SharePoint Intranet Design: A Guide to Best Practices
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform that allows organizations to create and manage their intranet sites. With its wide range of features and customization options, SharePoint offers endless possibilities for designing and developing a user-friendly and efficient intranet. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for SharePoint intranet design and development.
1. Planning Your SharePoint Intranet
Before diving into the design and development process, it is important to have a clear plan in place. Start by identifying the goals and objectives of your intranet. What do you want to achieve with your intranet? Who are the target users? What features and functionalities do you need? Answering these questions will help you create a roadmap for your SharePoint intranet development.
2. User-Centric Design
When designing your SharePoint intranet, it is crucial to keep the end-users in mind. The intranet should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and visually appealing. Consider the needs and preferences of your users and design the intranet accordingly. Use clear and concise language, organize content in a logical manner, and provide easy access to important information.
3. Customization and Branding
SharePoint offers a wide range of customization options to make your intranet reflect your organization’s brand identity. Customize the look and feel of your intranet by adding your logo, choosing a color scheme that matches your brand, and using custom fonts and graphics. This will help create a cohesive and professional look for your intranet.
4. Mobile-Friendly Design
In today’s mobile-driven world, it is essential to design your SharePoint intranet with mobile devices in mind. Make sure your intranet is responsive and can be accessed and used seamlessly on smartphones and tablets. Optimize the layout and content for smaller screens, and ensure that all features and functionalities are accessible on mobile devices.
5. Collaboration and Communication
One of the main purposes of an intranet is to facilitate collaboration and communication within the organization. Design your SharePoint intranet in a way that encourages employees to connect and share information. Include features such as discussion boards, document sharing, and team sites to promote collaboration and teamwork.
6. Ongoing Maintenance and Support
Once your SharePoint intranet is up and running, it is important to have a plan for ongoing maintenance and support. Regularly update and maintain the intranet to ensure it remains secure and up to date. Provide training and support to users to help them make the most of the intranet’s features. Consider outsourcing SharePoint development to a reliable agency that offers managed SharePoint services for ongoing support and maintenance.
Conclusion
Designing and developing a SharePoint intranet requires careful planning and consideration. By following the best practices outlined in this guide, you can create a user-friendly and efficient intranet that meets the needs of your organization. Remember to keep the end-users in mind, customize the intranet to reflect your brand, design for mobile devices, promote collaboration and communication, and have a plan for ongoing maintenance and support. With these best practices in place, your SharePoint intranet will become a valuable tool for your organization.