Driving website traffic using Pinterest for business

Driving Website Traffic Using Pinterest for Business

A Step-By-Step Guide

Hey there! If you’ve been wondering how to drive more traffic to your website with Pinterest, you’re in the right place. Pinterest isn’t just for sharing recipes or saving DIY projects—it’s actually one of the most powerful platforms to drive traffic to your business website. Whether you’re running an e-commerce store, a blog, or just a small business, Pinterest can help bring more eyes to your site and boost your online presence.

Now, let’s dive into how you can use Pinterest to its full potential. By the end of this post, you’ll be ready to create a Pinterest strategy that drives traffic and builds your brand!

Why Pinterest is a Game-Changer for Driving Website Traffic

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how to use Pinterest for business, let’s talk about why this platform is such a big deal.

Pinterest is different from most social media platforms. It’s not about scrolling through your feed, liking photos, and commenting. Pinterest is actually a visual search engine. Think about it: when you’re looking for a recipe, a workout plan, or the perfect product to buy, what do you do? You head over to Pinterest, right? It’s a place where people actively search for inspiration, ideas, and solutions—and your business can be the answer they’re looking for.

With over 450 million active users worldwide, Pinterest is a goldmine for driving targeted traffic. People come to Pinterest with a purpose: to find things they love and things that can help them. That’s why Pinterest can be so effective for your business—if used the right way.

Getting Started: Setting Up Your Pinterest Business Account

First things first: if you’re using Pinterest for business, you need a business account. Don’t worry—it’s easy to set up, and it’s completely free!

Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Pinterest Business Account:
   If you don’t already have a Pinterest account, head over to Pinterest and click on “Sign Up.” You’ll be asked to create an account and select “Business” when you set it up. If you already have a personal Pinterest account, you can easily switch it to a business account by going to your account settings.
2. Optimize Your Profile:
   Make sure your profile reflects your business. Choose a clear, professional profile picture (your logo works great here) and write a short, descriptive bio. Don’t forget to include a link to your website! This is your chance to give visitors a quick snapshot of what your business is all about.
3. Enable Rich Pins:
   Rich Pins are a great way to add extra information to your pins (like product prices, descriptions, and availability). To enable Rich Pins, you’ll need to verify your website and follow Pinterest’s guidelines. It might sound complicated, but it’s pretty straightforward and totally worth it for the extra functionality.

Creating Click-Worthy Pins That Drive Traffic

Now that your account is set up, it’s time to start creating content that will actually drive traffic to your website. The key to success on Pinterest is creating eye-catching, clickable pins that stand out in a sea of content.

Here’s how you can create pins that grab attention:

1. Use High-Quality, Vertical Images:
   Pinterest is a visual platform, so you need to make sure your images are top-notch. The best pin dimensions are 1000 x 1500 pixels (a 2:3 ratio), so make sure your images are tall and visually appealing. You can use tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create custom pins that fit these dimensions. The higher the quality of your visuals, the more likely people are to click.
2. Craft Compelling Headlines and Descriptions:
   A great pin image is only half the battle. You also need an attention-grabbing headline and a clear, concise description. The headline should tell users exactly what they’re going to get when they click on the pin (for example, “10 Tips to Boost Your Website Traffic” or “How to Grow Your Small Business on Pinterest”). In the description, add a few relevant keywords that help your pin show up in search results.
3. Add a Call-to-Action (CTA):
   This is a big one! Always include a CTA in your pin, like “Click to read more” or “Learn how.” A simple, direct call-to-action can make all the difference in getting people to click through to your website.
4. Be Consistent:
   The more pins you create, the more chances you have to get your content in front of new eyes. Try to pin regularly, whether it’s once a day or a few times a week. You can also schedule your pins with tools like Tailwind to save time and keep your account active without much effort.

Mastering Pinterest SEO to Boost Your Visibility

Pinterest isn’t just about creating beautiful images—it’s also about getting found. That’s where Pinterest SEO (search engine optimization) comes in.

Just like Google, Pinterest has its own search algorithm that determines which pins show up in search results. To ensure your content gets seen, you need to optimize your pins with the right keywords. Here’s how to do it:

1. Do Keyword Research:
   Start by searching for keywords related to your business or niche on Pinterest. Look at the suggested search terms that pop up when you start typing, and take note of the most popular ones. These are the keywords you want to use in your pin descriptions, board titles, and profile.
2. Optimize Your Pin Descriptions:
   When writing your pin descriptions, include a few relevant keywords (but don’t stuff them in there—keep it natural). You want your descriptions to accurately describe what your pin is about while helping it show up in search results.
3. Use Hashtags Wisely:
   Hashtags are still relevant on Pinterest, but you don’t need to overdo it. Focus on using a few hashtags (3-5) that are directly related to your pin’s topic. These help your pins get discovered in search results and related pin sections.

Using Pinterest Boards to Build Engagement

Now that you’ve got your pins looking great and optimized for search, it’s time to talk about boards. Pinterest boards are like folders that organize your pins. The more relevant your boards are to your audience, the more likely people are to follow them and engage with your content.

1. Create Niche-Specific Boards:
   Don’t just create generic boards like “My Products” or “Pins I Like.” Instead, focus on creating boards that cater to specific topics your audience is interested in. For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, you might create boards like “Boho Chic Jewelry” or “DIY Jewelry Ideas.” This helps attract a more targeted audience.
2. Collaborate with Others Using Group Boards:
   Group boards are a great way to increase your reach on Pinterest. These boards allow multiple users to contribute pins, meaning more eyes on your content. Join relevant group boards in your niche and start pinning your content there. Just make sure the group boards are active and have a good number of followers.

Leveraging Rich Pins to Enhance Click-Through Rates

If you’re serious about using Pinterest for business, then Rich Pins are a game-changer. They are one of the most effective tools at your disposal for increasing engagement and boosting your website traffic. Let me explain why.

What Are Rich Pins?

Rich Pins are a special type of Pinterest pin that provide more information than regular pins. Unlike standard pins, which only include an image, a title, and a description, Rich Pins include additional details directly on the pin itself. This extra info can be anything from product prices to article headlines or recipe ingredients, depending on the type of Rich Pin you’re using.

They essentially act as a “shortcut” to relevant content on your website, making it easier for users to get the details they need and take action—like visiting your site to make a purchase or read more.

Types of Rich Pins

There are several types of Rich Pins that are tailored for different kinds of businesses. Here’s a breakdown:

1. Product Pins:
   • These are perfect for e-commerce businesses. Product Pins automatically pull in real-time information from your website, including the product name, price, and availability. They also include a link directly to the product page, making it easy for users to click and make a purchase.
   • Example: Let’s say you sell handmade candles. A user might see a pin with your candle, and it’ll show the price and availability (e.g., “$15.99, In Stock”). When they click, they’re taken straight to your product page, ready to buy.
2. Article Pins:
   • These pins are ideal for blogs or content creators. They automatically pull the headline, author, and a link to the full article, which makes them perfect for driving traffic to blog posts or news articles.
   • Example: If you run a blog about travel tips, an Article Pin could display the headline “Top 10 Hidden Gems in Europe” along with the author’s name, and a link to the full post on your website. This pin makes it clear what readers will find when they click on it.
3. Recipe Pins:
   • For businesses in the food, recipe, or culinary space, Recipe Pins are perfect. They show ingredients, cooking instructions, and a link back to the recipe page on your site.
   • Example: If you post a recipe for vegan chocolate chip cookies, the Recipe Pin might show the ingredients, prep time, and cooking time, with a link to your full recipe page. This makes it easier for Pinterest users to know exactly what to expect before clicking.
4. App Pins:
   • These pins are for businesses that offer mobile apps. App Pins allow users to download the app directly from Pinterest without leaving the platform.
   • Example: If you run a meditation app, your App Pin can show a download button right on the pin, making it easier for users to download it directly from Pinterest.

Why Rich Pins Matter

So, why should you care about Rich Pins? Well, here’s the deal:

1. Increased Visibility: Rich Pins stand out. They include more information, which makes them look more engaging and helpful compared to regular pins. This can catch the eye of users as they scroll through Pinterest.
2. Improved User Experience: By providing additional context directly in the pin, Rich Pins save users time and make their experience smoother. They no longer have to click through a pin to figure out what it’s about—they can see the key information right there. This leads to higher engagement and, ultimately, more clicks through to your website.
3. Higher Click-Through Rates (CTR): Because Rich Pins are more informative, users are more likely to click on them. When a pin clearly displays the necessary information, such as price or recipe ingredients, people are more confident that they’re clicking on something that will give them what they need. This leads to a higher chance that they’ll visit your website and follow through on whatever action you want them to take (purchase, sign-up, etc.).
4. Better SEO: Pinterest treats Rich Pins like a way to provide more useful, relevant content. This can help your pins rank higher in Pinterest search results. More engagement means better visibility, and more visibility means more website traffic. It’s a win-win!

How to Enable Rich Pins

Now that you understand why Rich Pins are important, let’s talk about how to enable them for your business.

1. Set Up Your Website for Rich Pins:
   You’ll need to add some meta tags to your website so Pinterest can pull in the correct information. These meta tags are like tiny pieces of code that tell Pinterest where to find the relevant information for your pins (like prices, descriptions, and ingredients).
2. Validate Your Website:
   Pinterest has a simple process for validating your website. You’ll need to validate your site before you can use Rich Pins, but don’t worry—this is pretty straightforward. Simply visit Pinterest’s Rich Pin Validator tool, enter your website URL, and Pinterest will check if your site is set up correctly. If everything looks good, you’ll be able to use Rich Pins!
3. Apply for Rich Pins:
   After validating your website, apply for Rich Pins by submitting your site. Pinterest will review your site and activate Rich Pins for your account. Once approved, all your new pins will automatically be rich pins.

Best Practices for Rich Pins

To make the most of Rich Pins, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

1. Keep Your Information Up-to-Date:
   If you’re using Product Pins, make sure your product prices and availability are updated regularly. If a product goes out of stock or changes in price, Pinterest will reflect those changes automatically. This keeps your pins accurate and helps maintain user trust.
2. Use Engaging Visuals:
   Rich Pins may provide extra information, but they’re still all about the visuals. Make sure the image you choose for your Rich Pin is high quality and visually appealing. It should entice users to click and learn more.
3. Craft Clear and Compelling Descriptions:
   Your description should provide context for your pin and reinforce why users should click through to your website. Don’t just rely on the automatic info that Pinterest pulls—use the description space to add more details and encourage clicks.
4. Test and Track Performance:
   Pinterest Analytics is a valuable tool for seeing how your Rich Pins are performing. Track metrics like clicks, saves, and impressions to see what type of Rich Pins are driving the most traffic to your website. Use this data to refine your strategy and improve your pins.

Rich Pins are a powerful tool for businesses looking to drive more website traffic from Pinterest. By providing more detailed and useful information directly on the pin itself, you’re not only improving your chances of standing out but also creating a smoother experience for users. With Rich Pins, your content becomes more clickable, engaging, and optimized for driving targeted traffic to your site.

The Power of Consistency: Pinning Strategically for Traffic Growth

Consistency is key to building a successful Pinterest strategy. The more consistently you pin, the more opportunities you have to drive traffic to your website. However, you don’t need to pin all day, every day. Instead, focus on scheduling your pins to maintain a steady stream of content.

Tools like Tailwind can help you schedule pins ahead of time, so you don’t have to worry about manually posting every day. With Tailwind, you can also track your analytics, which helps you understand what’s working and what isn’t.

Analyzing Pinterest Performance: Making Data-Driven Decisions

As with any marketing strategy, it’s important to track your performance. Pinterest offers a built-in analytics tool that allows you to monitor your engagement, clicks, and overall reach.

1. Check Your Analytics:
   Pinterest Analytics shows you which pins are performing the best, which boards are driving the most traffic, and how your audience is engaging with your content.
2. Adjust Your Strategy:
   Based on your data, tweak your strategy. For example, if you notice that a certain type of pin is getting more clicks, create more content around that theme. Pinterest is all about learning what works and optimizing it.

Conclusion: Taking the First Step Toward Pinterest Success

Pinterest is an amazing platform that can drive tons of targeted traffic to your website. By creating high-quality pins, optimizing your content for search, and staying consistent, you’ll be well on your way to growing your business. The key is to stay patient, track your results, and continue to improve your strategy over time.

So, what are you waiting for? Get out there, set up your Pinterest business account, and start pinning today! Your website traffic is waiting!

(Maybe you are also interested: Digital Entrepreneurship: Steps to Success)

FAQs

1. How does Pinterest drive traffic to my website?

Pinterest is a visual search engine that helps users discover content through pins, which are essentially visual bookmarks. When you post high-quality, optimized pins with clear calls-to-action and links to your website, Pinterest users are likely to click through to your site for more details. Pinterest’s search function and algorithm can also surface your pins to users interested in your content, leading to organic traffic growth over time.

2. Do I need a Pinterest business account to drive traffic?

Yes, having a Pinterest business account is crucial for driving traffic effectively. A business account offers tools like Pinterest Analytics, which helps you track performance, and Rich Pins, which provide additional details (like product prices or article summaries) directly on your pins. A business account also enables you to run ads and access other advanced features that can increase visibility and clicks.

3. What kind of content should I post on Pinterest to drive website traffic?

To drive traffic, focus on creating high-quality, relevant, and visually appealing content. For e-commerce, post product images with clear descriptions and prices. For blogs, share engaging blog post visuals with compelling titles and teasers. Infographics, how-to guides, video pins, and seasonal content all perform well too. Ensure that every pin includes a link back to the relevant page on your website.

4. How do I optimize my Pinterest pins for SEO?

Pinterest is essentially a search engine, so SEO is key to getting your pins seen. Use relevant keywords in your pin titles, descriptions, and board names. Add a few targeted hashtags in your descriptions to improve discoverability. Also, make sure your pins are visually appealing and follow Pinterest’s recommended image size of 1000 x 1500 pixels (2:3 aspect ratio) for the best visibility in feeds and search results.

5. How often should I pin to get more traffic?

Consistency is important. Aim to pin at least once a day or a few times a week to keep your account active. However, quality matters more than quantity. Focus on posting content that resonates with your target audience and is optimized for engagement. You can use tools like Tailwind to schedule pins for consistency without overwhelming yourself. Regular pinning increases your chances of showing up in Pinterest search and on related boards, which ultimately drives more traffic.