How to Use Pinterest for Business: Tips to Drive Traffic and Sales
Many businesses overlook Pinterest, thinking of it as just a platform for recipes and home decor ideas. However, it is a powerful visual search engine that can drive significant traffic, generate leads, and boost sales. Unlike other social media platforms where content disappears in hours, pins have a long lifespan, continuing to deliver results for months. Learning how to use Pinterest for business is a strategic move that can connect your brand with an engaged and inspired audience.
Why Pinterest for Business?
Pinterest users are not just browsing; they are planning and looking for inspiration for their next purchase. The platform's user base has high purchasing intent, actively searching for products and services. Pinterest plays a crucial role in the discovery phase of the buyer's journey, making it an ideal place to introduce your brand to new potential customers. The extended lifespan of a pin means your marketing efforts continue to pay off long after the initial post, offering a remarkable return on investment.
Setting Up for Success
The first step is to create a Pinterest Business account. This free account unlocks access to analytics, ads, and other professional tools. Once your account is set up, optimize your profile to attract your target audience. Use a clear, high-quality profile picture, like your company logo. Write a keyword-rich bio that explains what your business offers and who you serve. Most importantly, claim your website to ensure you get attribution for your content and can track traffic effectively.
Your Content Strategy
A strong content strategy is key to success on Pinterest.
Pin Design: Create visually appealing, high-quality, vertical images. Pins with a 2:3 aspect ratio perform best. Use text overlays to make your pins stand out and clearly state what they are about.
Boards: Organize your pins into niche-specific boards. These boards should reflect your brand and the interests of your audience. Think of them as curated collections that showcase your expertise.
Keywords: Pinterest is a search engine, so SEO is crucial. Use relevant keywords in your pin descriptions, board titles, and board descriptions to help users discover your content.
Consistency and Scheduling
Consistency is vital. Aim to pin regularly to keep your account active and your content visible. While this may sound time-consuming, scheduling tools can streamline the process. Platforms like Tailwind allow you to schedule pins in advance, ensuring a steady stream of content without having to be on the platform daily.
Leveraging Rich Pins
Rich Pins are a must-use feature. They automatically sync information from your website to your pins, providing more context. There are several types of Rich Pins, including Product, Recipe, and Article pins. For example, Product Pins show real-time pricing and availability. Enabling them makes your pins more useful and can significantly increase engagement and click-through rates.
Analytics and Optimization
One of the main benefits of a business account is access to Pinterest Analytics. This powerful tool provides insights into your top-performing pins and boards, audience demographics, and website traffic. Use this data to understand what resonates with your audience. By tracking your performance, you can refine your strategy, experiment with different pin designs, and optimize your posting schedule to maximize results.
By following these steps, you can effectively learn how to use Pinterest for business. It is a valuable platform for building brand awareness and driving meaningful traffic. Start creating your strategy, pin consistently, and watch your business grow. Want to learn more about Pinterest, check out our Pinterest 101 blog post, for some of the basics.
