Businesses are increasingly looking for ways to provide customers, suppliers, employees and other external users with secure access to information and services.
Building a traditional website or bespoke application can take significant time and resources. Microsoft Power Pages provides another option, allowing organisations to create secure, data-driven websites and portals using the Microsoft Power Platform. But what exactly is Microsoft Power Pages, and how can businesses use it?
As a Power Pages partner we help businesses understand how Power Pages can add value to their organisation. In this article, we explain what Power Pages is, how it works, its key benefits and where it can fit into an organisation’s wider Microsoft technology strategy.
What is Microsoft Power Pages?
Microsoft Power Pages is a low-code development platform within the Microsoft Power Platform that allows businesses to create secure, external-facing websites and business portals.
Unlike traditional websites that are primarily designed to publish information, Power Pages can be used to create websites that allow users to interact with business data and processes.
For example, an organisation could use Power Pages to create a customer portal where customers can:
- Submit and track requests
- Access information relating to their account
- Complete online forms
- View documents
- Update their details
- Interact with business processes
Power Pages can connect with Microsoft Dataverse and other Microsoft services, making it possible to create websites that form part of a wider business application and automation environment.
How does Power Pages fit into Microsoft Power Platform?
Power Pages is one of the core technologies within Microsoft Power Platform, alongside:
- Power Apps – for building business applications
- Power Automate – for workflow automation
- Power BI – for data analysis and reporting
- Copilot Studio – for building AI-powered agents and conversational experiences
The advantage of using these technologies together is that organisations can create connected business solutions rather than relying on standalone systems.
For example, a business could use Power Pages to allow a customer to submit a request, Power Automate to automate the workflow, Dataverse to store the information and Power BI to provide reporting and insights. This can help organisations reduce manual processes and create a more joined-up digital experience.
What can businesses use Power Pages for?
Power Pages can be used across a wide range of business scenarios.
Customer portals – Power Pages can provide customers with a secure online area where they can access information and interact with a business. This could include submitting support requests, checking the status of applications, accessing documents or updating personal information.
Supplier portals – Businesses can also create portals for suppliers and external partners.
For example, suppliers could use a Power Pages portal to submit information, update records, upload documents or interact with procurement processes.
Employee and partner portals – Power Pages can also support external users who need access to specific business processes or information without requiring access to the organisation’s entire internal systems.
Self-service applications – One of the key benefits of a portal is the ability to move processes online.
Instead of relying on email, telephone calls or manual forms, organisations can provide users with a self-service experience. This can help reduce administrative workloads while giving users faster access to the services they need.
You can see a list of examples of how you can use Power Pages in a previous blog post here.
What are the benefits of Microsoft Power Pages?
The benefits of Microsoft Power Pages include faster development, low-code flexibility, integration with Microsoft technologies and secure access to business data. As a Microsoft Power Pages partner, Bridgeall helps organisations design and develop scalable Power Pages solutions that support their digital transformation goals.
Low-code development
Power Pages uses a low-code approach, allowing websites and applications to be developed without the same level of traditional coding required for a bespoke application. This can help organisations develop solutions more quickly and make changes more easily. However, low-code does not mean no-code. More complex requirements can still require professional development and technical expertise.
Integration with Microsoft technologies
Power Pages is designed to work within the wider Microsoft ecosystem. It can integrate with technologies such as Microsoft Dataverse, Power Automate, Power Apps, Power BI, Microsoft Entra ID and other Microsoft services.
This makes it particularly useful for organisations that already use Microsoft 365 and the wider Power Platform.
Secure access to business data
Power Pages provides tools for managing authentication, permissions and access to data.
This means organisations can create experiences where external users can access the information and functionality they need without giving them unrestricted access to internal systems. Security should still be carefully considered during the design and implementation of any Power Pages solution, particularly where sensitive business or customer data is involved.
Faster development
For suitable projects, Power Pages can reduce the time required to develop and launch a business portal compared with building an equivalent solution entirely from scratch. This can make it easier for organisations to respond to changing business requirements and introduce new digital services.
Scalable business solutions
Power Pages can be used to create solutions that grow alongside an organisation. Businesses can start with a specific use case and expand the functionality over time, integrating additional Power Platform capabilities and business processes as their requirements develop.
Power Pages vs traditional website development
Power Pages is not designed to replace every type of website. A traditional content management system may still be the better option for a marketing website where the primary requirement is publishing content and optimising the site for search engines.
Power Pages is particularly valuable when a website needs to do more than display information. For example, if users need to log in, submit information, interact with business data or trigger automated processes, Power Pages can provide a platform for creating these experiences. The right technology therefore depends on what the organisation is trying to achieve.
Is Power Pages right for your business?
Power Pages can be a strong option for organisations that need to give customers, suppliers, partners or other external users secure access to business information and processes. It can be particularly valuable where an organisation already uses Microsoft technologies and wants to extend its existing Power Platform environment.
However, choosing the right technology requires more than simply selecting the latest Microsoft platform. The most appropriate solution will depend on the organisation’s existing systems, users, data, security requirements and business objectives.
Power Pages consultancy and development
For organisations considering Microsoft Power Pages, working with an experienced Microsoft Power Platform partner can help ensure the solution is designed around genuine business requirements.
At Bridgeall, we help organisations make better use of Microsoft technologies, including the Power Platform.
From initial requirements and solution design through to development, integration and ongoing support, our team can help businesses assess where Power Pages could add value and how it can fit into their existing Microsoft environment.
Thinking about using Power Pages for your organisation? We’re a Microsoft Solutions Partner based in Scotland who can help. Get in touch with Bridgeall to discuss your requirements and explore what Microsoft Power Platform could help you achieve.
