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green60's avatar
green60
Copper Contributor
Jul 18, 2023

SharePoint HomeSite Does HomeSite replace Start Page or other functionalities When enabled?

We would like to test what a SharePoint Home Site functionality will look like compared to not having it. We are not sure of the implications to start page/ Microsoft 365 icon in top banner that takes you back to M365 App Launch page...etc. Most users got used to using the start page and pinning their favorite sites ..etc to left menu. Not sure what homesite does without trying it and we dont have a test tenant. Is there a way we can turn on home site and enabled it to see the effects across tenant and mobile app safely?

 

Thanks in Advance!

SharePoint Online
  • lsittler's avatar
    lsittler
    Jul 19, 2023

    Hi green60,

     

    The SharePoint Home Site has not the same purpose of the SharePoint Start Page.

    SharePoint Start Page

    Enable by default, this system page (_layouts/15/sharepoint.aspx) allow users to access quickly the:

    • Following sites
    • Recent sites
    • Frequent sites
    • Suggested sites
    • Save for later

    In addition to finding most SharePoint Sites quickly and easily, it is possible to create a new Site and Create New Post.

     

    Important: This page cannot be modified.

     

    SharePoint Home Site

    It is a SharePoint Site Collection - /[teams|sites]/[homesite]

    It is such as a "Global Intranet" for your Tenant.

    You can use most of the OOTB Web Part to build an awesome page to improve the user experience.

     

    You can't replace the Start Page with your Home Site but you can:

    • Remove the SharePoint ShortCust from the App launcher and create an Org one to redirect users to your home site
    • Specify a custom Tenant/Org logo with an URL to redirect users to your Home Site

     

    Some additional features are linked to the home site:

    • Control the SharePoint App Bar
    • Viva Dashboard
    • Now required for Viva Connection
    • It is the official source of organizational news (visible from the SharePoint Start Page)

     

    You can find additional information in the Microsoft Documentation: Plan, build, and launch a home site for your organization | Microsoft Learn

     

    I hope this information will help you.

  • lsittler's avatar
    lsittler
    Brass Contributor
    Jul 19, 2023

    Hi green60,

     

    The SharePoint Home Site has not the same purpose of the SharePoint Start Page.

    SharePoint Start Page

    Enable by default, this system page (_layouts/15/sharepoint.aspx) allow users to access quickly the:

    • Following sites
    • Recent sites
    • Frequent sites
    • Suggested sites
    • Save for later

    In addition to finding most SharePoint Sites quickly and easily, it is possible to create a new Site and Create New Post.

     

    Important: This page cannot be modified.

     

    SharePoint Home Site

    It is a SharePoint Site Collection - /[teams|sites]/[homesite]

    It is such as a "Global Intranet" for your Tenant.

    You can use most of the OOTB Web Part to build an awesome page to improve the user experience.

     

    You can't replace the Start Page with your Home Site but you can:

    • Remove the SharePoint ShortCust from the App launcher and create an Org one to redirect users to your home site
    • Specify a custom Tenant/Org logo with an URL to redirect users to your Home Site

     

    Some additional features are linked to the home site:

    • Control the SharePoint App Bar
    • Viva Dashboard
    • Now required for Viva Connection
    • It is the official source of organizational news (visible from the SharePoint Start Page)

     

    You can find additional information in the Microsoft Documentation: Plan, build, and launch a home site for your organization | Microsoft Learn

     

    I hope this information will help you.

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