Google Sites vs LumApps : which intranet platform is better ?

An effective intranet solution is crucial for internal communications and overall productivity within an organization. It serves as a central hub where employees can access important information, collaborate on projects, and stay updated on company news. LumApps and Google Sites are two prominent options in this space, each offering unique features and functionalities that cater to different organizational needs.

LumApps provides a customizable and engaging platform that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, offering features like social networking, content management, and personalized dashboards. On the other hand, Google Sites is known for its simplicity and ease of use, allowing teams to quickly build and share sites without extensive technical knowledge.

But which one stands out as the better choice for your organization? This comprehensive comparison aims to help corporate IT managers, business owners, human resource professionals, and other decision-makers evaluate these platforms based on factors such as usability, integration capabilities, customization options, and overall value, determining the best fit for their organization's specific requirements. Check out our intranet comparison with Google Sites.
 

What is LumApps?

LumApps is a market-leading intranet solution meticulously designed to enhance internal communications, collaboration, and employee engagement. With a strong emphasis on personalization and advanced features, LumApps aims to create a seamless and integrated digital workplace. 

It offers an extensive array of functionalities, including social intranet features that foster community and collaboration, advanced customization options to tailor the platform to specific business needs, and robust analytics tools that provide insights into user engagement and behavior. These features make LumApps a preferred choice for many enterprises looking to streamline their internal processes and improve overall productivity.

Ready to see why Google + LumApps = the best intranet? 

Download our Google Lookbook to learn why Google + LumApps is the perfect match and see what you can do with this modern intranet combo. 

What is Google Sites?

Google Sites is a simple, user-friendly website builder that empowers users to create websites with ease and efficiency. Integrated with the Google Workspace suite of productivity tools, Google Sites serves as a versatile tool for building an intranet, sharing company news, and facilitating basic collaboration among team members. Its intuitive drag-and-drop interface and seamless integration with other Google products like Google Drive, Calendar, and Docs make it accessible to users of all technical skill levels.

 However, while Google Sites offers ease of use and accessibility, it may lack some of the advanced features and customization options provided by more comprehensive intranet solutions like LumApps, which are designed to meet the complex needs of larger enterprises.

What is the Difference Between LumApps Intranet and Google Sites?

LumApps and Google Sites both serve unique purposes and offer distinct advantages tailored to different organizational needs. To provide a comprehensive understanding, let's delve into their differences across several critical factors.

LumApps Intranet vs Google Sites: Features Overview

Content Management:

LumApps:

• Advanced Content Management System: LumApps offers a robust CMS with user-friendly drag-and-drop functionality, allowing for seamless content updates and management. This system is designed to handle complex content needs and integrates well with existing enterprise systems.

• Personalized Content: This platform excels in delivering personalized content tailored to user roles, preferences, and even specific departments or teams. It ensures that employees receive the most relevant information, enhancing engagement and productivity.
  Integrated News Feeds: LumApps includes company news feeds that can be customized for different departments, teams, or even individual users. This feature ensures that the right information reaches the right audience, fostering better communication within the organization.

   

Google Sites:

• Basic Content Management: Google Sites provides a straightforward CMS that empowers users to create and manage content within Google's familiar ecosystem. It is ideal for users seeking simplicity and integration with other Google Workspace tools.
• Limited Personalization: While Google Sites offers basic content creation capabilities, it lacks advanced personalization features. The platform takes a more generalized approach, suitable for organizations that do not require intricate content customization.

• Simple News Feeds: Google Sites allows for the creation of basic news feeds; however, these are more static and lack the advanced targeting and customization options that LumApps provides. This makes it more suitable for straightforward communication needs without the need for intricate audience segmentation.

   

Winner:  LumApps provides a more robust and personalized content management system, making it ideal for organizations with complex content needs and those seeking to enhance employee engagement through targeted communication.

Collaboration

LumApps:

• Social Networking: With features like user profiles, activity feeds, and communities, LumApps creates a social intranet experience that encourages collaboration and knowledge sharing among employees.
• Advanced Integration Capabilities: LumApps integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace and other enterprise systems, allowing users to collaborate on projects within familiar tools without any disruptions.
• Content Co-Creation: This platform promotes collaborative content creation by providing co-authoring capabilities. Team members can work together in real-time on documents and other content, enhancing productivity and efficiency.

Google Sites:

• Basic Collaboration Features: Google Sites offers basic collaboration features like sharing and editing permissions for team members. Its integration with other Google tools allows for smooth collaboration within familiar interfaces.
• Task Management: Users can create and assign tasks on Google Sites, making it easier to track project progress and manage deadlines. This feature promotes accountability and enhances team collaboration.
• Limited Social Networking: While users can leave comments on pages created in Google Sites, there is no dedicated social networking functionality. This may hinder active knowledge sharing and collaborative efforts among employees.

Winner: LumApps provides a more cohesive social intranet experience that promotes active collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Social Intranet Features

LumApps:

• Social Networking: LumApps includes a comprehensive set of integrated social features that encourage interaction among employees. This includes detailed employee profiles, activity streams that keep everyone updated on company happenings, and social sharing options that facilitate both professional and informal sharing of information.
• Collaboration Tools: The platform offers a variety of tools to boost teamwork and efficiency. These include dedicated team spaces where members can communicate and collaborate on tasks, robust project management tools to keep track of progress and deadlines, and file-sharing capabilities that ensure easy access and distribution of important documents.
• Engagement Metrics: LumApps provides detailed analytics that allow companies to measure employee engagement and interaction levels. This data can help organizations identify trends, understand employee needs, and make informed decisions to foster a more connected and motivated workforce.

Google Sites:

• Basic Social Features: Google Sites offers a more limited range of social features compared to LumApps. Its primary focus is on content sharing and supporting basic collaboration needs, making it suitable for organizations that prioritize simplicity over complex social networking functionalities.
• Collaboration: Google Sites integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, allowing users to collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real-time. However, it lacks dedicated social networking elements, which might be a drawback for companies looking for an all-in-one intranet solution.
• No Engagement Analytics: Unlike LumApps, Google Sites does not provide built-in metrics to track employee engagement. Organizations using Google Sites may need to rely on external tools or manual methods to gather insights into employee interactions and engagement levels.

Winner:  LumApps offers a comprehensive set of social intranet features that promote collaboration, communication, and employee engagement. Its analytics capabilities also make it easier for organizations to measure and improve overall engagement levels within their workforce.

User Interface and User Experience

LumApps:

• Intuitive Design: Features a modern, user-friendly interface designed for maximum usability, making it easy for users to navigate the platform and find the information they need efficiently.
• Mobile-Optimized: Offers a fully responsive design that adjusts seamlessly to different screen sizes and devices, ensuring an optimal experience whether you're accessing it from a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, which is ideal for professionals who need to stay connected while on the go.
• Customizable Dashboards: Provides users the flexibility to create personalized dashboards that can be tailored to their specific needs, allowing them to prioritize and display the most relevant data and tools for their daily tasks.

Google Sites:

• Simple Interface: Offers a clean and straightforward interface that is intuitive for users, especially those familiar with other Google products, making it easy to integrate with the Google ecosystem and facilitate a smooth learning curve.
• Basic Mobile Experience: While mobile responsiveness is present, it is less sophisticated compared to LumApps, providing a more basic experience that may suffice for users with simple mobile needs but might not meet the demands of more complex tasks.
• Limited Customization: Provides fewer options for customizing the user interface and dashboards, which might be suitable for users looking for a simple solution without the need for extensive personalization but could be restrictive for those who prefer more tailored setups.

Winner:  LumApps' modern and intuitive UI, along with its mobile optimization and customizable dashboards, provides a more user-friendly experience than Google Sites, making it easier for employees to access information and collaborate effectively. 

Pricing

LumApps:

• Flexible Plans: LumApps offers a variety of pricing options tailored to the number of users and desired features. This flexibility allows organizations to select a plan that aligns with their specific needs and budgetary constraints, ensuring they get the best value for their investment.
• Free Trial: LumApps provides a free trial period, giving companies a risk-free opportunity to explore and test the platform's capabilities before making a financial commitment. This trial period helps organizations assess whether the platform meets their operational requirements and enhances their workflows.
• Customized Enterprise Plans: For large organizations with unique and specific requirements, LumApps offers customized enterprise plans. These plans are designed to accommodate the complex needs of larger entities, providing tailored solutions that integrate seamlessly into their existing operations.

Google Sites:

• Included in Google Workspace: Google Sites is an integrated component of the Google Workspace suite. Organizations subscribing to Google Workspace receive access to Google Sites as part of their subscription, providing a comprehensive set of productivity tools without additional charges.
• Limited Free Version: Google Sites offers a basic version that is free to use, albeit with restricted features and customization options. While suitable for smaller projects or personal use, this version may not meet the needs of users seeking more advanced functionalities.
• No Customized Plans: Unlike LumApps, Google Sites does not provide customized enterprise plans. This limitation could be a drawback for larger organizations with specialized requirements, as it may lack the flexibility to accommodate unique business processes or integrations.

Winner: LumApps offers more flexibility in terms of pricing options and the availability of a free trial period. Its ability to offer customized enterprise plans also provides more tailored solutions for larger organizations, making it a better choice for companies looking for cost-effective intranet solutions. 

Customization and Branding

LumApps:

• Extensive Customization: LumApps provides a broad range of customization options, enabling organizations to tailor their intranet precisely to their brand identity. This means companies can create a unique platform that aligns seamlessly with their visual and functional requirements.
  Branding Tools: The platform includes a comprehensive suite of branding tools, allowing businesses to easily incorporate their logos, color schemes, and custom themes. This helps reinforce the company’s image and enhances user engagement by ensuring a consistent brand experience.
• Flexible Layouts: With LumApps, users can choose from a variety of templates and layout options tailored to different business needs. This flexibility ensures that whether the requirement is for a sleek, modern interface or a more traditional setup, LumApps can accommodate it efficiently.

Google Sites:

• Basic Customization: Google Sites offers limited customization capabilities, primarily geared towards fundamental web design and simple layout adjustments. This makes it suitable for those who need a straightforward setup without the complexity of advanced features.
• Simple Branding: While Google Sites allows the inclusion of some branding elements, such as logos and basic color choices, it lacks the depth and flexibility that LumApps provides. This might restrict businesses looking for a more robust branding approach.
• Standard Templates: The platform offers a selection of standard templates, providing users with basic designs. However, the variety and adaptability are not as extensive, which can be limiting for businesses that have specific design and functionality in mind.

Winner: LumApps stands out as the more versatile and customizable option for organizations seeking a tailored and branded intranet experience.
Intranet Integrations

Intranet Integrations

LumApps: 

• Extensive Integrations: LumApps seamlessly integrates with a wide range of productivity and collaboration tools, including Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365, and various third-party applications. This flexibility ensures that businesses can continue to use their preferred applications while enhancing their capabilities with LumApps. 
• API Access: The platform provides robust API access, allowing for custom integrations that are specifically tailored to meet unique business needs. This feature enables developers to build specialized solutions that can enhance workflow and productivity within the organization. 
• Unified Search: LumApps features a powerful search engine that combines data from multiple sources, ensuring that users can easily access the information they need, regardless of where it is stored. This unified search functionality is designed to improve efficiency and streamline access to critical data. 

Google Sites: 

• Google Ecosystem: Google Sites integrates seamlessly within the Google ecosystem, making it easy to work with Google Drive, Google Forms, and Google Cloud. This integration is particularly beneficial for businesses heavily invested in Google's suite of tools, as it allows for an effortless flow of information and collaboration. 
• Limited Third-Party Integrations: While Google Sites offers robust integration within its own ecosystem, it provides fewer options for connecting with non-Google tools and applications. This limitation may present challenges for businesses that rely on a diverse set of software solutions. 
• Basic Search Functionality: Google Sites offers basic search capabilities, which can help users find documents and data within the platform. However, it lacks the depth and comprehensiveness of LumApps' unified search, which might limit its effectiveness in more complex environments. 
  Winner: LumApps' extensive integration options, API access, and unified search make it the clear winner for organizations seeking a more comprehensive and versatile intranet solution.

Winner: LumApps' extensive integration options, API access, and unified search make it the clear winner for organizations seeking a more comprehensive and versatile intranet solution.
 

Which Intranet Solution Should You Choose?

When it comes to choosing the right intranet solution for your organization, it ultimately depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you're looking for a simple, user-friendly platform that integrates seamlessly with Google Workspace, Google Sites might be a suitable option for small businesses or teams with basic requirements.

However, for organizations seeking a comprehensive, customizable, and feature-rich intranet solution, LumApps stands out as the clear winner. With its advanced content management, social intranet features, intuitive user interface, and robust analytics, LumApps provides a superior experience that enhances internal communications and collaboration. Additionally, the extensive integrations and customization options make LumApps a versatile choice for businesses of all sizes.

Why LumApps is the Perfect Google Sites Intranet Alternative?

LumApps excels in delivering a modern, powerful intranet solution tailored to meet the diverse needs of today's enterprises. Its focus on user experience, personalization, and advanced features sets it apart from Google Sites and other alternatives. By choosing LumApps, you're investing in a tool that not only streamlines internal communications but also fosters a sense of community and engagement among employees.

Ready to transform your internal communications and boost productivity? Discover the power of LumApps today and see why it's the ultimate Google Sites alternative for building an effective company intranet.

Is Google Sites an intranet? Is it really suited for an intranet?

While Google Sites can technically be used as an intranet, it is not specifically designed for this purpose. Its limited customization options and basic features may not meet the needs of companies looking for a comprehensive and personalized intranet experience. Additionally, its lack of advanced integrations and search functionality may hinder productivity in larger organizations with diverse software needs.
On the other hand, LumApps is specifically built as an intranet solution, offering advanced features, extensive integrations, and customizable options to enhance internal communications and collaboration. It also provides a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to navigate and personalize according to individual or team preferences. Overall, while Google Sites can serve as a basic intranet, LumApps is the superior choice for a comprehensive and effective company intranet.  So, it is better suited for an intranet than Google Sites.

The Future of Intranets: What Can We Expect?

The landscape of business technology is constantly evolving, and the same can be said for intranet solutions. As organizations continue to prioritize remote work, collaboration, and employee engagement, we can expect to see even more advancements and innovations in intranet platforms.
Some potential trends for the future of intranets include:

• Artificial Intelligence: With AI becoming increasingly prevalent in business applications, we may see AI-powered features integrated into intranets to improve personalization, search functionality, and automation.
• Mobile Optimization: As more employees work from mobile devices, intranets may become even more optimized for mobile use to ensure seamless access and collaboration on the go.
• Virtual & Augmented Reality: These technologies have already begun making their way into business applications, and we may see them incorporated into intranets to facilitate virtual meetings, trainings, and other immersive experiences.

Ultimately, businesses can expect to see intranet solutions continue to evolve and adapt to meet the changing needs of modern workplaces. And with LumApps at the forefront of innovation in this space, it's clear that this platform will play a significant role in shaping the future of internal communications and collaboration.  So, it is safe to say that LumApps will continue to be a leading intranet solution for years to come.
____

Consider your priorities, budget, and goals before making a decision, and keep an eye out for future advancements in the world of intranets. With the right tool in place, you can enhance internal communications and collaboration within your organization for improved productivity and success.  So, choose wisely and let LumApps be your go-to intranet solution for a seamless and efficient workplace experience.  Let's build a better internal communication system together with LumApps!  Keep exploring the possibilities and make the most out of your intranet experience! Happy collaborating!
 

Ready to see why Google + LumApps = the best intranet? 

Download our Google Lookbook to learn why Google + LumApps is the perfect match and see what you can do with this modern intranet combo.