SharePoint intranets

Assessments and strategies

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.

Information architecture

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

We design information architecture that prioritises user experience, ensuring intranets are easy to use and provide a solid foundation for ongoing maintenance and governance.

We leverage 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.

Search

Search functionality is critical for any intranet. We design search experiences that enable users to find what they need with confidence, including metadata design and configuration changes.

Our services include user testing to identify areas for improvement using real-world feedback.

Content

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.

Communications and culture

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 intranets can drive or support their communications and culture, including the role of other Microsoft 365 tools, such as Viva Connections and Engage.

Branding and visual identity

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 branding and visual identity into an intranet to help bring a brand to life.

Page layouts and templates

Creating a set of standardised page layouts 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.

Accessibility

SharePoint offers various accessibility features to support users of all abilities, including those relying on screen readers and other assistive technologies, but there are additional measures we can use to further enhance an intranet’s accessibility where there is a drive from our clients to prioritise accessibilty.

Governance

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.

Find out more

We have loads of great examples of SharePoint intranet to show you. Get in contact today. One of our team would love to talk to you about all things SharePoint!