How to Show Product Descriptions Above or Below Add-to-Cart in WooCommerce

WooCommerce, the woocommerce product description plays a crucial role in providing customers with the necessary information about a product. By default, WooCommerce places the product description in the product detail section, typically below the title, price, and Add-to-Cart button. However, positioning the product description in a more strategic location, such as above or below the Add-to-Cart button, can improve the user experience and increase conversions.

In this article, we’ll walk through different ways to display product descriptions WooCommerce, explore why the placement of descriptions is important, and give you a step-by-step guide to customizing where the description appears on the product page. Whether you’re looking to increase product visibility or optimize the design for better conversions, this guide will provide you with actionable tips.

Table of Contents

1. Why Change the Position of Product Descriptions?
2. How to Show Product Descriptions Above or Below Add-to-Cart in WooCommerce
   • 2.1. Using Custom Code
   • 2.2. Using a Plugin for Layout Customization
3. Best Practices for Displaying Product Descriptions in WooCommerce
4. FAQs on Displaying Product Descriptions in WooCommerce
5. Conclusion

1. Why Change the Position of Product Descriptions?

Positioning the product description effectively is vital for guiding customers through the buying journey. Here’s why the placement of product descriptions can make a difference:

• User Experience (UX): When product descriptions are prominently displayed in a location that aligns with customer expectations, users are more likely to read and consider the information before making a purchase decision.
• Increased Conversions: A well-placed description, especially when displayed above or below the Add-to-Cart button, can lead to higher conversion rates, as it provides customers with key details they need to make an informed purchase decision.
• Aesthetic Consistency: Customizing the placement of the description can help maintain a visually appealing design by ensuring the layout suits the store’s branding and user interface design.

2. How to Show Product Descriptions Above or Below Add-to-Cart in WooCommerce

There are two main approaches to change the position of the product description in WooCommerce: using custom code or using a plugin. Below, we’ll explain both methods.

2.1. Using Custom Code

If you are comfortable with coding and want more flexibility, you can use custom hooks in WooCommerce to change the position of the product description. WooCommerce uses hooks to place different elements on product pages, and you can modify their order by writing custom code in your theme’s functions.php file.

Steps to Display Product Description Above Add-to-Cart Button:

1. Access Your Theme’s Functions File:
   Go to your WordPress Dashboard → Appearance > Theme Editor, and open the functions.php file of your active theme.
2. Add the Custom Code:
   To display the product description above the Add-to-Cart button, paste the following code into the functions.php file:
   php

   Copy code

   remove_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_template_single_excerpt', 20 );
add_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_template_single_excerpt', 5 );


   This code removes the default action for displaying the description and adds it above the Add-to-Cart button (which typically appears at priority 20) by setting the priority to 5.

3. Save the Changes:
   After saving the file, your product descriptions will now appear above the Add-to-Cart button.

Steps to Display Product Description Below Add-to-Cart Button:

1. Modify the Custom Code:
   To display the product description below the Add-to-Cart button, you can adjust the code as follows:
   php

   Copy code

   remove_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_template_single_excerpt', 20 );
add_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'woocommerce_template_single_excerpt', 30 );


   By changing the priority to 30, the description will be placed after the Add-to-Cart button.

2. Save and Test:
   Once saved, the description will now show below the Add-to-Cart button on product pages.

2.2. Using a Plugin for Layout Customization

If you’re not comfortable with coding, or if you want a quicker, more user-friendly solution, several plugins can help you customize the position of your product descriptions without needing to modify any code.

Recommended Plugins for Layout Customization:

• WooCommerce Customizer:
  This plugin provides a simple interface to change product page layouts without writing code. You can adjust where product descriptions, titles, and other elements appear.
• Elementor (Pro Version):
  Elementor is a page builder plugin that allows you to design WooCommerce product pages with drag-and-drop ease. You can position your product description exactly where you want it by editing the product template.
• WooCommerce Product Page Customizer:
  A powerful plugin that lets you change the order and position of various product page elements, including the product description. It’s a great option if you want to avoid working with code but still want complete control over the layout.

3. Best Practices for Displaying Product Descriptions in WooCommerce

When customizing the display of product descriptions in WooCommerce, keep the following best practices in mind to ensure your store remains user-friendly and optimized for conversions:

1. Prioritize Clarity:

Ensure the description is concise yet informative. Avoid cluttering the page with excessive text. Use bullet points or short paragraphs to make it easy for customers to scan the description.

2. Incorporate Keywords:

If you’re aiming to improve SEO, make sure the product description contains relevant keywords that customers might use when searching for your product. This can help boost your product’s visibility in search engines.

3. Make Use of Images and Videos:

Sometimes, a picture or video is worth a thousand words. Add media alongside the description to provide additional context and enhance customer engagement.

4. Test Different Layouts:

A/B testing can help determine which layout for product descriptions is most effective. Test different placements (above vs. below the Add-to-Cart button) to see which results in higher conversions.

4. FAQs on Displaying Product Descriptions in WooCommerce

Q1: Can I add the product description above the Add-to-Cart button without coding?

Yes, you can use plugins like WooCommerce Customizer or Elementor to easily reposition the product description without writing code.

Q2: Does the placement of the product description affect SEO?

Yes, search engines prioritize content that is easily accessible. Placing the description in a prominent location can improve both user engagement and SEO performance.

Q3: What happens if I add too much text to the product description?

While it’s important to provide detailed information, overloading customers with lengthy descriptions can make the page look cluttered and reduce readability. Aim for clear, concise content.

Q4: Can I change the position of the description for specific products?

Yes, you can customize the position for individual products using custom templates or by using page builders like Elementor that allow more granular control over the layout.

5. Conclusion

Displaying the product description in a strategic location—whether above or below the Add-to-Cart button—can significantly improve the user experience on your WooCommerce store. By customizing the layout to make the description more visible, you ensure customers have easy access to key information when making purchase decisions.

Whether you choose to implement custom code or use a plugin, both methods provide flexibility in managing the display of product descriptions in WooCommerce. The best choice depends on your comfort level with coding and how much control you want over the layout. Keep experimenting with different placements and best practices to find the most effective configuration for your store.