Quick Timeline of SharePoint

The following is a brief timeline of SharePoint:

SharePoint was first released in 2001 as a collaboration platform for Microsoft Office. It was originally known as Office Server but was rebranded as SharePoint in 2003.

Here is a brief timeline of SharePoint history:

• 2001: SharePoint 2001 is released.
• 2003: SharePoint Portal Server 2003 is released.
• 2007: SharePoint Server 2007 is released.
• 2010: SharePoint Server 2010 is released.
• 2011: SharePoint Online is released.
• 2013: SharePoint Server 2013 is released.
• 2016: SharePoint Server 2016 is released.
• 2019: SharePoint Server 2019 is released.

5 Tips for Creative Effective SharePoint Websites

The following are five tips for creating effective SharePoint websites:

• Plan the website carefully before you start building it. This will help to organize content and create a user-friendly experience.
• Use a consistent design throughout the website. This will help to create a professional and polished look.
• Use high-quality images and videos to make the website more visually appealing.
• Make sure your website is mobile-friendly. More and more people are using mobile devices to access the internet, so it is important to make sure that the website looks good and functions well on mobile devices.
• Test the website thoroughly before launching it. Make sure that all of the links work and content is accurate.

3 Types of SharePoint Websites

The following are three types of SharePoint websites:

• Intranets: websites that are used to share information and resources within an organization. They can be used to create a variety of different types of content, such as news articles, employee directories, and project sites.
• Extranets: websites that are used to share information and resources with external partners or customers. They can be used to create a variety of different types of content, such as product catalogs, support tickets, and customer portals.
• Public websites: websites that are accessible to anyone on the internet. They can be used to create a variety of different types of content, such as company websites, product websites, and personal websites.

3 Core Tips for Using Metadata Effectively in SharePoint Online

The following are three core tips for using metadata effectively in SharePoint Online:

• Use metadata to create custom views: One can use metadata to create custom views of lists and libraries. This can help one to see the information that is most relevant.
• Use metadata to create alerts: One can use metadata to create alerts that notify when new content is added to sites that matches criteria.
• Use metadata to create reports: One can use metadata to create reports that track the usage of content.

3 Metadata SharePoint Online Tips and Tricks

The following are 3 SharePoint Online tips and tricks related to metadata:

1. Use managed metadata to create a consistent taxonomy - Managed metadata is a way to create a consistent and controlled vocabulary for SharePoint Online sites. This can help to improve the findability of content and make it easier for users to locate the information they need.

Here are some of the benefits of using managed metadata:

• Improved findability: Managed metadata can help to improve the findability of content by ensuring that all of the content is tagged with consistent and relevant terms.
• Increased consistency: Managed metadata can help to increase the consistency of content by ensuring that all of the users are using the same terms to describe the same content.
• Reduced duplication: Managed metadata can help to reduce duplication by ensuring that multiple terms for the same concept are not being created.

2. Use enterprise keywords to tag content - 

Enterprise keywords are a type of metadata that you one use to tag content with additional keywords that are not included in managed metadata terms. This can further improve the findability of content.

3. Use search refiners to filter your search results - Search refiners are a way to filter  search results by metadata. This can help narrow down search results and find the information one needs more quickly.

3 SharePoint Online Tips and Tricks for Navigation

The following are three SharePoint Online tips and tricks for navigation:

1. Leverage the global navigation bar - 

Provides quick access to frequently used sites and resources.

Tips:

• Prioritize frequently used sites: Place the most commonly accessed sites towards the beginning of the navigation bar to facilitate quick access.
• Group sites logically: Organize sites into categories or departments to create a logical structure and improve discoverability.
• Utilize clear labels: Use clear and concise labels for each site to provide easy identification and avoid confusion.
• Maintain consistency: Ensure consistency in naming conventions and site labels across the navigation bar for a cohesive user experience.

2. Employ site navigation menus - 

Site navigation menus, provide structured navigation within individual sites. By effectively organizing and designing site navigation menus, one can guide users through the site's content in a clear and intuitive manner.

Tips:

• Limit menu depth: Keep navigation menus shallow, ideally with no more than two levels, to avoid overwhelming users with too many options.
• Prioritize content: Place the most important content items towards the top of the navigation menu to ensure users easily find key information.
• Use descriptive labels: Employ clear and concise labels for each menu item to accurately represent the content it leads to.
• Consider mega menus: Utilize mega menus, which expand on click to reveal a wider range of options, for sites with extensive content structures.

3. Utilize search refiners - 

Search refiners provide a dynamic way to filter search results based on metadata, allowing one to refine their search and quickly narrow down to the information they need. By enabling and configuring search refiners, one can enhance the search experience and improve the findability of content.

Tips:

• Enable search refiners: Ensure search refiners are enabled for the SharePoint Online sites to provide this filtering functionality.
• Customize refiner panels: Configure refiner panels to display relevant metadata fields that align with the content of sites.
• Position refiners strategically: Place refiner panels in a prominent location on the search results page to make them easily accessible.
• Educate users on refiners: Train users on how to utilize search refiners effectively to enhance their search experience.

8 Tips and Tricks to Help Get the Most out of SharePoint Online

The following are eight tips and tricks to help you get the most out of SharePoint Online:

Customize options

1. Customize the SharePoint Online experience.

• Change the look and feel of the SharePoint Online site to match any branding.
• Use different colors, fonts, and layouts to create a consistent and professional look on sites.
• Add a logo and images to the sites.

SharePoint Online Lists

2. Use Lists to manage data.

• Create lists to track information, such as tasks, contacts, and events.
• Add custom views to filter and sort data, and one can attach files to list items.
• Lists are a great way to keep track of important information and to collaborate.

SharePoint Online Document Libraries

3. Use Libraries to store and share documents.

• Create libraries to store and share documents, such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Add permissions to the libraries to control who can access and edit documents.
• Libraries are a great way to keep documents organized and accessible to a team.

SharePoint Online Workflows

4. Use Workflows to automate tasks.

• Create workflows to automate tasks, such as approving documents, sending notifications, and creating tasks.
• Use simple workflows using SharePoint Designer or use the Power Automate app to create complex workflows.
• Workflows can help to save time and improve efficiency.

SharePoint Online Pages

5. Use Pages to create dynamic content.

• Create pages to share news, promote events, and provide resources.
• Use web parts to add multimedia content, forms, and other interactive elements to the pages.
• Pages are a great way to communicate with a team and to share information with.

SharePoint Online Alerts

6. Use Alerts to stay informed.

• Create alerts to notify when new documents are added to a library, when tasks are assigned , or when changes are made to a page.
• Customize alerts to receive notifications by email or text message.
• Alerts can help stay up-to-date on important information.

SharePoint Online Mobile App

7. Use the SharePoint Mobile App to access sites from a mobile device.

• Use the SharePoint Mobile App to access SharePoint sites from an iPhone, iPad, or Android device.
• View and edit documents, manage tasks, and collaborate with others from a mobile device.
• The SharePoint Mobile App is a great way to stay connected to SharePoint sites.

SharePoint Online Search 

8. Use Search to find information quickly.

• Use the Search feature in SharePoint Online to find information quickly and easily.
• Search for documents, people, and events.
• Use filters and advanced search operators to narrow down search results.