SharePoint Hero Web Part
- Talanoa Group
- Jun 30
- 3 min read
Drive User Engagement with the SharePoint Hero Web Part
A well-designed intranet does more than store documents as it tells a story, guides users to what matters, and reflects a company’s identity. The Hero web part in SharePoint makes that possible. It offers a dynamic, image-driven layout that highlights key content in a modern, user-friendly format.
Whether your site serves internal communications, team collaboration, or onboarding, the Hero web part helps you spotlight important resources and announcements in a way that grabs attention.
What Is the SharePoint Hero Web Part?
The Hero web part is a built-in feature for modern SharePoint pages. It allows site owners to display up to five high-impact visual tiles or layers on a page. Each one includes a background image, a title, and a clickable link that can point to a document, list, page, external site, or video.
Users choose between two layouts:
Tiles, which arrange content side-by-side for a clean, modular feel.
Layers, which stack visuals for more immersive storytelling.
These options make the Hero web part flexible enough for nearly any business scenario.
Why Use the Hero Web Part?
Many organizations struggle to drive traffic to the right content within their intranet. Static links or text-based announcements often get overlooked. The Hero web part solves that problem by placing engaging, clickable visuals directly on your homepage or key landing pages.
Here’s what makes it so effective:
Visual impact: Large images and bold headings instantly draw users in.
Content control: You decide what gets seen first; no more buried pages.
User experience: The layout adapts to screen size and looks professional on desktop and mobile.
It also aligns perfectly with a larger services strategy to build structured, intuitive SharePoint environments that support real business outcomes.
Best Practices for Using the Hero Web Part
To maximize the impact of the Hero web part, focus on clarity, consistency, and freshness. Here are a few simple tips that elevate the experience:
Use strong visuals
High-resolution images that align with your brand or topic help users connect faster. Avoid cluttered or text-heavy images.
Write clear titles and links
Each tile should include a short title that tells the user what they’re clicking. Keep supporting text brief and actionable.
Limit the number of tiles
Too many can overwhelm the page. Stick to 3–5 focused tiles that truly deserve front-page space.
Update regularly
Make the Hero area a living section of your site. Rotate content based on seasons, business cycles, or team priorities.
Keep accessibility in mind
Add alt text for all images and ensure links use meaningful, descriptive text.
Real-World Use Cases
Organizations across industries use the Hero web part to focus attention and drive action. Here are a few examples:
HR Portals
Highlight onboarding materials, benefits enrollment links, or recognition shoutouts.
Leadership Communication
Feature CEO messages, strategy documents, or quarterly goals.
IT Support Hubs
Link directly to ticket forms, self-service portals, or outage notices.
Marketing Sites
Promote new campaigns, style guides, or creative asset libraries.
By using Hero tiles effectively, teams reduce time spent searching for content and increase awareness of what matters most.
Where the Hero Web Part Fits in a Bigger Picture
The Hero web part is just one piece of a modern intranet strategy. When combined with document libraries, news posts, Microsoft Lists, and Power Platform integrations, it helps transform SharePoint from a document repository into a vibrant communication hub.
At Talanoa Group, we help small and midsize businesses unlock the full potential of SharePoint. From branding and navigation to list design and Power Automate flows, our services are designed to align technology with your goals.
We also guide clients through:
Information architecture and page structure
Custom permissions and governance
Visual identity and style application
Training and adoption strategies
Final Thoughts
The Hero web part may seem like a small feature, but it plays a big role in shaping the user experience. It gives you control over what users see first and helps reinforce your organization’s priorities and brand identity.
With just a few clicks, you can highlight critical content, link to tools your teams rely on, and bring new energy to your SharePoint homepage.
Need help designing a more useful and attractive SharePoint site? Let’s talk. Our team is ready to help you configure the Hero web part and everything around it as part of a complete services package that puts your users first.
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