How to Add Magento 2 Product Descriptions: Two Approaches

• What are Magento 2 Product Descriptions?

• Impact of Product Descriptions on Magento Store's Performance

• Must-have Elements for Magento 2 Product Descriptions

• 2 Approaches to Add Product Descriptions to Magento Products

• 5 Magento 2 Product Description Writing Tips

• FAQs

• Summary

What are Magento 2 Product Descriptions?

“Product descriptions in Magento 2 are customizable content blocks. They showcase product features, benefits, and specifications to potential customers.”

These descriptions appear on product detail pages. The predefined spaces support both short summaries and detailed explanations. The descriptions can include formatted text, images, videos, and custom attributes.

A well-crafted description conveys complete product details to your store’s shoppers.

Impact of Product Descriptions on Magento Store's Performance

1. SEO Performance

• Poor keyword usage limits search visibility. Missing or misused keywords result in lower rankings. Conduct keyword research and strategically place keywords in descriptions.

• Missing meta tags lead to reduced click-through rates. Without optimized meta descriptions, search engines cannot rank effectively. Write clear, concise meta descriptions with relevant keywords.

• The lack of structured data reduces rich snippet display. Without proper schema markup, products won’t appear with enhanced search results. Implement structured data (product schema) to help search engines understand content.

2. Customer Experience

• Ambiguous product descriptions confuse buyers. Vague descriptions lead to misunderstandings and delaying decisions. Provide precise, specific product details and attributes.

• Descriptions not optimized for mobile lead to poor user experience. Slow-loading or hard-to-read content discourages mobile shoppers. Use mobile-friendly formats along with concise, easy-to-read bullet points.

• A lack of visual content makes it harder for customers to understand products. With images or videos, customers can gauge product quality. High-quality Magento images with descriptive alt text to improve clarity.

3. Conversion Optimization

• Incomplete or vague descriptions reduce conversions. Unclear benefits and features lead to cart abandonment. Highlight product benefits and key features clearly.

• Low social proof results in less customer trust. Without reviews or testimonials, customers hesitate to purchase. Integrate customer reviews and ratings into product descriptions.

• The lack of product comparisons confuses buyers. Customers need help to choose between similar products. Include clear comparisons and specifications for related products.

4. Brand Consistency

• Inconsistent tone affects brand perception. A mismatch in tone creates confusion and weakens brand identity. Use a consistent voice and style guide for product descriptions.

• Variations in formatting lead to a fragmented shopping experience. Disjointed layouts make it harder for customers to navigate. Apply standardized formatting across all product pages.

• Inconsistent messaging across stores dilutes brand voice. Different descriptions across stores confuse customers about brand identity. Implement templates for multi-store consistency in messaging.

5. Mobile Optimization

• Non-responsive descriptions cause layout issues on mobile devices. Product pages may appear broken or hard to read. Make sure descriptions are responsive and adjust automatically to screen sizes.

• Large image files slow down mobile load times. Slow load times frustrate mobile users and lead to higher bounce rates. Compress images to optimize for faster loading.

• Descriptions without mobile-friendly elements hinder user interaction. Small buttons and poor navigation hurt mobile conversions. Implement touch-friendly elements like large buttons and collapsible sections.

Must-have Elements for Magento 2 Product Descriptions

Element	Purpose	Implementation
Opening Paragraph	Captures attention and sets context	Write a compelling overview focusing on the product's main benefits. Use engaging language to highlight how the product solves a specific problem.
Feature List	Highlights key product specifications	Use bullet points to make features scannable. For clarity, include attributes like size, color, or material.
Benefits Section	Shows value proposition	Connect features to customer advantages, explaining how they meet shopper needs. Use real-world scenarios to emphasize practical benefits.
Technical Details	Provides specific information	Include dimensions, materials, and compatibility details. On the product page, use tables or grids to improve clarity.
Visual Content	Enhances description effectiveness	Add high-quality images and videos showcasing the product in use. Use alt text for images to improve accessibility and support SEO efforts.
Call-to-Action	Drives purchase decisions	Include clear instructions like "Add to Cart" or "Buy Now." For better visibility, place CTAs near the top and bottom of the description.

2 Approaches to Add Product Descriptions to Magento Products

Approach 1: Using the Default Magento Admin Panel

• Navigate to Admin > Catalog > Products in your Magento store backend.

• Select Add New or Edit Product for an existing product.

• Go to the Content section and locate the Description field.

• Add your desired product description here and save changes.
• By default, Magento displays this description on the product page without additional coding.

Note: This approach works well for most use cases and requires no custom development. To display descriptions exclusively for simple products, follow the next approach.

Approach 2: Custom Coding

1. Create a Custom Layout XML File

• Create a new file named catalog_product_view_type_simple.xml in the directory:
  app/design/frontend/Vendor/Theme/Magento_Catalog/layout/catalog_product_view_type_simple.xml.

• Add the following XML code inside this file:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<page xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xsi:noNamespaceSchemaLocation="urn:magento:framework:View/Layout/etc/page_configuration.xsd">
    <body>
        <referenceContainer name="product.info.main">
            <block class="Magento\Catalog\Block\Product\View" name="product.description.simple" template="Magento_Catalog::product/view/type/simple/description.phtml" after="product.info.price"/>
        </referenceContainer>
    </body>
</page>

• The layout file adds a new block to display the product description.

2. Create a Custom Template File

Next, create a template file to render the description content dynamically:

• Navigate to app/design/frontend/Vendor/Theme/Magento_Catalog/templates/product/view/type/simple/.

• Create a file named description.phtml in the directory.

• Insert the following PHP code into the file:

<?php
$_helper = $this->helper('Magento\Catalog\Helper\Output');
$_product = $block->getProduct();
$_attributeLabel = $_product->getResource()->getAttribute('description')->getStoreLabel();
$_attributeValue = ($_helper->productAttribute($_product, $_product->getDescription(), 'description')) ? $_product->getAttributeText('description') : '';
?>
<?php if ($_attributeValue): ?>
    <div class="product-description">
        <strong class="type"><?= /* @escapeNotVerified */ $_attributeLabel ?></strong>
        <div class="value"><?= /* @escapeNotVerified */ $_attributeValue ?></div>
    </div>
<?php endif; ?>

• The code retrieves the product's description from the backend. It then displays the description with proper formatting.

3. Flush Magento Cache

• Go to Admin > System > Cache Management.

• Select all cache types and click Flush Magento Cache.

4. Verify on Frontend

• Open a simple product page where you’ve added a description in the backend.

• The description should now display below the price, as configured in your XML file.

5 Magento 2 Product Description Writing Tips

1. Emotional Connection

• Use storytelling elements: Craft narratives that resonate with your audience. Share how the product fits into their daily lives or solves a problem.

• Highlight lifestyle benefits: Show how the product improves the shopper's experience. For example, "This ergonomic chair reduces back pain for long work hours."

• Create relatable scenarios: Describe specific use cases that match customer needs. For instance, "Perfect for busy parents who need quick meal prep solutions."

• Share customer experiences: Include testimonials or reviews to build trust. Highlight how real users benefited from the product.

2. Technical Accuracy

• Verify product specifications: Provide precise details like dimensions, materials, and weight. Avoid vague terms to maintain credibility.

• Include compatibility information: Specify which systems or accessories the product works with. For example, "Compatible with iOS 14 and Android 10."

• List system requirements: Mention any prerequisites for using the product. For instance, "Requires a USB-C port for charging."

• Document maintenance needs: Explain care instructions to extend the product’s lifespan. For example, "Hand wash only; avoid harsh detergents."

3. Visual Enhancement

• Add product demonstration videos: Show the product in action to clarify its functionality. Videos can highlight features better than text alone.

• Include usage tutorials: Create step-by-step guides to educate customers on proper use. Tutorials reduce confusion and improve satisfaction.

• Show size comparisons: Use images to compare the product with familiar objects. It helps shoppers visualize dimensions accurately.

• Display color variations: Include images of all available colors to help customers choose easily.

4. Mobile Optimization

• Write concise paragraphs: Limit text blocks to two or three sentences for readability on smaller screens. Avoid overwhelming users with lengthy descriptions.

• Use scannable formats: Employ bullet points and headings to organize content clearly. It makes it easier for mobile shoppers to find key details quickly.

• Optimize image sizes: Compress images without losing quality to improve page load speed. Faster loading enhances the shopping experience on mobile devices.

• Implement responsive design: Make sure descriptions adapt precisely across all screen sizes.

5. Conversion Focus

• Add urgency elements: Use phrases like "Limited stock available" or "Offer ends soon". Encourage immediate action. Scarcity motivates purchases.

• Include social proof: Display customer reviews and ratings prominently on the product page. Positive feedback builds trust and confidence in your products.

• Display stock levels: Show real-time inventory updates such as "Only 3 left in stock." It creates a sense of urgency among shoppers.

• Show shipping information: Clearly mention delivery timelines and costs upfront. Transparency reduces cart abandonment rates.

FAQs

1. How can a store owner add descriptions that sell?

The store admin can add product descriptions through the admin panel. To do so, navigate to Catalog > Products, select your actual product, and add informative content in the description field. Include key elements like features and benefits. The built-in editor helps format text and add images. You can also use the page builder to enhance layouts.

2. What information about products should merchants include?

Focus on product options, specifications, and unique features. Add necessary information about materials and dimensions. Include related product suggestions. Mention compatibility and usage instructions. Create product descriptions that sell by highlighting benefits. Add pricing details and shipping information.

3. How does the attribute description extension for Magento help?

The extension enables automated description generation for multiple products. It supports layered navigation and price rules. Magento plugins equally help manage product information. You can create custom templates for different categories. The module works with configurable products and various store views.

4. Can merchants customize product descriptions for ecommerce stores?

Yes, merchants can customize descriptions using the dropdown options. The extension allows unlimited modifications. You can sort products by attributes, add tags, and add SKU information. Product attribute descriptions show up automatically. Swatch options display color variants.

5. How to manually add descriptions via the admin panel?

Navigate to your ecommerce store backend. Select products to opt for description updates. Use search parameters to find specific items. Add descriptions through the content tab. Include additional information as needed. Save changes to update product pages.

6. What makes product descriptions reach a wider audience?

Include commerce-focused content that appeals to various buyers. Add demo videos and product tutorials. Provide additional information through detailed specifications. Use URL optimization for better visibility. Create descriptions that answer common customer questions.

7. How does a subscription-based product need different descriptions?

Focus on subscription benefits and terms. Explain billing cycles and renewal processes. Include “please note” sections for important details. Mention cancellation policies clearly. Add product via delivery information. Highlight subscription-exclusive features and savings.

Summary

Product Descriptions in Magento 2 help inform the shoppers about the available products. It acts as an informatory guide while also improving the store’s SERP ranking. Consider the below key points from the tutorial while crafting Magento product descriptions:

1. Craft clear, engaging product descriptions for better conversions. Focus on benefits, real-life scenarios, and customer needs.

2. Optimize descriptions for SEO to attract organic traffic. Use keywords naturally and include meta information effectively.

3. To build customer trust, highlight technical details and compatibility. Provide accurate product specs, usage guides, and care instructions.

4. Incorporate visuals like images and videos to boost engagement. Show the product in use and clearly display all variations.

5. Make descriptions mobile-friendly for an improved user experience. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and responsive layouts.

6. Encourage purchases with urgency, transparency, and social proof. Strategically use reviews, stock levels, and shipping details.

Managed Magento hosting enables expert guidance regarding framing accurate product descriptions.