Ecommerce

How To Write Product Descriptions To Boost Sales (With Examples)

September 22, 2023

Product descriptions play a crucial role in boosting your sales by capturing the attention of potential customers and persuading them to make a purchase. Crafting an effective product description requires a keen understanding of your target audience and an ability to highlight the unique features and benefits of your product.

What is a product description?

A product description is a concise and compelling summary of your product that provides potential customers with all the information they need to make an informed buying decision. It goes beyond listing the specifications and delves into the value and experience your product offers. The goal is to create a vivid picture in the customer's mind, making them feel an emotional connection and driving them closer to making a purchase.

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Product descriptions are tough creatures. Some descriptions flow just right, giving readers a comprehensive sense of the product, your brand, and its unique selling points. Yet, others have the right keywords but seem stunted, or unengaging. Well, you can't do something well without fully understanding it, so follow along with our examples of product description that you can learn from:

1. Start with your solution.

Starting from the top, we need to look at what gives a product description its direction: the product itself. Consider starting off with a question: What's the solution you're trying to provide?

Potential customers might come to your website looking for a particular product, sure; but there's usually a deeper need present: People who buy drills want to make a hole; Guests at a hotel are looking for rest; Netflix users desire entertainment.

Approach writing a product description as, at its core, pitching a solution to a problem. That'll help you narrow down on a target audience too: You need to identify what the solution is, to target the potential customers facing the problem.

There are several response hierarchy models that can help frame your thinking about this. One of the most established ones is AIDA, which stands for Attention, Interest, Desire and Action. A potential customer might start out merely being aware of your brand or product. It's only when they face a problem, or are presented with a solution to a problem they didn't know they had, that they begin to develop interest in purchase. In this way, a product's proposed solution is central to moving a customer through the four stages of AIDA, till they eventually decide to make a purchase. Following from that, this problem-solution match will need to be weaved into your description.

One way is to front with a question:

Or to give a description of your target audience and their problem, for them to resonate with the description:

Both of these examples have clear direction, in the way they clearly establish the possible problem that a consumer is facing and propose a solution in the form of a product. This is the first step in crafting a product description that both has an evident value proposition, and is engaging and compelling too!

2. Ensure Consistent Brand Image

According to McKinsey & Company, there are three Cs to customer satisfaction: consistency, consistency, and consistency. In particular, this refers to consistency in customer journeys, of which product descriptions form an essential part. From McKinsey, delivering consistent satisfaction with customer journeys can boost customer satisfaction by 20% and lift revenue by 15%.

Your brand identity should be the foundation of your product description. From your landing page to individual product pages, it's important to ensure that the message and tone of your company stays consistent throughout.

How? Pull from your brand's existing pitch (haven't gotten that far yet? Here's a step-by-step guide) and make sure that each description matches up. Brand image here refers to the impression that consumers have of your brand — is it playful? Professional? Minimalist? Pragmatic? The associations tied to a brand in consumers' minds determines the tone of each and every product description. In one sense, brand image represents consumers' aggregated expectations of a brand, and it's the product description's job to deliver.

Here's a good example of consistent brand voice, with a product description of Chanel's Chance Eau de Parfum Spray, and an excerpt from their About the Founder page.

product description guide

Both examples are taken from the Chanel website, with its integrated online store. Even though their content is entirely different — one is a product description for perfume, the other an introduction to Gabrielle Chanel — there is a consistent tone throughout, one of luxury, sensuality, and alluring mystery.

Essentially, every product description on your website should exude your brand identity, as consistent with more traditional areas where this would appear, like the About Us or Our History pages. Remember: consistency, consistency, consistency.

Learn how Hypotenuse AI crafted product descriptions for a major beverage company's seasonal drinks that helped them stand out.

3. Highlight Unique Selling Points

Of course, at the core of your product descriptions will be specifics on the characteristics, features, make and composition of the product in question. These are value propositions that should justify your price!

One way to better communicate these would be structuring your description clearly, through bolding important phrases, or even using bullet points.

More subtly, consider tapping on the psychology behind phrasing, to pick words that will form your prose. Research by Dr. Brian Wansink, director of the Food and Brand Lab at Cornell University showed that descriptive menu labels increased sales by as much as 27%. These can be divided into four categories: geographic labels, like "Southwestern Tex-Mex salad", labels that evoke nostalgia like "Grandma's Pie", sensory labels like "buttery plump pasta" and brand names.

While this research centers around food menu labelling, similar logic can be applied to your product descriptions. Essentially, using vivid, stimulating language better engages your audience. It makes them pay attention to what they're reading, which can go far in helping sway their decision. It can also increase customer satisfaction — Dr. Wansink's research found that lively and powerful descriptions can help leave a consumer more satisfied at the end of the meal than if they had eaten the same item without the descriptive labelling.

For an example that doesn't have to do with food, check out this product description for a wire bracelet from Tiffany's Tiffany T line:

Different techniques can help highlight a product's unique selling points for greater impressions

Note the evocative adjectives used: luminous, iridescent, bold, shine, lustre, and so on. Even without a photograph attached, we can picture the luxury and elegance of the product in our minds.

Furthermore, this description employs bullet points as well, separating its flowery prose from more practical product features. This is a great way to use vivid language to sway customers, without compromising on the more informational purpose of a product description.

But descriptions don't always need to have such dramatic flair — this paragraph for a Samsung French-Door Refrigerator on Rona Canada is a far more mundane product than the Tiffany bracelet above, but its description is equally effective:

Being pragmatic and straightforward can be as effective as dramatic flair in highlighting USPs

That's because it clearly lays out practical features of the product, such as "wide-open pantry and adjustable shelves", and then follows up with a concrete benefit for the buyer, like "customised space that suits your unique needs". The refrigerator's functionality and efficiency are communicated clearly, even without the drama of a luxury product.

Bullet points or bolded phrases, evocative or practical language — all these work towards emphasizing the core features of your product. Whether you go with flowery prose or a more bare-bones, minimalistic description, make sure your audience will remember your USPs even after clicking away!

4. Use SEO in Mind

SEO is an acronym on everyone's minds when it comes to marketing, but for many, it can be a black box. And all that fanfare is indeed justified: On the first page of search results, the first five organic results account for 67.6% of all clicks. Being organic matters, because 70 to 80% of people ignore paid search results at the top of the page, choosing to click only on organic ones. The question, then, is how to rank higher organically, when Google uses more than 200 factors to rank websites.

Your unique selling propositions provide the basis for building your SEO strategy.

That said, the keyword here is unique. Established brands are likely entrenched in the top 10 results for high-volume keywords (e.g. dress, shoes, etc.) Therefore, there's more value in targeting long-tail search terms — very specific search terms with lower competition. This guide by Moz has a great diagram on the search demand curve. This can also mean better conversions for you, since searches are more likely to be looking for a specific product that fits a specific need, and more likely to be willing to pay for it.

In short, compile a list of USPs, pick out the ones that seem like long-tail search terms, and experiment! Some tools that might help include: Google Trends, which helps you get a better sense for what people in a certain location are searching for; and the Moz Keyword Explorer, which returns information about the SEO value of search terms.

5. Cohesive Prose

Let's pause for a while, and take stock. So far, we learned about the importance of your solution, brand image, USPs and SEO growth. What links all these important parts together is the general prose pulling together the keywords into something readable and engaging. This, of course, is more difficult than just clicking through an online thesaurus. It's the part where writer's block is the most common, and copywriters end up agonizing over simple words and phrases.

Well, there's an easier way than just powering through the writer's block! Hypotenuse AI, for example, provides automated copywriting solutions. This isn't like hiring freelance copywriters — an AI can produce creative and unique content in seconds, while conforming to consistent keywords, solutions, and brand image. Even when the exact same product listing is submitted to the AI, it can output descriptions specific to the product, while being entirely different from previous results.

In other words, Hypotenuse AI is an AI that endears itself to Google and the search engine algorithm.

In short, a production description consists of the fundamental solution of your product, your brand image and your USPs, assembled with SEO in mind, and all held together by scannable prose. If you ever need help with that last part, Hypotenuse AI helps cut through all the snags, handling the other squishy insides so you can focus on the heart and soul of your product descriptions.

More Examples of Product Descriptions:

1. Apple

The effectiveness of Apple's product descriptions lies in their ability to capture the essence of their brand and showcase the unique features and benefits of their products. One example of this is the latest iPhone 15 pro max. With its A17 Pro chip and 6-core GPU, this device exemplifies Apple's dedication to delivering superior performance and a seamless user experience.

Apple's product descriptions are effective for several reasons. Firstly, they highlight the key features and specifications of their products, such as the A17 Pro chip and 6-core GPU, which appeal to tech-savvy consumers looking for cutting-edge technology. By emphasizing these advanced components, Apple positions their products as innovative and ahead of the competition.

Secondly, Apple's product descriptions incorporate language that evokes a sense of quality and superiority. Describing the iPhone 15 pro max as "20x faster file transfers" suggests that it improves in terms of speed and efficiency. By using powerful and descriptive language, Apple creates a sense of excitement and desire among potential customers.

2. Adidas

Adidas descriptions evoke an active, sporty and stylish lifestyle through simple yet powerful word choices.

Adidas excels in creating effective product descriptions by focusing on highlighting the performance and comfort benefits of their footwear and apparel. Through the use of action words and vivid imagery, they successfully convey the effortless style and confidence that their products provide.

Source: Adidas

One prime example of this is their description of the "Samba Originals" sneaker model. They describe it as a "timeless icon of street style" that stays true to its legacy with its tasteful, low-profile design, soft leather upper, suede overlays, and gum sole. This description showcases the product's features in a concise yet impactful manner, making it a must-have item for anyone's closet, both on and off the pitch.

By evoking an active, sporty, and stylish lifestyle through their choice of words, Adidas effectively taps into the desires of their target audience. They understand that consumers are not only seeking functional products but also ones that reflect their personal style and allow them to express themselves confidently.

3. Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola, a beloved brand known worldwide, has achieved remarkable success in establishing a powerful emotional connection with its customers. This is evident in their product descriptions, which skillfully evoke feelings of joy, togetherness, and refreshment.

Coca-Cola's product description captures the essence of these cherished moments, reminding us of the power of togetherness and the simple pleasure of sharing a drink. Whether it's a backyard party, a cozy movie night, or a festive celebration, Coca-Cola is the perfect companion, enhancing every experience with its refreshing taste and timeless appeal.

4. Weber

Weber's product descriptions excel at capturing the attention of potential customers by tapping into their unique selling points. One key reason for their effectiveness lies in their ability to highlight the exceptional features and benefits of their products.

For instance, let's take a look at their description of the "Genesis II E-335" gas grill. In just a few captivating sentences, Weber transports customers to a world of culinary delight. They highlight the 10-year guarantee covering all parts of the grill. Further premium features incorporate porcelain-enameled, cast-iron cooking grates that retain an even heat and are simple to clean. By explaining the features in a concise yet compelling manner, Weber effectively communicates the value and quality of their products.

5. Starbucks

Starbucks product descriptions go beyond merely listing ingredients or features; they weave narratives that transport customers into a world of rich flavors and aromatic blends. Starbucks creates a sense of anticipation and desire within its customers. Whether it's describing the velvety texture of their lattes or the delicate balance of flavors in their pastries, Starbucks entices customers with enticing descriptions that make their products feel irresistible.

Another reason behind Starbucks' effective product descriptions is their emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. Starbucks takes great pride in sourcing the finest coffee beans and meticulously crafting each beverage to perfection. Through their descriptions, they communicate the care and expertise that goes into every cup, fostering trust and loyalty among customers. By highlighting their commitment to delivering excellence, Starbucks establishes itself as a brand that consistently delivers on its promises.

Conclusion

In today's digital age, where customers have abundant options at their fingertips, compelling product descriptions have become an essential marketing tool. They not only educate customers about the features and benefits of products but also appeal to their desires, emotions, and aspirations. By crafting engaging and persuasive product descriptions businesses can effectively boost their sales, increase customer engagement, and create lasting connections with their target audience.

So, don't underestimate the power of AI to craft compelling product descriptions that engage customers and boost sales. Hypotenuse AI can create captivating narratives that help differentiate products and drive results, learn how Hypotenuse AI crafted product descriptions for a major beverage company's seasonal drinks that helped them stand out. Hypotenuse AI can elevate your product narrative through well-written descriptions that capture customers' attention.

Alex
Content Writer
Alex is a seasoned writer responsible for creating valuable, well-researched content for various industries like tech and ecommerce.

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