3 Creative Tips for Designing an Engaging SharePoint Communications Site
SharePoint communications sites are a powerful way to share news, resources, and updates across your organization. But if you’ve ever opened a blank site, you know it can feel a little… well, standard. The good news is that SharePoint has plenty of flexibility if you know how to use it. With the right creative touches, you can make your site both beautiful and effective.
Here are three tips to spark your creativity:
🛠 Use Section Layouts Like Building Blocks
Think of your homepage as a story you’re telling. Instead of stacking web parts in a long column, break up your content with different section layouts. One-third columns, vertical sections, or alternating wide/narrow bands. This creates visual rhythm, making the page easier to scan.
💡 Pro tip: Use a full-width section with an image or hero web part at the top to create a “wow” factor, then layer in text and quick links below to guide readers deeper.
🕶 Play with Visual Branding (Without Overdoing It)
Your communications site is a reflection of your organization’s brand, so lean into colors, typography, and imagery that align with your identity. Customize the theme with brand colors, use a consistent image style for news posts, and take advantage of modern web parts like the Image Gallery or Call to Action to create personality.
💡 Pro tip: Create a simple design system—e.g., one primary brand color, one accent color, and a set of header images so your pages look consistent without becoming cluttered.
🎊 Turn Navigation into a User Experience Tool
Navigation is more than just links; it’s part of how users experience your site. Instead of just dumping everything in the top nav, think about how people will move through your content. Group related resources, highlight key tools with icons, and use hub site navigation if your comms site is part of a larger intranet.
💡 Pro tip: Add a quick links web part on the homepage with icons or images—it gives employees a visual “dashboard” that feels more engaging than a list of links.
Final Thoughts
SharePoint communication sites don’t have to look cookie-cutter. With smart use of layouts, consistent branding, and thoughtful navigation, you can build a site that people actually enjoy visiting. Start small, test what works, and keep iterating! You’ll be surprised how much creativity SharePoint allows once you start experimenting!
