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In SharePoint it’s easy to export your site as a site template and create new sites based on it.

The site template will save the structure of the site designed in SharePoint Designer, so other sites you create based on the template will have the same structure (optionally you can even include the content!).

Export a site as a site template using the SharePoint interface.

• On the specific site you would like to save as a template go to Site Actions → Site Settings;
• Go to the Look and Feel menu and click Save site as template;
• The SharePoints administration page “Save Site as Template” will open up from which you can save your site as a template file (.stp). You also have the option to include content which will include the contents of all lists and document libraries in the selected site.

Export a site as a site template using SharePoint Designer

• Open the specific site that you would like to save as a template;
• File → Export → Sharepoint Site Template;
• The SharePoints administration page “Save Site as Template” will open up from which you can save your site as a template file (.stp). You also have the option to include content which will include the contents of all lists and document libraries in the selected site.

Save site as Template

A few words about included content

Include content in your template if you want new Web sites created from this template to include the contents of all lists and document libraries in this Web site. Some customizations, such as custom workflows, are present in the template only if you choose to include content. Including content can increase the size of your template. There is a maximum file size of 10MB  for the template file.

Caution: Item security is not maintained in a template. If you have private content in this Web site, enabling this option is not recommended.

To learn how to upload and use the template file (.stp),  please read our article: Upload and use a site template (.stp) in SharePoint