SharePoint: Creating a Communication Site

Summary

Create a SharePoint Online communication site to share news, reports, status, and other information in a visually compelling format. Communication sites are responsive and can be viewed from anywhere on any device.

Content

Should I create a communication site or a team site?

Please refer to the USNH Knowledge Base article on Types of SharePoint Online Sites.

Steps to create a communication site

1. Make sure you plan your Communication site before creating it, please reference the SharePoint @ USNH Planning Guides

2. Sign in to Office 365

3. In the top left corner of the page, select the app launcher icon (grid menu) and then select the SharePoint tile. If you don't see the SharePoint tile, click the Sites tile or All if SharePoint is not visible.

4. At the top of the SharePoint home page, click + Create site and choose the Communication site option.

• Topic to share information such as news, events, and other content.
• Showcase to use photos or images to showcase a product, team, or event.
• Blank to create your own design.Select one of the following site designs:

5. Give your new communication site a name and, in the Site description box, add some text that lets people know the purpose of your site.The name should define the what the site is going to do.

6. You can edit the Site Address by clicking the pencil icon

7. Select a language for the site - please note that you cannot change the language later

8. Click Finish. Your site will be created and will appear among the sites you're following. Your site will not inherit the permission settings or navigation of other sites. To share your communication site with others, see Share a site

Now that you have a Communication Site it's time to set it up. Visit the knowledge base article on using web parts.
More information about planning a site is available at SharePoint @ USNH Planning Guides

SharePoint can contain PII, FERPA, and HIPAA data, these sites much be vetted by CyberSecurity. 

Use of SharePoint Online and other Office 365 services provided by USNH is governed by the same policies as other university resources: 

• USNH IT – Policies on IT Resources (https://www.unh.edu/it/kb/article/policies-on-it-resources.html) 

• Data Classification | Information Technology  (https://www.unh.edu/it/kb/article/unh-it-file-storage-data-classification.html) 

• SharePoint Quick Reference Guide:  https://www.unh.edu/it/kb/article/sharepoint-quick-reference-guide.html  

• Data Storage Classification:  https://www.unh.edu/it/kb/article/unh-it-file-storage-data-classification.html  

• Academic Technology Digital Communications: https://www.unh.edu/digital  

Need Additional Help?

More information available at Microsoft - Create a communication sites in SharePoint Online.

Please fill out the Microsoft 365 Support webform with as much detail as possible, or contact the ET&S Help Desk team on your local campus.