Before we dive into building your SharePoint site, we need to create one! In many organizations, site creation may be restricted, so you may need to request a new communication site from IT.

If you have permission, you can create one yourself through SharePoint Home or the SharePoint Admin Center. In this module, we’ll walk through the step-by-step process of setting up a communication site, explaining key options like site templates, naming conventions, and permissions.

Once your site is created, you’ll be ready to move on and start designing an engaging and functional experience!

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Now that we have our SharePoint site, it’s time to build its core structure. We’ll start with the Module List, a SharePoint list that serves two key purposes.

First, it helps organize and tag training content, making it easy to filter and display relevant materials.

Second, it supports module management, allowing us to assign owners, set review dates, and later implement alerts and notifications for updates. This structured approach ensures content stays relevant and well-maintained.

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A great training site needs a well-organized content library! Since this course is video-based (along with additional resources like cheat sheets and quizzes), we need a centralized place to store and manage all training materials.

That’s where the Course Content Library comes in. This SharePoint document library will allow us to store files, tag them with metadata, and dynamically display them across our site. You’ll learn how to structure the library, add metadata, and use it as the engine that powers content delivery.

By the end, you’ll master document libraries and metadata-driven content organization.

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Your SharePoint pages are where the user experience comes to life, and the Site Pages Library is where they’re managed. This special document library stores all site pages, and just like other SharePoint libraries, we can add metadata to keep things structured.

In this section, we’ll categorize pages, assign owners, set review dates, and apply conditional formatting to highlight overdue updates. These small steps now will make managing content easier as your site grows.

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Now that our foundation is set, it’s time to create an engaging onboarding page that delivers a smooth experience for new joiners. In this module, we’ll design a custom header, add an orientation video playlist, and link to key resources.

We’ll also integrate an onboarding events feed using SharePoint’s calendar and build a FAQ section for common questions. Along the way, you’ll learn how to structure content dynamically to guide users effectively.

These concepts apply beyond onboarding—this approach can enhance any training page on your site.

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Unlike the onboarding page, structured course pages guide learners through a focused training journey. In this module, we’ll build a course page dedicated to a specific topic—complete with a custom header, learning objectives, and module sections.

We’ll leverage the Course Content Library to dynamically pull in videos, organize them in a seamless playlist, and provide related resources. This approach ensures users consume content effortlessly without navigating SharePoint’s backend.

By the end, you’ll have a clear, structured, and engaging learning experience that makes training intuitive and accessible.

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A glossary is a quick-reference tool that helps users understand industry terms and acronyms—perfect for cutting through confusing jargon.

In this section, we’ll create an interactive glossary page using two SharePoint lists: one for filtering (A-Z) and another for storing definitions. Users can browse or filter terms easily, making information more accessible. You’ll learn how to structure lists, apply filtering logic, and enhance usability.

By the end, you’ll have a simple but powerful resource that makes complex terminology easy to find and understand.

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Your site’s Upcoming Events page provides a central hub where users can view all scheduled events across different categories. While SharePoint offers a default event listing page, we’ll focus on building a custom events page that allows for better organization, enhanced context, and a more engaging user experience.

We’ll structure events by category, add a welcome message, and ensure users can easily navigate upcoming activities.

By the end, you’ll have a fully customizable events page that makes it simple for users to find and engage with important events.

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The Subject Matter Experts page helps users put a face to a name, understand team roles, and know who to reach out to for specific questions.

In this section, we’ll build a visually engaging team page with profile pictures, name tags, personal introductions, and areas of expertise. We’ll also add an interactive business card experience using SharePoint’s People web part, allowing users to hover over a profile for contact details.

You’ll also explore alternative layouts to best fit your needs. By the end, you’ll have a well-structured, professional, and engaging team page.

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Now that all content pages are in place, it’s time to build an engaging homepage that serves as your site’s shopfront—welcoming users, introducing key content, and making navigation effortless.

We’ll design a visually striking homepage with clear calls to action, highlighting courses, onboarding resources, and essential tools like the glossary and expert directory. Additionally, we’ll refine the site navigation, structuring menus for a clean, intuitive user experience.

By the end, your homepage will be both functional and visually engaging, ensuring users can easily explore and benefit from your site’s content.

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A great SharePoint site evolves with its users, and capturing feedback ensures it meets their needs.

In this section, we’ll create a feedback system using a SharePoint list and form, allowing users to submit suggestions with just a click. Feedback entries will be tracked, categorized, and assigned to team members for follow-up. We’ll also set up notifications to ensure no feedback gets overlooked.

This simple yet powerful solution isn’t just for feedback—it can be adapted for multiple business processes. By the end, you’ll have a structured way to gather, manage, and act on user input.

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Keeping content up to date is crucial, so in this section, we’ll set automated reminders for upcoming module reviews.

Using the Next Review Date column in our training module list, we’ll configure notifications to ensure content stays relevant. Additionally, we’ll explore site permissions, covering how to manage and update access settings as needed.

This is a quick but essential section that helps maintain site quality and control who can edit or view content. By the end, you’ll have a streamlined way to stay on top of updates and manage site access efficiently.

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Branding plays a key role in making your SharePoint site visually engaging and aligned with your organization’s identity.

In this section, we’ll explore two levels of branding: SharePoint’s built-in site-wide branding options and on-page design elements—what I like to call “guerrilla branding.”

We’ll also dive into image creation, using Figma for professional design and PowerPoint as an accessible alternative. If you’re not into design, no worries—I’ll provide ready-to-use templates. By the end, you’ll have the tools to enhance your site’s look and feel effortlessly.

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