6 Signs Your Intranet Isn’t Supporting Your Business Anymore

At launch, most intranets effectively support business and user needs, but over time they can lose relevance and impact. Here’s how to catch the signs early and take action.

Intranets are essential for connecting people and information, but when they’re no longer doing that effectively, productivity and communication suffer. Here are six common signs that it may be time to give your intranet a refresh.

1. Low or scattered adoption

If employees are barely using the intranet—or only certain teams use it—it’s likely not meeting the needs of your whole organization. An effective intranet should be a go-to tool for everyone, not just a select few. Low adoption often means your intranet isn’t user-friendly, lacks valuable content, or just doesn’t feel essential.

2. Poor user experience

Is the intranet difficult to navigate or slow to load? If people have to dig for information or struggle with basic functions, it’s a barrier to productivity. A modern intranet should make finding and sharing information fast and seamless.

3. Outdated or irrelevant content

Old or irrelevant content can make your intranet feel stale. If content is outdated or cluttered with unused pages, employees may stop trusting it as a reliable source of information. Regular updates are essential to keep content relevant and useful.

4. Lacks integration with other systems

If your intranet can’t connect with other key tools—like project management, CRM, or document management systems—it’s likely causing more frustration than value. Integrating your intranet with the tools people rely on makes it a central hub and enhances workflow.

5. Limited mobile access

A lack of mobile-friendly access limits employees’ ability to stay connected on the go. Intranets today need to work well on any device, allowing employees to access information and collaborate no matter where they are.

6. Unclear ownership and maintenance

Without a clear person or team responsible for the intranet, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks. Having a dedicated team ensures regular updates, keeps content fresh, and aligns the intranet with business goals.

Conclusion

If you recognize any of these signs, it may be time to consider an intranet update or redesign. An up-to-date, user-friendly intranet that meets the needs of your business keeps employees engaged, supports productivity, and strengthens communication across the organization.