Want to drive traffic to your website? Why not use Pinterest for better SEO and increase brand awareness! Alike other social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok and Youtube, Pinterest is also one of the effective and powerful tool to generating web traffic for bloggers and businesses alike. While often associated with recipe articles, DIY and travel blogs, Pinterest covers a wide range of topics and is a significant driver of organic traffic across many industries.
So lets have a closer look at it .
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a blend word of the words pin and interest. The service was founded by Paul Sciarra, Evan Sharp and Ben Silbermann. It launched as a closed beta in March 2010. Membership was initially invitation-only but it is now open to the general public.
What exactly is Pinterest? Pinterest is a visual discovery and bookmarking platform that allows users to find, save, and share ideas and inspirations through images, videos, and links. Pinterest is not a social media platform. People don’t use Pinterest to chit-chat or comment on each others’ outfits or holiday photos. Instead, It is a individual app of search engine and is used to find inspiration, information, and ideas. They actively search for interesting content and discover content by typing keywords and short phrases into the search bar.
It functions as a virtual pin board where users can “pin” content to their boards, which are organized collections of Pins. Businesses use Pinterest to showcase products and services and market to users with aligned interests and hobbies. h
Core Features of Pinterest:
- Pins:
- What They Are: Pins are individual pieces of content, typically images or videos, that users save from the web or upload directly.
- Purpose: They often include a link back to the original source, such as a blog post, product page, or recipe.
- Boards:
- What They Are: Boards are collections where users organize their Pins into categories based on themes or interests.
- Purpose: Boards help users categorize and easily access their saved content.
- Feeds:
- What They Are: A personalized stream of Pins based on users’ interests, search history, and interactions.
- Purpose: The feed helps users discover new content that matches their interests.
- Search:
- What It Is: A tool that allows users to find pins, boards, and accounts based on keywords or themes.
- Purpose: Helps users discover content relevant to their interests or needs.
- Home Feed:
- What It Is: A customized feed of Pins and boards based on users’ interests, follows, and interactions.
- Purpose: Provides a curated selection of content that is likely to be of interest.
- Promoted Pins:
- What They Are: Paid advertisements that appear in users’ feeds or search results.
- Purpose: Allows businesses to reach a larger audience and promote their products or services.
How Pinterest Works:
Using the Pinterest app, users can add a “Pin it” button to their browser and then select and “pin” online images to virtual pin boards on Pinterest. Users create boards to organize images into categories. Pinterest categories include architecture, art, DIY and crafts, fashion, food and drink, home décor, science and travel, among other options.
- User Interaction: Users can search for ideas, browse their feed, save Pins to their boards, and interact with other users by following their boards or profiles.
- Content Discovery: Pinterest uses algorithms to recommend Pins based on user behavior, including their searches, re pins, and the boards they follow.
- Visual Search: Users can use Pinterest’s visual search tool to find similar images or products by clicking on a Pin and selecting the visual search icon.
Uses/Benefits of Pinterest:
There are many reasons to use Pinterest and offers a great opportunity for businesses. It will help you introduce your business and blog to a whole new audience. One pin can lead to ten pins, which can lead to another ten pins, and so on.
- Personal Inspiration: Users use Pinterest to find and save ideas related to hobbies, home decor, fashion, recipes, and more.
- Planning and Organizing: It’s popular for planning events, projects, or DIY crafts by saving ideas and organizing them into themed boards.Users can plan weddings by collecting ideas for dresses, decorations, venues, and themes. Moreover, It’s a great tool for gathering ideas for birthday parties, holiday celebrations, and other events.
- Education and Learning: Teachers and educators use Pinterest to find and share lesson plans, teaching strategies, and classroom activities. On the other hand, users can find tutorials and guides for learning new skills, such as photography, painting, and gardening.
- Hobbies and Interests:Pinterest is a hub for do-it-yourself projects, crafts, and creative activities. Besides, users can find plan for travel destinations, itineraries, and travel tips.
- Business and Marketing: Companies use Pinterest to showcase products, drive traffic to their websites, and engage with their target audience through visually appealing content.
- Community Building: Users can collaborate with others on shared boards, making it a social experience to gather and share ideas collectively.
- Personal Organization: Users can create mood boards for personal projects, work projects, or just to gather their thoughts and ideas visually. Pinterest also help organize and keep track of various interest and plans in one place.
How to drive traffic using Pinterest?
Driving traffic to your website using Pinterest involves several key strategies. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you maximize your Pinterest efforts:
1. Create a Business Account
Although there is no difference in the way business and personal accounts looks, having a business account gives you access to more options. By setting up a business account you will be able to use your company name as opposed to your name. You will also get access to the free analytics tool and be able to use rich pins.
If you already have a personal account it is easy to convert it to a business account. If your personal account is already linked to a business account, you’ll need to unlink it first.
First, head over to Pinterest and select Sign up. Click Create a free business account at the bottom of the pop-up.
Click the arrow in the top-right corner and find the Settings page. Go to Account management and scroll to Convert to a business account.
Having a business/Pinterest account provides access to analytics and advertising options. Further, it offers you to add your logo to any Pins that come from your site and provides valuable insights into your site’s performance on Pinterest.
2. Optimize Your Profile
Pinners want to see a beautiful profile populated with thoughtfully crafted boards, an interesting bio and ample links to your website so they can easily find what they’re looking for.
- Complete Your Profile: Use a clear profile picture, a descriptive business name, and a keyword-rich bio.
- Use consistent branding: When people see something they like on Pinterest, they often research its brand. Keep things consistent, such as using the same avatar on all branded profiles.
- Add a Website Link: Ensure your website URL is included in your profile.
- Claim your domain: This will add your profile info and a follow button to any Pins originating from your website and let you see custom analytics for all Pins created this way.
- Use Pinterest Analytics: All business accounts have access to analytics. With this feature, you can tell which Pins and boards are hot and which have flopped and make changes accordingly.
- Create high-quality boards: Pinterest users love to browse boards, so keep making them and set your best as featured boards.
3. Develop a Pinning Strategy
Leveraging the visual nature of Pinterest and the unique content marketing features lead you toward better brand awareness and success.
- Create High-Quality Pins: A solid Pinterest strategy can help you generate organic traffic and draw users to your business website. Use eye-catching images, vertical formats (2:3 aspect ratio is ideal), and clear, compelling text overlays.
- Write Descriptive Pin Titles and Descriptions: Incorporate relevant keywords to improve search visibility.
- Use video Pins: Video marketing gets a lot of engagement on any website, so upload engaging GIFs and videos to add a little movement to your profile.
- Use Rich Pins: These automatically sync information from your website to your Pins, providing more context and driving traffic.
- Schedule Pins: Maintain consistency while keeping your page fresh and active by scheduling Pins so they’re released at specific times.
- Feature blog posts and pages: You can also feature blog posts or any page on your website alongside an interesting visual or infographic.
4. Design Engaging Content
Designing engaging content on Pinterest involves creating visually appealing and shareable pins that capture users’ attention and encourage them to save or click through to your website or blog.
- Create a Variety of Pins: Use different images, colors, and formats to see what resonates with your audience.
- Text Overlays: Adding text overlays to your images can make your pins more informative and engaging. Ensure the text is legible and complements the image.
- Pin Design Tools: Use design tools like Canva or Adobe Spark to create professional-looking pins easily. They offer templates and elements specifically for Pinterest.
- Design for Clicks: Include a call-to-action (CTA) in your Pin descriptions encourages users to take the next step, whether it’s visiting your website, signing up for a newsletter, or checking out a product.
- Use of Keywords: Incorporate relevant keywords in your pin descriptions and titles to improve discoverability in Pinterest search.
- Engagement with Followers: Engage with your Pinterest audience by responding to comments and interacting with other users’ content.
5. Leverage Pinterest SEO
- Use Relevant Keywords: Research keywords related to your niche and incorporate them into your Pin. Like any social media, you must keep search engine optimization (SEO) in mind. Add keywords to Pin descriptions and titles, boards and profile areas. Explore Pinterest trends for an idea of where to get started.
- Optimize Pin Descriptions: Write detailed, keyword-rich descriptions that explain what the Pin is about and what users can expect if they click through.
6. Engage with Your Audience
Pinterest has a strong community, and making friends can get you far. Engage with other people’s work naturally to drive interest toward your efforts.
- Respond to Comments: Engage with users who comment on your Pins.
- Follow and Repin: Follow relevant accounts and repin their content thoughtfully, which can increase your visibility.
- Join group boards: Consider collaborating with others to curate content that aligns with your brand.
7. Utilize Pinterest Analytics
The comprehensive analytics on your business account will help you track the performance of your Pins and Pinterest advertising campaigns. ou can explore an overview of statistics, audience insights and conversions. You can also examine the top Pinterest trends, including those your specific audience is getting into.
- Monitor Performance: Track which Pins and boards drive the most traffic.
- Adjust Strategies: Use analytics data to refine your content and strategies based on what performs best.
8. Promote Your Pins
If you want your Pins and products to be seen by a wider audience, you can advertise on Pinterest. This involves choosing what goal to meet, including driving offline sales or growing awareness, and setting your budget.
- Run Pinterest Ads: Use Promoted Pins to reach a larger audience and drive traffic to your website. There are several types of Pinterest ads to pick from: standard, video, collection, shopping , showcase, quiz and much more.
- Target Your Audience: Utilize targeting options to reach users who are most likely to be interested in your content.
9. Create and Organize Boards
Boards provide a great opportunity to tell Pinterest’s search engine how you categorize your products and/or organize your content, which will only aid visibility.
- Create Relevant Boards: Organize your content into boards that are relevant to your niche and appealing to your target audience.
- Use Board Descriptions: Include keywords and descriptions in your boards to improve their discoverability.
10. Collaborate with Influencers
- Partner with Pinterest Influencers: Collaborate with influencers in your industry to reach a wider audience and drive traffic.
11. Promote Your Pinterest Account
- Cross-Promote: Share your Pinterest content on other social media platforms, your email newsletter, and your website to drive more traffic.
12. Consistent Posting
- Maintain a Regular Posting Schedule: Consistency helps keep your content fresh and engaging, and can increase your chances of driving traffic over time.
By following these strategies, you can effectively us Pinterest to drive more traffic to your website and enhance your overall online presence.
Sum Up!
Pinterest is a dynamic platform that serves as a hub for visual discovery, inspiration, and organization. With its diverse range of uses, from personal projects and hobby exploration to business marketing and community building, Pinterest offers something for everyone.
By leveraging key statistics, users and businesses can gain valuable insights into trends, engagement, and user behavior, enabling them to optimize their presence and strategies on the platform. Whether you’re seeking creative ideas, planning events, or promoting your brand, Pinterest provides the tools and resources to make your visions a reality.