A SharePoint Root Site is the top-level site automatically created when an organisation sets up Microsoft 365, including SharePoint. This site, typically found at a URL like contoso.sharepoint.com, serves as the primary entry point and central hub for accessing and organising other subsites, lists, libraries, and content within the site collection.
The root site is the foundational site in a SharePoint environment. It is created by default and cannot be deleted, ensuring the stability and functionality of the entire SharePoint ecosystem. Initially, root sites were classic team sites, but since April 2019, new root sites are set up as modern communication sites.
What are Root Sites Used For?
The primary purpose of a SharePoint Root Site is to act as the central hub for your organisation’s SharePoint environment. They are pivotal for maintaining a well-organised intranet. The root site provides a unified location where employees can access important resources, navigate to other sites, and find organisational updates. They become the official source of news, information, and resources.
The root site often serves as the main intranet landing page, offering a cohesive and branded experience for all users. This central positioning makes root sites crucial for disseminating organisational updates, hosting company resources, and ensuring that employees have a common starting point for their digital workday.
Best Practices
- Modernise Your Root Site: If your root site is still in the classic experience, consider upgrading it to a modern communication site to take advantage of the latest features and improved user experience.
- Consistent Branding: Ensure that the root site reflects your organisation’s branding, including logos, colours, and fonts, to create a cohesive look and feel.
- Effective Navigation: Implement a clear and intuitive navigation structure to help users find the information they need quickly and easily.
- Regular Updates: Keep the content on your root site fresh and relevant by regularly updating news, announcements, and resources.
- User Training: Provide training and resources to help users understand how to navigate and use the root site effectively.
- Search: Use the root site to connect employees with an intranet-wide search experience, allowing for efficient information retrieval.
- Audience Targeting: Implement audience targeting to dynamically display relevant content based on employee roles and interests.
- Two-Way Comms: Encourage two-way communications by integrating features that allow for employee interaction and feedback.
Setting up a SharePoint root site requires administrative permissions and should be approached with a strategic plan that considers the organisation’s long-term digital strategy. It’s recommended to make the tenant’s root site the SharePoint Home Site for ease of access and navigation.
In summary, SharePoint root sites are foundational elements of an organisation’s SharePoint environment, acting as the main landing pages that offer a personalised and branded gateway to the company’s digital workspace. They play a critical role in enhancing employee engagement, communication, and access to resources, making them a powerful tool in any organisation’s digital arsenal.
