As a SharePoint site owner, you need a landing page that gives your project team quick access to key documents, tasks, and status updates. A poorly organized landing page causes confusion and wastes time as members hunt for information. This article provides a practical checklist for building a clear, functional landing page on a SharePoint project site. You will learn the essential elements, step-by-step setup instructions, and common pitfalls to avoid.
Key Takeaways: Build a Project Site Landing Page That Works
- SharePoint modern page web parts: Use the Hero, Quick Links, Document Library, and Events web parts for a functional layout.
- Page layout with sections: Divide the page into two or three columns to separate status, documents, and team updates.
- Navigation and audience targeting: Set the landing page as the site home page and use audience targeting to show relevant content to different roles.
What a Project Site Landing Page Should Include
A project site landing page is the first thing team members see when they visit the SharePoint site. Its purpose is to give a snapshot of the project status, provide direct links to critical resources, and guide the user to the next action. Before you start building, gather the following prerequisites:
- A SharePoint project site created using the Project Web App site template or a team site with project-specific lists and libraries.
- Site owner or member permissions to edit pages and add web parts.
- Content ready for the landing page, such as a project charter document, a task list, and a status report.
The core components of a successful landing page include a hero section for the project title and key call to action, a quick links area for frequently used resources, a document library web part showing the latest files, a task list or Planner integration, and an events web part for upcoming milestones. Each component serves a specific purpose and should be placed in a logical order from top to bottom.
Hero Section
The Hero web part displays up to five tiles with images, text, and links. Use the first tile for the project name and a summary of the current phase. The remaining tiles can link to the project plan, risk register, budget tracker, and meeting notes. Choose images that represent each area, such as a calendar icon for the schedule.
Quick Links
The Quick Links web part provides a grid of icons and labels. Add links to the project charter, communication plan, status report template, and the project team directory. Keep the number of links between four and eight to avoid clutter.
Document Library Web Part
Add the Document Library web part and configure it to show the most recent files from the shared documents library. Set the view to show the title, modified date, and modified by columns. This gives team members instant access to the latest versions of project deliverables.
Task List or Planner
If your project uses a SharePoint task list, add the List web part and select the Tasks list. For projects using Microsoft Planner, add the Planner web part and choose the relevant plan. Show only the next five tasks due or tasks assigned to the current user using the filter option.
Events Web Part
Add the Events web part and configure it to show upcoming events from the site calendar. Set the number of events to display to five. This keeps the team informed about deadlines, reviews, and status meetings.
Steps to Build the Landing Page
- Create a new page
Go to your SharePoint site and select New > Page. Choose a blank layout or start from a template. Name the page “Project Home” or “Landing Page.” - Add a Hero web part
Click the plus sign on the page and select Hero from the web part menu. Upload images or select from the stock library. Edit each tile with the project title, a short description, and a link to the corresponding document or list. - Add a Quick Links web part
Click the plus sign below the hero section and select Quick Links. Add links by pasting URLs or searching for content within the site. Choose the compact grid layout to save space. - Add a Document Library web part
Click the plus sign and select Document Library. Choose the shared documents library. In the web part properties, set the view to All Documents and check the options to show file type icon and modified date. - Add a List or Planner web part
Click the plus sign and select List or Planner. For a task list, choose the Tasks list. For Planner, select the plan. Apply a filter to show only tasks due within the next week or assigned to the current user. - Add an Events web part
Click the plus sign and select Events. Choose the site calendar. In the web part properties, set the number of events to five and choose the list layout. - Set the page as the site home page
After saving and publishing the page, go to Site contents > Site pages. Find the new page, select the three dots, and choose Make homepage. Confirm the change. - Test the landing page
Open the site in a private browser window or ask a team member to verify that all links work, web parts load correctly, and the layout looks good on mobile devices.
Common Mistakes When Building a Project Site Landing Page
Too Many Web Parts on One Page
Adding more than seven web parts slows down page loading and overwhelms users. Stick to the essential components listed above. If you need additional information, create a separate page and link it from the Quick Links web part.
Missing Audience Targeting
Without audience targeting, every team member sees the same content. Use the audience targeting feature in web parts like Quick Links and Document Library to show specific links or files to project managers, contributors, or stakeholders. To enable audience targeting, go to the web part properties and turn on Audience targeting. Then assign Microsoft 365 groups or Azure AD security groups to each item.
Static Content That Goes Out of Date
A landing page with outdated status reports or broken links loses trust. Schedule a monthly review of the page content. Use the Page details pane to check the last modified date. Replace static text with dynamic web parts like the Document Library that update automatically.
Ignoring Mobile View
Many team members access the site from a phone or tablet. After building the page, switch to the mobile preview in SharePoint. If web parts overlap or images are too large, adjust the column widths or reduce the image size. Use single-column sections for critical content on mobile.
Team Site vs Communication Site: Which Template to Use for a Project Landing Page
| Item | Team Site | Communication Site |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Internal project teams with active collaboration | Broadcast information to a large audience |
| Page editing permissions | All members can edit by default | Only owners and designated editors can edit |
| Connected Microsoft 365 Group | Yes, includes a shared mailbox and calendar | No, does not create a group automatically |
| Navigation | Left navigation with quick links | Top horizontal navigation |
| Web part recommendations | Planner, Tasks, Document Library, OneNote | Hero, Quick Links, Yammer, Events |
Choose a team site for ongoing project collaboration where all members contribute content. Choose a communication site for a project that requires one-way information sharing, such as an executive dashboard or a project status portal.
After you set up the landing page, teach your team how to use the site. Share the page URL in a welcome email and schedule a short walkthrough during the next stand-up meeting. Consider adding a Site Contents link to the Quick Links web part so new members can explore the full site structure. For advanced customization, explore the use of SharePoint page templates to save your landing page layout and reuse it on future project sites.