Card sort

Overview of Card Sorting

Card sorting is a user-focused research method that assists in designing or assessing the information structure of a website. Participants organize a collection of cards, each representing different content, into groups that are meaningful to them. This technique offers a window into the user's thought process and can enhance effective and intuitive website navigation.

Picture a stack of index cards, each labeled with a different website feature or content page. During a card sort, participants are invited to arrange these cards in a manner that makes sense to them. This straightforward exercise can reveal common trends in how individuals perceive content and functionality on a website, which is invaluable for UX designers.

Why Card Sorting Matters

In the field of website and digital product creation, comprehending how users naturally categorize information is essential. A successful card sorting exercise can enhance user satisfaction and reduce confusion, resulting in improved user engagement and loyalty.

Understanding how users organize information can greatly enhance your website’s usability. Integrating insights from a card sort helps ensure that users can easily locate what they need, alleviating frustration and decreasing bounce rates. Additionally, card sorting can reduce design time and the number of revisions needed by clarifying the information structure from the beginning.

What is Card Sorting?

Card sorting involves participants arranging labeled cards according to their intuition. Cards can represent website navigation elements, features, or similar categories within a digital product. This method comes in two primary forms: open and closed.

• Open Card Sorting: Participants create their own categories and organize cards as they like. This format is useful for investigating potential navigation structures.

• Closed Card Sorting: Participants sort cards into established categories. This type is often utilized when refining current frameworks.

While there’s no universal approach, open card sorting is generally employed in the exploratory phases, whereas closed sorting is used to evaluate or fine-tune concepts.

How to Do Card Sorting

Setting up a card sort can be both simple and enlightening. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

1. Define Your Goals: Clearly outline what insights you want to gain from the sort. Are you designing a new navigation bar? Updating an existing one?

2. Choose Your Cards: Determine which aspects of your content or navigation require organization. Aim for about 30 to 100 items for practical management.

3. Select Participants: Recruit users who reflect your site's target audience. A good guideline is to include between 15-30 participants for solid results.

4. Conduct the Sort: You can perform this in person with physical cards or utilize an online tool. Inform participants whether it’s an open or closed sort.

5. Analyze the Data: Identify patterns in how cards were grouped. Consider analyzing frequency to discover which categories are most commonly formed by participants.

6. Implement and Test: After gathering insights, test the usability of your new structure with real users.

Sample Agenda for a Card Sorting Workshop

If you’re organizing a card sorting workshop, here’s a suggested agenda to ensure productive sessions:

• Introduction (10 mins): Explain the purpose of the session and the activities participants will engage in.

• Warm-Up Activity (10 mins): Engage participants with a simple sorting task to help them become comfortable.

• Main Sorting Session (40 mins): Allow participants to arrange the cards into categories.

• Debrief & Discussion (20 mins): Collect immediate feedback and discuss any noticeable themes.

• Closing Remarks (10 mins): Summarize the session and outline the next steps.

Examples of Card Sorting

Various organizations employ card sorting for multiple purposes:

1. Retail Websites: A large retailer might conduct a card sorting exercise to find out how customers differentiate between clothing, accessories, and electronics.

2. Educational Platforms: Institutions may use this method to learn how students prefer their course materials organized.

3. Corporate Intranet Designs: Ensures that internal systems align with how employees access information and functionalities intuitively.

FAQs

Is card sorting only for websites?
No, card sorting can refine information structures for any digital product, application, or intranet.

What if the results are inconsistent?
Inconsistencies can arise, but focus on the common patterns. Consider conducting additional sessions to gather more data.

What's the distinction between card sorting and tree testing?
While card sorting aids in designing the structure, tree testing validates it, ensuring users can navigate the setup effectively.

How long does a card sorting session generally take?
Typically, a session lasts between 1 and 1.5 hours, including introductions and discussions.

Can card sorting be conducted online?
Yes, there are several online tools such as OptimalSort and UXtweak that facilitate digital card sorting.

How many cards are advisable for a session?
Aim for 30-100 cards. Using too few doesn’t provide enough data while using too many can overwhelm participants.