Why it helps
New stock arrives and every item needs a description before it can go online. Writing thirty of them by hand is slow, and by number twelve they all start to sound the same. Give AI the facts for each product and a sample of your brand voice, and ask for the same format every time.
You stay in charge of the facts. AI just does the wording, so your Shopify, Squarespace or Wix shop looks tidy and consistent.
The prompt
Copy it, swap the bits in [square brackets], and paste it into ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot.
Write product descriptions for my small [type of shop] in [town], New Zealand. - Our tone is [warm, relaxed and a bit playful]. NZ English and NZ spelling. - Format for each product: a catchy first line, 2 short sentences about the product, then a bullet list of key details (size, material, care, origin). - Use only the details I give you. Don't add materials, sizes, care instructions, "handmade" or "made in NZ" claims, or anything else I haven't listed. If something important seems to be missing, list it as a question at the end instead. - Keep each description under [80] words. Here's a description we already like, to match the style: [paste one, or delete this line] Products: [paste your list, one product per line, with the facts]
Then keep chatting
Write a short SEO page title (under 60 characters) and meta description (under 155 characters) for each one.
Make them a bit shorter and less playful.
Turn these into a table with columns for name, first line, description and details, so I can paste it into a spreadsheet.
Write a one-line Instagram caption for each product.
Step by step
- Make a quick list of new products with the facts for each: name, size, material, colour, care, where it's made, and anything special.
- Copy one description you already like from your shop, so the AI can match your style.
- Fill in the prompt and paste your list. For big batches, do 10 to 15 products at a time.
- Check every detail against the product, the label or the supplier sheet. Answer any questions the AI listed at the end.
- Paste the descriptions into your shop platform and preview a couple on your phone before publishing.
Worked example
Example details are made up. Your results will vary, so always read and check before you use them.
Watch out for
- Check every fact: sizes, materials, care instructions and origin. Under the Fair Trading Act, product claims and "Made in New Zealand" claims must be accurate, even if AI wrote them. See consumerprotection.govt.nz.
- Watch for words the AI slips in like "organic", "eco-friendly", "sustainable" or "handmade". Only keep them if you can back them up.
- Don't paste supplier price lists, cost prices or supplier contact details. You only need the product facts.
- If you sell anything with safety rules (kids' products, cosmetics, electrical), check the product safety info at productsafety.govt.nz before you describe it.
Go further
Save your prompt with your tone and format already filled in, so each new batch is just a paste. If you also sell on Trade Me or Facebook Marketplace, the Trade Me listing use case reworks the same facts into a listing with condition and shipping wording.
