Use manufactures descriptions or write my own?

[nextec]

Should I 'cut and paste' the manufacturers product descriptions or re-write them myself?

I have been trying to get a decent answer to to the above questions for some time, the internet seems to be full of conflicting advise.

Some people say that using the manufactures description is best due to the fact that they should know their product better than anyone else and will have spent quite some time and possibly money getting the descriptions to convey the information precisely and work well with search engines. Plus that fact that Google doesn't appear to worry so much about duplicate content for products.

The other argument is that Google does care about duplicate content and you will rank better for unique description.


I wish someone would give me a definite answer and persuade me which the best way to go is.

Thanks

 

[Faevilangel]

Write your oen, base it on the manufacturer's but make yours unique to you for your seo.

I am doing the same for my own ecom store, rewriting all product text and doing my own images.

Make your site stand out.

Sent from my HTC One SV using UK Business Forums

 

[zooron_sam]

Also recommend writing your own, I have setup a site a couple of years back using only manufacturers descriptions for the electronic goods on the site, once I took the time to swap them out with something I had written I started to see better rankings in Google.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

Some people say that using the manufactures description is best due to the fact that they should know their product better than anyone else and will have spent quite some time and possibly money getting the descriptions to convey the information precisely and work well with search engines.

Some people would be wrong. Manufacturers rarely have a clue about SEO and often less clue about actually selling their products.

Write your descriptions from the customer's perspective. Tell them why they would want to buy this product. (You'll get this benefit from this feature).

 

[Jason Parms]

Should I 'cut and paste' the manufacturers product descriptions or re-write them myself?

Some people say that using the manufactures description is best due to the fact that they should know their product better than anyone else and will have spent quite some time and possibly money getting the descriptions to convey the information precisely and work well with search engines. Plus that fact that Google doesn't appear to worry so much about duplicate content for products.

Go for second option which is rewrite description of manufacturer products but that does not mean changing few words of description and rewrite. You should write it in your own words in descriptive but smart way that will be easy to understand what is the product is about to customer.

The other argument is that Google does care about duplicate content and you will rank better for unique description.

Yes, Google will penalize for duplicate content that will negatively impact your website’s ranking in search engine hence always prefer to fresh content for the website.

 

[deniser]

I always write my own. I get the item out and study it very closely and then think:

1. what would I want to know if I was buying this?
2. what are the highlight features? What makes this item different to another?
3. which details are not obvious from the photo - colours aren't always obvious?

and then always add the dimensions and weight if relevant to the product.

The more information you can give the better.

If you are good at writing, you can also use your own personal style to differentiate your descriptions from others.

 

[nextec]

Yes this is where it all falls down.

I can't write good descriptions no matter how hard I try. Everything I write sounds like it was written by a 4 year old.

Are there people who can take my descriptions and re-write them to sound professional? Or do you need to have a good understanding of the product to write a good description? The products are fairly technical.

Thanks

 

[zooron_sam]

Yes there are technical copywriters out there who can write a good description, try sticking an advert on odesk.com or any of their competitors and see if the prices are acceptable.

 

[Peanut Butter Man]

Should I 'cut and paste' the manufacturers product descriptions or re-write them myself?

I have been trying to get a decent answer to to the above questions for some time, the internet seems to be full of conflicting advise.

Some people say that using the manufactures description is best due to the fact that they should know their product better than anyone else and will have spent quite some time and possibly money getting the descriptions to convey the information precisely and work well with search engines. Plus that fact that Google doesn't appear to worry so much about duplicate content for products.

The other argument is that Google does care about duplicate content and you will rank better for unique description.


I wish someone would give me a definite answer and persuade me which the best way to go is.

Thanks

As I understand it you don't need to re-write it all but your right to think of how Google may look at the duplicate content and lets face it you wont be the only one using the text.

It seems that you can use the supplied text bit then add your own which may give your own insight to the product or service, This then becomes original content and Google sees it as offering something of worth to your visitors. I have done this and without negative effect that I can see.

 

[ukbf0001]

Matt Cutts did a video on it - basically write your own - as otherwise in Cutts words "your arent adding any value"

 

[adamo]

From an SEO point of view, I'd definitely recommend writing your own unique description. It'll help the page to rank higher in search engines and you can give your own view on the product too.