EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the findings from an open card sort study conducted to optimize the information architecture of SocialOutfit.org. Over a period of 2 weeks, 23 participants successfully completed the task of sorting 54 cards, providing insights into their preferences for content organization. The study was conducted to enhance the usability and navigability of SocialOutfit.org by aligning its structure with user expectations.

Key findings include:

• Several top categories were identified, which will be essential in restructuring the website to improve user experience and navigation.
• Based on the analysis, participants produced clear groupings with such categorical items as clothing, accessories, and information labels, but also demonstrated difficulty in grouping more unique labeling conventions.
• Summary of recommendations:
  • Increase the number of top-level categories to create clearer distinctions and help users navigate the website more easily.
  • Simplify and differentiate category labels to improve clarity, with further testing to refine the structure.
  • Conduct a follow-up card sorting exercise with a larger, more diverse sample to gain deeper insights and validation into user categorization preferences.
  • Reorganize the website to align with retail best practices, prioritizing revenue-generating content and action-oriented sections.
  • Rearrange categories in a logical order: Featured, Clothing, Accessories, Programs & Services, Mission & Supporters, About Us, Get Involved, and Footer Menu.
  • Minimize labeling redundancies and ensure consistent language to reduce confusion and improve user understanding.