DIY Guide: Creating a SharePoint Site from Scratch
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform that allows organizations to create and manage websites, intranets, and collaboration spaces. Whether you are a SharePoint development agency or an individual looking to create a SharePoint site, this DIY guide will walk you through the process step by step. From planning and design to development and deployment, we will cover all the essential aspects of creating a SharePoint site from scratch.
Step 1: Planning
Before diving into SharePoint development, it is crucial to have a clear plan in place. Start by defining the purpose and goals of your SharePoint site. Are you building a public-facing website or an internal intranet? What features and functionalities do you need? Consider the target audience and their needs to ensure your site meets their requirements.
Next, create a site map to outline the structure of your SharePoint site. This will help you organize content and determine the hierarchy of pages and sub-sites. Identify the key sections and their relationships to ensure a logical and user-friendly navigation experience.
Step 2: Design
Intranet design plays a crucial role in the success of your SharePoint site. Start by choosing a suitable theme or template that aligns with your organization’s branding and visual identity. SharePoint offers a range of pre-designed themes that can be customized to match your requirements.
Consider the layout and structure of your site. Use web parts to add functionality and enhance the user experience. SharePoint provides a wide range of web parts, such as document libraries, calendars, news feeds, and more. Choose the ones that best suit your needs and arrange them on your pages accordingly.
Step 3: Development
Once you have planned and designed your SharePoint site, it’s time to start the development process. SharePoint offers two deployment options: on-premise and online. On-premise deployment requires setting up a SharePoint server infrastructure, while online deployment allows you to use SharePoint Online, a cloud-based service provided by Microsoft.
If you choose on-premise deployment, you will need to install and configure SharePoint on your server. This involves setting up the necessary hardware, software, and network infrastructure. You will also need to create and configure site collections, sites, and lists based on your site map and design.
For online deployment, you can sign up for a SharePoint Online subscription and create a new site collection. Microsoft takes care of the server infrastructure, updates, and maintenance, allowing you to focus on site customization and content creation.
Step 4: Customization
Customizing your SharePoint site is essential to make it unique and tailored to your organization’s needs. SharePoint provides various customization options, including branding, page layouts, and web parts.
Branding allows you to customize the look and feel of your site by applying your organization’s logo, colors, and fonts. You can also create custom page layouts to control the structure and design of your pages. SharePoint Designer, a free tool provided by Microsoft, can be used for advanced customization.
Web parts are the building blocks of your SharePoint site. They allow you to add functionality and content to your pages. SharePoint offers a wide range of out-of-the-box web parts, such as document libraries, calendars, announcements, and more. You can also create custom web parts using SharePoint Framework (SPFx) or third-party tools.
Step 5: Deployment and Maintenance
Once your SharePoint site is developed and customized, it’s time to deploy it to your users. SharePoint provides various deployment options, including publishing sites, subsites, and site collections. Choose the option that best suits your needs and follow the deployment process.
After deployment, it is essential to regularly maintain and update your SharePoint site. This includes managing user permissions, monitoring site performance, and applying security patches and updates. SharePoint offers various tools and features to simplify site administration and maintenance.
Conclusion
Creating a SharePoint site from scratch requires careful planning, design, development, and customization. By following this DIY guide, you can create a SharePoint site that meets your organization’s needs and provides a seamless user experience. Whether you are a SharePoint development agency or an individual, SharePoint offers the flexibility and functionality to build powerful websites and intranets.