Short Description, How Short?

[levalencia1]

I made a few changes in my site to show the products listing in List format instead of grid format, in format mode it was only showing the name, but in list mode it also shows a short description that I think should be benefical for SEO because it might require words related to the product itself.

The question is, how long is too much?

Please see example here

http://www.theprinterdepo.com/new-printers/l/brand-canon

[mad2k]

Hi,

As I see your product short description is the not the same as meta description tag. Meta description is creating from "Product description" (product page).

For meta description rule is 140 characters not more than 160 - 170.

Usually people don't read a lot (sometimes nothing) they browse. So for your short description you should use general marketing rule - short, product features do not sell, values for the client are good for sells.

In my opinion your short description on http://www.theprinterdepo.com/canon-imageclass-lbp6000-new-discount-inside is good. Maybe you can modify a little bit e.g.:

"The best for any small business or home office user looking for quality laser output. Very quick first print and next 19 pages per minute! Excellent quality, easy to use, cheap exploitation."

[levalencia1]

short description and meta description should be the same?

[mad2k]

There's no obligation ... meta description is used in SERP as a link description, so it's better to have good, engaging ant attracting description - it will increase conversion from natural search (CTR).

So in the end it's worth to spend a while to create good, magnetic descriptions and in my opinion if you create such a text it can be used in both places. Remember to add a keyword to your meta description