Top 5 SharePoint Design Mistakes

One critical aspect of SharePoint is its design, which can significantly impact user experience and productivity. In this article, we will explore the top five SharePoint design mistakes that often plague websites, hindering their effectiveness and user satisfaction.

Poor use of imagery

A picture is worth a thousand words, and imagery plays a crucial role in enhancing the visual appeal of your SharePoint site. Many users make the mistake of using generic and uninspiring images found in the Microsoft Stock library, which can make their sites look clichéd and unoriginal.

To stand out and create a unique brand identity, it's essential to invest in high-quality, custom images that align with your company's aesthetics and values.

Original photographs and graphics can create a more authentic and inviting atmosphere for users, improving their overall experience with your SharePoint site.

Images should be relevant to the content they accompany and should complement the site's layout and color scheme.

By avoiding the overuse of stock imagery and opting for custom visuals, you can make your SharePoint site more engaging and visually appealing.

Alignment Issues is a typical SharePoint Design mistake

A visually appealing SharePoint site should have impeccable alignment, ensuring that all web parts, text, and images line up correctly on the page. Misaligned elements can create a messy and unprofessional appearance, making it challenging for users to navigate and find the information they need efficiently.

To prevent alignment issues, ensure that you use the built-in grids and columns available in SharePoint's page editor.

These tools allow you to organize content more effectively and maintain consistency across different sections of your site.

Regularly check your pages on various devices and screen sizes to guarantee that the alignment remains intact across different platforms.

Another common SharePoint design mistake is long navigation bars

A common mistake in SharePoint design is cramming too many options into the navigation bar. Having an extensive and cluttered navigation bar can overwhelm users and make it difficult for them to find what they're looking for quickly.

A well-designed navigation menu should be intuitive, clear, and easy to use.

To avoid this mistake, follow these guidelines:

a. Limit the number of primary navigation items to essential sections only.

b. Use drop-down menus or fly-out panels for subcategories to prevent overwhelming the main navigation bar.

c. Consider using breadcrumbs or a search feature to assist users in finding specific content.

By streamlining your navigation, you can improve the user experience, making it easier for users to access the information they need without feeling lost or frustrated.

SharePoint Embed Web Parts

SharePoint's web parts provide an excellent way to integrate various content types into your site. However, one common design mistake is embedding third-party websites or calendars directly into a web part.

This can lead to an unpleasant user experience due to additional scroll bars and potential compatibility issues.

Instead, consider using buttons or call-to-action (CTA) links that open the external content in a new browser window.

This approach ensures a more seamless transition for users and maintains a consistent user interface.

Additionally, external content displayed in a new window provides a clear delineation between SharePoint and external resources, reducing confusion and enhancing the overall user experience.

Not Using SharePoint Background Colors is a big SharePoint design mistake

SharePoint allows you to change the site theme, which can significantly impact the overall look and feel of your site.

However, many users neglect to leverage SharePoint background colors effectively to establish visual hierarchy within their pages.

Using distinct background colors for different sections of a page helps users recognize content shifts as they scroll down. This visual cue makes it easier for users to understand the context and structure of the page, promoting a smoother browsing experience.

Additionally, by using SharePoint background colors thoughtfully, you can highlight important information or calls-to-action, guiding users' attention to the most critical elements on the page.

Conclusion

SharePoint offers a powerful platform for creating collaborative and visually appealing websites. By avoiding the top five design mistakes mentioned in this article – poor use of imagery, alignment issues, long navigation bars, embedding web parts, and neglecting SharePoint background colors – you can create an intuitive and engaging SharePoint site that enhances productivity and user satisfaction.

Remember, a well-designed SharePoint site not only reflects your brand's identity but also boosts user engagement and makes your content more accessible and impactful.