A Complete Guide to the Types of SharePoint Site

Quick Summary: This guide shows you the different types of SharePoint sites. We explain what they are and, most importantly, when you should use each one. You’ll learn about Team Sites, which are for collaboration (working together). You’ll also learn about Communication Sites, which are for broadcasting information (sharing with many people). We also cover other special sites. Understanding these choices is the very first step. This knowledge helps you build a smart and organized digital workspace for your company.

You need the right tool for the right job. This is true for any work. And it’s very true inside the Microsoft 365 ecosystem (all the connected apps). When you need a new workspace, just asking for “a SharePoint Site” isn’t enough. It’s only the start. Why? Because the platform gives you different site types. Your choice here is big. It will change everything: who can see things (permissions), how the site looks (design), and even how your team works together. To get the most from the platform, you must understand what SharePoint is and its basic setup (its architecture). 

What Is a SharePoint Team Site Used For? 

A SharePoint Team Site has one main job: two-way collaboration. This means people working with each other. Think of it as the main office or clubhouse for a group. This group could be working on a project, or it might just be a regular department (like HR or Sales) doing its daily work. These sites are made for talking, sharing files, and managing tasks. And here’s a key part: when you make a Team Site, it’s usually connected to a Microsoft 365 Group. This connection is powerful. It automatically gives your team a bundle (or suite) of connected apps, like a shared calendar in Outlook, a chat space in Microsoft Teams, and a to-do list in Planner. 

Key Features of Team Sites: 

• Shared Workspaces: Gives a special place for departments or project teams. They can organize all their work, files, and chats here. 

• Collaboration Tools: Lets people work on the same file at the same time (this is co-authoring). It also tracks file versions and helps assign tasks. Everyone stays on the same page. 

• Microsoft 365 Integration: It connects perfectly with tools like Teams and Planner. This link creates one smooth place for all your teamwork. 

So, this type of `sharepoint site` is perfect for a team planning a new product. It’s also great for an HR department that manages private company files. Really, it’s for any group that needs its own private space to work together. 

When Should You Use a Communication Site? 

If a Team Site is a workshop, a Communication Site is a stage. Team Sites are for working together. Communication Sites are for sharing with many people. Its main job is one-way broadcasting (like a TV station). Think of your company’s main news page (the intranet). Or a place to post official updates. These sites are made to look beautiful and professional. They are perfect for sharing polished news and final reports. And, a very important difference: making a Communication Site does not create a Microsoft 365 Group. It stands alone. 

Ideal Use Cases for Communication Sites: 

• Company News Portals: Share official news and messages from leaders with everyone. 

• Resource Centers: A central spot for important files like training guides, company rules, or HR forms. 

• Event Announcements: Show off details for company parties, big meetings, or important changes. 

A Communication `sharepoint site` looks different, too. It usually has a wide, full-screen style. The menu (navigation) is at the top. This design is great for showing your information in a clean, professional way. 

How Do You Choose Between Different Types of SharePoint Sites? 

Choosing the right `sharepoint site` is simple. It all comes down to your main goal. Just ask this one question: 

• Is my goal to work together in a group? If yes, choose a Team Site. 

• Is my goal to share information with lots of people? If yes, choose a Communication Site. 

For most new projects, you will probably want a modern Team Site. The one connected to a Microsoft 365 Group is the best choice for most teamwork. It gives you the most powerful and connected set of tools. But planning first is so important. Good planning is key. Expert sharepoint consulting can help you build a plan (an architecture) that truly matches what your business needs to do. 

What Are Group-Connected vs. Non-Group-Connected Sites? 

This difference is very important in modern SharePoint. A group-connected Team Site is the normal, standard choice. It comes with all the good, connected Microsoft 365 benefits we talked about. But, there is another choice. It’s a “hidden” option: a Team Site without a group. This site looks just like a Team Site (it has the menu on the left side). But it does not come with all the extra apps like a shared mailbox or calendar. It’s just the site. 

Only an admin can make this special type of `sharepoint site`. They have to go into the SharePoint Admin Center. So, when would you use it? It’s a great choice for a simple file library (a document repository). Or for a file archive (long-term storage). You use it when you don’t need a shared calendar or a Teams channel. It’s simpler. And what if a company wants to control this? Admins can even stop users from creating sites at all. 

Let our experts help you build, move, and manage your SharePoint setup. 

Are There Other Specialized SharePoint Sites? 

Yes. Besides the two main types, a few other special sites do specific jobs: 

• Hub Sites: A Hub Site is not really a new type of site. Think of it more like an umbrella. It’s a feature you turn on. A Hub Site connects your other Team Sites and Communication Sites. It gives them all the same top menu (navigation) and the same look (branding). It also rolls up all the news from the connected sites into one place. This is perfect for building a big portal for a whole department. 

• Channel Sites: These sites are special. They get created automatically when you make a private or shared channel in Microsoft Teams. Their only job is to safely store the files for that one channel. You are not supposed to change or build on this `sharepoint site` like a normal one. It just holds the files. 

When you understand all the available SharePoint services, you can build a better digital workplace. One that is strong (robust) and can grow with your company (scalable). 

Making these choices can be tricky. Working with an expert can really help. We are a long-time Microsoft Solutions Partner. Our certified pros help companies design and build (implement) SharePoint solutions. We make sure the solutions are built correctly (technically sound). But we also make sure they match your business goals. Our focus is to create one central system (an ecosystem) that does many things. A system that helps people work together and get better business results. We want you to get the most value from your money, every step of the way. 

FAQ On Types of SharePoint Site

Conclusion 

Picking the right `SharePoint site` is the first, most important step. It’s the foundation for building a good, organized digital workspace. Team Sites help you work together. Communication Sites help you share your message. Hub Sites help you connect everything. When you understand the job for each site type, you can build a SharePoint setup that makes work easier (streamlines workflows). It will help people communicate better and support your company’s goals. A good, clear plan for your `SharePoint site` structure is the only way to get the full power from the platform. 

About Author

Taha Siddiqui

Taha Siddiqui writes and plans technical and engaging content for Beyond Intranet as a senior content developer. He holds an engineering degree from Mumbai University and brings 6+ years of professional experience to his work. Over the last three years he has been central to Beyond Intranet’s Microsoft 365 content efforts, focusing on SharePoint, Power Platform and Copilot.