Pinterest is a powerful visual search engine that Etsy shop owners can leverage to reach a wider audience.
Our guide on Pinterest for Etsy will help you get started. Learn how to set up a Pinterest business account, create Pinterest boards that reflect your brand, and design eye-catching Pinterest Pins that direct potential buyers to your Etsy listings.
If you’re new to Etsy, check out our beginner’s guide on how to sell on Etsy.
What is Pinterest?
Pinterest is a visual search engine for finding ideas like recipes, home and style inspiration, and more. With billions of Pins on every topic under the sun, the platform’s users use it to:
- spark creativity,
- plan their projects,
- and visualize their goals.
But it’s not just for the casual browser, Pinterest has evolved into a powerful marketing tool. Businesses use Pinterest Pins to showcase their products and ideas, reaching out to an audience that’s ready to be inspired and, more importantly, ready to buy.
Why use Pinterest to promote your Etsy business?
Pinterest’s unique features can significantly enhance the visibility and appeal of your Etsy listings, attracting a solid and engaged audience.
Promoting your Etsy business on Pinterest offers distinct advantages over other social media platforms.
- Visual appeal. Pinterest is highly visual, making it perfect for displaying the creative and artistic products often found in Etsy stores.
- Longevity of Pins. Unlike posts on platforms like Twitter or Instagram, Pinterest Pins have a much longer lifespan and can drive traffic for months or even years after they’re first pinned.
- Pinterest search engine functionality. With a built-in search bar, Pinterest operates like a search engine, which means users can discover your shop listings through targeted search terms, enhancing your reach through Pinterest SEO.
- Shopping-oriented user base. Most users come to Pinterest with shopping in mind, looking for products to purchase, not just doomscroll.
- Rich Pins. Use rich Pins, which sync information from your Etsy shop, to provide up-to-date pricing and product details directly on your Pins..
Setting up a Pinterest business sccount
To boost your Etsy shop, a Pinterest business account is key – it unlocks analytics and ads to grow your reach.
How to create a new Pinterest account for business
Creating a new Pinterest business account is straightforward.
- Visit the Pinterest sign-up page and tap on Business > Create account.
- Provide your email, date of birth, and create a secure password.
- Complete your profile by filling in details about your business and specify if you want to use Pinterest’s advertising options.
- Once you finish the setup process, start exploring your new business account.
How to create a linked business account
Creating a linked business account is the way to go for those who already enjoy Pinterest personally and want to maintain a connection between personal and business content.
- Log in to your existing personal Pinterest account.
- Go to account options and select Add an account.
- Follow the prompt to create a free business account.
- Build your business profile, describe your business, and decide on advertising preferences.
- Navigate to your linked Pinterest business account and curate your business presence.
How to convert a personal account into a business account
If you’re looking to transition completely and focus solely on your business, you can convert your personal account into a business one.
- Sign in to your existing Pinterest account.
- Click the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- Select Convert to a Business Account.
Complete your Pinterest profile
A fully fleshed-out Pinterest profile is vital for establishing credibility and connection with your audience. Make sure every aspect reflects your Etsy business and brand.
To edit your profile:
- Sign in to your Pinterest account.
- At the top-right of the screen, click on the downward-facing chevron icon.
- Select Settings.
Then, choose Edit profile.
Profile name
For personal accounts, include your first name and, optionally, your last name. For business accounts, use your business name as it appears on Etsy for brand consistency.
Profile picture
Use a high-quality, recognizable image that reflects your brand, such as your business logo. Update it by navigating to your Pinterest account Settings, selecting Edit profile, and clicking Change next to your profile photo.
Bio
Craft a concise, informative bio (up to 500 characters) that encapsulates what your business is about, your brand’s voice, and what customers can expect from your Etsy store.
Website
Include a link to your Etsy shop on your website to direct traffic from Pinterest to your store.
Username
Your username creates your unique Pinterest URL. Make it relevant to your business, easy to remember, and consistent with your other social media handles.
Business contact information
- Provide a business email address for customer inquiries.
- List a phone number if customers need to reach you directly.
- Including a business address may be beneficial if you have a physical location.
Please note that the functionality to directly connect your Pinterest account to Etsy’s social media tool for sharing content from your Shop Manager is no longer available.
Tips for a standout Pinterest profile
– Use consistent naming and visuals across all platforms.
– Make sure that your bio clearly states what your business does and what value it offers.
– Keep your contact information updated.
– Use keywords related to your Etsy products in your bio to improve searchability.
– Let your brand’s personality shine through with a friendly and engaging tone.
Please note that the functionality to directly connect your Pinterest account to Etsy’s social media tool for sharing content from your Shop Manager is no longer available.
Create pinterest boards themed around your shop
Creating Pinterest boards themed around your products can attract new customers and increase sales.
To create a personal Pinterest board:
- Log in to your Pinterest account.
- Click the + icon in the top-right corner of your screen.
- Select Board.
- Name your board. To add an end date or a date range, simply click on the Dates field.
- If you want to keep it secret, toggle Keep this board secret.
- Click Create.
To create a board from your business profile, follow these steps (currently only available via mobile devices):
- From your profile or home feed, click on the + at the bottom of the screen.
- Select Board.
- Give your board a name, invite collaborators if desired, and toggle the option Keep board secret if you prefer to make the board private.
- Finally, tap Next (Android) or Create (iOS).
How Many boards should you create?
There is no right or wrong answer. However, a commonly suggested practice is to create multiple boards. Aim for five to ten, providing enough space to organize your products and attract a wide audience.
How to best present your boards
Once you’re done creating boards, it’s important to present your Etsy shop on Pinterest through appealing visuals.
For Etsy sellers, effective board presentation on Pinterest can significantly enhance product visibility. Here are tips based on Pinterest’s best practices:
- Create engaging content – Use compelling, high-resolution images or videos with great framing and styles. Since most Pinterest users are on mobile, use a vertical aspect ratio.
- Call to action – Encourage users to save your content and follow your boards. The more saves and follows you get, the more visibility across Pinterest.
- Contextualize your ideas – Add appropriate descriptions, titles, or links to your Pins. Choose strong thumbnails for videos and save content to relevant boards to increase discoverability.
- Brand focus – Make your product or service the central element of your Pin. Include subtle branding, like a logo, avoiding the lower-right corner to promote your Etsy shop.
- Concise text overlay – Use brief, readable text overlays for clarity, which is especially important for mobile users.
- Optimized Pin copy – Ensure clear titles (up to 100 characters) and descriptions (up to 500 characters) for better search discoverability.
- Active links – If your Pin includes a link, make sure it’s active and quick to load, matching the destination site’s topic and imagery.
Create Etsy shop Pins
Create Pins for your Etsy shop – it’s a key step in your Pinterest marketing strategy. Pins allow you to showcase your items and engage with a community eager to find new ideas and products.
Product Pins
Product Pins are a straightforward way to promote an Etsy shop on Pinterest. These should include high-quality images of products, a compelling title, and a detailed description that includes keywords for SEO. Link directly to the product page on Etsy so pinners can easily find and purchase your product.
Collections Pins
Collections Pins are ideal for showing off a curated group of items from your Etsy shop. For example, if you sell printable wall art, create a Collections Pin with a themed set of home decor products, like ‘Summer Home Refresh.’
Image Pins
Image Pins can be single images or collages telling a story about your brand or products. Pin Etsy items to showcase the lifestyle or ethos associated with your brand.
Video Pins
Video Pins allow a more dynamic view of your products. Show your products in action or share a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process. Remember to select an appealing cover image when you upload a video, as this will be the first thing users see before they click to play.
Rich Pins
Rich Pins are a type of Pinterest Pin that automatically syncs information from your Etsy shop to your Pins. If you have eligible products, setting up rich Pins means that your product’s price, availability, and a direct link to the product page on Etsy are included.
How to create a Pin
- Log into your Pinterest account.
- Click Create at the top-left of your screen. For business accounts, select Create, then Create Pin.
- Click Create New or choose a draft if you’ve prepared one earlier.
- Upload your image or video by clicking the upload icon or dragging and dropping your file.
- Fill in the details of your Pin.
- When you’re ready, click Publish.
Quick tip
You can schedule Pins if you have a business account, and you can save up to 50 drafts on your desktop. Drafts are only editable on the device where they were created and expire after 30 days.
Add new Pinterest Pins regularly
Consistently adding fresh Pins is a key strategy to maintain and grow your presence on the platform and to promote your Etsy shop effectively.
- Develop a content calendar. Create multiple Pins for the coming weeks or months. This will help you maintain a steady stream of content promoting your Etsy listings.
- Leverage scheduling tools. Utilize Pinterest’s business account features or third-party tools to schedule your Pins. This helps you stay active without daily manual posting.
- Capitalize on SEO. By creating multiple Pins for your Etsy shop listings and using Pinterest search bar suggestions, you can tap into what users are actively searching for.
- Be mindful of the Pinterest algorithm. Create multiple Pinterest boards and Pins regularly to increase your visibility on the platform.
Use high-quality Pin images
Creating high-quality Pinterest Pin images is essential for capturing the attention of potential customers and directing them to your Etsy store. Every Etsy seller should pay attention to:
- High-resolution photos
- Bright and vibrant colors
- Clear and concise text
- Relevant keywords
- On-brand visuals
Here are some resources for crafting creative, high-quality, on-brand product images for Pinterest.
- Pinterest Creator Hub – The Pinterest Creator Hub is a great resource for finding inspiration and learning tips for creating Pinterest images.
- Canva – Canva is a free online design tool to help you easily create Pinterest images. It offers various templates and elements for creating visually appealing images.
- PicMonkey – PicMonkey is another free online design tool for creating Pinterest images. It offers a variety of features, such as photo editing, text overlays, and collage creation.
Include keywords in Etsy Pin descriptions and tags
Optimizing your Pinterest SEO is a crucial part of your marketing strategy for getting your Etsy shop’s Pins discovered.
- Keyword research. Use the Pinterest search bar to find high-volume keywords related to your Etsy listing. Create Pins with these keywords in mind.
- Craft descriptive captions. Incorporate the selected Pinterest keywords into your descriptions.
- Utilize tags wisely. Tags are another avenue to include keywords, making your Etsy listing more discoverable to users searching for related content.
Always link to your Etsy shop
Including shop links in your marketing materials is essential for driving traffic to your Etsy shop and increasing sales. How and where to include your Etsy shop URL?
- In your social media bios
- In your email signature
- In your blog posts and website content
- In your Etsy listings
Be active on other Pinterest users’ boards
The key to gaining traction for your Etsy shop on Pinterest is to immerse yourself in the pinning community. Follow other Pinterest boards that align with your brand and repin, as well as comment on Pins that resonate with your Etsy shop’s aesthetic and values. Be genuine to your brand’s voice.
Additionally, Etsy shops should actively promote their Pinterest presence to their customers. For instance, you can share your Pinterest profile link when communicating with customers so they can follow you and share your content, helping to amplify your Etsy store’s reach on the platform.
Learn from trends, customers, and other users
Harnessing the power of Pinterest trends can be a game-changer for your Etsy shop. Regularly scour Pinterest to see which Pins and keywords are gaining traction within your niche. This not only keeps you informed about current tastes but also guides your product development and pinning strategy.
By analyzing how other Etsy shop owners describe their Pins and what items are often pinned alongside yours, you can refine your listings to drive Etsy sales.
Use Pinterest ads
Pinterest ads are a powerful tool for Etsy sellers aiming to enhance their product visibility to an engaged audience. Here’s a condensed guide on how to promote your Etsy shop with Pinterest ads.
Craft impactful visual ads
With Pinterest’s emphasis on visuals, select from ad formats like standard, video, or carousel to capture attention and engage users.
Define your ad objectives
- Build Awareness. Expand your brand reach.
- Increase Consideration. Get more visitors to your Etsy shop.
- Boost Conversions. Drive sales or subscriptions.
- Enhance Offline Sales. Promote in-store purchases.
Maximize ad efficiency
Pinterest ads are known for a higher return on ad spend and cost-effective conversions, making them a smart choice for marketers.
Target with precision
Reach your ideal audience through:
- Automated or demographic targeting for specific user profiles.
- Interest and keyword targeting to connect with niche markets.
- Customer lists and actalikes to re-engage and expand your customer base.
Manage ads
Use Pinterest’s mobile-friendly tools or Ads Manager for campaign control, with the option to collaborate with Pinterest Business Partners for larger campaigns.
Budget with flexibility
Set and adjust your ad spend with manual or automatic bidding options.
Analyze and adjust
Leverage Pinterest’s analytics tools to track ad performance and refine your approach.
Start your Etsy print on demand business today!
Pinterest for Etsy: Final thoughts
Etsy sellers, it’s time to elevate your shop’s visibility through the Pinterest platform! Start creating captivating Pins and make your listings shine in the Pinterest feed. Here are the key takeaways:
- Attractive Pins. Create beautiful Pins that reflect your Etsy items’ uniqueness, making them irresistible in a sea of visuals.
- Promote your own Pins. Invest in promoted Pins to boost visibility, leading potential customers directly to your Etsy shop.
- Etsy pinning. Regularly pin your own creations to different Pinterest boards to increase your reach and engagement.
- Pinterest strategy. Develop a robust Pinterest strategy, curating content that highlights your Etsy Pins across multiple Pinterest boards.
- Printify x Etsy integration. Harness the combined power of Printify and Etsy to tap into a market enthusiastic about discovering and sharing unique products. This synergy allows you to seamlessly showcase your Printify-customized items on Etsy, connecting you with buyers looking for special, custom-made finds.
Now you know how to use Pinterest for Etsy and are one step closer to enhancing your online success through Etsy sales.
