Template for intranet website

This module needs to have site links which are common for any user e. Liked the above-mentioned capabilities and examples? Mesh breaks down app silos and acts as a central digital hub to collaborate, communicate, search and share information. Thanks to the ready-to-use and free SharePoint templates provided by Microsoft, building a well-designed SharePoint or Office intranet has never been faster or simpler.

You can find these in the Microsoft Lookbook site and add to your tenant from there. The Leadership Connection template is aimed towards keeping employees connected with the leadership team. You can add content related to leadership news, goals, events, articles, videos, announcements and more!

This free SharePoint template is designed to deliver the latest news and personalized content and drive engagement. The Perspective comes with a host of features including background, mega menu, and compact header. This site lets you keep people informed, engaged and up-to-date with the latest announcements.

Benefits is another interesting SharePoint template available for free. The page provides all of the information employees need to learn about their financial, medical, insurance and other types of benefits they may be entitled to.

With the Global Marketing Hub , your marketing teams can have a central hub to access branding information, collaterals, best practices, creatives, Office documents and everything they need to get their job done. The Team Communication site lets you communicate with your peers through document sharing, resources, conversations and news. It also shows the relevant people and contacts to connect with. The Collaboration Team Site enables you to collaborate at a team level.

It has many components including latest news, quick links, documents, activites. Need a robust project management portal? Using PowerBI, Planner and other project-related web parts, the Mark8 Project Team site provides you everything you need from project planning and progress, to tracking results. With 4 different site templates, The New Employee Onboarding Hub streamlines your onboarding process both at a corporate and departmental level.

These are the top SharePoint intranet examples and templates of SharePoint for free. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Acuvate has been helping several large and medium enterprises in their SharePoint initiatives.

If you need help in deploying your intranet or redesigning an existing one, please feel free to get in touch with one of our SharePoint experts for a personalized consultation. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to get the latest updates directly to your mailbox! Most providers utilize some form of intranet wizard with drag and drop functionality to help you populate the content and customize the design.

Everyone wants to have their own unique version, so being able to customize the intranet website template with your own company colors, branding and logo is essential. There may even be some providers out there that have previous experience within your industry or organization type and have set up an intranet before that works in this space.

Be sure to check whether your intranet website template is optimized for use on mobile devices and tablets. In fact, chances are your company website is powered by WordPress so it can look like the logical choice for an intranet website template. Before you dive straight in with a WordPress intranet template, there are some important drawbacks to consider fully. The simple fact is that WordPress was not designed as an intranet website template and so in this context, it has some limitations.

The sheer complexity and size of WordPress is perhaps the most important one. Say, for example, that the two key functions you want your intranet to feature are a staff directory and a corporate calendar. You may well find that you need a separate plugin for each function and the plugins may have been developed by different suppliers. This means that each plugin is likely to have conflicting schedules for updates, and could well have a different overall look and feel, which makes for an incoherent, jumbled user experience.

So, what may have seemed like a logical choice on closer examination could well turn out not to be the case. If, however, you are looking for a very basic intranet website template, then WordPress could be worth investigating, just make sure that you undertake due diligence so there are no surprises or disappointments.

If you already have a company server, then the on-premise server can seem like the sensible choice with the enticing possibility of creating an entirely bespoke intranet. Before you go ahead though make sure you thoroughly consider the following factors which businesses can often overlook.

It also requires a high level of technical know-how and support such that many businesses end up hiring consultants or IT professionals to get their intranet project over the line. In addition, extra physical space will be needed to accommodate the server and the technical personnel needed to keep it operational.

Perhaps the most important consideration of all though is that ongoing security, management and maintenance of the intranet and server will be your responsibility. In fact, this is such an important consideration that it warrants its own section below. In contrast, a cloud-hosted solution is a more straightforward prospect. With this option, the intranet website template is hosted by an external cloud provider for a monthly fee.

You select from pre-built, fully customizable intranet website templates to create your own unique version. And although your intranet website template will be owned by an external party, in terms of ease of implementation and ongoing use, the cloud option wins over the on-premises one.

In addition, the cloud provider retains responsibility for updates, backups and all aspects of security, making it a cost-effective and hassle-free prospect for many companies. Keeping on top of all the latest online security issues, threats and cybersecurity technology is a full-time job in itself. And with an on-premises intranet website template, when it comes to intranet website security the buck firmly and squarely stops with you.

You get all the benefit of their expertise and knowledge without having to do anything. And if you have had any experience of online security issues, then you will appreciate what a great benefit this is. The final step in the process is the design and the overall look and feel of your intranet website template. This has a massive impact on how successful it is in the long run.

A boring or cultured design is likely to result in users feeling frustrated, logging off or having difficulty finding the resources and information they are after. So, what makes for an engaging and successful intranet website template? Elsewhere on this blog, we look in detail at best practice intranet website examples. Below is a summary of some of the best practice features to consider incorporating into your intranet design:.

The bottom line is that when it comes to simplicity, cloud-hosted intranet templates are hard to beat. The provider has done the hard part for you in terms of developing a platform that satisfies the common pain points of businesses. You get the benefit of all that expertise, knowledge and experience without any of the hassle or time and resource commitment. Thanks to cloud-hosted intranet website templates, it has indeed never been easier to develop an intranet.

For maximum effect, the golden rule is to keep it simple. Visual appeal is essential. Engaging staff with vibrant images is a great way to entice them to explore the content further. The example below uses a well-chosen, high-res banner image that is a beautiful photo in itself and reflects what the company is all about. Photos work best when they are strongly related to the content they sit beside and, where possible, should show employees doing their work. Clear navigation links drill down into key departments and areas of information, allowing staff to find what they need quickly.

In this example, they have the latest company news clearly positioned below the main intranet banner. Other important announcements, links, and information naturally flow on, while the box layout style delineates the key information items. Intranet templates make the design process a whole lot easier. If you are short on time or lack confidence in your technical ability, then intranet templates are the perfect solution.

Pre-built by the provider, intranet templates come loaded with coding, functionality, and a basic design. Highlighted in this example are just a few of the wide range of choices available. You can use the in-built graphics and layout, or you can play around with the template and create a unique solution. Upload photos or images relevant to your business.

And change the colors and font to reflect your corporate style. Specially designed by experts with the non-expert in mind, intranet templates are easy to use. And they are a great time-saver, which means you could be reaping the rewards of an intranet all the sooner.

A staff directory connects employees right across your organization, including remote or non-desk workers. And it promotes a friendlier, more people-focused company culture. Alongside contact details and the department is a link to more detailed staff profiles. Employee profiles differ from company to company but often include areas of expertise and current projects.

You can even adapt the template and introduce custom fields as appropriate. The staff directory allows employees to see who is online. Workers can connect via live chat. Many businesses have found this supports faster decision-making and means staff can get things done more easily.

They can connect with their colleagues on a formal, and perhaps more importantly, informal basis. As the trend towards remote working increases, you may find the team chat becomes the new water cooler. User profile pages are an invaluable way of introducing employees to each other. This is good news for new starters, especially. Many companies make extensive use of employee profiles as a platform for promoting joint working and inter-team collaboration.

Leaders can identify gaps, plan knowledge sharing, talent scout, and prepare for succession planning. Employees can self-manage their profiles, updating and refreshing the information as required. Giving control to workers in this way helps boost employee engagement.

Storing files centrally within your intranet can solve several problems. And from an organizational perspective, how much time is wasted searching for files and documents? The answer is probably too much. Storing all company data and information on your intranet means staff know exactly where to go.

And there are no security concerns like there have been with some cloud file-sharing options. With a familiar file explorer interface, employees can quickly and easily share files and documents both internally and externally. Quite simply, intranets allow for a more efficient exchange of information and data across the organization. Using accordions or expanding text modules is a great vehicle for getting lots of information on a single page.

Be careful, though. Some solutions load all the content in one go, and this can slow down page load times, frustrating your users. A great example of how to do it is shown below.

There are two columns with different sections for each product area. Accordions and expanding text are perfect for mobile-responsive intranets. On the smaller screen format, they work much better than mega menus. The example below shows the home page from example two and how it responds to different device types and orientations. Employees on the move and remote workers can still benefit from the improved processes and communications that your intranet brings.

More and more employees are working flexibly, and a mobile-responsive intranet ensures they remain productive whatever their location. A practice run means you can check how well the content is working from a mobile perspective. We all know that paper-based or emailed forms can be a bit of a headache. Information can easily get lost, or errors can creep in so that the form ends up going backward and forwards.

This example shows how you can group forms in a single area on your intranet, providing easy online access. The example below is in IT; however, it could be HR forms or approvals — the choice is yours. Many companies have set up an onboarding section to make life easier for new starters. New staff are often required to complete several forms, and a central resource streamlines the onboarding process.

Alternatively, you can use an embedded G Suite or Office app. Forms are automatically routed to the relevant department for action. And managers have more oversight of where things are at and any potential bottlenecks. This is critical for remote workers and non-desk staff. From booking holidays, adding a new supplier on the system to ordering stationery, the intranet is faster and more efficient. Embedding Google Docs or Microsoft Office cloud files directly in your intranet provides a powerful solution to several business problems.

Page permissions mean you can easily restrict access in conjunction with your existing cloud-solution permissions. The example below shows an embedded Office Excel spreadsheet. Not all of your users require access to edit the spreadsheet data directly. Embedding the spreadsheet within your intranet means the user has a live view of data entered without having to find the file. This also opens up a whole range of options. You can provide explanatory notes or training information on the page as well.

Say your business has a weekly sales spreadsheet. An intranet-embedded Excel or a Google Sheet allows multiple users to access and edit the data at any time simultaneously. Updates are made in real-time with the intranet automatically saving the information.

And explanatory notes about how to complete the spreadsheet and why the information is required can be displayed alongside. Management can be confident the intranet has the latest sales data available. And working on a corporate-wide strategy is a whole lot easier.

For example, the annual report usually requires several authors and the input of many departments. An intranet-embedded Google or MS Office doc means you can do away with emailed versions that are hard to track.

A live version is readily available to relevant users. Want to know what employees really think about your company? Employee engagement surveys can help you identify areas of organizational improvement. It could be a snapshot survey to gauge opinion on a particular issue or initiative. Or it could be a detailed employee engagement survey that you carry out regularly. Employee disengagement is a proven major cause of increased rates of absenteeism and low productivity. Intranet-delivered employee engagement surveys are a simple and effective way of reducing costs in this area.

And the universal coverage of the intranet means staff are more willing and able to respond to engagement surveys. Check out the example below for some ideas to get started. More detailed guidance on employee surveys is available on our blog. Two heads are always better than one, and forums are a great place for employees to collaborate.

Companies use intranet forums to brainstorm ideas, share insights, and support project work. Conversations are stored within your intranet and can be accessed from anywhere, even remotely, making forums an essential collaboration tool. Set up a system of subscriptions and notifications, so members never miss out on vital updates.

Forum members are automatically notified about a new post without the need to directly login to the forum. The intranet example forum below is particularly useful for companies with geographically spread workforces or large numbers of remote workers.

It means staff can communicate and collaborate in real-time even if they are many thousands of miles apart. In the post-pandemic digital workplace, intranet forums support faster decision-making and increased agility.

Super-easy to set up and manage, intranet forums facilitate more effective joint working, especially among distributed teams. Fast and highly responsive, the best intranets are using instant messaging to enhance internal communications.

Many employees find it a more accessible way to reach out and connect with colleagues. And research tells us team chat can boost productivity, enhance customer service, and support easy resolution of queries. Set up public or private chats on the intranet. Employees can connect with colleagues in a team or project setting as well individually. You can also set up topic-based conversations using channels. And the mentions feature ensures team members are notified immediately of any new posts on their favorite channels.

In the example below, you can easily see who is online and available to chat. You can upload documents, images, or videos for instant sharing.

Conversations are automatically stored, and a powerful search makes it easy to locate that vital piece of information when you need to. Fully integrated into your intranet and with seamless access to all features, team chat will add value to your internal communications.

The intranet will be the go-to platform for staff. And to make it even more effective, you can integrate it with other enterprise systems used by your business. SSO provides gateway entry, so employees only need to log on once to access all tools. In the example below, workers can log in using their Google or Office password. And you can also integrate other commonly used apps such as Salesforce and Dropbox.

Okta SSO simplifies the way users connect. Do away with multiple logins and the need for lots of open screens and apps running simultaneously. SSO is a great time-saver and makes for a smoother, more coherent user experience. If you want to get really creative with your intranet design, then you will love the custom CSS feature.

You can easily change the font, colors, margins or layout of one or all of your pages. Designed for advanced intranet administrators, the tool is super-easy to use. And it means administrators have complete control over the presentation of intranet content.

Staff use it to keep updated on their favorite channels and tag their colleagues to alert them to important information. You can also check when colleagues have read the notification. And you can easily turn notifications on and off. So, if you need to concentrate on that vital task, you can do so without any distractions. Simply turn it back on when you are ready.

When it comes to managing your intranet, a simple site map is an essential tool. It provides an overview of the entire site. Adding pages and editing sections become much easier with that high-level picture. You can also quickly identify any duplicate content and rationalize information across the entire site. And a site map also simplifies that task.

A common feature in best-of-breed intranets, site maps ensure content is well organized, and the information flows logically. All the best intranets are not only easy to set up and use; they are also simple to manage.

Here is an administration example taken from a MyHub Intranet site. An easy-to-follow dropdown menu sets out the available tools. Say, for example, you want to change the color scheme in line with your new corporate image. All you need to do is select the appearance tab and click on the color you want from the palette. You can also use the administration tool to add content or edit pages, upload graphics or videos, and add or delete users.

The intuitive software makes ongoing administration a straightforward task. Even non-technical staff will find intranet management easy. Video is a powerful way to impart information or get corporate messages across. Engaging and low-cost, video is becoming even more important in the context of distributed teams. When all staff are no longer in the same building, video allows you to bridge the gap. Leaders can still be visible and accessible. While knowledge sharing, training, and onboarding can all be enhanced with video.

For example, an explainer video outlining safety and health policy is far more engaging than a dull and weighty manual. Uploading video content is easy with an intranet. From quick tips and how-to tutorials to CEO vlogs, the possibilities are endless.