Choosing the Best Intranet Platform for Your Organization: 10 Essential Steps

A successful intranet does more than distribute news—it connects people, supports productivity, and enables collaboration across teams. But to get those results, you need more than just a feature-rich tool. Long-term success depends on choosing an intranet platform that aligns with your organization’s goals, user needs, and digital workplace strategy.

If you’re asking yourself how to choose an intranet, this guide is for you. We’ve outlined 10 steps to help you carry out an intranet evaluation, involve key stakeholders, and make a confident choice.

To get started, we also recommend downloading the Intranet & Employee Experience Platforms 2025 report from ClearBox Consulting—an independent review of 20+ leading intranet solutions. 

Clarify the purpose of your intranet and connect it to your broader business objectives. Identify the most valuable features and content types for your organization, such as knowledge sharing, collaboration, service delivery, and employee engagement.

Involve representatives from IT, HR, communications, and everyday users. This diverse group ensures you balance business priorities with usability and adoption from the start.

Review your existing intranet and digital tools to uncover pain points, inefficiencies, and missed opportunities. This analysis helps define must-have improvements and integration needs.

Explore vendor websites, demos, and independent reviews. Use trusted resources like the ClearBox report to compare intranet platforms and identify those that best fit your size, industry, and goals. This is the foundation of a strong intranet platform comparison.

Focus on high-value capabilities such as user-friendly design, robust search, personalization, and seamless Microsoft 365 integration. A scalable, intuitive platform increases long-term success.

Learn more: For a deeper dive into specific capabilities, read our article: Modern Intranet Features: Examples of Top 10 Must-Have Features.

Look beyond features—select a vendor with a proven track record in implementation, training, and customer success. Ongoing support plays a major role in continued intranet value and should be part of your intranet evaluation process.

Ask for a detailed cost overview and weigh the investment against expected outcomes. A more comprehensive platform may cost more upfront but deliver better results over time. This step is where you compare intranet platforms not just on features but on total value.

Test how the platform performs in real-life scenarios. Pilot programs help validate your choice, test integrations, and gather feedback from key users before rollout.

Map out timelines, milestones, migration needs, and internal communications. A well-managed implementation process builds momentum and drives early adoption.

Choose an intranet that can evolve with your organization—whether it’s adapting to new teams, business processes, or digital tools. Flexibility ensures continued relevance and ROI.

Learn more: For advice on how to structure intranet work for lasting results, see Intranet Management: Strategies for Sustainable Success.

Choosing an intranet isn’t just a technical project—it’s a strategic investment in your company’s digital employee experience. A well-chosen platform becomes a vital tool that supports internal communication, drives collaboration, and strengthens culture and performance. 

Take the time to define your success criteria, involve the right people, and use trusted resources like the Intranet & Employee Experience Platforms report to guide your decision. With a smart approach to the intranet selection process, you’ll find a platform that supports current needs and future growth. 

Want more help with intranet planning and evaluation? Download our popular Step-by-Step Guide to Intranet Success—a comprehensive resource for planning, selecting, and implementing an intranet platform that delivers long-term results.