So you’ve decided to build an intranet for your business. Building an intranet is exciting– you can incorporate so many features and designs and you’re all agog. Just hold on there – do you know what to be aware of, to avoid, and to incorporate? If you’re not sure, we’ve got the entire goodie bag here for you.
Things You Should Take Care Of When Building An Intranet
1. Ensure User Profiles Are Complete
While building an intranet set rules for populating user profiles. A nice headshot is mandatory, as are contact details, team details, and job description. All user profiles should be error-free and up-to-date. Insert reminders into your design code so that people are reminded to update their profiles periodically. Missing or incomplete profile information can be very annoying.
2. Include an Intelligent Search Feature
You want your users to find the right information each time, quickly, and painlessly. While building an intrate incorporate a clever search feature that’s powerful enough to search based on keywords, first two or three letters input, and so on. To make your search feature more effective, set up policies for content title and summary wording and keyword incorporation into content.
3. Create Dynamic Portal Homepages
Create separate login portals for each team, with dynamic homepages. The content should constantly refresh based on the user’s previous searches and needs. Don’t allow users to see the same messages and images they saw the previous time they logged in. Observe sites such as YouTube, Yahoo.com, and others to understand how to present ever-changing content.
4. Allow People To Add Feedback On Other Profiles
This is something similar to what LinkedIn does. Allow peers, managers, and cross-team members to add feedback and recommendations to profiles. Everyone likes a good word now and then. While building an intranet be sure to allow the profile owner to accept or reject the feedback.
5. Provide Tons Of Useful Tools
Survey the tools that people use daily. Compile a set of tools for each team, and make sure they are available immediately upon logging in. For example, if your Quality Assurance team uses analytical tools regularly, make sure they’re available from their login homepages.
Related: Top 10 Intranet Benefits for Small Businesses
6. Pixel Hentai
While building an intranet, keep an eye on what tasks each team performs regularly. For example, your admin team might be booking hotel rooms and travel tickets for traveling. Your HR team might be printing out various forms for employee use. Just place quick links on login homepages so that people can quickly perform these tasks. Also, enable alerts so that people can manage their tasks within given timeframes.
7. Create A Template Repository
Your intranet software should become a single source location for all kinds of regularly used forms and templates. Get all paper forms converted to editable soft copies and upload them under the proper categories. Also, get various teams to contribute the templates and forms that they use. Enable easy downloading and printing of these forms and your staff will feel empowered.
8. Allow People To Customize Their Content
Incorporate functionality that allows people to customize their intranet pages. They should be able to mark and manage a list of Favorites and customize content views and links to tasks. They should also be able to add (with governance) graphics and designs to their home pages so they don’t get bored. The point behind all this is to help them get their work done easily while feeling that they’re a part of the intranet software as well.
9. Incorporate Functionality For Inter-team Collaboration
Before building an intranet keep in mind to allow individuals to create discussion forums, to which they can invite the teams and individuals they choose. Enable complete user freedom about these forums, as long as they adhere to company policies. Also, incorporate a chat feature so that people can chat with others who are online. This will allow users to connect with other teams, discuss, collaborate, share ideas, and become more productive in their areas.
10. Incorporate a Q & A Feature
People are mostly afraid of asking direct questions of the management. Your intranet solution can make this process easier by allowing people to post questions to specific members of management. These questions and their answers should be visible to all employees. Over time, the stored Q&As will become a comprehensive FAQ, which will help guide users in their tasks.
FAQ'S
How is an Intranet Created?
An intranet is created by setting up a private network that is accessible only to an organization's employees. The process begins with defining the purpose and scope of the intranet, which includes deciding on the types of content, tools, and applications that will be available. The next step involves selecting the appropriate software or platform, such as SharePoint, Confluence, or custom-built solutions, to host the intranet.
The technical infrastructure includes servers, network configurations, and security measures to ensure that only authorized users have access. After the technical setup, the intranet is populated with content, such as internal documents, news, and resources. Finally, it is launched to employees, often accompanied by training sessions to help them use it effectively.
Can I Make My Own Intranet?
Yes, you can create your own intranet, especially if you have some technical knowledge or access to IT resources. For small businesses or personal use, there are several intranet software solutions available that offer user-friendly interfaces and customizable templates. These platforms often require minimal coding and allow you to create an intranet tailored to your specific needs.
If you prefer a more customized solution, you can build an intranet from scratch by setting up your own servers, configuring the network, and designing the user interface. This approach may require more technical expertise but offers greater flexibility in terms of functionality and design.
What is the Main Purpose of an Intranet?
The main purpose of an intranet is to provide a centralized platform for internal communication, collaboration, and information sharing within an organization. It serves as a hub where employees can access important documents, company news, and resources needed for their daily tasks. By streamlining communication and making information easily accessible, an intranet enhances productivity, fosters collaboration, and helps maintain organizational cohesion.
In addition to facilitating communication, intranets often include tools for project management, employee engagement, and knowledge sharing, making them an integral part of modern organizational infrastructure.
