How to Get a Short Description in WooCommerce: A Beginner’s Guide
WooCommerce, while powerful, can sometimes feel overwhelming for beginners. One common question is: how do I display a short description of my products, separate from the lengthy product description? This concise summary is crucial for grabbing attention and showcasing key selling points quickly. This guide will walk you through several ways to achieve this.
Why Use a Short Description in WooCommerce?
Before diving into the “how,” let’s understand the “why.” A short description serves several crucial purposes:
- Improved User Experience: Users scan web pages; a concise summary helps them quickly assess if a product interests them. Think of it like a captivating book blurb.
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Search engines use short descriptions to understand your product quickly. Including relevant keywords here can boost your rankings.
- Enhanced Product Display: A short description helps highlight essential features and benefits, especially on product listing pages.
- Mobile Friendliness: On smaller screens, a lengthy description can overwhelm the user. A short description provides a crucial summary.
- Navigate to Products > Add New or edit an existing product.
- You’ll find a field labeled “Short description.” This is where you write your concise summary.
Method 1: Utilizing the “Short Description” Field (Easiest Method)
WooCommerce actually *already* provides a field for a short description! Many beginners miss this simple solution. When adding or editing a product:
Example:
Instead of:
> “Our handcrafted wooden rocking horse is made from sustainably sourced oak. It features a beautifully carved mane and tail, sturdy legs, and a comfortable saddle. Perfect for children aged 3-7 years. Assembled dimensions: 30″ L x 12″ W x 24″ H. Weight: 15 lbs.”
Use:
> “Handcrafted wooden rocking horse for children aged 3-7. Made from sustainably sourced oak. Durable and beautifully crafted.”
Method 2: Customizing the Product Loop (More Advanced)
If you need more control over *where* and *how* the short description appears (e.g., on your shop page, archive pages), you’ll need to customize the WooCommerce product loop using a child theme or code snippets. This method is for those comfortable with code.
Here’s an example of how to display the short description within your product loop using the `woocommerce_short_description` function:
add_action( 'woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item_title', 'show_short_description', 10 );
function show_short_description() {
global $product;
echo ‘
‘ . $product->get_short_description() . ‘
‘;
}
This code adds the short description after the product title on the shop page. You can adjust the `add_action` hook to place it elsewhere. Always back up your website before making code changes.
Method 3: Using a WooCommerce Plugin (Easiest for Non-Coders)
Several plugins offer enhanced product display features, including better short description management. Research plugins like “WooCommerce Product Table” or others that promise flexible product display options. These plugins often provide visual editors and easy ways to control the display of short descriptions without coding.
Remember to carefully read reviews before installing any plugin.
Conclusion:
Choosing the best method depends on your technical skills and needs. For most users, the built-in “Short description” field is sufficient. For more advanced customization, explore code snippets or plugins. Remember to always prioritize a clear, concise, and compelling short description to enhance your WooCommerce store and improve your sales.
