How to sell on Pinterest: The ultimate guide

Pinterest is far more than a simple social network. It’s a visual search engine with more than 5 million monthly searches that span from ‘floral wall art’ to ‘custom drinkware.’ It’s also the fifth most popular social commerce platform in the world. In fact, Pinterest has become a leading social media platform for promoting and selling a range of e-commerce products like apparel and accessories.

The sheer number of Pinterest users—called ‘Pinners’—who engage with the platform for social commerce has grown over 20% year over year. Now, ecommerce entrepreneurs and crafty hobbyists are all wondering the same thing: How to sell on Pinterest. Let’s get started!

• Pinterest offers a visually-driven platform ideal for ecommerce, with high purchase intent among users.

• Creating an online store and a Pinterest business account is essential for integrating and promoting products.

• Utilizing rich pins, catalogs, and high-quality product images enhances visibility and sales potential.

• Leveraging Pinterest Analytics and Ads optimizes marketing strategies for improved engagement and ROI.

• Engaging with the Pinterest community and experimenting with various pin formats can drive traffic and build brand loyalty.

So, why should you sell on Pinterest? Here are the top reasons why tapping into this platform can elevate your business and drive significant sales.

High purchase intent of Pinterest users

Selling on Pinterest is a lucrative opportunity for small business owners looking to expand their online operations. More than 85% of weekly Pinners have made a purchase based on a pin they saw from a brand, and another 80% discover a new brand on Pinterest each week. And because nearly half of Pinterest users boast an annual income of over $100,000, Pinners are ready to buy.

Robust analytics

Pinterest offers a suite of advanced analytics tools that allow you to track how your pins are performing. These insights can help to understand which products resonate best with your audience and how to optimize your content accordingly. 

With data on impressions, clicks, and conversions, you can adjust your marketing strategies in real time to enhance engagement and drive sales. 

Integrations

Integrating your ecommerce platform with Pinterest is straightforward and significantly beneficial. Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce offer plugins to connect your online store with your Pinterest business account. 

This integration ensures that your product details, such as inventory and pricing, are automatically updated on Pinterest. 

Expansive reach and demographic

Pinterest boasts an expansive reach, gathering millions of users from diverse demographics and interests.

With almost 522 million monthly active users in 2024, the platform attracts various age groups, from Millennials to Baby Boomers, and covers various niches from fashion to home décor. This broad demographic makes Pinterest a fertile ground for sellers targeting specific market segments.

Before you dive into selling on Pinterest, there are several key considerations to keep in mind to set yourself up for success:

• Understand Pinterest's terms of service: Familiarize yourself with Pinterest's guidelines to ensure you're compliant with their rules and regulations. This will prevent any potential issues that could arise from violating the platform’s terms, such as account suspension.

• Understand your niche/target audience: Know exactly who your audience is and what they are searching for on Pinterest. Understanding your target audience will help you create more relevant and engaging content.

• Establish a clear brand identity: Consistent branding across pins, boards, and overall Pinterest profile helps to build brand recognition and trust. Ensure that your visual and written content reflects your brand’s voice and aesthetic.

• Optimize your website for seamless integration: Make sure your website is fully optimized for Pinterest integration. This includes setting up rich pins and ensuring all product information is accurate and up-to-date, creating a smooth user shopping experience.

When discovering how to sell on Pinterest, there are a few steps you’ll need to take before you can begin attracting users and converting them into customers. Follow this step-by-step guide to selling on Pinterest for the best methods to jumpstart your social commerce journey.

1. Establish an online store

Pinterest may be the latest social commerce destination, but it is not an ecommerce platform — which means those looking to sell on Pinterest must first establish an online store. Online shoppers will be directed to this store from wherever they are browsing on Pinterest, where they can learn more about a product and make a purchase. Popular ecommerce platforms that provide Pinterest integration include Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, and Squarespace.

Once you’ve selected the ecommerce platform you wish to build your online store, you’ll need to establish a few merchant details, including your website URL, preferred payment processing, and store policies. You can then begin constructing your website to your specific needs using pre-existing website templates or professional design help. Once laid out, you can finalize your online store setup by uploading your products and supplying them with informative product descriptions and high-quality images.

Pro Tip: When creating products for your online store, consider Gelato’s print on demand catalog for a wide range of customizable products, including wall art, tote bags, t-shirts, photo books, and phone cases.

2. Create a Pinterest business account

Now that you’ve established your online store, you can create a Pinterest business account! Signing up for a free business account is fairly simple. You will need to input your business email, set a password, and select your birth date. 

From here, you’ll be walked through the steps of building your business profile, including your brand name, overall business goals, business type, and the sales channels you wish to connect. You can also use the Pinterest business hub, where you'll find more tools to help reach audiences and grow your business.

If you have already built an impressive following on a pre-existing Pinterest account, it’s important to know that these accounts can be converted into Pinterest business accounts. Simply locate your Account Management settings, select ‘Convert to a Business Account,’ and follow the directions to add your desired sales channels. And don’t worry — a business account can always be converted back to a personal Pinterest account if things ever change!

3. Connect your online store

With an online store in one hand and a Pinterest business account in the other, it’s time to connect the two! Connecting your online store to your business Pinterest account will allow online shoppers to browse your various Pinterest boards and pinned products. If Pinners like your products, they can be redirected to your ecommerce storefront to learn more about your brand.

Integrating other platforms with your Pinterest profile is pretty straightforward and will require you to locate the integration settings of your selected ecommerce platform to then connect these two accounts. Ecommerce platforms like Shopify also provide a dedicated Pinterest plug-in in their app store that can be easily installed to streamline this connection process and further enhance the overall visibility of your business analytics and advertising efforts.

4. Create product boards

Pinners use Pinterest as a visual search engine, which means discoverability should be a priority. You must develop robust product boards to help boost your brand’s visibility in search and better attract your target audience. Pinterest product boards each contain a collection of product pins (or shopping pins) that provide Pinners with a look at your product offerings — plus, these boards can direct Pinners to your online store if they wish to browse more.

As you curate product boards, remember to consider both the product types you sell and the target audience you’re marketing to. For instance, if you run a clothing brand, you’ll want to break down your varying product types into different product board themes, such as men’s clothing, women’s clothing, and children’s clothing. This will boost your Pinterest profile’s discoverability during user searches while also providing followers with a detailed look into each of your products.

5. Use product pins

As mentioned, product boards are a collection of product pins that users will browse to learn more about what your brand offers. However, for these product pins to accurately inform users of current product availability, pricing, and purchase options, you must enable the use of rich pins. 

Unlike a standard pin, a rich pin is auto-synced with your ecommerce store to reflect current website information — like whether an item is in stock — in real-time on Pinterest.

Rich pins can be recipe pins, article pins, or product pins, often called shopping pins. But readers, be warned: Even if you want to experiment with a single pin, you will first need to validate your rich pins so they can be accurately reflected within your product boards. Validating rich pins eliminates the time and effort spent manually updating your product pins.

6. Consider catalogs

For ecommerce entrepreneurs looking to flourish through Pinterest social commerce, it’s crucial not to overlook the capabilities of Pinterest Catalogs. Catalogs are available to sellers with a Pinterest business account who possess a claimed website, meet specific merchant guidelines, and have a data source that lists all products and accompanying details. For many, this data source is likely your online Shopify or WooCommerce store, which already contains your catalog of products.

Once these criteria are met and your Catalog is set up, you will find that you now have a “Shop” tab directly on your Pinterest profile. Under this Shop tab, Pinners can browse a feed of shoppable pins that are automatically synced with your online store daily and will reflect any existing sales found in your online store. These shoppable pins will also appear when users conduct a general Pinterest search to help boost your overall discoverability, engagement, and chances of landing a sale.

Unlock the full potential of your Pinterest account with these 12 powerful strategies designed to increase your sales and drive more traffic to your online store. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or new to the platform, these tips will help you effectively leverage Pinterest's unique features to grow your business.

1. Use high-quality product images

Pinterest is a highly visual platform, especially since imagery is the only media that shows during a Pinterest search. You must supply high-quality product images to encourage Pinterest users into browsing your product boards and exploring your pins. While using a professional photographer is ideal, you can also produce high-quality product imagery through photo editing software such as Canva and Adobe Photoshop.

2. Prioritize SEO

As a bonafide search engine, Pinterest SEO (search engine optimization) is a must to enhance discoverability and drive traffic to your Pinterest profile. Pinterest SEO primarily refers to leveraging relevant keywords frequently used in the Pinterest search bar to locate specific boards and product pins similar to yours.

Plugging top-performing SEO keywords into the titles and descriptions of your Pinterest product pins and boards increases the chances of your content ranking higher during user searches. Many readily available Pinterest SEO research tools, like the Keyword Tool, can help you understand which relevant keywords pertaining to your products have the highest search volume.

3. Leverage Pinterest ads

Unlike other social media platforms offering complex (sometimes confusing) ad services, Pinterest Ads are pretty straightforward. Pinterest ads take the shape of promoted pins and, like organic pins, appear as promoted shopping ads within a Pinner’s Pinterest feed.

Using the Pinterest Ad tools, you can select a pin you wish to promote and set your ad spend budget, overall ad campaign objective, and the audience demographics you wish to target with this pin. The Pinterest Ads Manager also allows you to add interests and keywords to ensure your promoted pins reach your desired target audience more efficiently and support a good return on investment (ROI).

4. Monitor Pinterest analytics

Another perk of a Pinterest business profile? The free-to-use analytics system! Pinterest Analytics provides an in-depth look into both organic and promoted Pinterest content to better understand your performance across the board. To help you identify weaknesses and areas for improvement, Pinterest Analytics presents insight into a wide range of key performance metrics, including pin engagements, impressions, saves, clicks, outbound clicks, profile visits, and more.

5. Interact with the Pinterest community

Remember that as a social network, Pinterest can be the key to your marketing strategy. Help create a loyal Pinterest following and drive traffic to your online store with consistent community engagement. Take the time to respond to messages, comment on other users’ pins, and even ask for permission to repost other Pinner’s posts as user-generated content (UGC). Frequent engagement paired with real Pinners using or wearing your products can help promote new sales.

6. Create compelling pin descriptions

Creating compelling pin descriptions is crucial for enhancing the visibility and appeal of your pins on Pinterest. Descriptions should be engaging and informative, providing enough detail to pique interest and including keywords to improve searchability.

Start by clearly describing the product, emphasizing its unique features and benefits. Use action words and sensory adjectives to evoke emotions and create a vivid image in the reader's mind.  

Moreover, you should include a call to action (CTA) to guide users on what to do next, such as "Shop now," "Learn more," or "Get yours today." 

7. Utilize video pins

Video pins offer a dynamic way to showcase your products, tell your brand story, and capture the attention of Pinners scrolling through their feeds. With movement and sound, video pins are far more engaging than static images, making them an excellent tool for demonstrating product features or providing tutorials. 

One of the most compelling aspects of video pins is their ability to convey a lot of information quickly and effectively. Whether it’s a quick product demo, an unboxing video, or a behind-the-scenes look at your business, video content can enhance your brand's relatability and trustworthiness. 

Also, don’t forget to optimize your video pins for SEO by using relevant keywords in the titles and descriptions. 

8. Leverage seasonal and trending content

Season-specific content aligns with what users search for at any given time, whether it's holiday decorations, summer fashion, or back-to-school supplies. 

Keeping an eye on Pinterest's trending topics can also give your pins a higher chance of appearing in searches. You can even create product boards around trending hashtags or popular seasonal events.

Incorporating seasonal keywords into your pin titles and descriptions can further increase your discoverability. Don't forget to update your boards regularly to reflect current trends and seasons, ensuring your global audience that they will always find fresh and engaging content with your brand.

9. Collaborate with influencers

Local influencers already have established, trusted relationships with their followers. Partnering with them allows you to leverage this trust to promote your products authentically.

Start by identifying influencers within your niche whose audience aligns with your target market. Reach out to them with a personalized pitch, proposing collaboration ideas that can benefit both parties. 

Be sure to outline clear goals and performance metrics for these partnerships. This could involve sponsored pins, giveaways, or collaborative boards. By incorporating your product naturally into their content, influencers can show their audience how these products fit into their lifestyle, encouraging genuine interest and boosting conversion rates. 

10. Optimize your Pinterest profile

Optimizing your Pinterest profile is essential for attracting potential customers and enhancing your brand’s discoverability. 

Start by using a high-quality profile picture; ideally, this will be your brand logo to strengthen brand recognition. Next, craft an engaging bio that describes your brand and includes relevant keywords to enhance SEO. Add your website URL and other social media links to drive traffic across platforms. 

Organize your Pinterest boards thoughtfully, categorizing them based on product types or themes that align with your brand values. Ensure that each board has a clear, keyword-rich title and description to maximize search visibility. Use cover images that are both visually appealing and representative of the board’s content. 

11. Experiment with different pin formats

Trying out different pin formats, such as carousel pins, which allow you to showcase multiple images within a single pin, can provide a more comprehensive view of your product range.

Don’t forget about story pins! These are excellent for sharing behind-the-scenes peeks, tutorials, or product launches in a more narrative format. 

Each pin format offers unique benefits, and experimenting with a mix can help you discover which resonates most with your audience. The key is to monitor the performance of each type and adjust your strategy based on what garners the most engagement and conversions. 

12. Offer exclusive Pinterest promotions

Offering exclusive Pinterest promotions can be an effective strategy to drive traffic and boost sales. By creating unique deals available only to your Pinterest audience, you incentivize more clicks and purchases directly from your pins. Consider limited-time discounts, Pinterest-only coupon codes, or early access to sales and new product launches. 

These promotions create a sense of urgency and exclusivity that can prompt Pinners to take immediate action. Ensure these promotions are clearly highlighted in your pin descriptions and images to capture attention. 

Additionally, use engaging call-to-actions (CTAs) like “Pin to Save” or “Exclusive Offer” to encourage interaction. By leveraging exclusive Pinterest promotions, you can create a loyal customer base eager for your next offer.

Few social media networks have nailed the aspect of social commerce quite like Pinterest. With an aesthetic interface filled with product imagery, it’s no secret why so many consumers find new products and brands on Pinterest daily! With the above tips for selling on Pinterest, you can join thousands of other sellers who drive revenue from rich product pins.

Unsure how you will maintain product demand once you start selling on Pinterest? Consider partnering with a print on demand (POD) service like Gelato! 

The Gelato POD model requires no initial investment or inventory; you only pay for the products you sell. Discover Gelato’s low-risk, high-reward approach to selling custom products on Pinterest today!

Merchants who wish to sell on Pinterest face no fees when setting up a business profile, developing product boards and pins, or integrating their online store. However, Pinterest sellers will require an ad budget if they wish to develop and run promoted pins for their available products.

Pinterest is excellent for selling products as it allows sellers to reach consumers who are already searching for new items but may not already be aware of your brand. Rich pins on Pinterest can quickly inform users of your products and easily redirect them to your online storefront.

When it comes to selling on Pinterest, having a quality website is more important than having a lot of followers. Effective SEO and pin optimization can help you reach both following and unfollowing Pinterest users (and generate sales!) by directing them back to your online store.

Some of the most popular products sold on Pinterest include various apparel items, including but not limited to t-shirts, hoodies, and children's clothing, along with accompanying accessories such as tote bags, phone cases, and customizable drinkware.