SharePoint Site Templates: A Tutorial on Creating and Using Them

SharePoint is a powerful platform that allows organizations to create and manage their own websites, document libraries, and collaboration spaces. One of the key features of SharePoint is the ability to create site templates, which can be used to quickly and easily replicate a specific site structure and design.

Benefits of Using SharePoint Site Templates

Using SharePoint site templates offers several benefits for organizations:

• Efficiency: Site templates allow you to create new sites with pre-defined settings and configurations, saving time and effort in setting up each site from scratch.
• Consistency: By using site templates, you can ensure that all sites within your organization have a consistent look and feel, as well as consistent functionality.
• Standardization: Site templates provide a standardized structure and layout for sites, making it easier for users to navigate and find information.
• Scalability: With site templates, you can easily replicate a successful site structure and design across multiple sites, allowing for scalability and growth.

Creating a SharePoint Site Template

To create a SharePoint site template, follow these steps:

1. Create a new site: Start by creating a new SharePoint site with the desired structure and design. You can add document libraries, lists, web parts, and other elements to customize the site as needed.
2. Customize the site: Once the site is created, customize it by adding content, modifying settings, and configuring any additional functionality you want to include in the template.
3. Save the site as a template: Once you are satisfied with the site, go to the site settings and click on "Save site as template" under the "Site Actions" menu. Give the template a name and description, and choose whether to include the content of the site in the template.
4. Download the template: After saving the site as a template, it will be available for download. Go to the "Solutions Gallery" in the site settings and download the template file (.wsp).
5. Upload the template: To use the template, upload it to the "Solutions Gallery" of the SharePoint site where you want to create a new site based on the template. Once uploaded, the template will be available for selection when creating a new site.

Using SharePoint Site Templates

Once you have created a SharePoint site template, you can use it to create new sites based on the template. Follow these steps:

1. Create a new site: Go to the SharePoint site where you want to create a new site based on the template. Click on "Site Actions" and select "New Site".
2. Select the template: In the new site creation form, choose the option to create a site from a template. Select the desired template from the list of available templates.
3. Configure the site: Customize the site by specifying a name, URL, and other settings as required. You can also choose whether to include the content of the template in the new site.
4. Create the site: Once you have configured the site settings, click on "Create" to create the new site based on the selected template.

Best Practices for Using SharePoint Site Templates

When creating and using SharePoint site templates, it is important to follow these best practices:

• Keep the template simple: Avoid adding unnecessary elements or complex configurations to the template. Keep it simple and focused on the core functionality and structure.
• Regularly update the template: As your organization's needs evolve, regularly update the template to reflect any changes in structure, design, or functionality.
• Test the template: Before deploying the template to production sites, test it in a development or staging environment to ensure that it works as expected.
• Document the template: Provide documentation on how to use the template, including any specific configurations or settings that need to be applied.

Conclusion

SharePoint site templates are a powerful tool for organizations to create and manage their own websites, document libraries, and collaboration spaces. By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can create and use SharePoint site templates to save time and effort in setting up new sites, ensure consistency and standardization across sites, and facilitate scalability and growth.