The Intranet Design Guide
Not sure where to get started in designing your intranet?
Check out our easy step-by-step guide below.
Let us guide you through the process.
Intranet Design Made Simple
Deciding to go ahead with an intranet was the easy part, right? After all, whether it’s improved communications, more streamlined processes, or easier access to information, the intranet ticks all the boxes.
However, designing your intranet can be a daunting task.
There are many decisions to be made around the type of intranet, hosting options, organization, structure, plus content, and design. With so much to think about, it can be tough to get started.
And if technology isn’t really your thing, it can be even harder to kick-start your intranet. That’s where this intranet design guide comes into play.
So, if widget, cache, and malware sound like another language, then this guide is for you! Written in simple-to-understand and jargon-free terms, the design guide is non-technical. And where technical language is unavoidable, we clearly define what we mean.
This guide will show you that designing an intranet is a simple task. In fact, it’s so easy, you won’t need IT backup or a college degree in computers!
Click here to download this guide in PDF format
Step-By-Step Intranet Design Support
The guide is a comprehensive resource, covering everything you need to know about intranets. We provide helpful insights at every stage, from different intranet types and hosting options to security and training.
And we also look at all the latest intranet design best practices. This resource includes lots of practical examples and visuals that will excite and inspire you.
What’s Included In This Intranet Design Guide
Who Should Read This Guide
The design guide is an essential resource for anyone planning to implement a new intranet. It’s also required reading if you are looking to revitalize, revamp, or refresh an existing intranet.
Perhaps you are in the market for an intranet provider to help you realize your vision. The design guide can help you make a winning selection.
Written for the non-technical person, this resource will also support HR or Marketing staff tasked with implementing an intranet.
Why Intranet Design Is So Important
Before we move on, it’s essential to understand why intranet design is so important.
Your intranet’s overall look and feel has the power to grab users’ attention and draw them in. It can spark creativity and foster collaboration. It can connect employees and turn the everyday task into something engaging and fun.
However, the stakes are high. A poorly designed intranet will have the opposite effect. A confusing, overloaded, and ugly intranet will see staff switch off. It’s a wasted opportunity as well as investment.
With so much to lose, getting your intranet design right has to be a priority.
No Two Intranets Are Alike
When it comes to design, there is no one-size-fits-all intranet solution. Sure, there will be similarities. It could be layout, functionality, or scope. However, every organization is different, and so too is their intranet.
Furthermore, staff members will use the intranet differently depending on their job roles and team functions.
Employees use the intranet mainly to source information or collaborate with colleagues. Managers, however, use the intranet to engage workers with targeted communications.
Your intranet design needs to satisfy all the varying needs of employees.
And it also needs to meet the challenges of the modern digital workplace.
The global Covid-19 pandemic has fast-tracked the shift towards remote working. Companies have to pivot and rethink how they engage with their workforce in today’s rapidly changing environment.
And they need to ensure employees have the tools available to remain productive even when working from home.
A mobile intranet is a minimum requirement. In fact, it’s not so much a requirement as an expectation. Whether staff are on the go or working from home, they expect to continue working.
Versatile and flexible, the intranet is capable of meeting these competing demands. And your intranet design should make this vision a reality.
Intranet Templates Make Design Easy
And if you are pushed for time, then intranet design templates could be the perfect solution. This guide takes you through all you need to know.
In short, intranet templates come with in-built coding plus a basic design and graphics. The setup wizard makes it quick and easy to implement your customized intranet. Upload your logo, branding, and corporate colors to really put your company stamp on the intranet. And the good news is the intranet provider has already extensively tested the functionality. And that’s one less major headache for you to worry about.
Therefore, design templates are a popular choice if you need to get your intranet up and running quickly.
Let Us Guide You
Use this guide to make your intranet deployment a smoother and quicker process.
Essential reading for those starting to deploy an intranet, this resource will also help businesses looking to revamp an existing intranet.
Either way, we understand the challenges that are involved. And you get the benefit of our experience as we guide you through the process from beginning to end.
So, let’s get started.
Intranet Design Infographic
If you would like an overview of our intranet design guide, we have created a PDF infographic file summarizing the main points available here.
Further Reading
This further reading list will be an invaluable resource as it takes you through everything you need to know. We give you the benefit of our considerable experience in developing intranets and provide simple, easy-to-follow explanations, insights and advice.
Use this list to explore the latest intranet design best practice principles. Find out how pre-built intranet templates could well be the solution every time-pressed business owner is looking for. Discover how to ensure your intranet design is mobile friendly and optimized for use on smartphones and tablets. And learn about how to make your intranet interactive and fun so that users readily engage with the platform making for a more efficient and effective workplace.
These are just some of the insights available in this category so why not have a browse or use the search functionality to explore more about intranet design. With our comprehensive knowledge bank, you’ll soon discover that designing an intranet isn’t the mammoth task that perhaps you first thought it was.
WordPress Intranet: 7 Of The Biggest Challenges
WordPress can be used as a company intranet—either hosted locally or online—with themes like Woffice and plugins for access control, knowledge bases, social interaction, and project management. Yet, although it’s widely used (43 %+ of web platforms run on WordPress), it wasn’t designed as an intranet, and adapting it for internal use brings unique challenges .
One core challenge is deciding between building vs buying: a DIY WordPress intranet demands technical know-how, server space, and ongoing maintenance, while off-the-shelf plugins/themes may deliver limited capabilities and may become obsolete . You’ll also need a carefully chosen combination of intranet plugins—BuddyPress, knowledge base tools, project managers, Google Drive embedders, access restrictions—and a theme that supports intranet design.
Finally, usability and support significantly affect adoption. While WordPress offers “5-minute installs” and user-friendly basics, building an intranet adds complexity. Many users find it more taxing than expected, especially without IT expertise, and ultimately pivot to purpose-built platforms for ease and long-term scalability.
HR Intranet Portal: 10 Compelling Benefits For Human Resources
An HR intranet portal is a centralized digital workspace that places HR policies, forms, training, and news at employees’ fingertips—24/7, across any device. It’s built to empower staff with self-service options and reduce repetitive administrative tasks for HR teams, improving efficiency and accessibility for both in-office and remote workers
The platform’s strength lies in streamlined processes like leave management, appraisals, recruitment, and onboarding, all supported by automated routing and powerful search. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency and compliance in documentation. Rich two-way communication tools—such as blogs, forums, instant messaging, and surveys—cultivate a connected, inclusive culture regardless of where teams are based
Engagement is further boosted through social features, recognition tools, directories, and wellness resources. HR portals help build relationships, reinforce employer branding, and track engagement metrics through quizzes, feedback, and exit surveys. Plus, they eliminate login fatigue by integrating third-party apps (like Microsoft 365, Salesforce) via single sign-on under one digital roof .
Employee Directory Software: The Intranet Solution
The blog highlights that while standalone employee directory tools are prevalent, an intranet solution—like MyHub—offers a superior, all-in-one experience. Beyond basic contact lists, an integrated directory features rich profiles, photos, biographies, expertise tags, and project highlights. This makes discovering and connecting with colleagues intuitive and engaging.
A modern integrated directory fosters better working relationships and employee engagement by breaking down organizational silos. Customizable profiles empower employees to showcase skills and contributions, making interdepartmental collaboration smoother. It also humanizes teams, easing onboarding and reducing communication friction—no more forgotten names or awkward intros.
Additionally, network-enabled directories help reinforce company culture. They give employees a sense of identity and belonging by illustrating how each individual fits into the larger mission. Easy-to-use features—such as self-updating profiles and straightforward search—ensure adoption remains high, keeping the directory current and relevant.
All About Remote Work: Definition, Benefits, Statistics
Remote work, defined as performing job duties from anywhere—home, café, or coworking space—has surged since the pandemic halted traditional office routines. From 2018 to 2021, full‑time remote workers more than quadrupled, and now hybrid and fully remote setups are the new norm. This trend reflects flexible work styles reshaping how teams operate.
Employees benefit from reduced commutes, lower stress, and greater autonomy, often reporting better work‑life balance, savings of ~$6,000/year, and renewed job satisfaction. Organizations gain cost savings—up to $22,000 per remote worker—and experience productivity boosts (up to +29%), improved retention, and access to a global talent pool. Environmentally, remote work cuts commuting emissions, supports sustainability goals, and reduces office energy use.
To succeed, both employees and leaders need the right tools (cloud storage, video conferencing, collaboration platforms), structured routines, and a dedicated workspace. Awareness of challenges—like communication gaps, motivation dips, mental health concerns, and technology hurdles—is crucial. Hybrid models (fixed, flexible, office‑first, remote‑first) offer balanced solutions, and expert opinions from Microsoft, Google, Meta, and CBRE signal that flexible work arrangements are here to stay.
Examples Of A Bad Leader: 10 Lousy Traits To Watch Out For
Bad leaders exhibit behaviors that severely impact team morale, productivity, and retention. Common examples include micromanagement, taking credit for others, inconsistent expectations, and authoritarian control. These traits signal mistrust, erode motivation, and stunt both individual and team growth .
Poor communication often accompanies bad leadership. This includes failing to listen, offering unclear instructions, shifting goals unpredictably, and ignoring staff feedback. Combined with a lack of empathy, dishonesty, and favoritism, such behaviors breed confusion, distrust, and resentment within teams .
Worse leadership styles—like toxic or authoritarian leadership—push employees into compliance through intimidation, unpredictability, or self-serving decisions. These styles suppress innovation, increase turnover, and risk long-term reputational damage. The article underscores the importance of accountability, empathy, transparency, and adaptability to reverse these effects and foster positive leadership cultures .
Employee Morale: The Ultimate Definition
Employee morale reflects the overall attitude, satisfaction, and outlook of your workforce—it’s the vibe people sense when walking into the office. High morale means employees are engaged, motivated, and aligned with company goals; low morale manifests in absenteeism, conflict, and burnout.
This guide explains why morale matters: it directly influences retention, performance, productivity, wellbeing, teamwork, and communication . Metrics such as turnover, absenteeism, performance dips, and staff feedback help identify morale issues early.
To counter poor morale, the blog offers ten practical tips: recognize achievements, support career growth, invest in wellbeing, enhance leadership communication, and foster two-way engagement . These steps—when combined—create a healthier, more productive workplace culture.
Business Casual Dress Code For Workplaces
Business casual blends traditional office attire with a relaxed touch—think slacks, button-downs, blouses, chinos, knee-length skirts, and closed-toe shoes—but always polished and appropriate for your workplace. The guide highlights that the exact definition varies by industry, company culture, and format—what’s suitable in a startup may differ markedly from expectations in a law firm .
For men, staples include button-down shirts, fine knit sweaters, slacks or chinos, optional blazers, and polished closed-toe shoes . Women can choose from smart sweaters, blouses, structured dresses or skirts, tailored trousers, and modest heels or flats . The blog also addresses adaptable remote-work attire, emphasizing at least being presentable from the waist up for video calls .
It provides a handy cheat sheet of do’s and don’ts: no hoodies, crop tops, athletic wear, or flip-flops; avoid overly tight, baggy, or wrinkled clothes . When in doubt, err on the side of slightly overdressing, observe leadership, and adapt to seasonal changes while maintaining professionalism.
145 Digital Transformation Statistics You Need To Know
Digital transformation (DX) remains central to business strategy, especially post-pandemic. Organizations worldwide are rapidly increasing DX initiatives—97% of IT decision-makers are involved, and spending is projected to rise from $1.8 T in 2022 to $2.8 T by 2025. Despite this focus, most IT budgets (50–72%) still go toward maintenance rather than innovation, prompting rebalancing concerns.
Today, more than 90% of companies are undertaking DX projects and 87% of executives consider it a priority, yet only 44% feel prepared for disruption. Key drivers include operational efficiency (40%), faster time-to-market (36%), and improved customer experience (35%). However, DX failures often stem from employee resistance, lack of ROI clarity, and digital skills gaps—making cultural and human factors as critical as technology.
Looking ahead, DX trends point to continued investment—forecasted at 18% CAGR through 2030—with increased focus on hybrid work, AI, cloud, IoT, and employee experience platforms . Digital transformation is reshaping organizational structures, workflows, and customer interactions, making data-driven planning essential for staying competitive.
Team Celebration: The How, What, And Why
Celebrating team successes shouldn’t be reserved only for major milestones like big deals or record-breaking figures. According to the article, recognizing even small wins—such as completing a project or positive customer feedback—can have a powerful ripple effect by enhancing employee retention, productivity, and overall morale. Organizations are encouraged to make recognition a consistent part of their culture to reinforce positive behaviors and foster pride.
The guide outlines when to celebrate—such as first wins, project completions, role changes, or employee anniversaries—and how to do it creatively across different work environments. It offers practical ideas: in-person team outings, award ceremonies, meeting shout-outs, virtual lunches, care packages, and digital timelines. This ensures celebrations are relevant whether your team is in-office, remote, or hybrid
The post also addresses the importance of balancing public and private recognition. While team-wide shout-outs build unity, personal acknowledgments—like handwritten notes or one-on-one feedback—resonate deeply. Finally, it warns against misuse: avoid over-celebration, ensure equity, consider sensitivity (e.g., budget cuts), and follow up beyond one-off events . Together, these practices build a positive, inclusive celebration culture that benefits both people and the organization.
Knowledge Transfer Process In Six Simple Steps
The blog introduces a straightforward six-step knowledge transfer process designed to help organizations capture, share, and retain both explicit and tacit expertise. Given the risk of valuable knowledge walking out the door—especially with retiring baby boomers—the guide emphasizes using structured templates and intranet tools to save time, reduce errors, and improve compliance.
Each step builds on the last: Identify and prioritize critical knowledge, collect and organize it via forms and templates, share through intranet forums and newsfeeds, update regularly with workflows, apply through mentoring and quizzes, and finally, create new knowledge to perpetuate the cycle. Throughout, MyHub tools are showcased—surveys, feedback modules, document hubs, approval workflows—to make each phase seamless and scalable
These practices lead to better continuity (protecting operations when staff depart), efficiency, reduced errors, and a more innovative, collaborative culture. The included knowledge transfer template makes it easy to get started and promote a more resilient, knowledge-rich workplace.
Internal Website: Uses, Features And Setup
A modern internal website—also known as an intranet—is a secure, employee-only platform that centralizes everything staff need: company news, documents, tools, and applications. Unlike external sites, intranets often suffer from outdated content and poor navigation, yet play a pivotal role in internal communications, information sharing, and teamwork
This guide outlines how intranets enhance information management, featuring integrated search, cloud document libraries, and a central hub to streamline access and eliminate inefficient shared drives. It also improves internal communication via interactive news feeds, blogs, and surveys—especially crucial for hybrid or remote workforces . Beyond communication, intranets support collaboration and automated workflows, enabling real-time document co-editing, team forums, and form-based process automation for tasks like leave requests, approvals, and reporting .
To roll out an effective internal website, the blog recommends evaluating three build options—DIY, off-the-shelf tools, or cloud-based intranet software. It emphasizes essential features: intuitive setup, mobile responsiveness, high usability, cost effectiveness, and ready-to-go deployment. Templated cloud intranets stand out for quick deployment, mobile optimization, single sign-on, and user familiarity
Communication Matrix: A Step By Step Guide With Free Template
A communication matrix is a strategic tool designed to organize and streamline internal communications across projects, teams, and the whole organization by mapping content, audience, frequency, channel, and ownership into a clear, one-page framework. Especially valuable for hybrid and remote environments, it helps teams decide what to communicate, when, to whom, and through which medium—making sure nobody is left out or overwhelmed .
The guide dives into the essential components—content, purpose, frequency, audience, deliverables, channels, and owners—and explains how these elements work together to make communication purposeful and consistent. It emphasizes using a simple tool like Excel or Google Sheets for easy setup and live collaboration.
The article also outlines key benefits: faster decision-making, higher transparency, optimized resource use, better collaboration, and adaptability to change. With included real-world examples—a monthly newsletter and project-team matrix—and a free download link, it shows how quick and impactful implementing this tool can be.
55 Questions To Ask A CEO
High engagement levels across organizations have made CEOs more accessible than ever—appearing in town halls, online Q&As, and casual hallway chats. This increased visibility means employees now have rare face-to-face time with top leadership. To make the most of such moments, the blog emphasizes the importance of preparation: thoughtful, well-targeted questions help you stand out, build rapport, and even elevate your career.
The post categorizes 55 insightful questions into key themes: corporate culture, company goals, operations, CEO career path, personal interests, and ways to make the right impression. From probing culture with “What three words best describe our company?” to gaining personal insight via “What motivates you when things get tough?”, each question is framed for specific formats—town halls, small group settings, or one-on-one conversations.
To round it out, the article offers top tips to guide your approach: be prepared with a few select questions, match the tone to the forum, offer your own thoughts when it’s intimate, and above all, remain genuinely enthusiastic. Done right, this isn’t just a chat—it’s an opportunity to connect, learn, and make a positive, lasting impression.
Collaborative Communication: Why It Matters
In today’s dynamic business environment, traditional hierarchical structures are giving way to more collaborative and flexible models. With the rise of remote work and diverse teams, effective communication has become the cornerstone of successful collaboration. By uniting individuals across various departments and locations, organizations can harness a wealth of ideas and perspectives, leading to innovative solutions and enhanced problem-solving capabilities.
Central to this collaborative effort is the role of communication. It’s not just about sharing information but about fostering an environment of openness, trust, and mutual respect. Providing diverse communication channels—such as instant messaging, video conferencing, and collaborative platforms—ensures that all team members are aligned and engaged, regardless of their physical location. This approach not only facilitates seamless information flow but also strengthens team cohesion and morale.
Moreover, investing in robust communication strategies has tangible business benefits. Organizations that prioritize collaborative communication experience increased productivity, faster decision-making, and a more agile response to market changes. As businesses continue to adapt to evolving work dynamics, embracing collaborative communication is essential for sustained growth and competitive advantage.
How To Build Trust In A Team: 10 Proven Strategies That Work
Building trust within teams isn’t a one-time event—it’s a continuous process rooted in consistent behaviors. The blog outlines ten proven strategies to cultivate trust: clear communication, giving autonomy, celebrating successes, and more. These insights draw on best practices that create an environment where team members feel safe to take risks and contribute authentically.
Key strategies include fostering transparency by sharing both successes and challenges openly, and embracing accountability by ensuring commitments are honored. Leaders play a pivotal role by modeling reliability and integrity—walking the talk—and by establishing clear processes that remove ambiguity and reduce micromanagement
The post also emphasizes the importance of social connection and shared experiences. Whether through informal gatherings or team-building exercises, these moments build rapport and reinforce mutual support. Recognizing individual and collective achievements further cements bonds, elevating team morale and performance .