The right mix of intranet content serves double-duty as an organization’s virtual watercooler and centralized knowledge base — the go-to hub to communicate, connect and engage. Turn your employee intranet into a communications, collaboration and engagement powerhouse with these essential intranet content ideas.
By taking a thoughtful approach to content strategy, you can build an intranet that will support teams ranging from new employees to C-suite executives. Read on to discover the top 10 intranet content types and how to organize that content into specific areas, with ideas and examples. From human resources intranet content to culture highlights and information about your company’s products and services, you’ll learn what kind of content will maximize your intranet’s potential.
How can the right intranet content improve your business?
With the right intranet content, you can transform your internal communications hub into an employee engagement multiplier and productivity portal. You can use your intranet to pulse-check employee satisfaction and keep everyone aligned to the organization’s mission and values. Employees can use the intranet to quickly and easily access the information they need, more effectively and efficiently perform their job duties, and build a deeper connection to the organization.
A modern intranet with a strong content strategy leads to:
- Improved communication and clarity
- More alignment with company mission and vision
- Less employee frustrations
- Improved employee productivity
- Higher employee engagement
- More connection between remote workers and/or workers at different locations
- Increased collaboration
- Better collection of employee feedback and insights
- More compliance with company policies
- Reduced email correspondence
- Enhanced security
- More flexibility for change management
- Better ability to scale
- Less employee turnover
A company intranet offers myriad benefits, but it can only provide these advantages if it includes the right mix of informational and engaging content organized in a way that makes it easy for employees to find what they need.
10 types of essential intranet content + examples
The intranet content types that increase user adoption and make your intranet an indispensable asset to your organization include:
- Company policies, official documents and forms
- Company strategy and goals
- Values and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
- Digital assets and brand center
- Product and services information
- Information about different locations
- New hire welcome information
- HR information
- Task and process information
- How to use the intranet and other software
As you develop intranet content ideas, include these key content types to reap the most significant benefits of a company intranet.
Intranet content type #1: Company policies, official documents and forms
How much time do your employees waste trying to find a particular form, a standard document, or the company’s official policy on an issue? Even if they spend time trying, how can you be sure that they don’t actually end up with an out-of-date version?
Creating an area on your company intranet with the most up-to-date versions of all your company forms, policies and official documents saves employees time.
It also eliminates the risk of using the wrong version and increases compliance with key company processes.
Example: Flexible Work content on Simpplr’s People Team intranet site
Intranet content type #2: Company strategy and goals
Being able to refer to company strategy helps keep employees informed about the bigger picture so they know where the company is heading. Dedicating a page or area on the intranet to company strategy is an obvious way to ensure this information is available.
Strategy and goals content should include details about key initiatives and any sub-strategies — for example, for different lines of business. You might also include useful assets, such as presentation slide decks, but be sure to keep these updated or else they become irrelevant.
Example: Goals-related content linked to Simpplr’s all-company site
Intranet content type #3: Mission, values and corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Intranet content that outlines an organization’s mission and values and highlights their commitment to helping communities can help build culture, drive engagement, and give employees a sense of purpose.
Demonstrating that your organization believes in something more than making money is increasingly important for attracting and retaining talent.
Your intranet is the natural home for this content so consider having a dedicated area to show what your company believes in and how it’s giving back.
Example: Vision, mission and values content linked to Simpplr’s all-company site
Intranet content type #4: Digital assets and brand center
The importance of complying with organizational brand guidelines in corporate communications can vary depending on where you work, but most companies want to aim for consistency in both the tone and the look of their communications.
Having a brand center on your intranet supports this goal. Include brand guidelines on how to write and present content to other employees and clients. Also, consider including information on related processes, such as how to order branded goods or where to get advice on messaging from communications professionals. Where possible, include access to related digital assets such as logos, imagery, presentation templates, and so on.
Example: Brand content organized on a dashboard tile for easy access
Intranet content type #5: Product and services information
It’s vital to highlight content related to your organization’s key products and services on your intranet. This makes it a snap to find for frontline or sales staff who need to talk authoritatively about your organization’s offerings with clients. It also helps spread awareness among internal staff about what the company does externally. Ultimately, this content can support better client service.
Content about products and services needs to be authoritative and up-to-date, so it should be closely managed and regularly reviewed.
Example: Product site content on Simpplr’s intranet
Intranet content type #6: Information about different locations
Many organizations have more than one location, so include detailed content about each location on your intranet. Content should not only be geared towards employees based in that location but also to those who are traveling to it. It’s likely this will be some of the most visited content on your employee intranet. Include location information such as:
- Directions to get to each location
- Maps and floor plans
- Facilities and safety information
- Local hotels and nearby restaurants
Example: Location site content on Simpplr’s intranet
Intranet content type #7: New hire welcome information
Create new hire welcome information that includes or links to all the resources employees need on their very first day. This could include an overview of the company with a walk-through of key areas like organizational structure and strategy, and key forms and checklists that make the onboarding process easier.
Having a streamlined onboarding process is efficient and it ensures that every new hire checks off the entire list.
Of course, you also want to make new hires feel welcome. A special welcome video from the CEO or dedicated place for new hires to introduce themselves and engage with other employees are wonderful additions to your intranet content.
Example: Onboarding content on Simpplr’s intranet
Intranet content type #8: HR information
Everybody needs to be able to access human resources intranet content. This can cover everything from pay and benefits to processes such as booking vacation time or individual training.
Including must-have HR content on your intranet can save a lot of time for HR staff, as employees can find the answers to questions themselves.
Make sure your HR information is well structured to help employees find the information they need. For example, some organizations choose to structure content in the form of an employee lifecycle.
Example: HR content categories on Simpplr’s People Team site
Intranet content type #9: Task and process information
Some intranet software has a special section with information on how to carry out key processes within the organization. This helps employees find exactly what they need to do to complete both simple and complicated tasks. Note that there may be some overlap between task information and content in your HR section or documents in the policies area of your intranet.
Creating task pages may require some investment in time, but it can really drive efficiency and reduce frustration for employees. As you create this content, use a consistent format and simple, straightforward language. Divide tasks into easy steps, link to appropriate systems, and assign an owner of each page who is responsible for keeping content updated.
Example: Process content on Simpplr’s intranet
Intranet content type #10: How to use the intranet
Last but not least, don’t forget to include information that instructs users on how to use the intranet. Although many modern intranets are intuitive and easy to use, some users may be less confident with technology. FAQs, user documentation and instructional videos can add a lot of value for users.
Your intranet help center should also be a hub for broader information, such as your intranet strategy, the process for setting up a new section, tips and tricks, and whom to contact if you need help.
Example: Intranet how-to content on Simpplr’s Tool Shed site
Organizing intranet content: 10 must-have content areas + ideas and examples
An intranet can’t educate, guide and engage employees if your team doesn’t use it. To increase adoption, organize your intranet in a way that makes it possible for team members to quickly and easily find the information they need.
Organize your intranet with these must-have content areas:
- About the company / All company
- Organizational news and updates
- Onboarding and training
- Company policies
- Success stories
- Employee directory
- HR hub
- Culture
- Products & Services
- Feedback
Organizing information using these intranet content ideas can increase intranet adoption and benefit employees at every level of your organization.
Intranet content area #1: About the company / All company
Curate content that tells your organization’s story, reinforces your values, and highlights key resources.
All company content ideas
- Mission
- Goals
- Values
- History
- Key leaders
- Corporate responsibility
- Community initiatives
- Branding guidelines
Example: Must-know info on The Horizon intranet homepage
Intranet content area #2: Organizational news and updates
Make it easy for your team to keep up with changes and activities at your organization by creating a space for all company news and updates. Many organizations surface this information on their intranet’s homepage.
Organizational news and updates content ideas
- Company calendars
- Town Hall videos
- Workplace awards
- Big promotions / new hires
- Media attention
Example: Personalized company news and updates on Diversified Global’s intranet
Build a sense of community within your organization by providing information that keeps your team in the loop and by offering opportunities to connect outside of the workplace.
Intranet content area #3: Onboarding and training
Develop an onboarding and training section of your intranet that welcomes new employees and starts their journey with your organization.
Onboarding and training content ideas
- Guide to the intranet
- Employee handbook
- IT set-up and support
- Job duty training
Employees will feel more included and empowered when they start their new roles with the education they need to do a good job from day one.
Check out five employee onboarding best practices
Intranet content area #4: Company policies
Make it easy for employees to learn and continuously review company policies. Include all guidelines that provide clarity, ensure compliance, and create a productive work environment.
Policy content ideas
- Code of conduct and ethics
- Anti-discrimination and anti-harassment
- Safety and security
- Attendance and time off
- Confidentiality and data security
- Use of company property
- Emergency plans
- Frequently asked questions
Making company policies accessible to employees can lead to less confusion, more accountability from employees, and reduced instances of non-compliance.
Intranet content area #5: Success stories
Create a hub on your organization’s intranet to showcase success stories with a variety of engaging content.
Success stories content ideas
- Case studies
- Customer and employee testimonials
- Employee recognition
- Company growth stories
- Industry awards and recognition
It’s important to give your team a space to celebrate wins big and small. Employees are more motivated when they can see the results of their work and when they are recognized for their accomplishments.
Case in point: Agero, the #1 B2B, white-label provider of digital driver assistance services, spiked employee engagement on their intranet with Simpplr’s Employee Recognition solution.
“Since launching Employee Recognition earlier this year, we’ve found employees to not only be posting and engaging more on our intranet, but our communications content views have increased more than 17%,” said Ashley Anglisano, senior internal communication’s specialist.
Download the Agero case study to learn more
Intranet content area #6: Employee directory
Help teams get to know each other by including an employee directory with profiles and contact information for each employee. Encourage employees to complete profiles by providing information that shows both their professional and personal side.
Example: Employee directory on Pacific Blue’s intranet
Creating a space for teams to connect is even more important for virtual teams in a digital workplace where employees don’t have in-person interactions. It can lead to stronger connections between teams and a higher sense of belonging for individuals.
Intranet content area #7: HR hub
Make it a breeze for your team members to manage their employment by creating a section of your intranet that manages all the information they need at their fingertips.
HR hub content ideas
- Benefits
- Payroll
- Paid time off
- Performance reviews
- Career development
Having one section to manage HR issues can reduce employee frustrations, provide clarity, and reduce the workload on human resource staff.
Intranet content area #8: Culture
Celebrate and share insights into your organization’s unique culture with a section on your intranet that includes culture-related content.
Culture content ideas
- Diversity, equity and inclusion content
- Photos from team-building activities
- Club / resource group information (e.g., Foodies of Simpplr)
- Video of Chief Culture Officer talking about your special culture
- Employee recognition
Example: Culture content on Diversified Global’s intranet
Curating cultural content in one easy-to-find spot on your intranet will help build a sense of connection and belongingness — which is especially important for remote and distributed teams. In fact, a Glassdoor survey found that 58% of employees and job seekers say company culture is more important than salary when it comes to job satisfaction.
Intranet content area #9: Products and services
Create unique sites for each product/product type or service/service type you offer, or one site to host content related to all your products and services (you can always expand).
Products and services content ideas
- Detailed information about each product / service
- Unique selling propositions
- Key benefits
- Challenges they solve for target customers
- Product demo videos
By creating this type of product / service resource center, you can ensure that all team members are equipped to talk about your products and services clearly and consistently.
Intranet content area #10: Feedback
While building your company intranet, it’s important to remember that it’s a communication platform that goes both ways. Don’t put all of your effort into speaking to your team. Create a place where they can share and be heard, too.
Feedback content ideas
- Suggestion forms
- Ratings (e.g., Rate your day on a scale from 1-5)
- Surveys (including new-hire onboarding surveys)
Build trust between leadership and employees by actively listening to your team, and more importantly, making changes based on what you learn.
Build a better employee intranet with the right intranet content
A company intranet is only as useful as the content on it. To build a company intranet that benefits your entire organization and is widely used by your employees, use the intranet content ideas in this guide. Develop a valuable content hub with the intranet essentials that support everyone from new employees to C-suite leaders.
Check out Simpplr’s intranet content series for lots more ideas!
How Simpplr can help
Create an intranet as simple to maintain as it is to deploy. As beautiful as it is powerful. As insightful as it is inviting. One that connects, inspires and supports the workforce. Trusted by over 1000 global brands, Simpplr is the modern intranet that transforms the work experience for all employees — wherever and however they work. Simpplr is the only platform that unifies employee engagement, enablement and services — leveraging state-of-the-art AI models to deliver a seamless, cohesive and personalized employee experience.
