"Empty" vs. "Blank" site collections

Many people believe a "Blank" Site collection equals an "Empty" site collection. This is very untrue. A "Blank" Site Template is just that a Template, one that allows a little more freedom than the rest but still a template none the less.

For Content Deployment your best bet is to use an "Empty" site which can only be accomplished by using the stsadm command as shown below. Using an Empty site collection limits any issues of site formatting caused by using any template.

Syntax
STSADM.EXE -o createsite -url -ownerlogin domain\user -owneremail

Use a Site Template to create a Site Collection

There are several great Site Templates out there available for download including MS Fabulous 40 and you can also create your own. The steps to create your own will be outlined later this week.

Normally these are used as subsite templates however they can also be used as a Site Collection template. If you would like to have a standardization across all site collections this is a great way to start!

1. Download or move your site template (.stp) file to your Central Administration server
2. Open a command prompt (start > run > (type) cmd> hit enter)
3. (type) cd c:\"program files"\"common files"\"microsoft shared"\"web server extensions"\12\bin (hit enter)
4. (type) stsadm -o addtemplate -filename (hit enter)
5. After Success message go to Central Administration > Application Management > Create Site Collection
6. You will now see a custom tab under template with your titled template