How to Structure a SharePoint Site

A well-structured SharePoint site is crucial because it helps users easily find the information they need, improves navigation, and enhances the overall user experience. An organized SharePoint site also ensures that content is easily accessible and manageable, reducing the risk of information overload and improving productivity.

When structuring a SharePoint site, it is vital to consider the organization’s needs and goals for the site. Here are a few tips for structuring a SharePoint site: 

  1. Align objectives and outline needs: Identify the business objectives and determine how SharePoint can support them. It is essential to understand the type of content that will be stored and shared and the users accessing the site.

  2. Define a clear site hierarchy: Decide on the top-level site and any sub-sites needed. This should be based on the purpose of the site, the organization’s needs, and the type of content that will be stored.

  3. Plan for growth: SharePoint sites can grow quickly, so it’s important to plan for future expansion and scalability. 

  4. Define the site structure: Decide on the specific pages, lists, and libraries needed within each site. The structure should be based on the type of content that will be stored and the users accessing the site. 

  5. Maintain awareness of the design, layout, and collaboration features that SharePoint offers and use them in a way that will make the most sense for your organization.

  6. Use consistent navigation: Use the same navigation structure throughout the SharePoint site to make it easy for users to find what they’re looking for. 

  7. Use metadata: Use metadata to organize and classify content, making it easy to find and sort through large amounts of information.

  8. Define permissions and access: Determine who needs access to each site, page, list, and library. Permissions should be based on the role of the users and the content stored on the site. Set up appropriate permissions to ensure that only authorized users can access sensitive information. 

  9. Test and refine: Create a prototype of the site structure and test it with a small group of users. Use their feedback to refine the structure and make any necessary adjustments. 

  10. Train and communicate: Train the users on navigating and using the new SharePoint site structure and communicate any organizational changes.

  11. Continuous improvement: Test the site’s structure and navigation with real users’ feedback to identify and address any issues. 

It’s also important to note that SharePoint provides several templates to structure your sites, such as a Team site, Communication site, and publishing site. Each template has features and functionalities that you can use to structure the site according to your need. 

Check out our blog for ways to boost productivity and streamline workflow. Whether you’re looking for ways to stay organized, improve your time management, or make better use of your technology, we have something for you.