Pinterest might conjure images of DIY projects and recipe collections, but for savvy business owners, it’s a powerful visual discovery engine brimming with potential customers. With over half a billion monthly active users seeking inspiration and ideas, this powerful social media platform offers a unique opportunity to connect with your target audience, drive traffic to your website, and boost your brand’s visibility.
I’ve created this guide to walk you through the essentials of using Pinterest for your business, including how to choose the right account type and, crucially, how to leverage keywords to get discovered.
Why Pinterest for Business?
Pinterest isn’t just another social media platform; it’s a visual search engine where users actively look for ideas and inspiration for future purchases and projects. This “planning” mindset makes the platform users highly valuable as they often have a strong intent to take action. Here are some key benefits of using Pinterest for your business:
- Drive Traffic: Pinterest is a significant source of referral traffic for many businesses, as users click on compelling visuals to learn more.
- Increase Brand Awareness: Consistent and engaging content on this platform can help build brand recognition and establish your authority in your niche.
- Generate Leads and Sales: By showcasing your products or services in an inspiring way, you can attract potential customers and drive sales.
- Understand Trends: Download the report. It offers valuable insights into emerging trends, allowing you to stay ahead of the curve and create relevant content.
- Long-Term Reach: Unlike fleeting social media posts, Pins on Pinterest have a longer lifespan, continuing to generate views and clicks over time.
Choosing the Right Account: Personal vs. Business
Before you dive in, you’ll need to decide whether to use a personal or business Pinterest account. This is a crucial first step that impacts the tools and features you’ll have access to.
Personal Account: This type of account is suitable for individuals who want to use Pinterest for personal inspiration, such as saving recipes, home decor ideas, or travel destinations. If you’re only using Pinterest for personal use, a personal account is perfectly fine.
Business Account: If you plan to use Pinterest to promote your business, drive traffic, or increase sales, a business account is essential. It unlocks a range of powerful features designed for businesses, including:
- Pinterest Analytics: Gain valuable insights into your Pin performance, audience demographics, and website activity.
- Pinterest Ads: Run targeted advertising campaigns to reach a wider audience and promote your products or services.
- Rich Pins: Enhance your Pins with extra information directly from your website, such as product pricing, availability, and article details.
- Claim Your Website: Verify your website to establish credibility and gain access to more analytics.
- Pinterest Trends: Discover trending keywords and topics to optimize your content strategy.
When to Choose Which:
Generally, if you are using it to benefit your business in any way, you should opt for a Business account. According to Pinterest’s Terms of Service, commercial use requires a business account.
For a more in-depth understanding of when to choose a personal versus a business account, you can refer to this helpful blog post:.
Converting to a Business Account: If you already have a personal account, you can easily convert it to a business account in your settings.
Still undecided? I’ve detailed a comprehensive review of which Pinterest account type you really need for your bsuiness in my previous post. Check it out.
Utilizing Keywords for Pinterest Success
Keywords are the cornerstone of creating content on the platofrm’s success. They help users find your content when they search for specific terms. Think of Pinterest as a visual search engine – users type in keywords to discover ideas, products, and services. Here’s how to effectively utilize keywords:
1. Understand Your Audience and Their Needs:
Put yourself in your ideal customer’s shoes. What terms would they use to search for the products, services, or information you offer? Consider their pain points, interests, and aspirations.
2. Conduct Keyword Research:
Don’t just guess! Use Pinterest’s built-in search bar to see what terms are popular. Start typing in relevant words related to your business, and Pinterest will suggest related keywords. Pay attention to the search volume and the types of results that appear.
3. Explore Pinterest Trends:
Keep an eye on the annual “Pinterest Predicts” report and the Pinterest Trends tool (available within business accounts) to identify emerging and popular keywords in your industry.
4. Incorporate Keywords Strategically:
Once you have a list of relevant keywords, it’s crucial to incorporate them naturally and effectively in the following areas:
- Profile Name and Bio: Use keywords that describe your business and what you offer in your profile name and bio. This helps people quickly understand what your Pinterest account is about.
- Board Titles and Descriptions: Create specific and descriptive board titles using relevant keywords. Write detailed board descriptions that further elaborate on the board’s content and include additional keywords.
- Pin Titles and Descriptions: Craft compelling and keyword-rich titles and descriptions for each Pin. Be specific and informative, telling users exactly what they’ll find when they click through.
- Hashtags: Use relevant hashtags in your Pin descriptions to increase discoverability. Combine broad and niche-specific hashtags.
Example of Keyword Utilization Based on 2025 Trends:
Let’s say you own a boutique clothing store. Based on the “Pinterest Predicts 2025” report, several fashion trends are emerging. Here’s how you could use related keywords:
- Trend 1: Fisherman Aesthetic
- Board Title: Fisherman Style Outfits & Nautical Fashion
- Board Description: Explore the latest trends in the fisherman aesthetic, featuring cable knit sweaters, striped tops, boat shoes, and maritime-inspired accessories for a stylish sea-inspired look.
#fishermanaesthetic #nauticalfashion #maritimestyle #cableknitsweater #stripedtop - Pin Title: Cozy Cable Knit Sweater Outfit Ideas for the Fisherman Aesthetic
- Pin Description: Stay warm and stylish with these outfit ideas featuring chunky cable knit sweaters, perfect for embracing the fisherman aesthetic. Shop our collection of nautical-inspired clothing and accessories. #fishermansweater #nauticaloutfit #winterfashion #sweaterweather
- Trend 2: Dark Cherry Red
- Board Title: Dark Cherry Red Fashion: Outfits & Inspiration
- Board Description: Discover the rich and bold trend of dark cherry red in fashion. Find outfit ideas, dresses, tops, and accessories in this must-have color for 2025. #darkcherryred #reddress #burgundyfashion #statementcolor #2025fashiontrends
- Pin Title: Elevate Your Look with a Dark Cherry Red Dress
- Pin Description: Make a statement in a stunning dark cherry red dress. Perfect for special occasions or adding a pop of color to your everyday wardrobe. Shop our curated selection. #cherryreddress #eveningdress #redoutfit #fashioninspiration
By consistently using relevant keywords in your profile, boards, and Pins, you’ll significantly increase your chances of being discovered by users searching for those terms.
Leveraging Pinterest Trends for 2025
The “Pinterest Predicts 2025” report highlights several exciting trends across various categories. As a business owner, understanding these trends can provide a significant advantage in your content creation and marketing efforts. Here are some key trends and how you might leverage them:
- Fashion & Style: Embrace coordinated outfits (“Seeing Double”), the relaxed “Fisherman Aesthetic”, and the bold “Dark Cherry Red” color. If you’re in the fashion industry, create content showcasing these styles and use relevant keywords.
- Home Decor & Lifestyle: Explore historical “Castlecore”, playful “Primary Play”, and sustainable “Terra Futura” trends. Home decor businesses can create boards and Pins featuring these aesthetics.
- Beauty & Wellness: Highlight “Aura Beauty”, “Sea Witchery”, and the empowering “Goddess Complex”. Beauty brands can create tutorials and showcase products aligned with these trends.
- Food & Beverage: Get creative with “Rebel Floats”, “Chaos Cakes”, and the surprising “Pickle Fix”. Food bloggers and businesses can experiment with these trends in their recipes and content.
By aligning your content with these predicted trends and using the associated keywords, you can tap into what this leading social media users are actively searching for in 2025.
📩 DOWNLOAD Pinterest Predicts 2025 Report.pdf
Best Practices for Pinterest
Beyond keyword optimization, here are some additional best practices to help you succeed on Pinterest:
- Create High-Quality Visuals: Pinterest is a visual platform, so use high-resolution, visually appealing images and videos that capture attention.
- Pin Consistently: Regularly create and save new Pins to keep your content fresh and engaging.
- Use Vertical Images: Vertical Pins tend to perform better as they take up more screen space on mobile devices.
- Engage with Your Audience: Respond to comments and messages, and consider running contests or giveaways to interact with your followers.
- Analyze Your Performance: Regularly check your Pin Analytics to understand what’s working and adjust your strategy accordingly.
- Stay Updated: Keep up with the latest pinning features and best practices to ensure you’re maximizing your efforts.
Level Up Your Pinterest Marketing
Pinterest offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses to connect with their target audience, drive traffic, and grow their brand. By understanding the difference between personal and business accounts, strategically utilizing keywords, and staying informed about emerging trends like those highlighted in the 2025 market research report, you can unlock the full potential of this powerful visual discovery engine. Start implementing these strategies today and watch your business thrive on Pinterest!
