Card sorting process
How do we conduct card sorting?
During a card sort, participants are asked to create groups using a cross section of representative content from a website or digital product. Each 'card' represents a piece of content and contains a descriptive label. Ideally, cards sorts are completed by a group of participants who are representative of the audience. After the cards have been sorted into groups, participants give each group a label (or heading) that makes sense to them.This delivers an understanding of which pieces of content belong together and the type of language that people naturally use when referring to these groups.
Why do we conduct card sorting?
Card sorting is crucial in ensuring that the information architecture of a digital platform makes sense to users. It empowers us to design navigation systems that align with their mental models, resulting in intuitive and user-friendly interfaces. By involving users in this process, we can greatly enhance the overall usability of the product.
When do we conduct card sorting?
Card sorting is typically conducted during the early stages of the development of a website or digital product, or when evaluating the information architecture of an existing site.