Intranet Design vs. Internet Design

How is Designing for an Intranet Different?

First, designing for an intranet is different because of the users or audience. An external Web site's design is focused on a very broad audience--the public. These could be people of any age, gender, nationality, profession, etc. Intranets, on the other hand, are designed using techniques that are focused on one group of users--employees. Accordingly, intranet designers can use content and design that are tailored for employees.

These employees all understand the same terminology and acronyms, which means that intranet communications can be much more detailed and specific than those on external Web sites. Employees also usually have similar models of computers, monitors, and printers, the same connection speeds, and the same browsers--they have to be the same so that Information Technology departments can provide support. Thus, intranet designers can use more advanced features than those that can be used on the Internet.

It can also be assumed that employees have the same typefaces and software installed on their computers. So, for example, if intranet developers want to provide a PowerPoint presentation on the intranet, they know that all employees will be able to access it. Since most employees visit their intranet home page on a daily basis, American corporations have also found that intranets are a great place to provide motivational resources, share knowledge, and encourage the attitude they're striving for from employees.

At the same time, many companies aren't willing to spend the extra time and money to employ the more advanced features, such as flash technology or animated images. Especially in rough economic times, budgets for many departments are limited. Intranet design teams in today's corporations are urged to find a balance between drawing attention and providing useful features and becoming a distraction that consumes too much employee time.