Using ChatGPT to Optimize Product Descriptions and SEO Metadata

Gone are the days of spending countless hours brainstorming and creating product descriptions for your online eCommerce website!

Thanks to the invention of AI and the wonderful people working over at OpenAI, you can now utilize ChatGPT to save you time when creating or editing product descriptions, titles, SEO meta data, and more!

Whether you are in need of creating 1000’s of new descriptions and information or are looking to edit your current catalog, we have a solution to help you.

Here are the essentials:

• Paid OpenAI account (this is for access to their API key system)
• GPT For Sheets Add-on
• Google Sheets (you will need an associated Google account)
• Product Export, CSV file

The process will look like this:

1. Set-up Template for use
2. Download GPT For Sheets Add-on
3. Linking ChatGPT and Google Sheets
4. Downloading your products (CSV file)
5. Run the tools
6. Upload new descriptions and information to your store

Why You Might Consider Revamping Your Product Descriptions and SEO Meta

There are several compelling reasons for contemplating the overhaul of your product descriptions and the enhancement of SEO meta information, encompassing SEO titles and descriptions.

1. Quality Concerns: It all begins with the quality of your current product descriptions and meta information. Sometimes, it’s evident that these elements simply don’t meet the standards of excellence they should.
2. Uniqueness Matters: If you’re relying on a vendor’s catalog upload or synchronization, there’s a distinct possibility that your product descriptions and SEO meta data are indistinguishable from those of other store owners who employ the same catalog. This raises two important issues. Firstly, your content lacks uniqueness, which can affect your product pages’ search engine ranking potential. Secondly, there’s no differentiating factor for your customers, diminishing their motivation to choose your offerings.

These are just a couple of the reasons prompting this consideration. Other motivations might include enhancing conversion rate optimization or addressing potential legal concerns. Regardless of the rationale, the traditional approach to this endeavor has always been time-consuming and, in the long run, financially burdensome for store owners.

The forthcoming method elucidates how to seamlessly undertake this task by reimagining hundreds or even thousands of product descriptions and SEO meta elements, all within a matter of minutes. These revamped descriptions and data can then be effortlessly integrated into your store.

Setting up your Google Sheets Template

We’re going to want to set up this template so you can use it further down the line in the future if need be.

There are going to be a total of 2 Sheets in this document (you can create a new sheet at the bottom left of the page, a little plus icon called Add Sheet), one sheet named File and one named Prompts.

In the File Sheet, you’ll want to name the Column headers as so (you can edit the prompts as you see fit for your business and catalog):

1. A1: Title
2. B1: Body (HTML)
3. C1: Rewrite this ecommerce product title in a professional tone of an ecommerce expert. Start each title with the word “Shop”
4. D1: Rewrite this description in HTML wrapped in < p > tags in a professional ecommerce tone. Wrap brand and/or product type in < strong > tags. Add in a call to action for the customer. A minimum of two paragraphs. Add an HTML space. Then add < H2 > tag wrapped in < strong >, titled “Features:”. Then add < br > tags. Then add 2 to 3 bullets points in HTML format. Use a unique first sentence each time this command is run.
5. E1: Think like an ecommerce SEO expert and write a meta title for this product, in the equestrian industry. Maximum of 60 characters
6. F1: Create an SEO meta description using this main description for this product. Add a call to action such as fast shipping and multiple payments options. Maximum of 155 characters
7. G1: =COUNTA(A1:B1)

While the long column headers may appear strange, GPT will be utilizing these prompts to save us time!

This is a finished set-up File Sheet

Onto the Prompts Sheet! This sheet will be used to store the prompts and associated formulas for each!

The following list will name the cell and associated name given to the column.

1. A1: H1
2. B1: Description
3. C1: SEO Title
4. D1: SEO Description

In the 3rd cell of each column, you should place the associated prompt.

1. A3: Rewrite this ecommerce product title in a professional tone. Remove the prefix “Hills Science Diet” from the start of the title and add it as a suffix after a hyphen. Also add a hyphen before the weight of the product. Start each title with the word “Shop”
2. B3: Rewrite this description in HTML wrapped in < p > tags in a professional ecommerce tone. Wrap brand and/or product type in < strong > tags. Add in a call to action for the customer. A minimum of two paragraphs. Add an HTML space. Then add < H2 > tag wrapped in < strong >, titled “Features:”. Then add < br > tags. Then add 2 to 3 bullets points in HTML format. Use a unique first sentence each time this command is run.
3. C3: Think like an ecommerce SEO expert and write a meta title for this product, in the pet food industry. Maximum of 60 characters
4. D3: Create an SEO meta description using this main description for this ecommerce product. Add a call to action such as fast shipping and multiple payments options. Maximum of 155 characters

And finally, in the 5th cell of each column, you will be inserting the formula ChatGPT will be using to create your new descriptions and information.

1. A5: =IF(A2=””, “”, gpt(C$1, A2))
2. B5: =IF(B2=””, “”, gpt(D$1, B2))
3. C5: =IF(D2=””, “”, gpt(E$1, D2))
4. D5: =IF(D2=””, “”, gpt(F$1, D2))

You should now be left with a set-up template. If you wish to use this in the future, we suggest naming this whatever you’d like with “Template” in the name, then go to “File” and select “Make a copy”. Now you will have a new sheet to complete your work while always having the “Template” file for any future work!

This is a finished set-up Prompts Sheet

OpenAI API key

To begin, we need to head to www.openai.com and acquire a paid account so we can gain access to their API.

Sign-in to their website and choose the API section. You’ll be taken to this screen:

From here, click your profile icon in the top right-hand corner, this will prompt a drop-down menu where you will find the “View API keys” selection.

On the API keys page, you’ll want to select “Create a new secret key”.

Make sure you write this key down and save it somewhere you’ll remember, as the site will not display the key again after it is generated.

For now, we are done with this step; we will use the key in a following step.

GPT For Sheets

The GPT For Sheets add-on for Google Sheets is a feature-rich tool that empowers users to integrate ChatGPT seamlessly within Google Sheets, enabling easy manipulation of extensive datasets.

First, ensure that you are logged into your Gmail or associated account. Visit the GPT For Sheets page and proceed with the installation.

If you require guidance, the GPT For Sheets YouTube channel offers user-friendly tutorials for installation, setting up your OpenAI API key, and a comprehensive overview of its functionalities. To follow these steps, you can refer to the video tutorials available here: GPT For Sheets on YouTube.

After successful installation, you’ll find the add-on readily accessible within your Google Sheets environment.

With the add-on in place, let’s now proceed to the steps for the revamp of product descriptions and SEO meta information.

Exporting Your eCommerce Products

Begin by accessing your eCommerce platform and initiate the product export process for the items you intend to rework. While it’s possible to rework all your products simultaneously, it’s worth noting that this approach can occasionally result in an increased error rate (more on handling errors later).

As a general practice, it’s often more effective to work with approximately 100 products or fewer at a time. In some instances, it might be preferable to export products based on brands or specific product types.

Upon selecting “Export,” the platform will generate a .csv file containing all of your product catalog data.

Open the downloaded .csv file, and pinpoint the columns (these may be labeled differently depending on your eCommerce platform):

• Title
• Description

In most .csv files, these columns correspond to columns B and C, respectively (in our data it is actually B and D so make sure you are double checking!). Keep the .csv file accessible, as you’ll soon be copying the content from these columns into the Google Sheet Template we created.

Transferring Existing Product Data to the Google Sheet

Return to the .csv file containing your product data, which you previously opened, and identify the columns labeled “Title” and “Description.”

Select all the content within the “Title” column, then copy (Ctrl + C) it and paste it into the Title column of the Google Sheet (Ctrl + V).

Repeat the same process for the “Description” column.

Next, navigate back to the “Prompts” tab, and copy the formula provided for the H1 title.

Paste this formula into cell C2 located in the File tab.

After a brief moment, the rewritten title will appear.

Now, extend this transformation by dragging the cell down the column. Typically, it’s advisable to work with 50 to 100 cells at a time. Loading too many at once can lead to potential errors.

Continue this procedure until you’ve completed the entire column.

Next, proceed with the same process for the description column (D), SEO Title (E), and SEO Description (F), utilizing the appropriate formula from the prompts tab for each respective column.

Upon completion, you’ll have a comprehensive sheet of rewritten content!

Bringing It All Together: Uploading Your Enhanced Data

You’ve followed the steps, seamlessly reimagining your product descriptions and SEO meta information for a fresh, engaging online presence. Your sheet now brims with revitalized content, ready to breathe new life into your eCommerce platform.

The final stride is to take this file brimming with revitalized data and seamlessly import it into your eCommerce platform. Whether you utilize a renowned platform or an up-and-coming contender, the process remains a critical bridge between your vision and the digital marketplace.

By adhering to this method, you’ve efficiently navigated the intricate journey of content enhancement, simplifying what once was a laborious and resource-draining endeavor. With your newly polished product descriptions and optimized SEO metadata, your eCommerce venture is poised for success.

So, take your revitalized data, import it with confidence, and watch your eCommerce dreams flourish. You’ve equipped your platform with the fresh, engaging content it deserves, and the future is brimming with opportunity.

Thank you for joining us on this journey, and here’s to your thriving eCommerce enterprise.