SharePoint intranets

Sometimes it’s hard to know where to start. We offer a framework to assess the effectiveness of existing intranets so our clients understand and are empowered to make effective change.

By engaging with users and stakeholders and applying our wide-ranging experience, we develop findings and recommendations, strategies and roadmaps that provide guidance on enhancing a current intranet or building a new one in SharePoint.

Information architecture refers to the structure of an intranet, including how information is grouped, navigational methods, and labelling.

We design information architecture fthat prioritises user experience, ensuring intranets are easy to use, provide a solid foundation for ongoing maintenance and governance, and leverage the unique featues of SharePoint.

We use card sorting and tree testing (both online and in-person) where the information architecture is complicated or our clients value the opportunity to improve its usability through insights from users.

Creating a set of standardised page layouts in a SharePoint intanet makes content entry easier for publishers and creates a better overall experience for all users.

We apply best practice user experience design principles to our page layouts as well as areas of the intranet that require special treatment, such as the home page.

Branding an intranet establishes a consistent identity and culture, reinforcing the organisation’s values and mission. A professional design builds trust and credibility, encouraging employees to rely on the intranet for important information. Consistent use of logos, colors, and other brand elements fosters a sense of belonging.

While the opportunities to ‘brand’ modern SharePoint are limited, we have many techniques to thread visual identity into an intranet to help bring a brand to life.

A modern intranet facilitates leadership communication, departmental updates, knowledge sharing and employee feedback. An intranet can also bring workplace culture to life by reinforcing the organisation’s brand and values through clarity, recognition, news sharing, transparency, and personal connections.

We help our clients identify how their SharePoint intranets can drive or support their communications and culture, including the role of other Microsoft 365 tools, such as Microsoft Teams, Viva Connections and Engage.

While SharePoint includes a range of accessibility features to support users of all abilities – including those using screen readers and other assistive technologies – there are additional enhancements we can implement to further improve intranet accessibility, especially when our clients prioritise inclusive access.

An intranet’s value lies in its content. As the official repository of ‘published’ information, an intranet must be reliable and trustworthy, featuring useful and relevant content.

We assist our clients with content design and collaborate with subject matter experts to deliver high-quality content, including:

• content planning
• content standards and guidelines
• design and managing the content development and approval process
• training and coaching.

Good governance defines intranet priorities and ensures roles and responsibilities are clearly defined, communicated and monitored. Beyond policies and procedures, governance should include plans for training, monitoring usage, user behaviour and ongoing improvement, aligned with the organisation’s overall governance plan for Microsoft 365 and broader information management frameworks.

We help our clients develop pragmatic governance to ensure the long-term success of their intranets.