Creating SharePoint Intranet from scratch - What would you do?

Starting a SharePoint intranet from scratch is actually a great opportunity because you can avoid inheriting legacy design challenges and instead build around your company’s current communication and collaboration needs.

Here’s the approach I’d recommend:

1. Define Business Objectives First
   • Identify your key use cases: announcements, document management, collaboration, knowledge sharing, etc.
   • Talk with stakeholders and end users to understand expectations and pain points.
2. Choose the Right Foundation (Modern vs. Classic)
   • I strongly recommend going with Modern SharePoint instead of Classic.
   • Modern offers a more intuitive UX, better mobile responsiveness, Microsoft 365 integration, and lower maintenance overhead.
3. Start with Out-of-the-Box Capabilities
   • Use Communication Sites for announcements, leadership updates, and news.
   • Use Team Sites connected to Microsoft Teams for departmental collaboration.
   • Leverage Hub Sites for navigation and consistent branding.
4. Governance & Information Architecture
   • Set up proper document libraries with metadata and retention policies.
   • Standardize permissions and sharing policies early to avoid sprawl.
5. Enhance with Customization (Only Where Needed)
   • Use Power Automate for workflows (approvals, notifications, etc.).
   • Use SPFx (SharePoint Framework) for any custom components if business needs exceed out-of-the-box features.
6. User Adoption & Training
   • Roll out in phases and gather feedback.
   • Provide quick-reference guides or training sessions to improve adoption.

I’ve actually written a detailed breakdown of the process here: https://www.sharepointdesigns.com/blog/how-to-create-a-sharepoint-site – it covers setup, design, and governance in depth.

For additional official resources, Microsoft has excellent guidance you can follow:

• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/introduction
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/planning-hub-sites
• https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/sharepoint/modern-experience-site-classic-modern

By starting modern, keeping customization minimal, and focusing on user adoption, you’ll set your intranet up for long-term success.