Why engagement matters in intranets
Intranets fail when users can’t find value. SharePoint has powerful built-in tools to keep staff engaged, informed, and collaborating effectively. Engagement isn’t just about pretty layouts — it’s about delivering the right content, at the right time, in a way that motivates employees to participate. Without engagement, even the best-designed intranet will become digital shelfware.
By focusing on personalization, ease of use, and integrations, you can turn SharePoint from a static document library into a vibrant hub of activity. Think beyond company announcements — create communities of practice, celebrate wins, and make it a place employees want to return to daily.
SharePoint features you should explore
News web parts: Highlight important updates with rich visuals and targeted delivery to ensure they reach the right audience at the right time.
Audience targeting: Deliver relevant content to the right people, reducing information overload and boosting trust in the intranet.
Quick links: Provide easy access to critical tools and resources, saving employees time and improving adoption.
Document libraries with metadata: Improve search and organization so staff can find what they need in seconds, not minutes.
Integration with Teams: Bring your intranet directly into collaboration spaces, making SharePoint part of daily workflows instead of a separate destination.
Custom web parts: Add functionality tailored to your organization’s needs, from dashboards to interactive forms.
Page templates: Ensure consistency and branding across the intranet without reinventing the wheel each time.
Hub sites: Organize related sites under a single navigation and search experience.
Version history: Quickly recover previous document versions and track changes for compliance.
Search refiners: Enable users to filter search results by metadata and keywords.
Measuring success
Track page visits and time on page to identify which content resonates most.
Survey employees on content relevance and usefulness quarterly.
Monitor document collaboration metrics to measure productivity gains.
Run A/B tests on homepage layouts and web parts to find the most engaging setup.
Collect feedback directly from users via polls and suggestion forms.
Conclusion
By leveraging these underused SharePoint features, you can transform your intranet from a static site into a dynamic collaboration hub. This fosters a sense of community, improves productivity, and ensures your digital workplace becomes an essential part of daily workflows.
