SharePoint Modern vs Classic: Why It's Time to Modernize
If your organization is still running classic SharePoint sites, you're missing out on significant improvements in user experience, mobile access, and integration capabilities.
What Changed with Modern SharePoint
Modern SharePoint, introduced in 2016 and continuously improved since, represents a fundamental shift in how SharePoint works.
Responsive Design: Modern pages automatically adapt to any screen size, from desktop monitors to mobile phones.
Improved Performance: Modern pages load faster with optimized code and better caching.
Enhanced User Experience: The modern interface is cleaner, more intuitive, and aligned with other Microsoft 365 apps.
Key Benefits of Modernizing
Better Engagement: Modern communication sites are designed for publishing news and information. They include features like news digests, highlighted content, and hero web parts that drive engagement.
Teams Integration: Modern SharePoint integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams. Every Team has a SharePoint site behind it, and content flows between the two.
Power Platform Ready: Modern SharePoint works naturally with Power Automate, Power Apps, and Power BI. Build workflows, apps, and dashboards that connect to your SharePoint content.
Modernization Approaches
Page Transformation: Convert classic pages to modern pages using Microsoft's modernization tools. The scanner identifies what can be transformed automatically.
Site Recreation: For heavily customized sites, it may be easier to create new modern sites and migrate content.
Hybrid Approach: Modernize incrementally. Start with new sites, then convert existing sites over time.
Common Concerns
Custom Solutions: Classic web parts and workflows won't work on modern pages. You'll need to rebuild using SPFx or Power Platform.
User Adoption: Change can be challenging. Plan for training and support during the transition.
Timeline: Microsoft continues to invest in modern SharePoint while classic features receive minimal updates. The direction is clear.