No question is the dumb question! Yes it matters about lateral balance same as CG. Put the wing on the plane, turn the prop so there is no pressure, now lift the plane buy the nosecone, and the tip of the tail (vertical stab). Now if the plane teeters either way when lifted thats fine. If it always goes to one side, that side is the heavy side. At this point you have two options, either add wheight to the light side, or remove weight from the heavy side. Most prefer to add. I personally like to subtract. Hope this helps.

Bob