What Is a SharePoint Intranet? A Complete Beginner’s Guide

If you've been exploring ways to improve internal communication, collaboration, and document management within your organization, you've likely come across the term SharePoint Intranet. But what exactly is it, and how can it benefit your business?

In this complete beginner’s guide, we’ll break down what a SharePoint Intranet is, what it does, and why it might be the right solution for your organization.

What Is SharePoint?

At its core, Microsoft SharePoint is a web-based collaboration platform that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft 365. Originally launched in 2001, SharePoint has evolved into a powerful tool used by over 200 million users worldwide.

SharePoint allows users to store, organize, share, and access information from any device with a web browser. It’s particularly popular among enterprises due to its scalability and tight integration with Microsoft tools like Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, and Word.

What Is a SharePoint Intranet?

A SharePoint Intranet is a private, internal website built using SharePoint to serve as the central hub for employees. It’s where your team can access important documents, company news, departmental pages, internal applications, and more—all in one secure place.

Think of it as your organization’s digital workplace.

Some common features of a SharePoint intranet include:

• News & Announcements

• Document Libraries

• Employee Directories

• Team and Department Pages

• Calendars and Events

• Internal Forms and Workflows

• Search Functionality

• Integration with Microsoft Teams and other apps

Why Use a SharePoint Intranet?

Here are some compelling reasons why organizations choose to implement a SharePoint intranet:

1. Centralized Communication

A SharePoint intranet serves as the single source of truth for all internal communication. Company announcements, policy updates, and newsletters can be shared centrally, ensuring employees stay informed.

2. Improved Collaboration

SharePoint allows real-time collaboration on documents, enabling teams to co-author, comment, and update files without version confusion. Integration with Microsoft Teams enhances this collaborative experience.

3. Customizable and Scalable

Every organization is different, and SharePoint intranets can be fully customized to reflect your brand and meet specific business needs. Whether you're a small business or a global enterprise, SharePoint scales with you.

4. Enhanced Document Management

With robust version control, access permissions, and metadata tagging, SharePoint makes it easy to manage large volumes of documents securely and efficiently.

5. Employee Engagement

With personalized content, social features, and recognition tools, a SharePoint intranet can foster a stronger sense of community and improve employee morale.

Who Should Use a SharePoint Intranet?

SharePoint intranets are ideal for organizations that:

• Already use Microsoft 365 tools

• Need to improve internal communication

• Handle large volumes of documents and data

• Have remote or hybrid teams

• Require custom workflows or automation

If you're part of an HR team, IT department, operations, or leadership, implementing a SharePoint intranet can significantly enhance how your company functions internally.

Is SharePoint Intranet Easy to Use?

While SharePoint offers immense functionality, the learning curve can be steep for beginners. Fortunately, Microsoft provides plenty of templates, training resources, and integration support. Additionally, many organizations partner with SharePoint consultants or developers to create customized intranet solutions tailored to their needs.

The good news is that once set up, daily use is intuitive for most employees, especially those familiar with Microsoft products.

How to Get Started with a SharePoint Intranet

Here’s a simple roadmap for getting started:

• Define Your Goals: What do you want your intranet to achieve?

• Plan the Structure: Outline your pages, sections, and content hierarchy.

• Choose a Template or Customize: Use Microsoft’s templates or build your own layout.

• Add Content: Upload documents, create news sections, directories, and more.

• Train Your Team: Offer onboarding and training for key users

• Gather Feedback: Regularly collect feedback to improve and evolve your intranet.

Final Thoughts

A SharePoint Intranet isn’t just a digital bulletin board—it’s a comprehensive platform that connects your workforce, organizes your information, and enhances productivity across the board. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, investing in a SharePoint intranet can transform how your organization operates internally.

Ready to take your internal communications to the next level? A well-designed SharePoint intranet might be the perfect solution.