A Detailed Guide to Understanding SharePoint Templates
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create websites, intranets, and collaboration spaces. It provides a wide range of features and functionalities that can be customized to meet specific business needs. One of the key components of SharePoint is templates, which serve as a starting point for creating different types of sites. In this guide, we will explore SharePoint templates in detail and discuss their importance in SharePoint development.
What are SharePoint Templates?
SharePoint templates are pre-designed site structures that can be used to create new sites with specific functionalities and layouts. These templates contain pre-configured lists, libraries, web parts, and other components that are commonly used in a particular type of site. SharePoint provides a variety of templates for different purposes, such as team sites, document centers, project sites, and more.
Types of SharePoint Templates
SharePoint offers several types of templates that cater to different business needs. Some of the commonly used templates include:
1. Team Site Template
The team site template is one of the most commonly used templates in SharePoint. It provides a collaborative workspace for teams to share documents, manage tasks, and communicate with each other. This template includes features like document libraries, calendars, discussion boards, and announcements.
2. Document Center Template
The document center template is designed for managing large amounts of documents. It provides a centralized location for storing, organizing, and searching for documents. This template includes features like document libraries, content types, workflows, and document sets.
3. Project Site Template
The project site template is specifically designed for managing projects. It provides a platform for project teams to collaborate, track progress, and manage tasks. This template includes features like task lists, project timelines, issue tracking, and document libraries.
4. Publishing Site Template
The publishing site template is used for creating public-facing websites. It provides a platform for publishing and managing content, such as news articles, blog posts, and web pages. This template includes features like page layouts, publishing workflows, and content approval.
5. Community Site Template
The community site template is designed for creating online communities and forums. It provides a platform for users to connect, share knowledge, and engage in discussions. This template includes features like discussion boards, reputation systems, and user profiles.
Customizing SharePoint Templates
While SharePoint provides a range of pre-designed templates, organizations often need to customize these templates to align with their specific requirements. SharePoint allows users to customize templates by modifying the site’s structure, adding or removing components, and applying custom branding.
Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can be a cost-effective and efficient way to customize SharePoint templates. A SharePoint development agency has the expertise and experience to understand your business needs and tailor SharePoint templates accordingly. They can help you create a SharePoint website or intranet that is visually appealing, user-friendly, and aligned with your organization’s goals.
Benefits of Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Outsourcing SharePoint development offers several benefits, including:
1. Expertise and Experience
A SharePoint development agency has a team of experienced professionals who specialize in SharePoint development. They have in-depth knowledge of SharePoint templates and can provide valuable insights and recommendations for customizing them.
2. Time and Cost Savings
Outsourcing SharePoint development allows you to focus on your core business activities while the agency takes care of the technical aspects. This saves time and reduces costs associated with hiring and training an in-house SharePoint development team.
3. Customization and Flexibility
A SharePoint development agency can customize SharePoint templates to meet your specific requirements. They can add custom functionalities, integrate third-party tools, and create a unique design that reflects your brand identity.
4. Ongoing Support and Maintenance
Managed SharePoint services provided by a development agency ensure that your SharePoint website or intranet is always up-to-date and running smoothly. They offer ongoing support, maintenance, and troubleshooting services to address any issues that may arise.
Conclusion
SharePoint templates are an essential component of SharePoint development. They provide a starting point for creating different types of sites, such as team sites, document centers, project sites, and more. Customizing SharePoint templates allows organizations to tailor their SharePoint websites and intranets to meet their specific requirements. Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency offers several benefits, including expertise, time and cost savings, customization, and ongoing support. By leveraging SharePoint templates and outsourcing development, organizations can create powerful and customized SharePoint solutions that enhance collaboration, productivity, and efficiency.