The site's structure and navigation comprises
subsites and
pages.
Subsites contain pages. When a subsite is created, the default page is automatically created as well. That default page is also called the landing page of the subsite.
How can I tell the difference between a subsite and a page?
Pages are contained within subsites. Subsites always have three libraries: Pages, Documents and Images. The Pages library also contains the default page. Other pages that you want contained within this subsite can be added to the Pages library by creating new pages when in a subsite. Documents used within the subsite are
added to the Documents library and images used within the subsite are
added to the Images library.
These libraries can be seen through the Site Contents menu, accessed through the Gear Icon. There is a subsites tab that will list all subsites underneath the current site.
Visually, you can tell what is a page and what is a subsite by how the left nav is stacked. If the name appears at the top of the left nav above the boxes that contain more items, that's the subsite. If it appears below that top name in the left nav, it can be either a page or subsite beneath that subsite - so you have to see if there are pages under it by clicking on it, or by looking at the URL.
Subsite URLs have the name of the subsite
before "/Pages/" and end with "/default.aspx". For example, the Web Parts subsite's URL on this website is: resources.depaul.edu/sharepoint/webparts/Pages/default.aspx
Page URLs have the name of the page at the very end,
after "/Pages/". For example, the instructions page within the Tab Web Part subsite (which is within the Web Parts subsite) has this URL: resources.depaul.edu/sharepoint/webparts/tabs/Pages/Instructions.aspx
As an editor, can I create pages?
Yes, you can create pages! See our how-to guide on
how to create pages.
As an editor, can I create subsites?
No, subsite creation is limited to web administrators in IS and DXA only. There are many reasons for this, but the main reason is because subsites influence so many important things:
- Overall structure and information architecture
- Site performance and server load balance
- SEO
- Redirects, vanity URLs and other outside linking
These above things are overseen by administrators, thus they have to be kept aware of any changes involving subsites. If you would like a subsite created in your site,
submit an incident through the Help Desk. It is always best to be detailed in your tickets and include relevant links.
Learn more about the
elements of navigation.