AI Product Descriptions vs Manual Writing: A Complete Guide

January 16, 2025
5 min read

AI tools like TextBrew can quickly generate thousands of descriptions for large catalogs. Meanwhile, manual writing offers a personal touch, ideal for luxury or unique products. The key is choosing the right approach - or combining both.

Here’s a quick comparison:

Aspect AI-Generated Manual Writing
Speed Thousands daily 8-12 descriptions/day
Cost €1-€799+/month $50-$200/description
Customization Pre-set templates, scalable Unlimited creativity
Best For Large catalogs, multilingual needs High-end or complex products

Takeaway: Use AI for efficiency and scale. Rely on manual writing for creativity and emotional depth. A hybrid approach often works best.

How to automate product descriptions using AI

1. TextBrew: AI Tool for Product Descriptions

TextBrew

TextBrew uses EAN/GTIN codes to create accurate product descriptions for various marketplaces. By sourcing data from platforms like Amazon, Google Shopping, and proprietary Product Information Management systems, it ensures consistent and precise product details across different sales channels.

The tool supports 12 languages and offers six pre-set voice tones. For businesses seeking a tailored approach, the Custom Voice feature helps maintain uniform messaging across all content.

Feature Details
Languages Supports up to 12 languages
Tone Options 6 pre-set tones + custom option
Platform Integration Amazon, bol.com, eBay, Google Shopping, Shopify

Key Features

  • Detects unique selling points (USPs) from product data automatically.
  • Dynamically formats titles and attributes.
  • Handles large catalogs with bulk processing.
  • Includes image analysis for detailed descriptions.

Pricing starts at €1/month for 10 descriptions and scales up to €799+/month for enterprise-level needs. While TextBrew is excellent for producing consistent and scalable product descriptions, businesses may still want to fine-tune descriptions for products that require a more refined marketing strategy.

TextBrew is designed for efficiency and scale, making it a great fit for businesses managing large e-commerce catalogs. However, for products that need a personal touch or creative storytelling, manual writing remains an important complement to automation.

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2. Manual Writing: Human-Created Product Descriptions

Manual writing stands out for its ability to craft descriptions that align closely with a product's unique story and a brand's identity. Unlike AI tools like TextBrew, which focus on speed, this approach allows for a more personalized and thoughtful touch.

Cost and Resource Considerations

Resource Type Typical Cost Range Best Suited For
In-house Writer $45,000-$65,000/year Large catalogs, consistent brand voice
Freelance Writer $50-150/description Premium products, seasonal items
Agency Services $75-200/description Marketing campaigns, brand launches

These options let businesses choose the right fit based on their budget and content requirements.

Quality and Engagement Factors

Manual descriptions excel when it comes to luxury, intricate, or handcrafted goods. They allow for storytelling and a level of detail that automated tools struggle to match.

"Human-written content tends to be more nuanced and expressive than algorithmic writing", says Eric Chen from Quick Creator [2].

Efficiency and Scalability Challenges

The downside? Manual writing takes time. For large catalogs, frequent updates, or multiple sales platforms, it can be a bottleneck. A skilled writer typically produces 8-12 detailed product descriptions daily, making scalability a hurdle.

Best Practices for Manual Writing

  • Use style guides to keep the tone and format consistent across descriptions.
  • Conduct editorial reviews to ensure quality and accuracy.
  • Emphasize product USPs while staying true to the brand's voice.

Integration with E-commerce Strategy

Many businesses save manual writing for flagship items, high-margin products, or those requiring detailed descriptions. This targeted approach ensures that effort and resources are focused where they matter most.

While manual writing offers a personal and expressive touch, it comes with challenges in cost and scalability. These aspects will be explored further in the next section.

Pros and Cons

Weighing the strengths and weaknesses of AI-driven and manual product description writing can help you choose the right approach for your needs. Here's a side-by-side comparison:

Aspect AI-Generated Manual Writing
Speed & Efficiency Processes large catalogs quickly and in bulk Slow and hard to scale (8-12 descriptions/day)
Cost Budget-friendly (€1+/month) with scalable options Higher costs ($50-200 per description)
Content Quality Often produces generic, less engaging content Offers creative, emotionally resonant descriptions
Brand Alignment Consistent tone across listings Captures a more authentic brand voice
Technical Capability Handles multilingual needs and structured data well Limited by the writer's language skills
Specialization Best for standard or simple product lines Ideal for luxury or highly detailed items

Real-World Implementation

Automation tools like TextBrew shine when managing large-scale catalogs, but they work best when paired with human input for premium products. A hybrid approach is often the most effective strategy: use AI for standard items or frequent updates, while relying on manual writing for flagship or high-value products. AI-generated drafts can also act as a starting point for human writers, blending speed with a personal touch.

"Many successful e-commerce businesses use a hybrid approach - AI for standard products and manual writing for premium items that require a more personal touch." - Tim Hagebols, TextBrew founder

AI tools excel in efficiency, but manual writing brings storytelling and emotional depth to descriptions. Deciding between the two depends on factors like your catalog size, product complexity, and brand positioning. Carefully balancing both methods can help meet your unique business goals.

Conclusion

Choosing between AI-powered and manual product description writing depends entirely on your business goals. Tools like TextBrew excel at efficiently handling large inventories, while human writers bring a personal touch and emotional depth - especially for high-end or unique products. The key is aligning your approach with what your business needs most.

For instance, a fashion retailer might use AI to craft descriptions for basic items like t-shirts and socks but rely on manual writing for their designer collections [1][2]. A blended strategy allows you to combine the speed and scale of AI with the nuanced storytelling that human writers provide, making it a flexible solution for diverse business demands.

Each method offers clear benefits, and implementing a hybrid model requires careful consideration of factors like:

  • Budget: AI tools are typically more affordable than hiring manual writers.
  • Catalog size: AI can quickly generate thousands of descriptions, making it ideal for businesses with extensive product lines.
  • Product details: Complex or highly technical products may need manual descriptions to ensure clarity and precision.
  • Brand identity: Luxury or niche brands often benefit from human-written descriptions that emphasize exclusivity and craftsmanship.

Ultimately, the future of product description writing isn’t about choosing one method over the other. It’s about combining the efficiency of AI with the creativity and personal touch of human expertise. This balanced approach can help you create descriptions that not only inform but also engage your audience [1][2].

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January 16, 2025
written by Tachmy
5 min read