WordPress directory websites face a persistent challenge that most owners don’t even realise exists. You spend time crafting category descriptions in your admin panel, upload images, and organise everything perfectly. Then visitors land on your category pages and see… nothing.
This problem affects popular directory plugins including Directorist, Business Directory Plugin, and GeoDirectory. The descriptions simply don’t display on the frontend, leaving category pages looking empty and unprofessional.
Here are three critical things every directory owner needs to know about category descriptions.
One: Your Category Descriptions Aren’t Actually Showing
The first shock for most directory owners is discovering their carefully written category descriptions never appear on the frontend. This isn’t a theme issue or a simple setting you missed—it’s a fundamental limitation of most directory plugins.
Why This Happens: Directory plugins focus on listing functionality but often overlook category page presentation. The description field exists in the admin but lacks frontend display integration.
The Impact:
- Category pages appear empty and unprofessional
- Search engines see thin content with poor SEO value
- Users can’t understand what each category contains
- Bounce rates increase as visitors find unhelpful pages
Quick Test: Visit any category page on your directory. If you see listings but no description text above them, you have this problem.
The Solution: Tools like the Universal Category Display plugin automatically detect your directory platform and ensure descriptions appear with proper styling. This plugin works across Directorist, Business Directory Plugin, and GeoDirectory without requiring theme modifications.
Two: The Perfect Category Description Length Is 150-250 Words
Most directory owners either write too little (one sentence) or too much (500+ words). Both approaches hurt performance.
The Sweet Spot: 150-250 Words
This length provides enough content for search engines while maintaining user attention. Here’s why this range works:
SEO Benefits:
- Sufficient content for keyword optimisation
- Enough text for search engines to understand page topic
- Supports ranking for category-specific search terms
User Experience:
- Quick to scan on mobile devices
- Provides helpful context without overwhelming
- Maintains focus on the listings below
Structure That Works:
- Opening hook (1-2 sentences explaining the category)
- Value proposition (2-3 sentences about what users will find)
- Specific examples (listing types, services, or products included)
- Call-to-action (encouraging users to browse listings)
Example Structure: “Find professional accounting services that help small businesses manage finances and comply with regulations. Our verified accountants offer bookkeeping, tax preparation, and business consulting throughout [your area]. Browse listings for CPAs, tax specialists, and financial consultants, each with detailed service descriptions and client reviews. Explore our trusted professionals below to find the perfect accounting support for your business.”
Three: Category Descriptions Are SEO Goldmines Most People Waste
Category pages often receive more search traffic than individual listings, but most directory owners treat them as afterthoughts.
Why Category Pages Matter for SEO:
- Users search for “accountants in [city]” more than specific business names
- Category pages can rank for high-value local search terms
- They serve as landing pages for broader service searches
- Google favours informative category pages over thin content
SEO Optimisation Strategy:
Primary Keywords: Include your main category keyword naturally in the first sentence. For an accounting category: “Professional accounting services” should appear early and naturally.
Local SEO Integration: Mention your geographic area and local considerations. “Serving [city] businesses” or “Understanding [state] tax requirements” adds local relevance.
Semantic Keywords: Include related terms users might search for. An accounting category might include: financial services, bookkeeping, tax preparation, business consulting.
User Intent Matching: Address what people actually want to know:
- What types of services are available
- What to expect from listings
- How to choose between options
- Local considerations or specialisations
Content Quality Indicators: Search engines favour descriptions that:
- Answer user questions comprehensively
- Provide specific, helpful information
- Use natural, readable language
- Include relevant local and industry terms
Monitoring Performance: Track your category pages in Google Analytics. Look for:
- Organic search traffic to category pages
- Keywords driving traffic
- User behaviour (bounce rate, time on page)
- Conversion from category to listing pages
The Analytics Advantage: Modern solutions like the Universal Category Display plugin include built-in analytics to track category performance, SEO scoring, and content quality metrics. This data helps identify which categories need optimisation and measures improvement over time.
Getting Started
Most directory owners discover these issues only after their site has been live for months. The good news is that fixing category description display and optimising content can provide immediate improvements in both user experience and search engine performance. The Universal Catergory Display WordPress Plugin will help you acheive great results with you Directory….
Start by auditing your current category pages. Check if descriptions display properly, evaluate their length and quality, and monitor their SEO performance. Tools are available to automate the technical aspects while you focus on creating compelling, optimised content. For even more on this subject please take a look at: Top Tip #9 – Transform Your Directory Website
Category descriptions represent one of the most overlooked opportunities in directory website optimisation. Get them right, and you’ll see improvements in search rankings, user engagement, and overall site professional appearance.