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.
Exit Interview Forms: How To Obtain Actionable Information
Exit interviews are often overlooked, but they’re a critical tool for understanding why employees leave and how your company can improve. When conducted with care and consistency, they offer unique insights into company culture, communication gaps, management issues, and more. Because exiting employees tend to be more candid, their feedback can uncover hidden problems that affect engagement and retention.
The key to unlocking this value is structure. Using a standardized exit interview form keeps conversations focused and productive while ensuring data is comparable across interviews. The blog outlines the ideal form structure, tips for gathering honest feedback, and sample questions that cover everything from relationships with managers to reasons for leaving. Offering anonymous or third-party-led interviews can also help employees open up.
But collecting data is just the beginning. The real power lies in analyzing trends and taking action. The article stresses the importance of reviewing and sharing feedback with leadership and the broader team to close the loop. When employees see that feedback leads to change, trust and engagement grow—creating a workplace where fewer people want to leave in the first place.
Hospitality Intranets: Keeping Open The Lines Of Communication
Internal communication in the hospitality industry is notoriously difficult. With shift-based schedules, high staff turnover, and minimal overlap between employees, it’s easy for crucial information to fall through the cracks. This blog post outlines how a hospitality intranet helps resolve these issues by centralizing updates, schedules, and company documents in one accessible platform.
Key benefits include enhanced access to real-time announcements, easier management of compliance documents, and flexible staff training. With tools like digital rosters, online forms, and training modules, hospitality teams can stay aligned no matter their hours. This supports better teamwork, fewer misunderstandings, and more streamlined operations.
Ultimately, a well-implemented hospitality intranet empowers staff with the tools they need to perform their roles effectively. It also reduces the admin burden on managers and boosts customer satisfaction by ensuring every team member is informed and prepared — whether it’s a live music night or a last-minute shift change.
The Essential Ingredient For Fast Food Franchise Intranets
Managing a fast food franchise network requires more than great food — it demands clear communication, brand consistency, and efficient processes across every location. From Nebraska to New Delhi, customers expect the same experience. A modern franchise intranet helps make that possible by centralizing tools, information, and updates in one easy-to-access platform.
Franchise intranets empower head offices to oversee operations at scale without micromanaging. Policies, training resources, and compliance documents are all stored in a secure hub, ensuring every staff member is aligned. Built-in tools like read-tracking, onboarding modules, and digital workflows further enhance visibility and standardization.
The intranet also fosters engagement across your network with features like news feeds, recognition programs, and shared spaces for collaboration. It’s not just a communication tool — it’s the foundation for scalable growth, stronger franchisee relationships, and better customer experiences across your entire brand.
Wholesalers & Distributors Intranet: Communication Made Easy
For wholesalers and distributors, maintaining clear communication across all channels — internal teams, resellers, and partners — is mission-critical. Relying on outdated methods like email chains or printed brochures often leads to inconsistent messaging and missed sales opportunities. A modern cloud intranet centralizes communication, keeps resellers informed, and ensures your brand is represented accurately across every touchpoint.
With an intranet, businesses gain complete control over how product updates, marketing materials, and brand guidelines are distributed. From dynamic news feeds to reseller-specific content hubs, you can personalize and manage access at scale. Integrated leaderboards, reward programs, and gamified engagement tools also help keep your sales partners motivated and aligned with your goals.
What’s more, cloud intranets offer automation and self-service capabilities that improve responsiveness and reduce admin time. Whether it’s submitting a display request or downloading campaign assets, resellers can act fast — while your internal team stays focused and productive. It’s a win-win for every level of your distribution network.
Veterinary Intranets: Improve Your Bottom Line With A Cloud Intranet
In an increasingly competitive and fast-moving veterinary industry, cloud-based intranets offer clinics a modern solution for streamlining operations and enhancing communication. Far more than just an internal website, a veterinary intranet provides centralized access to vital resources, news updates, team directories, and automated workflows — all hosted securely offsite, allowing busy veterinary professionals to focus more on patient care and less on admin.
By automating repetitive processes like staff scheduling, leave requests, and supply ordering, clinics can boost operational efficiency while significantly reducing administrative errors and costs. With real-time news feeds, collaborative tools, and intuitive knowledge management systems, team members stay informed and connected — whether they work at a single practice or across multiple locations.
Ultimately, cloud intranets are a cost-effective investment that not only improves your bottom line but also strengthens compliance, boosts staff satisfaction, and enhances the quality of care delivered to patients. Veterinary practices looking for reliable, scalable digital solutions should consider implementing a cloud intranet to future-proof their operations and thrive in a competitive market.
Local Government Intranets: Better Planning And Collaboration
Local governments manage a wide range of public services across diverse departments, often leading to siloed systems, miscommunication, and inefficiencies. A modern intranet helps bridge these gaps by acting as a centralized digital hub where all departments can access up-to-date information, collaborate on initiatives, and streamline operations. From fire departments to public works, this shared digital space fosters transparency and coordination across the board.
Intranets have evolved from simple document storage systems into comprehensive platforms that support automated workflows, collaborative tools, and live data access. Staff can easily locate essential information, complete forms, and submit requests without relying on inefficient phone or email communications. Role-based permissions ensure data security, while features like staff directories, shared workspaces, and government calendars encourage cross-department collaboration and planning.
For budget-conscious municipalities, intranets offer a scalable, cost-effective solution. With predictable monthly pricing and cloud-based infrastructure, local governments can reduce IT burdens and avoid hidden costs. By breaking down internal barriers and encouraging smarter, more efficient public service planning, an intranet becomes a powerful tool for transforming how local governments serve their communities.
Global Intranets: Meeting The Challenges Of Economic Globalization
In today’s globalized economy, multinational companies face serious challenges in managing communication across countries, time zones, and languages. A centralized global intranet offers a solution by providing a unified platform for both corporate-level and local information needs. Through customizable sub-portals, companies can ensure seamless communication, maintain brand consistency, and securely manage sensitive documents across all offices.
Beyond communication, a global intranet also helps automate and optimize business processes. Traditional methods like endless email chains and paper requests are replaced with efficient online forms, automated workflows, and integrated access to key resources. This not only improves operational efficiency but also ensures that both headquarters and regional offices maintain high standards and effective service delivery.
Finally, a global intranet strengthens employee engagement and corporate identity across dispersed workforces. It fosters collaboration through blogs, forums, and leaderboards, while also supporting localized engagement strategies to boost morale. By balancing global cohesion with local personalization, companies can create a vibrant and connected workforce ready to excel on the international stage.
Car Dealerships: Eliminate Silos With A Company Intranet
Car dealerships, often spread across multiple locations and offering various brands, face the challenge of business silos that hinder consistent communication and operations. A company intranet serves as the ideal solution, providing a centralized platform for sharing information and ensuring uniformity in messaging and processes. Head offices can gain better oversight, while local dealerships benefit from easy access to up-to-date data, marketing materials, and critical updates.
For head office, the intranet simplifies communication by providing a single source of truth for brand updates, marketing materials, and stock availability. It ensures consistent messaging across all dealerships and facilitates quick connections between regional staff, boosting efficiency and response times.
Local dealerships enjoy seamless access to corporate information, the ability to connect with colleagues from other locations, and simplified processes for ordering promotional materials and receiving support. The intranet also aids in onboarding new staff by housing essential training resources and promoting employee engagement, contributing to better retention and productivity.
Ergonomics In The Workplace – 36 Office Safety Tips
This article provides essential guidance for creating a safe and ergonomic office environment. It begins with key tips on setting up an ergonomic workstation to prevent discomfort and long-term health issues. Proper posture, chair adjustments, and screen positioning are discussed to help employees work efficiently without strain.
The article also highlights the importance of maintaining a hazard-free office. From keeping floors clear to ensuring emergency exits are accessible, it covers best practices for eliminating physical risks. The content emphasizes the role of employee responsibility in safety, including following no-smoking policies and keeping workspaces organized.
In addition, the article delves into how to perform assessments of office ergonomics and safety. It explains how businesses can use online tools and resources to conduct self-assessments, and how the intranet can play a central role in tracking safety training and compliance. By investing in these practices, employers can protect their workforce, reduce healthcare costs, and foster a healthier, more productive workplace.
13 Tips for Creating a Positive Work Culture
Perks like unlimited time off or free lunches might grab attention, but they aren’t what truly retain top talent. Instead, people seek workplaces that foster trust, open communication, and genuine support for personal and professional growth. A truly positive work culture is built on shared values, mutual respect, and a clear mission—qualities that drive connection, motivation, and long-term success more than surface-level benefits ever could.
A strong company culture directly impacts performance and well-being. When employees feel recognized, included, and aligned with their company’s goals, they’re more engaged, productive, and loyal. Practices such as transparent leadership, mental health support, clear career paths, and diversity initiatives create a safe, inspiring environment that fuels both individual fulfillment and business growth.
To build such a culture, leadership must embody core values and involve employees at all levels. This means actively listening, encouraging feedback, rewarding contributions, and staying adaptable in times of change. From defining a clear mission to organizing team-building activities, every effort should reinforce the workplace as a space where people feel seen, heard, and motivated to thrive together.
How Field Service Companies Tackle Challenges With An Intranet
Field service companies face unique challenges—from keeping remote teams informed to managing complex workflows in real time. A mobile-optimized intranet offers a powerful solution by connecting remote staff with critical information, streamlined processes, and company culture.
By providing centralized access to news, training, digital forms, and technical resources, the intranet empowers technicians to work smarter in the field. It also fosters two-way communication between teams and headquarters, ensuring everyone stays aligned and engaged—no matter where they are.
In addition to supporting daily operations, intranets help organizations stay compliant with regulatory standards through trackable training modules and targeted updates. For businesses juggling remote work, mobile teams, and evolving compliance needs, an intranet can be a true game-changer.
Amateur Sports Club Portal: Simplify Administration And Communication
Running an amateur sports club involves far more than just game day logistics. Behind every successful association is a team of dedicated volunteers juggling full-time jobs, families, and club responsibilities. Unfortunately, much of the club’s administration—like emails, meetings, and file sharing—is handled inefficiently, costing time and causing confusion. A sports club intranet portal offers a smarter way forward, centralizing communications, documents, and tools in one easy-to-use online platform.
A club portal functions as a private, cloud-based intranet that gives authorized members instant access to key features like news bulletins, calendars, document repositories, and knowledge hubs. It simplifies communication by streamlining announcements and updates, while document management ensures everyone can access the latest versions of forms, flyers, and codes of conduct without relying on a single admin. With integrated tools like Google Forms and Sheets, clubs can digitize and automate many of their most time-consuming tasks.
Beyond features, portals are surprisingly affordable and easy to set up—especially for nonprofits. Many cloud providers offer discounted rates, and the setup process is intuitive enough to get a club running within hours. With 24/7 mobile access, volunteers can contribute on their own time, whether that’s from the sidelines or during a coffee break. Overall, a club portal is not just a tool—it’s a game-changer for amateur sports clubs looking to improve efficiency and reclaim valuable time.
Recruitment Intranet: Streamline Processes
Recruitment agencies deal with a high volume of administrative tasks—from capturing vacancy details to scheduling interviews and managing reference checks. These processes are often paper-heavy and email-reliant, leading to inefficiencies, miscommunications, and costly errors. A recruitment intranet centralizes and automates these core workflows through customizable online forms, real-time document sharing, and smart integrations with tools like Google Workspace, reducing manual handling and streamlining operations from end to end.
Updating internal documents such as recruitment terms and conditions is another common pain point. Without a centralized system, it’s easy for consultants to access outdated information, which can result in financial losses and professional setbacks. With a recruitment intranet, collaboration on document revisions becomes seamless, version control is enforced automatically, and updates can be instantly shared company-wide through news feeds and internal alerts—ensuring everyone always works with the latest information.
Beyond process efficiency, a recruitment intranet enhances communication and strengthens company culture across multiple offices. Instead of relying on sporadic newsletters, agencies can share updates via a centralized news hub, keep everyone informed of key deadlines and events through a shared calendar, and foster better engagement and morale among teams. From smoother placements to smarter internal communication, a recruitment intranet transforms the way agencies operate—making them more agile, connected, and competitive.
Top 5 Security Risks for Your Hosted Intranet
Hosted intranet solutions are becoming increasingly popular among small and mid-sized businesses, offering a flexible and secure way to manage internal communication and data. While some may worry about cloud security, reputable providers often deliver stronger protections than in-house systems. The real vulnerabilities usually come from within—such as weak passwords, poor access control, and human error.
The article outlines five major intranet security risks: complacent users, rogue employees, outdated permissions, unsecured remote access, and unreliable infrastructure. Each risk includes actionable solutions, like enforcing SSL encryption, using tiered access, and conducting regular reviews of user permissions. Platforms like MyHub help address these challenges with built-in security features.
A hosted intranet also brings added benefits like cost savings, automatic updates, and expert IT support. While it involves trusting a third-party vendor, the trade-off is increased efficiency and peace of mind—especially for companies without dedicated IT resources.
Childcare Centers: Improve Business Management With An Intranet
Childcare centers are dynamic, fast-paced environments where managing daily operations and regulatory compliance can be overwhelming. With staff focused on nurturing children, there’s often little time for admin tasks, especially in franchise-based centers where communication with head office adds another layer of complexity. That’s where a childcare intranet comes in—offering a centralized, digital platform to streamline business processes and internal communication.
An intranet helps centers ensure compliance by automating workflows, providing digital access to important records like allergy registers, and supporting staff training through online resources. It also enables real-time updates on policy changes and maintains records of certifications, ensuring staff are always up to date with the latest regulations and procedures. This reduces the risk of errors and simplifies audits or inspections.
Beyond compliance, an intranet enhances team collaboration, supports knowledge sharing, and allows staff to document and celebrate children’s development. From uploading portfolios to sharing best practices and improving communication with head office, the platform empowers childcare professionals to focus more on what matters most: providing exceptional care.