When building or modernizing your SharePoint intranet portal, one critical decision often arises: Should you go with Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) capabilities or build with the SharePoint Framework (SPFx)? Both approaches offer unique advantages depending on your organization’s needs, timelines, and level of customization required.
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Beyond just functionality, this choice impacts scalability, long-term maintenance, and user adoption. It’s also crucial to consider how your intranet aligns with broader digital workplace goals, such as enhancing employee experience, supporting hybrid work, and integrating with Microsoft 365 services like Teams and Viva. This article explores the key differences, pros and cons, and how to decide which approach fits your intranet strategy best.
What is OOTB in SharePoint?
Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) refers to using SharePoint’s native features without writing custom code. It leverages built-in web parts, lists, libraries, templates, and modern UI components to create portals quickly and efficiently.
When to Use OOTB:
- You need quick deployment with minimal development.
- Requirements align with what Microsoft already provides.
- You’re looking for a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution.
- Your users are already familiar with standard SharePoint layouts.
Examples:
- Communication sites with prebuilt templates.
- Document libraries and list-based navigation.
- Microsoft Viva Connections and Power Automate flows.
What is SPFx (SharePoint Framework)?
SPFx is a client-side development model that enables deep customization of SharePoint portals using modern web technologies like React, TypeScript, and REST APIs. It allows for fully custom web parts, extensions, branding, and integration with external data sources.
When to Use SPFx:
- You need custom functionality or integrations beyond what OOTB offers.
- Your portal requires branded experience aligned with corporate identity.
- You want responsive and dynamic user interactions.
- There’s a need to extend functionality with Microsoft Graph or Teams.
Examples:
- Custom dashboards pulling data from external systems.
- Tailored web parts for HR portals, service requests, or analytics.
- Personalized employee homepages and notification panels.
OOTB vs. SPFx
| Feature/Factor | OOTB SharePoint | SPFx (Custom Development) |
| Development Effort | Minimal | Moderate to High |
| Customization Level | Limited to available settings | Full control over UI and behavior |
| Time to Deploy | Fast | Longer (depends on scope) |
| Branding | Basic (via themes) | Advanced (custom styling/components) |
| Integration Support | Native integrations only | Supports external APIs and Graph |
| Maintenance | Low | Requires dev team for updates |
| Performance | Optimized by Microsoft | Optimized by developer |
| User Experience (UX) | Consistent, but generic | Rich, personalized, and responsive |
Choosing the right fit for your bespoke needs
When OOTB is the Right Fit
Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) SharePoint works best when your intranet needs are straightforward and content-driven. If you’re aiming for a quick launch with minimal resources and want to avoid the complexities of code maintenance or custom deployments, OOTB provides all the essential building blocks. It’s especially useful for teams that lack front-end development expertise, offering a low-maintenance, scalable solution with modern templates and features supported by Microsoft.
When SPFx Becomes Essential
SPFx is ideal for organizations that need advanced capabilities beyond what’s natively available in SharePoint. Whether you’re building dynamic dashboards or integrating with non-Microsoft systems, SPFx offers the flexibility to create tailored solutions. It’s also the right choice when enforcing strict brand identity is critical, enabling pixel-perfect UI and seamless alignment with your company’s visual standards.
Hybrid Approach: The Best of Both
In many cases, a hybrid approach works best. Start with OOTB capabilities for core functionality, and then selectively introduce SPFx for areas requiring customization. This balances cost, performance, and innovation.
For example:
- Use OOTB for general communication, news, and documents.
- Use SPFx to build a custom employee directory, ticketing system, or analytics dashboard.
Conclusion: Which Approach Is Right for You?
There’s no universal answer – our choice depends entirely on your organization’s specific needs. If you’re looking for speed, simplicity, and low maintenance, Out-of-the-Box (OOTB) features are ideal. But if your intranet serves as a central business hub that demands custom workflows, seamless integrations, and branded experiences, the SharePoint Framework (SPFx) delivers the flexibility and control you need.
At AVASOFT, we specialize in building intelligent intranet portals that balance performance with personalization. Whether you’re launching a simple OOTB-based site or a fully custom SPFx solution, our experts will work with you to define the right approach, aligned with your business goals, timelines, and user expectations.
Contact us at sales@avasoft.com.
