There are different spreads that require you to position the cards to answer specific questions. If using those at the start, then position would matter.
Most of my draws are five cards or less and drawn for a specific question. I usually draw them inline and check what I feel like when I see them. If a card stands out when I see it, I may use it as a key (or just a modifier), otherwise I just read them left to right (called a ‘narrative format’ over in the Lenormand area.)
While most of my draws are five cards or less, I prefer to use more than one card. If I’m doing a daily ‘check in’ draw, I prefer three cards. Also, if I’m doing daily draws, I try to make the draw for that day only. Deciding long term issues everyday is basically flawed.
SO… I guess I’m saying it matters only if you, at the start, decide to make it matter. Either way is fine and it depends on what you feel you want to do (that intuition thing).
Your experience with having an epiphany when you see the cards and a nice feeling of ‘getting it right’ is a great feeling - it doesn’t always show up but as you work with the cards, it does peek out more and more. Congrats on that!