The Complete Intranet Design Guide: All You Need To Know In One Concise Resource

Published: Sep 11, 2021 | Last updated: Mar 19, 2025

Our Free Intranet Design Guide

1. Difficulty In Getting Started?
2. Intranet Design Made Simple For The Time Poor Executive
3. Intranet Design: What Are The Essential Ingredients?
4. Intranet Design: Top Tips For An Effective Intranet
5. Top 18 Intranet Design Trends
6. Remove Information Silos With A Creative Intranet Design
7. Do You Need A Flawless Design?
8. Designing Your Intranet: Working Towards Perfection

Difficulty In Getting Started?

Implementing an intranet can be a daunting prospect. First, you may have to convince the CEO or board that it’s a good idea. Then, you’ll need to win over the staff as well. Next, you must decide what type of intranet suits your organization and how it should be hosted. Once that’s settled, there’s the design, content, and sitemap to plan.

And then come the technical aspects—SSL, firewalls, hacking, HTML—it can feel like another language. Even if you navigate all that, staff training and ongoing management remain critical. Try googling ‘setting up an intranet’, and you’ll find thousands of results, most covering only partial aspects of the process. No wonder many business owners put intranet implementation in the too-hard basket.

How The Complete Intranet Design Guide Will Help

MyHub’s complete intranet design guide simplifies the process. For the first time, this single guide walks you through every step of setting up a successful intranet. Drawing from years of expertise, it offers clear, jargon-free advice designed for non-technical users.

It’s concise, practical, and tailored for busy managers—so you won’t waste time sifting through unnecessary details. Whether you’re implementing a new intranet or revamping an existing one, this guide ensures a smooth and efficient process.

Using the guide will make your intranet implementation smoother and easier. It’s also invaluable for businesses looking to revamp or relaunch an existing intranet. Every aspect of implementation is covered in detail, along with advice and good practice suggestions for a successful design. Plus, we highlight potential pitfalls so you can avoid common mistakes.

Simply put, this guide ensures your intranet is fit for purpose—from organizational goals to design, usability, and functionality. It saves you valuable time and resources, making implementation a seamless success.

Who The Guide Is Aimed At

This guide is for anyone designing or implementing an intranet. It’s relevant to executives and managers overseeing an implementation, as well as staff members leading the project.

Whether you’re launching an intranet for the first time or revamping an existing one, this guide provides clear direction. It’s especially designed for non-technical personnel, proving that you don’t need advanced IT knowledge or an internal tech team to succeed.

What The Guide Covers

The guide walks you through every step of setting up an intranet—from understanding different types and hosting options to design best practices and real-world examples. You’ll find practical tips to streamline the process.

Key topics include:

• Different types of intranet
• Hosting options
• Launch costs
• How to plan your intranet
• Organizational challenges an intranet can solve
• Intranet security essentials
• Getting started with implementation
• Best practices for intranet design
• Using intranet design templates
• Essential intranet features
• Real-world intranet examples

How Do I Get Hold Of The Guide?

The guide is free to download from the MyHub website. Simply click here to access it. Plus, the guide includes a handy reference section with links to additional resources on key topics such as security, governance, content creation, and performance management.

Additionally, you’ll find insights into wider intranet benefits, including how they support employee engagement, improve internal communications, and foster collaboration across your organization. There’s plenty of food for thought, and you might discover new ways to maximize the value and ROI of your intranet.

Expert Help And Support

Written by industry experts with the non-expert in mind, this guide is your roadmap to a successful company intranet. Download your copy today and take the first step toward creating a platform that delivers real business benefits.

Like many organizations before you, you’ll soon find your intranet becomes an indispensable tool. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the read!

Intranet Design Made Simple for the Time-Poor Executive

Short on time? Here’s the key takeaway: An intranet template speeds up deployment, making launching your intranet faster and easier. Keep reading to learn more.

Quick Deployment

Using an intranet template means rapid deployment. These pre-built templates include business modules and tools, tested for functionality and usability, and easily customizable to match your branding.

Templates don’t force a one-size-fits-all approach. You can select the modules that suit your needs—remove unnecessary ones, like a company calendar, with ease.

Intranet Design Best Practices

Templates leverage the latest industry best practices. By staying updated on design and functionality, template providers ensure high-quality results—perfect for executives who need a streamlined solution without the research hassle.

Additionally, templates are optimized for mobile and tablet use, keeping your intranet in line with modern web design trends.

Getting the Right Level of Functionality

Template providers understand your needs and offer expert guidance, ensuring the intranet is just the right fit—not too complex, not too basic.

Templates help you avoid overloading your intranet with unnecessary features, creating a seamless user experience. Technical details are handled for you, leaving you to focus on what truly matters.

Pre-Set Navigation and Structure

Great intranet design relies on intuitive navigation. A well-structured template ensures users find what they need quickly—from menus to widgets.

With a pre-tested, optimized framework from industry experts, you skip the time-consuming task of designing a site map.

Advanced search capabilities ensure easy access to information—whether it’s tagged, categorized, or by author name—enhancing your intranet’s effectiveness.

Ongoing Security and Management

Intranet security is crucial. A template takes care of updates, backups, SSL encryption, and secure document storage—saving you the time and effort of managing security yourself.

Managing your intranet is simple with a user-friendly interface. Non-technical staff can easily update content and add or remove users, eliminating the need for custom development.

Don’t Reinvent the Wheel

Why start from scratch? If you’re short on time, an intranet template is a cost-effective, high-quality solution that’s easy to implement.

Need help designing your intranet? The MyHub team is ready to assist. Try our free trial today and see how easy it is to deploy.

Intranet Design: What Are The Essential Ingredients?

What makes a great intranet? Most will agree that design is key. But what are the essential elements that make an intranet truly stand out? In this article, we explore the latest trends and the must-have features that will elevate your intranet design, making it both functional and visually appealing.

1. Home Pages That Make a Strong First Impression

Your home page is the first thing users see when they log in, so it must be visually striking and dynamic. It should immediately communicate the most important information while setting the tone for the rest of the site. Regular updates to the homepage are crucial to keep it fresh—highlight important features like weather or share prices in an iframe for added functionality. A captivating homepage encourages engagement, but don’t forget to focus on the usability of other areas on the site as well.

2. A Clean, Uncluttered Design

A successful intranet embraces a streamlined and minimalist design. Too much clutter can overwhelm users and hinder usability. By maintaining a simple layout, you ensure that users can easily navigate the platform and access the tools and information they need. The goal is to create a seamless experience where content is easily digestible and not bogged down by unnecessary distractions.

3. Simplify Your Color Scheme

Your color choices should be consistent with your brand identity, yet visually appealing and easy on the eyes. A simple color palette promotes a minimalist look and feel, which enhances usability. Use colors strategically to highlight key updates or calls to action, such as using red for important news or announcements. Consistency across the platform is essential for a cohesive user experience.

4. Card Layouts for Better Information Display

Card layouts, popularized by platforms like Pinterest and Twitter, offer a clean way to display content in digestible, visually engaging chunks. This design pattern is perfect for intranets, as it keeps the user engaged and allows for easy scanning of information. The non-linear format, often combined with animations, provides a dynamic way for users to interact with the content without feeling overwhelmed.

5. A Design That’s Mobile-Friendly

With more users accessing websites via mobile devices, having a responsive design is more important than ever. A mobile-friendly intranet ensures that users can access information on any device, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. It’s essential that your intranet loads quickly and provides a seamless experience across all platforms, ensuring accessibility for all users.

6. Focus on Core Functionalities

While design trends are important, it’s equally crucial to focus on the basics. A robust search function and intuitive navigation are fundamental to the success of your intranet. If employees can’t easily find what they’re looking for, the intranet will fail to serve its purpose. By prioritizing these core features, you ensure that users can access critical information quickly and efficiently.

While keeping an eye on design trends is helpful, it’s most important to tailor your intranet to meet the specific needs of your organization. A great intranet should be functional, engaging, and aligned with your company’s goals.

7. Continuous Testing and Feedback

Testing with real users is vital to ensure the intranet meets the needs of its users. Collecting feedback from employees allows you to identify usability issues, refine the design, and enhance the overall experience. This iterative process helps create a platform that users truly enjoy using and find valuable in their daily work.

8. Work With A Cloud Intranet Provider

If you want a design that combines the best of both worlds, consider partnering with a cloud intranet provider. Many providers offer ready-made templates that can be customized to suit your needs, allowing you to launch your intranet quickly and efficiently. This can save valuable time while still giving you the flexibility to create a solution that works for your business.

Interested in learning more or getting expert help with your intranet design? Contact MyHub today for a no-obligation consultation and see how our intranet solutions can transform your business.

Intranet Design: Top Tips For An Effective Intranet

The ultimate goal of intranet design is to create a system that boosts engagement and enhances productivity. To achieve this, it’s important to go beyond basic templates and create an intranet that meets employees’ needs and preferences. A well-designed intranet can streamline communication, improve collaboration, and increase overall efficiency within the organization. Here are some essential tips for building a successful intranet.

Understand What Your Employees Need

The foundation of a successful intranet starts with understanding the needs of your employees. Begin by asking employees from various departments about the features they need most. For example, HR, communications, and sales teams often use the intranet frequently, so it’s crucial to prioritize their requirements. Don’t forget to also consider the needs of remote workers who might require specific tools for collaboration. A strong feature list should reflect the full range of capabilities that employees may not even realize are possible.

Consider automating manual, paper-based processes like expense claims, holiday bookings, or timesheets to improve efficiency. These automations save time and reduce the risk of errors. Additionally, offering self-service tools for employees—such as the ability to manage their information directly—fosters autonomy and saves valuable administrative time.

Keep It Simple with the KISS Principle

The “KISS” principle—Keep It Simple, Stupid—applies perfectly to intranet design. Focus on simplicity and streamline processes so employees can easily access what they need. Categorize features into three main groups: “interesting,” “might be useful,” and “make or break.” Prioritize essential features and eliminate unnecessary complexity that could overwhelm users. A simple, clean interface enhances usability and prevents frustration.

Design for Everyone: Intuitive and User-Friendly

To ensure maximum adoption, your intranet should be intuitive and easy for everyone to use, regardless of their technical skill level. The layout and navigation should make sense to the average user. If you’re unsure where to start, consider using pre-built templates designed for non-technical users. These templates can save time and ensure you’re covering all key usability aspects.

The Gentle Roll-Out: Take It Slow

One of the best ways to ensure successful adoption is to roll out your intranet gradually. Start with the most essential features and let employees become comfortable with them before adding more advanced tools. This gentle approach ensures smoother implementation and reduces the likelihood of overwhelming users. Over time, as employees become familiar with the platform, you can introduce additional features and refine the system.

Engagement Is Key: Add a Fun Factor

An intranet shouldn’t be all work and no play. Adding features that encourage engagement, such as community boards, employee blogs, or company-wide announcements, can help increase morale and productivity. Including fun, interactive elements can foster a sense of community within the workplace. Engaged employees are more likely to use the intranet regularly, helping you maximize its effectiveness.

Training and Support: Empower Your Employees

Even the best-designed intranet will need a bit of training. Make sure employees have ample time and resources to learn how to use the system effectively. It’s also helpful to have a dedicated person in each department who is well-versed in the intranet’s features and can assist colleagues with any issues. Training and ongoing support are vital to ensuring the long-term success of your intranet.

Align the Intranet with Your Company Culture

Your intranet should be a reflection of your company’s culture and values. Whether your organization has a formal or informal tone, the design and functionality of the intranet should align with these attributes. A well-integrated, culturally aligned intranet can build a sense of belonging among employees and increase overall adoption rates. Personalization plays a big role here, so ensure the intranet feels like an integral part of your organization.

Security Matters: Protect Your Data

Security is a top priority when designing an intranet. Since it houses sensitive company information, your intranet must be protected against unauthorized access and potential data breaches. Implement strong security measures, such as multi-factor authentication and encrypted communication. Educate employees about acceptable use and confidentiality policies to safeguard your organization’s data and maintain a smooth, secure workflow.

Continuous Improvement: Moving Forward

Building an effective intranet doesn’t stop after launch. An intranet is a living tool that should evolve based on user feedback and changing company needs. As you collect feedback from employees, make updates and improvements to the system to enhance usability, add requested features, and resolve any issues. A well-maintained, evolving intranet continues to improve productivity and communication over time.

If you need help with your intranet design or want expert guidance to ensure its success, don’t hesitate to contact MyHub. Our team can provide tailored solutions to meet your specific needs and enhance the effectiveness of your intranet system.

Top 18 Intranet Design Trends

After a break, it’s common to return to your company intranet and realize it’s outdated. Whether you’re tasked with a redesign or introducing new intranet software, it’s essential to align with the latest trends. The design of your intranet greatly influences its success. So, what are the top trends in intranet design this year? Here’s a look at what’s hot right now.

#1: More Integration

The rise of remote work has led to an explosion of tools, making the employee experience more chaotic. Rather than simplifying tasks, the multitude of apps complicates accessing the right information. In 2025, leading intranets will offer seamless integration with your enterprise tools. MyHub’s intranet, for instance, features single-sign-on access to Google Workspace and Office 365, alongside easy file embedding. It also integrates directly with Salesforce, turning your intranet into a central hub for all your enterprise apps.

Perhaps even more critical, the intranet is the organization’s single source of truth. Employees can be confident all the correct information and resources are available on the intranet.

#2: Increased Use of Vlogs, Animations, and Graphics

Text-heavy intranets are becoming outdated. With more remote work and mobile access, intranet design is becoming increasingly visual, a trend that will continue into 2025 and beyond.

Visual elements like videos, animations, and rotating graphics not only capture attention but also engage users and improve usability. A picture is worth a thousand words, especially in mobile-responsive, interactive environments.

For companies looking to boost employee engagement, vlogs and videos offer a compelling solution. CEOs and managers can connect directly with employees through vlogs, making communication more personal and impactful. Allowing staff to comment and share feedback strengthens engagement and internal communication.

#3: Personalized User Interfaces

Social media has driven the trend toward personalized user interfaces and feeds. Employees now expect the same level of customization from their intranet. In 2025, users will see interfaces and feeds tailored to their roles and interests.

For example, Bob in Accounts will see a user interface with shortcuts to his frequently used apps, while Stacy in Marketing will have a customized interface and news feed suited to her needs.

Personalized intranet solutions benefit both employees and organizations. Employees save time by accessing relevant content quickly, while businesses see increased adoption rates and higher engagement. A user-first design makes it easier for staff to access the tools and information they need.

#4: Social Intranet Features

Social intranet features like team chat, activity walls, #channels, and @mentions are nothing new, but they’re set to play an even bigger role in 2025.

Social intranets mimic popular platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, keeping employees engaged and connected. These features improve collaboration, foster a strong corporate culture, and enhance intranet adoption.

In 2025, expect more user-generated content, such as blogs, forums, and activity walls. Podcasts for employees will grow in popularity, and employee profiles will showcase staff updates and insights. Team chat will also foster informal connections for remote teams.

#5: Simplified User Interfaces

Intranet designs are following the trend of simpler, cleaner website interfaces. The focus will be on streamlined, uncluttered user experiences without sacrificing functionality. Expect intuitive designs without unnecessary distractions.

The Nielsen Norman Group’s top 10 intranet sites highlight this trend, with sites using plenty of white space, responsive hero images, and hamburger menus for better user engagement and adoption.

#6: More Automated Business Processes

Intranets are shifting from static platforms to dynamic hubs where staff can complete tasks. In 2025, automation will continue to grow, replacing outdated paper and email systems with efficient online processes.

Automated workflows for tasks like vacation requests, employee updates, and supplier info will streamline operations. With built-in approval processes and automatic routing, your intranet will save time and money, keeping your business agile and responsive.

#7: Creative Use Of Color

Color is becoming a key element in modern intranet design. Businesses are using different colors to brand pages by topic, department, or product, making navigation faster and easier.

Shadows, gradients, and color variations add depth to designs, replacing flat visuals with engaging, vibrant interfaces that keep users connected and interested.

#8: Increased Use Of Footers

Footers are being revamped in 2025. Beyond author info and last updates, expect footers to direct users to relevant content, invite feedback, or display news headlines, offering more value.

#9: Increased Focus On Relevant Content

In the past, intranet content often overwhelmed employees with irrelevant info. In 2025, the mantra is “less is more.” Information architecture (IA) will help organize content, ensuring it’s valuable, current, and easy to find.

Investing in an IA system and regularly auditing content will improve user experience. Tools like task testing and card sorting will ensure content is intuitive and aligned with business needs.

#10: Mobile Responsiveness

Mobile optimization remains crucial. Ensure that all intranet changes work seamlessly on smartphones and tablets, with responsive design and touchscreen-friendly interfaces. Test thoroughly for mobile optimization, especially as flexible and remote work increases.

#11: SaaS Intranets

Custom-built intranets are costly and time-consuming. Today, cloud-based SaaS intranets are the smart choice. Pre-built and extensively tested, they reduce implementation time and boost adoption. Many vendors offer free trials, so you can test solutions before committing.

The trend toward customizable, pre-configured templates will continue in the coming years.

#12: User-First Intranet Designs

The Great Resignation has highlighted the importance of employee experience. In 2025, businesses must work harder to recruit and retain top talent. User-first intranet designs are key to improving the employee experience.

A user-first intranet design is streamlined, intuitive, and engaging, with a visual focus using videos, banners, and icons. Visual cues help users identify key information quickly. The days of endless scrolling are gone.

Ensure your navigation links, search, and popular tools are easily visible, as these are the features employees use most.

Opt for a minimalist design. Avoid overcrowding the interface—too much information overwhelms employees. A box-style layout, white space, neutral colors, and visual cues help organize elements.

Moreover, user-first designs offer customization options, allowing employees to personalize their newsfeeds, notifications, content, and shortcuts.

#13: Increased Use Of Intranet Gamification

The Great Resignation has spotlighted employee experience. In 2025, businesses must focus more on recruiting and retaining top talent. User-first intranet designs can play a crucial role in this process.

These designs are streamlined, intuitive, and engaging, with visual elements such as videos, banners, and icons to guide users. No more endless text scrolling.

Ensure important features like navigation, search, and tools are easy to access.

Keep the design minimalist to avoid overwhelming employees. A clean layout, white space, and visual cues will improve user experience.

Customizable features give employees control over their experience, including personalized content and shortcuts.

#14: Support For Asynchronous Working

Asynchronous work is now essential. Remote working, parenting, and other responsibilities make a standard 9-to-5 schedule less feasible.

The pandemic pushed many companies to adopt remote and hybrid work, and surveys show that employees value flexibility. In 2025, intranets must support both synchronous and asynchronous work, allowing employees to access resources and collaborate when needed.

#15: Simplified Intranet Management

No one wants a hard-to-manage intranet. In 2025, set-and-go intranets with simplified admin tools will be popular.

Drag-and-drop file management, bulk tasks, and streamlined permissions are essential. Intranet management should be simple enough for anyone in the organization to manage, sharing the admin burden.

MyHub’s intranet offers a familiar file explorer interface with bite-sized how-to videos, making it easy for even tech novices to manage content.

#16: Improved Content Relevancy

Personalized newsfeeds and notifications improve content relevancy. Some organizations go further, recommending content based on employee interests and browsing history.

Workplace storytelling will grow in popularity. It’s more memorable and impactful than dry facts. Featuring employee stories or spotlighting team members can bring new life to corporate communications.

With the Great Resignation in mind, companies will use intranet content to support employee wellness, offering mental health resources and wellness tips.

Online learning is on the rise post-pandemic. In 2025, intranets will showcase internal and external development opportunities, making learning and development easily accessible to employees.

#17: Inclusive Design Features

Inclusive design is more critical than ever. Ensure visuals reflect workforce diversity and mobile designs feature legible font sizes.

If you’re unsure, ask your staff! Employee focus groups or surveys will help ensure your intranet design is inclusive.

#18: Intranets Continue To Add Value

Intranets remain essential in 2025 and beyond. Flexible, cost-effective, and proven to meet diverse business needs, intranets deliver:

• Improved corporate communication for all work models
• Enhanced employee engagement
• Increased productivity
• Better cross-team collaboration
• Support for strong company culture

Intranets serve as a website for employees to connect, share, and stay updated.

Intranets have evolved from basic document libraries to collaboration tools, mobile functionality, personalization, and social features.

Competition among intranet vendors has led to innovation, improved customer service, and better functionality, benefiting you.

Intranet Design Trends: Ask The Experts!

If you’re unsure how to incorporate the latest trends into your intranet, contact us at MyHub. We’re happy to offer our expertise. Better yet, try our easy-to-use intranet software, which already reflects the latest trends and is constantly updated based on user feedback. Get a no-obligation demo or a 14-day free trial.

Break Down Information Silos with Creative Intranet Design

Information silos are common in most organizations. While many recognize their impact, finding a way to break them down can be challenging. A creative intranet design is a powerful tool that fosters collaboration and teamwork across departments, bridging gaps and enhancing communication.

In this article, we’ll explore how information silos hinder business goals and how you can design an intranet to dissolve these barriers. This leads to improved collaboration, higher employee engagement, and better financial results. Keep reading to find out more.

What Are Information Silos?

An information silo is a management system that doesn’t communicate with others within the same organization. Silos can occur at various levels: team, department, or even tool and content-related.

Humans naturally gravitate toward forming “tribes“—whether based on nationality, alma mater, or even sports teams. Workplaces aren’t immune to this behavior, which is why silos often form.

Why Are Information Silos a Problem?

While silos can create team identity, they become problematic when vital information is locked away, preventing organizational progress. This leads to:

• Duplicated efforts
• Slow problem-solving
• Lack of synergy
• Missed opportunities

For example, if the marketing department isn’t aware of an upcoming product release, their strategies could clash with R&D’s timeline, causing unnecessary setbacks.

To fix this, businesses must bridge silos by promoting communication and teamwork.

Intranet Design That Breaks Down Silos

A well-designed intranet can solve the silo problem. MyHub’s intranet tools include:

• Content management systems
• Document management systems
• Advanced search features
• Blogs, forums, and wikis
• Collaborative workspaces
• File sharing
• Social intranet

These tools enable seamless information sharing and teamwork on a single platform. However, careful design is essential to prevent new silos from forming.

Dynamic Navigation

To prevent information overload, dynamic navigation ensures that the right information reaches the right people. With targeted permissions based on roles, teams, or projects, dynamic navigation allows users to access relevant information without feeling overwhelmed.

Boosting Business Performance

By breaking down silos, your business will see enhanced growth, efficiency, and productivity. Information will flow more freely, eliminating delays caused by cross-departmental miscommunication.

Increased Employee Engagement

Improved information sharing and collaboration lead to higher employee engagement. When employees can easily access relevant data, they feel empowered and satisfied with their work. Additionally, understanding how their role contributes to the company’s goals boosts motivation.

Engaged employees are more productive, so removing silos with a creative intranet design will directly benefit your bottom line.

For more details on how a company intranet can break down silos in your business, contact MyHub today.

Do You Need A Flawless Design?

A flawless intranet design is crucial to a company’s success. A poorly designed intranet can take years to recover from. The design must be intuitive, use current technology, and be based on precise data analysis. A strong intranet platform is more than ROI; it improves business processes and fosters a productivity-driven culture.

As we approach 2016, more companies are focusing on improving their internal structures. Businesses realize that employee experience is just as important as customer experience. According to Burton Goldfield, President and CEO, “One of the best ways to ensure employees are aligned is through a well-maintained, widely used intranet.”

Building an effective intranet involves knowing where to start, what data to collect, and how to analyze it. Your intranet should be a hub for information, communication, and real-time collaboration. As Entrepreneur explains, “Intranet services enable employees to share information, reducing the need for managerial intervention.”

Planning, Research, and Assessment

For a successful intranet, there’s no room for guesswork. Proper planning, research, data analysis, and assessment are essential.

• Gap Analysis: Identify where you are, where you want to go, and where to focus energy. This helps determine whether business requirements are met.
• Qualitative and Quantitative Data: Collect feedback through surveys, interviews, and questionnaires to understand what’s working and what needs improvement. Use qualitative data early in development and quantitative data after implementation.
• Benchmarking: Compare your intranet’s performance with industry leaders to set measurable targets.
• User Requirements: Use personas to prioritize features that align with user needs and ensure a user-first approach.
• Know Your Users: Define roles within your company and gather feedback to understand what each group needs to be productive.
• Best Practices: Engage with users, set standards, simplify the system, measure data, and highlight the system’s value.

Intranet Design

To begin designing your platform, ask: What do you need?

• Where to start: Developing a site map is key to building a functional intranet.
• Customization Level: Know your design limitations. A customizable SaaS solution offers flexibility at a fraction of the cost compared to building from scratch.
• IT Skills: Developing an intranet requires skilled personnel. Many companies opt for pre-built SaaS solutions with templates to save time and cost.

Design Elements

• Attractive and Useful Intranet: Your intranet should reflect your company’s culture and be user-friendly, scalable, and accessible.
• Content Management: Engage users with informative text, videos, and images to create an interactive experience.
• Social Media: Align social media features with what your users are familiar with to enhance personalization.

For an intranet to succeed, it must be reliable, attractive, accessible, inviting, and engaging.

Designing Your Intranet: Striving for Perfection

Creating a top-tier, fully functional intranet starts with a solid design that is modern, user-friendly, and capable of performing all necessary tasks. An underperforming intranet can slow productivity and hinder communication across the company.

Your goal should be to develop a system that seamlessly integrates into employees’ daily routines—making it a tool that enhances both ROI and operational efficiency, rather than a chore to use.

Reimagining Success: The Importance of Employee Experience

As companies continue to evolve, there is a growing recognition of the importance of internal processes. While customer experience is often the focus, employee experience is equally crucial in maintaining smooth business operations. CEO Burton Goldfield sums it up perfectly: “A strong, frequently updated, and widely used intranet ensures that employees align with company goals. It’s a cost-effective way to keep everyone on the same page.” This alignment can ultimately drive better performance across the board.

Facing the Challenges: Understanding the Big Picture

Designing an intranet that works for everyone—from entry-level employees to executives—can be a daunting task. Understanding what data to collect, how to organize it, and which features to prioritize is critical to the success of the project. An intranet should not only serve as a communication hub but also promote efficient information sharing across the company. As an article from Entrepreneur notes, “Intranet solutions enable employees to share and search for information, reducing managerial intervention.”

Starting Right: A Structured Approach

Before diving into the design and development of your intranet, it’s important to take a structured approach to the process. Planning, research, and data analysis are essential to ensure the system is set up correctly from the start. Here’s a six-step guide to starting on the right foot:

• Gap Analysis – Evaluate the current performance of your company’s applications and information systems. Key questions to ask include: Where are we now? Where do we want to go? Where should we focus our resources?
• Data Collection – Use both qualitative (surveys, interviews) and quantitative (usage data, performance metrics) data to understand problem areas and set measurable success indicators.
• Benchmarking – Set benchmarks to measure your company’s progress against industry standards. This helps identify strengths and weaknesses in your approach.
• User Needs & Accessibility – Create user personas to ensure the system meets the needs of different teams, whether it’s a CEO or a sales rep. This helps guide design and feature prioritization.
• Understanding User Behavior – Tailor the intranet experience to different user roles and needs. Mapping out these behaviors ensures that the system works for everyone across the organization.
• Site Map Creation – Define the structure of your system with an intranet site map to ensure clarity and a smooth user experience.

Best Practices for Intranet Design

Top-performing intranet systems share several key characteristics:

• High user engagement
• Simple and intuitive system design
• Clear standards and guidelines
• Effective data measurement to track performance
• Continuous promotion of the system’s value

Incorporating these best practices will help ensure your intranet delivers maximum value and improves internal workflows.

Customization: Understanding Your Limits

Customization is an important factor in intranet design, but it’s essential to understand its limits. If you require extensive customization, ensure you have the necessary budget and resources to support it. On the other hand, many SaaS solutions offer substantial out-of-the-box customization that can meet the needs of most businesses.

Design Elements: Make It Look Good

Aesthetics matter. A visually appealing intranet not only enhances employee engagement but also boosts overall satisfaction with the system. A clean, well-designed layout can significantly improve how employees interact with the platform and increase adoption rates.

Content Management & Social Media Integration

Engage your employees with dynamic content, such as articles, videos, and photos. Integrating social media elements into your intranet will help reflect your company’s culture and keep everyone connected and informed. This fosters a sense of community and encourages active participation across the organization.

Need Help? Let Us Guide You

Designing a successful intranet requires careful thought and strategic planning. If you need assistance, schedule a free demo with our team at MyHub to explore the possibilities and learn how we can help you create the perfect intranet system for your company.