Team sites connect a team to shared files, lists and pages, while communication sites broadcast news to a wider audience. Microsoft ties every team site to a Microsoft 365 group and gives communication sites three templates called Standard communication, Showcase and Blank. Your choice depends on who reads the site and who edits it. Six steps below show you how to create a team site from the SharePoint app bar.
Your boss asks for a new SharePoint site, and the first screen asks you to choose between two types.
I help admins make that choice on most projects. Microsoft's own pages give you the facts, and the table below converts them into a quick decision.
What does a Team Site do?
A team site connects people who work together. Microsoft's guide to creating a team or communication site lists projects, team news, a shared calendar and managed tasks as the uses.
Every team site gets a matching Microsoft 365 group, so your team can reach one email address without a separate distribution list. For a general team site, Microsoft points you to the Standard team template.
What does a Communication Site do?
A communication site broadcasts information. Microsoft's page on the communication site templates says it presents news, reports and status updates to audiences of dozens or thousands of viewers.
You get three templates. Standard communication starts with Hero, News, Events and Documents web parts, Showcase starts with Hero and Image gallery web parts and Blank starts with none.
How do the Two Site Types Differ?
Four points separate them in Microsoft's pages. The table shows what every site type does for your readers and editors.
| Point | Team site | Communication site |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Connect people on a team | Reach a broader audience |
| Audience | A team | Dozens or thousands of viewers |
| Microsoft 365 group | One group per site | Not stated on Microsoft's page |
| Templates | Standard team | Standard communication, Showcase and Blank |
Which Site Type should You Choose?
Choose a team site when people store files, manage lists and edit together. Choose a communication site when a few people publish and many people read.
A Microsoft Q&A answer reaches the same view and recommends a team site when you must store data and share files. That answer is community guidance, so treat it as a second opinion and not as official documentation.
How do Teams and Team Sites Connect?
A team in Microsoft Teams sits on a SharePoint site and a Microsoft 365 group. For the file side of that link, read where Teams files live in SharePoint.
How do You Set up a Team Site?
I follow six steps on every new team site.
- Open the app bar. From the SharePoint home page, select Build.
- Start a site. In the Start building section, select the Site card.
- Choose the type and template. Select Team site, browse the templates, review the Site capabilities and select Use template.
- Name the site. Enter a Site name, check that it is available and enter a Site description.
- Set the guardrails. Select a Sensitivity label, a Privacy level and a default Language, then select Create site. Microsoft says your admin must enable privacy and language.
- Add people. Add site owners and group members, then select Go to site.
Microsoft's page gives no creation steps for a communication site, although the Site dialog offers it as an option. For page types after the site exists, read how SharePoint site pages and web part pages differ.
What are the Best Practices for Choosing a Site Type?
- Start with the reader. Write down who reads the site before you open the app bar.
- Name the site first. Renaming later takes more work, as the guide on changing a SharePoint site name shows.
- Check access early. Read SharePoint permission levels before you add members.
- Review the template. Select a template only after you read its site capabilities.
- Ask your admin. Privacy and language settings depend on admin features.
Which Mistakes Cause Site Type Regrets?
Admins repeat four errors. They build a team site when readers only need news, and they expect the Blank communication template to arrive with web parts. They also skip the privacy choice, and they forget that the admin must enable that feature.
My Verdict on Both Site Types
Team sites serve teams that work together, and communication sites serve readers who need news. Choose by audience and the rest follows.
Start with the team site template when files and lists drive the work. Switch to a communication site when your goal is to broadcast.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Difference Between a Team Site and a Communication Site?
A team site connects people on a team, and a communication site reaches a broader audience. Microsoft describes the second type as a place to broadcast news and updates.
Does a Team Site Create a Microsoft 365 Group?
Yes. Microsoft says every team site gets a corresponding Microsoft 365 group, so the team can use one email address.
What Templates does a Communication Site have?
Microsoft lists three. Standard communication is the default, Showcase suits photos and images and Blank starts with no web parts.
Which Site Type is Better for Sharing Files?
A team site fits file work better. A Microsoft Q&A answer recommends it when you must store data and share files.
Who is a Communication Site for?
Broad audiences. Microsoft says these sites can engage dozens or thousands of viewers with news, reports and status updates.
Can a Communication Site Join a Hub Site?
Yes. Microsoft's template page says you can associate a communication site with a hub site.
How do I Create a SharePoint Team Site?
Select Build on the app bar, select the Site card and then select Team site. Choose a template, name the site, set privacy and language and select Create site.
Jamie blends strategic marketing insight with technical writing, turning migration and recovery topics into guidance that works for technical and general readers alike.
Published 27 October 2026. Team site steps come from Microsoft's guide to creating a team or communication site. Template details come from Microsoft's page on the SharePoint communication site. The point about storing data comes from a Microsoft Q&A answer, which is community guidance and not official documentation. Microsoft can change these limits, so check them before you plan.