--- title: How does Windows 8 influence intranet design? description: How does Windows 8 influence intranet design? When a client told me they wanted their site to be designed in the format of Windows 8. image: http://www.sorce.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/windows-8.jpg --- Close - Products - [Engage intranet software](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/engage-intranet/) - [SharePoint intranets](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/sharepoint-build/) - [Juggl Connect](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-connect/) - [Intranet Accessibility](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-accessibility/) - [Juggl Desk Booking](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-desks/) - Services - [Services overview](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/services-overview/) - [Planning](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/planning/) - [Design & build](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/design-build/) - [Training & support](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/training-and-support/) - [Case studies](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-case-studies/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/) - [Guides](https://ask.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-guides) - [Webinars](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-events/) - About - [About](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/) - [News](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/news/) - [Careers](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/careers/) - [Contact](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/contact/) [![Let's chat](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/543256/8dd58f96-f533-41d0-8e0f-1c4a174615cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/543256/8dd58f96-f533-41d0-8e0f-1c4a174615cc) [![Sorce intranet software logo](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/SORCE-logo-fullcolour-60.png?width=243&height=59&name=SORCE-logo-fullcolour-60.png)](http://www.sorceintranet.co.uk) [![Sorce intranet software logo](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/SORCE-logo-fullcolour-60.png?width=243&height=59&name=SORCE-logo-fullcolour-60.png)](http://www.sorceintranet.co.uk) - Products - [Engage intranet software](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/engage-intranet/) - [SharePoint intranets](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/sharepoint-build/) - [Juggl Connect](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-connect/) - [Intranet Accessibility](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-accessibility/) - [Juggl Desk Booking](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-desks/) - Services - [Services overview](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/services-overview/) - [Planning](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/planning/) - [Design & build](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/design-build/) - [Training & support](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/training-and-support/) - [Case studies](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-case-studies/) - Resources - [Blog](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/) - [Guides](https://ask.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-guides) - [Webinars](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-events/) - About - [About](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/) - [News](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/news/) - [Careers](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/careers/) - [Contact](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/contact/) [![Let's chat](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/543256/8dd58f96-f533-41d0-8e0f-1c4a174615cc.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/543256/8dd58f96-f533-41d0-8e0f-1c4a174615cc) [Martyn Green](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/author/martyn-green) 14 August 2013 2 min read # How does Windows 8 influence intranet design? [Previous Post](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/improving-discoverability-of-your-intranet-content/) [Next Post](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/identifying-intranet-return-on-investment) When a client told me they wanted their site to be designed in the format of Windows 8, I found myself faced with a fresh challenge. I thought I’d give my observations on working with this type of layout and how this design can affect the way your site is structured. From a visual perspective, the panels display both static and dynamic content, which is not only a bit different but also looks fresh and new. Generally speaking, 50% of intranet users don’t leave their homepage, but with Windows 8, the homepage essentially acts as a navigation bar leading to other content. Clicking on a panel won’t take you straight to the content you need, but direct you to an area where you can access it. If you’re using a tablet or a phone, this is probably expected behaviour, but on a PC it can be a little frustrating having to click several times to get to the information that you want. Usability expert Jacob Nielsen has criticised Windows 8 in that it “reduces discoverability”. It’s true to say that unless icons are obvious there is some guesswork as to which content you’re accessing. As there’s no navigation bar at the top of the home page there is the question of how you return to this page once you have navigated to other content. Is it easy to do? Will this frustrate users? On the plus side, having fewer items on the page means it’s far easier to digest and there’s no danger of the user being overwhelmed by content. This also makes it great from an accessibility perspective. If you’re looking for a visually appealing site that provides sign posts to your content, then this layout may well work for you. However, if your staff want to get the information they need direct from their homepage, Windows 8 is probably not the best option. ![avatar](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/DRAFT-Martyn-400x400.png?width=290&name=DRAFT-Martyn-400x400.png) #### [Martyn Green](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/author/martyn-green) Martyn is our Intranet Success Director, his intranet knowledge is extensive, having worked with hundreds of clients, he helps understand what your intranet needs are and supports you in creating your intranet structure and content requirements. ### Subscribe here! #### Products - [Engage intranet software](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/engage-intranet/) - [SharePoint intranet](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/sharepoint-build/) - [Juggl Connect](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-connect/) - [UserWay](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-connect/) - [Juggl Desks](https://sorceintranet.co.uk/juggl-desks/) #### Intranet Services - [Intranet planning](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-services/planning/) - [Design & build](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-services/design/) - [Training & support](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-services/training/) - [Engage Express](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-services/express/) #### About us - [Sorce news](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/news/) - [Clients](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/clients/) - [FAQs](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/faqs/) - [Contact us](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranetexperts/contact/) #### Intranet insight - [Intranet events](https://ask.sorceintranet.co.uk/events) - [Webinars on demand](https://ask.sorceintranet.co.uk/on-demand) - [Intranet guides](https://ask.sorceintranet.co.uk/intranet-guides) - [Blogs](https://blog.sorceintranet.co.uk/) #### Contact us Sorce Limited, 33 Kings Road, Reading, RG1 3AR United Kingdom T: [01635 551777](tel:01635%20551777) E: [hello@sorce.co.uk](mailto:hello@sorce.co.uk) [mailto:hello@sorce.co.uk](mailto:hello@sorce.co.uk) Copywright 2026 Sorce Limited [privacy statement](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/privacy/)  |  [Terms & conditions](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/terms-conditions/)  |  [Modern slavery & human trafficking statement](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/human-trafficking/)  |  [Site map](https://www.sorceintranet.co.uk/sitemap_index.xml)