How do you effectively use card sorting for web design content?

1 Step 1: Define your goals and scope

Before you start card sorting, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and what aspects of your web content you want to improve. For example, you might want to redesign your homepage, simplify your menu, or create a new landing page. You also need to decide how many cards you will use, how detailed they will be, and how you will label them. A good rule of thumb is to use between 30 to 60 cards, each representing a single piece of content or a category.

2 Step 2: Choose your card sorting method

There are two main types of card sorting methods: open and closed. In open card sorting, you let your participants create their own categories and name them. This can help you discover new insights and perspectives on your web content. In closed card sorting, you provide predefined categories and ask your participants to sort the cards into them. This can help you validate or refine your existing structure and labels. You can also use a hybrid approach, where you combine both methods or allow your participants to create subcategories within your main categories.

3 Step 3: Recruit and prepare your participants

The next step is to recruit and prepare your participants for the card sorting session. You should aim for a representative sample of your target audience, with a minimum of 15 participants for each method. You can use online tools, such as Optimal Workshop or UserZoom, to conduct remote card sorting sessions, or use physical cards and a large table for face-to-face sessions. You should also prepare a brief introduction, a consent form, and a set of instructions for your participants.

4 Step 4: Conduct the card sorting session

The card sorting session should be conducted in a quiet and comfortable environment, where your participants can focus and work at their own pace. You should observe and record the session, but avoid interfering or influencing your participants' decisions. You can also ask them to think aloud or explain their choices, as this can provide valuable feedback and insights. You should also thank your participants and offer them an incentive, such as a gift card or a discount, for their time and effort.

5 Step 5: Analyze the results

After the card sorting session, you need to analyze the results and look for patterns, trends, and outliers. You can use online tools, such as Optimal Workshop or UserZoom, to generate reports and visualizations of your data, such as similarity matrices, dendrograms, or cluster maps. You can also use qualitative methods, such as interviews or surveys, to complement your quantitative data and understand the reasoning behind your participants' choices. You should look for common themes, categories, labels, and relationships among your cards.

6 Step 6: Apply the findings to your web design

The final step is to apply the findings from your card sorting session to your web design content. You should use the results to create or improve your information architecture, navigation, labels, and layout for your website. You should also test and iterate your web design based on your users' feedback and preferences. You can use methods, such as tree testing or usability testing, to evaluate and optimize your web design content.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?