Are you a Pinterest newbie and don't know what to do with that photo-filled visual platform? You have joined Pinterest but you do not have an idea what to do with it - at least how to use it for your business purposes.

What if I told you this platform could be a goldmine for your business?

Pinterest isn't just about recipe inspiration and DIY crafts anymore. It's a powerful tool for businesses to build brand awareness, drive traffic to their website, and connect with a highly engaged audience.

To help you navigate this visual wonderland, this step-by-step guide will equip you with everything you need to transform your Pinterest presence from newbie to pro.

This is the first part of my Pinterest Basics series where I will guide you through the Basics of Pinterest so that you can start with a fully optimized, beautiful, and interesting Pinterest account.

 

Step 1: Switch to a Business Account (It's Easier Than You Think!)

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your business journey, having a Pinterest business account is a must. It's not just for established companies! A business account unlocks a treasure trove of features that can propel your brand to new heights on Pinterest.

Yes, I know...you're worried about changing your account to a business one as you don't really have a business yet. Or you're scared what will happen after that change. I can tell you that nothing bad will happen - only positive things.

Sure, you get access to powerful analytics that show you how your content performs and who your audience is. But that's just the beginning! Business accounts also allow you to run targeted ads, reaching the exact people most interested in what you offer. Plus, you gain valuable audience insights that help you tailor your content strategy for maximum impact.

And if you already have a business but have not changed your account to the business one yet, you should do it ASAP as that's what Pinterest requests if you use Pinterest for driving traffic to your money-making blog or website or building your brand awareness. Check out Pinterest's Business Terms of Service for more info.

And... just a few calming words if you're still not sure... Your current pins, boards, followers, and other things won't disappear anywhere after the change. Pinterest will convert everything and your account will look the same as before the account change except you will have a few additional things, like Pinterest analytics. 

 

Ready to take your Pinterest presence from good to great? Let's switch your account to business mode!

 

• Go to Pinterest for Business and click "Join as a business" box.

• Add your business details and click "Create account".

Switching from Personal Account [For Existing Users]

Already a Pinterest pro with a personal account? No worries, switching to a business account is a breeze! Here's how to do it in just a few clicks:

• Log in to your existing Pinterest account.

• Click the downward arrow in the top right corner.

• Select Settings from the dropdown menu.

• Click on Account management on the left side of the screen.

• Under Account changes, locate Convert to a business account.

• Click on Convert account to confirm the switch.

That's it! Your account will now be converted to a business account with all your existing pins, boards, and followers intact. Now you can unlock the power of Pinterest analytics, ads, and audience insights to take your business presence to the next level.

More instructions can be found on Pinterest for Business.

 

Step 2: Optimize Your Profile for Search

After you have changed your account to business one, check all the info that you had filled out under your Pinterest Settings, and make them keyword-rich so that your account can be found on Pinterest searches.

Keyword Research: The Secret Sauce for Profile Discovery

Before we dive into optimizing your profile, let's take a quick detour for something crucial: keyword research.

Just like searching for that perfect recipe, understanding the keywords your target audience uses on Pinterest is key to getting your profile discovered.

These keywords will be the magic ingredients that help people find you when they search for things related to your business.

We'll use this keyword research throughout the process to craft a profile that's both informative and SEO-friendly on Pinterest.

Here are two quick ways to do some keyword research on Pinterest itself before optimizing your profile:

1. Utilize Pinterest Search Suggestions: Start typing a keyword related to your business in the Pinterest search bar. As you type, Pinterest will offer suggestions based on popular searches. These suggestions can be a great starting point for brainstorming relevant keywords.

2. Explore "Related Boards" and "Related Pins": Once you've landed on a relevant search result, scroll down to see the "Related Boards" and "Related Pins" sections. These sections showcase content similar to your search query. Explore these boards and pins to discover additional keywords people might be using.

 

Okay, and now we can start the profile optimization 👇🏻

1. Upload a Strategic Profile Photo

• Use a photo that is centered as Pinterest profile photo is cropped to a circle.

• Image Size: The recommended image size for a Pinterest profile picture (at least 1600 x 1600 pixels).

• Use either a professional headshot of you or a logo to attract your target audience.

• When you upload your photo to Pinterest, name your image file with your business name and your best keyword(s), for example, if your business name is Wedding Paper Suites, your photo file name could be "wedding-paper-suites-invitation-sets.jpg"

 

2. Craft a Compelling Username (URL)

• Character Limit: The character limit for Pinterest usernames is 20 characters.

• You can brand your Pinterest URL with your most important keyword(s) for high organic Pinterest search results!

  

3. Optimize Your Business Name (Title)

• If you are for example an interior designer and your business name is "Magnolia Homes", your Pinterest business name could be: "Magnolia Homes Interior Designer | Interior Design | Beautiful Homes for Urban People"

• Instead of just adding keywords, use a separator like a pipe (|) for better readability (e.g., "Magnolia Homes Interior Designer | Beautiful Homes").

• You should include keywords that are relevant to YOUR business

• The keywords that you're using on Pinterest should be ones that people are also searching on Pinterest.

 

4. Location, Location, Location!

• Add your location to your profile it will help you to have local collaborations and audiences, too.

Don't underestimate the power of adding your location to your profile! It's like putting up a bright neon sign that says "Hey, I'm here and ready to connect!" Here's why location matters:

• Attract Local Customers: When people search for products or services in their area, pins with locations are more likely to pop up. This can be a game-changer for attracting local customers who are ready to buy.

• Local Collaborations: Adding your location opens doors for exciting collaborations with other local businesses. Imagine teaming up with a complementary business for a joint Pinterest board or promotion, reaching a wider audience and boosting brand awareness for both of you.

• Build Community: Location can foster a sense of community. Local customers can connect with you on a deeper level, knowing you're right around the corner. This can lead to increased brand loyalty and positive word-of-mouth marketing. 

5. Verify Your Website for Credibility [For Advanced Users]

• Go to your "Settings" (i.e. click "Edit" button on your Pinterest profile), and add your website address (URL) to the relevant place. Then click "Confirm".

• Next, there will be a "Confirm your website" pop-up with a code.

• The next step can be a bit tricky if you are not familiar with how your website works. You should add the code in the <head> of your website.

• You'll find better explanations and also alternative ways to do it:

How to verify your website for Pinterest

How to verify Wordpress website

• After you have added the code click "Finish", and you should get a message that your website has been verified.

Alternative Methods: Bypassing the Code

While adding code to your website header is the most common method for website verification, I understand it might not be for everyone. Here are a couple of alternative methods you can explore:

• Upload an HTML file: This method involves uploading a specific HTML file provided by Pinterest to a designated location on your website.

• Meta tag verification: Some website platforms allow adding a meta tag to your website's code, eliminating the need to mess with header code.

Note: Availability of these alternative methods may vary depending on your website platform. Check your website builder's documentation or support for specific instructions.

 

That is all for this time.

It should take around 30 minutes to take these steps and fill your Pinterest account info with relevant keywords. It might take a bit longer if you don't know your Pinterest keywords yet.

Complete these steps and move on to Part 2 of your Pinterest Basics series.

This blog post is updated with the help of AI (Gemini) on 24.6.2024.