Card Sorting Template

Typically conducted with sticky notes or index cards, card sorting is a straightforward process for categorizing information. The Card Sorting Template takes this method online, allowing for seamless, real-time or asynchronous card sorting sessions.

What is Card Sorting

Card sorting involves the creation of cards, with each card representing a concept or item. During a card sorting session, participants, who ideally represent your target persona, group these cards in a way that makes sense to them. There are three primary sorting methods:

1. Open Card Sort: Participants categorize cards and label them according to their own understanding. This generative method helps UX teams understand how users perceive and analyze information, where they expect to find specific content on your website, and brainstorm new ideas for structuring and labeling website information. It also identifies variations in user groups' thinking about the information.
2. Closed Card Sort: Participants sort cards into predetermined categories provided by you. This evaluative approach assesses how users organize information within a predefined framework. It helps UX teams gauge consensus on the location of information within existing categories, identify unclear or misleading category labels, and reduce the number of categories based on ignored ones.
3. Hybrid Card Sort: Participants can either create new categories to complete their card sort (open approach) or sort cards only into existing categories with predefined labels (closed approach). This mixed method leans towards either open or closed, helping UX teams generate ideas for grouping information based on a given category pattern and refine categories with high user agreement from an open card sort.

When to use Card Sorting

In a card sorting session, each participant, representing your user base, collaborates in categorizing topics and providing labels for these groups. By the end of the session, you gain insights into meeting your users' expectations, ensuring they easily locate what they need and experience seamless navigation on your website or app.

Conducting a card sorting session empowers your UX and design team to:

1. Determine the optimal structure for the information architecture of a new or existing website.
2. Identify user-friendly language for navigation.
3. Group content, products, or services in a way that aligns with users' mental models.
4. Compare how diverse customer or user groups perceive concepts related to your offerings.
5. Utilize a quick and cost-effective method to collect and present real data on user objectives that align with business requirements.

After obtaining fresh insights into how customers interact with your website or app, you can leverage this data to develop an enhanced information architecture.

Create your own Card Sorting session

Creating your own card sorting session is a straightforward process. Begin with the Card Sorting Template and follow these steps:

1. Select your sorting card topics.

   Edit the default card set, including text and images, to align with your website or app's information architecture. Aim for 30-60 cards per session, focusing on the most relevant ones for grouping.

2. Define the card sorting method.

   Specify whether you prefer an open, closed, or hybrid card sort and customize the instructions to communicate your expectations to participants.

3. Invite participants to categorize topics.

   Participants can now start organizing your product or service's information architecture. You can time this activity using FigJam's Countdown Timer, aiming for a 15-20 minute duration. Allow an additional five minutes if they haven't completed the timed sort after 20 minutes.

4. Request group naming.

   Once all cards are grouped, prompt participants to label these groups. This step provides insight into the participant's mental model during open or hybrid card sorts. Expect that their labels may not perfectly align with your product's marketing or branding and treat them as a source of inspiration.

5. Debrief with the participant.

   Arrange another video call (or chat, if preferred) and have the user explain the reasoning behind their card sorting decisions. Inquire about any challenges encountered, whether certain cards seemed to belong to multiple categories, and their thoughts on items that remained unsorted or were placed in the "not sure" category.

How do you sort cards online?

Online card sorting sessions have become a popular choice for UX researchers, offering a convenient and efficient method for conducting user research in remote and hybrid team environments. To initiate an online card sorting session, simply access the template, insert your cards, and invite participants to commence sorting. For clear guidance on the board, you can utilize sticky notes, incorporate comments, or tag team members and participants. Remember to utilize the timer feature to keep track of the time allocated for card sorting. Following the session, analyze the collected data and share valuable insights with your team.

How do you present card sorting findings?

When presenting your card sorting findings, FigJam offers a selection of pre-designed presentation templates for your convenience. UX researchers frequently showcase their results by developing comprehensive reports that outline the methodology, identify prevalent card categories, specify the percentages of cards sorted into various categories, and provide potential insights derived from pre and post-questionnaires. These comprehensive reports help communicate the outcomes of the card sorting session effectively.