help with displaying a short description of subcat

[DianneA]

I'm trying to have the foreach array of the subcategories to include a short description of the category. Currently the subcategory title and title image are showing up fine but I've tried a zillion ways to get a short description to show up and just cannot figure it out. Since I'll be having different formats for some of my categories, I've created another page template CTGZ for the array of subcategories showing the subcats:name; .... subcats:image; ..... (and hopefully subcats meta description or I've also tried creating a custom field - but I just cannot get the text to show up) I'm pretty sure i have all the proper Items turned on

I read another forum posting which offered the following, (and I also tried it on the CTGY page) but still no go

<mvt:if expr="l.settings:meta:description">
<meta name="description" content="&mvte:meta:description;" />"
<mvt:else>
<mvt:if expr="l.settings:meta:description">
<meta name="description" content="&mvte:meta:description;" />
<mvt:else>
<meta name="description" content="Default Description" />
</mvt:if>
</mvt:if>

I am certainly not a pro at this, just trying to update my store from 4 (finally!!!) I have studied DTS and have figured out most so far but this has me stumped. And advise is welcome. Thanks!

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: help with displaying a short description of subcat

If you're using the meta description, that's typically designed for search engines and should only be 150-160 characters. So if your descriptions in there are much longer than that, they're getting cut off in Google search results. Consider rewriting those for better search marketing. Also, these are typically different than what you would include in the store itself. The SEO one is to entice clicks, while the description in the store itself is to explain and sell.

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: help with displaying a short description of subcat

Also, for a short description of the subcat which displays on the parent category page, I recommend creating a custom category field so you can enter just a few words.

[DianneA]

Re: help with displaying a short description of subcat

Thanks so much Pamela, i will head in that direction

[Pamela Hazelton]

Re: help with displaying a short description of subcat

My pleasure.