How Do I Write a Product Description and Choose a Cover Image That Sell?

Quick answer: Lead with the result the buyer gets, not the features. Write a one-line summary that states the outcome (it sits above the Buy button), then a description covering who it's for, what they'll achieve, what's included and why you're qualified. Use a square cover image (1080×1080, under 2 MB) with a big, readable title in the middle.

Key points

Buyers pay for results. Say what changes for them.
Your summary (max 200 characters) is the most-read text on the page.
Write in short lines with headings and bullets. Most buyers read on a phone.
Covers: square, bold title, readable at thumbnail size, under 2 MB.

Where do the words and images appear?

Each part of your product page has a job:

Field	Where it shows	Its job
Product name	Top of the page and in your store	Say what it is and who it's for
Short summary (10–200 characters)	Right above the Buy button	Sell the main result in 1–2 sentences
Description	The sales page below	Answer every question before they pay
What's included	A dedicated section	List exactly what they receive
Cover images (up to 3)	Top of the product page and your store grid	Stop the scroll and signal quality

How do I write a product name that sells?

Use this formula: [What it is] + [who or what for] + [a specific detail].

❌ "My Ebook"
✅ "Broiler Business Starter Guide: Raise 100 Birds for Profit"
❌ "Templates"
✅ "20 Canva Flyer Templates for Zimbabwean Small Businesses"

How do I write a summary that gets clicks on Buy?

One or two sentences stating the result, the audience and the proof or speed. You have 200 characters.

"Start a profitable broiler project with under $200. Step-by-step guide with a full USD cost sheet, feeding schedule and selling plan. Used by 150+ farmers."

Test: if a stranger read only your summary, would they understand what they get and why it matters?

What should my description include?

Answer the questions buyers ask on WhatsApp, in this order. Copy this template:

[Headline: the big result] e.g. "Your first 100 broilers, planned to the last dollar."

Who this is for

[Person 1: e.g. "Beginners with a backyard and $150–$250 to start"]

[Person 2: e.g. "Anyone who tried broilers before and lost money"]

What you'll be able to do

[Result 1: e.g. "Budget your whole cycle before you buy a single chick"]

[Result 2: e.g. "Cut deaths with a week-by-week care plan"]

[Result 3: e.g. "Sell out on time with a simple marketing plan"]

What's inside

[Chapter/module/file list]

Why learn from me [2–3 sentences: your experience and results]

What people say [1–3 real reviews or messages, shared with permission]

Questions [2–3 quick answers, such as "Is this for beginners?" or "How do I receive it?"]

Fill it in, then cut every sentence that doesn't help someone decide.

How should I format it for phone readers?

Most Zimbabwean buyers will read your page on a phone, so make it easy to scan:

Keep paragraphs to 1–3 lines.
Use bold for the key benefit in each section.
Use bullet points instead of long sentences.
Add headings every few lines. The description editor supports headings, bold, lists and links.

What should I avoid in a description?

Promising guaranteed income or results. Sellzw prohibits it and buyers don't trust it.
Fake reviews or edited screenshots. Also prohibited, and one exposed fake destroys trust.
Only listing features. "48 pages" means nothing. "Start in one weekend" means everything.
Hiding what they get. Fill in What's included so buyers know exactly what arrives.

What makes a good cover image?

A good cover is readable at thumbnail size and tells people instantly what the product is.

Size and format:

Square: 1080 × 1080 pixels works best.
JPG, PNG, GIF or WEBP, under 2 MB each.
Up to 3 images. The first one is the main cover.

Why square, with the title in the middle? Your product page shows the full square image. The grid on your store page crops covers to a wide 16:9 strip, keeping the middle and trimming the top and bottom. So put your title and main visual across the centre of the image.

Design tips:

Big title, few words. Three to six words that are readable on a small phone screen.
Strong contrast, such as dark text on a light background or the reverse.
Show the product. An ebook mock-up, a template preview or a phone screen showing your course.
Keep your style consistent so all your products look like one brand.
Use images 2 and 3 to show inside pages, sample templates or what the buyer receives.

You can make all of this for free in Canva using a 1080×1080 "Instagram post" template.

A quick pre-publish checklist

Name says what it is and who it's for
Summary states the main result in under 200 characters
Description answers who, what, why you and what's inside
What's included is filled in
Cover is square, bold and readable as a thumbnail
No income guarantees or fake reviews
You've tapped Preview and read it on your phone

Frequently asked questions

How long should a digital product description be?

Long enough to answer every question a buyer has before paying, usually 150 to 400 words. Use headings and bullet points so it's easy to scan on a phone.

What size should my Sellzw cover image be?

Use a square image, such as 1080 by 1080 pixels, under 2 MB, in JPG, PNG or WEBP. Product pages show the whole square, but the grid on your store page crops it to a wide strip, so keep the title across the middle.

What's the difference between the summary and the description?

The summary is 1 to 2 sentences (up to 200 characters) shown right above the Buy button, and it should state the main result. The description is the full sales page below it, with the details, what's included and who it's for.

How many cover images can I add?

Up to 3 per product, each up to 2 MB. The first image is the main cover. Use the other two to show inside pages, a preview of the templates, or what the buyer receives.

Make your page do the selling

A clear result, an honest description and a bold cover turn visitors into buyers, even when you're not online to answer questions.

Create your free Sellzw store →