development model for building SharePoint solutions. It allows developers to build client-side web parts using modern web technologies such as React, Angular, and TypeScript. SPFx web parts are lightweight and can be easily deployed and updated, resulting in better performance and flexibility.
5. Optimize Images and Media Files
Large images and media files can significantly impact the performance of your SharePoint site. To optimize images, resize them to the appropriate dimensions and compress them without compromising quality. You can also use lazy loading techniques to load images and media files only when they are visible on the screen.
6. Implement Content Delivery Networks (CDNs)
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) can greatly improve the performance of your SharePoint site by caching static content and delivering it from servers located closer to the user’s location. By distributing content across multiple servers, CDNs reduce latency and ensure faster content delivery.
7. Use Managed Metadata and Search
Managed metadata and search features in SharePoint can greatly enhance the user experience by making it easier to find and navigate through content. By tagging content with relevant metadata and using search-driven navigation, users can quickly locate the information they need, resulting in a more efficient and productive intranet.
8. Implement Responsive Design
In today’s mobile-first world, it’s essential to ensure that your SharePoint site is responsive and accessible on different devices and screen sizes. Implementing responsive design techniques, such as using fluid grids and flexible layouts, will ensure that your site looks and functions well on desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
9. Regularly Monitor and Optimize Performance
Building a high-performance SharePoint site is an ongoing process. It’s important to regularly monitor the performance of your site and make necessary optimizations. Use tools like SharePoint Health Analyzer and Performance Monitor to identify performance bottlenecks and take appropriate actions to improve performance.
10. Consider Outsourcing SharePoint Development
If you don’t have the in-house expertise or resources to build a high-performance SharePoint site, consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a reputable agency. A SharePoint development agency can provide the necessary expertise and experience to build a robust and high-performing SharePoint site that meets your specific requirements.
Conclusion
Building a high-performance SharePoint site requires careful planning, optimization, and ongoing monitoring. By following these expert tips, you can ensure that your SharePoint site delivers optimal performance, user experience, and productivity for your organization.