Category descriptions

[bertieandjane]

Hello,

Hoping someone can advise me please.

I am writing descriptions for all my category pages and wonder if there is an advisable character limit.

Only the 1st paragraph will show to the customer and they will have to click on a read more link to expand it, so length is not really an issue with pushing the products down the page.

Is there such a thing as too much content here?

Thanks,

 

[Shopclicks]

It sounds as though you are writing lengthy descriptions purely for the SEO value? Or is the information in the category description of some value to the buyer? Do you expect people to read your category description or go straight to a product?

 

[bertieandjane]

The descriptions are being written with the customers in mind primarily, with benefits of the products.
I just don't want to be penalised by google if they are too long.

 

[Shopclicks]

You won't be penalised by Google for having a long description unless you overload with repetitive keywords. But you may be penalised by visitors if it gets in the way of their desire to see your products. You should keep the description completely relevant to the product titles and product descriptions. Don't ramble and pad out just to get more keywords in.
Unless there is something riveting highlighted in the description, the majority of your visitors will not read it. Products with well structured titles should draw the buyer direct to the product.
Category descriptions are more about quality than quantity.

Are your category descriptions going to be placed above or below the products? And how many pages do your categories contain?

 

[SEOpie]

Content that isn't immediately visible on the page might not provide as much weight as content that is.
It is generally understood that Google will read and index the content, but if you're hiding it, then at least you don't believe it is as important, and we think that Google will think the same.
But it depends...
For example, Wikipedia do this all the time; hiding content behind tabs. And many e-commerce sites often have tabs to show product details.

It's not completely clear what the answer is. Personally, I still use it on occasion, as it keeps pages looking relatively clean, and since the content is still indexed, then as long as it is relevant (and high quality, succinct, unique, etc), why not.

 

[webgeek]

If you can generate 1000 to 2000 words of quality text for a category description, then do so!

This is the kind of thing that separate the clone of a clone type sites and those which stand out from the crowd.

Category pages are a great place to introduce the key brands, recent items added, top sellers, useful reviews/commentary on uses, ranges/lines and guidance for first time buyers new to that category.

 

[mindhunter]

Hello,

Hoping someone can advise me please.

I am writing descriptions for all my category pages and wonder if there is an advisable character limit.

Only the 1st paragraph will show to the customer and they will have to click on a read more link to expand it, so length is not really an issue with pushing the products down the page.

Is there such a thing as too much content here?

Thanks,

Hi You!!!!!!!
No there is no such guidelines by Google for the number of character for the description on the category pages, so can write as much you like. But you have to understand one thing that the description must be informative in the first paragraph, its importance or utilization in the second paragraph and how you gonna do this or why users pick you for your service or product in the third paragraph. Rest is well and good. Try to keep it simple, crisp and to the point and also keeping the keyword density in control. And there is no such thing like too much content if you are putting "Read More" or "Continue Reading" option at the end of 2-3 lines or 1 paragraph. Hope you have your answer............... Thanks

 

[StevePoster]

Description that is too long looks time consuming and usually not specific but making it short, interesting, and straight to the point in which stands out from the others.