Imagine driving on a road full of potholes, that’s how your employees feel when using your intranet which has too many UX issues.  Here’s a list of common UX pitfalls that make employees frustrated or even hate using your company’s Intranet.

1. Slow Load Times

Waiting equals frustration. If pages take more than a few seconds, users give up or get distracted.

How to fix?

Focus on optimizing the network infrastructure, server performance, and content delivery. Consider content management practices like archiving old content, optimizing images and videos, and using caching mechanisms.

2. Confusing Navigation

If users can’t find what they need quickly, they’ll either click around endlessly or just ask someone else.

How to fix?

Use a clear menu, group related tasks, and include a sitemap.

3. Too Many Clicks

Making users go through 5+ clicks to find the relevant information or to complete a simple task is NOT acceptable.

How to fix?

Streamline user flows; use personalized quick links /shortcuts for frequent tasks.

4. No Mobile Optimization

If it doesn’t work well on phones or tablets, remote or field employees are stuck.

How to fix?

Make sure the design is responsive by testing on different sized devices

5. Jargon Overload

Using technical terms or internal acronyms everywhere can confuse new hires or non-tech staff.

How to fix?

Using simple and easily understandable language, and adding tooltips when necessary.

6. Lack of Search Function

Employees want a search bar to find what they need fast.

How to fix?

Add a powerful search bar with filters and suggestions.

7. Poor Accessibility

If it’s hard to use for people with visual or motor impairments, it excludes them.

How to fix?

Follow WCAG guidelines, use proper contrast and keyboard navigation.

8. Inconsistent Design

Different fonts, colors, or layouts make the site feel untrust worthy and messy.

How to fix?

Keep a design system in place which includes fonts, buttons, and layouts consistent with your branding.

9. No Feedback After Actions

If there’s no confirmation like “Saved!” or “Error: Try again,” users get confused or redo work.

How to fix?

Show clear success/error messages.

10. No Personalization

Everyone sees the same info, even if it’s not relevant to their role.

How to fix?

Show relevant content based on user roles or departments(e.g., HR sees HR tools, Sales sees leads dashboard).

Conclusion: Don’t Let UX Mistakes Undermine Your Intranet

A poorly designed intranet doesn't just cause frustration, it actively prevents your team from accessing the tools, information, and updates they need to succeed. By avoiding these common UX pitfalls, you can turn your intranet into a platform your employees actually enjoy using.

If you're unsure where to begin or need expert guidance, working with an experienced SharePoint intranet consultant can make all the difference. At SharePoint Designs, we specialize in creating intuitive, role-based intranets that are fast, user-friendly, and built to scale with your business.