How to Sell on Pinterest: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

Are you looking to tap into the vast audience on Pinterest to boost your sales? Selling on Pinterest can be a game-changer for your business.

Why Sell on Pinterest?

Pinterest, a visual-heavy social sharing platform, is ideal for businesses that rely on product photos and videos. Users can learn more about how products look, bookmark them as Pins, and quickly share them with others. Pinterest offers built-in online selling features, making it a merchant-friendly platform with numerous eCommerce features, such as Catalogs, WooCommerce integration, and business analytics. Users are often willing to pay more on Pinterest, and the platform is excellent for viral marketing and long-term engagement.

How to Sell on Pinterest in 8 Steps

Before you start selling on Pinterest, ensure you have an online store ready for Pinterest users to purchase your products. You can create an online store using an eCommerce website builder or a self-hosted content management system like WordPress. For instance, Hostinger‘s online store builder is an excellent option for beginners, while WooCommerce for WordPress is best for sellers who want complete control over their online store.

1. Sign Up for a Pinterest Business Account

If you’re new to Pinterest or want a separate account for your business, register for a new Pinterest business account. Alternatively, you can create a business account linked to your personal one or convert an existing personal account to a business profile.

Create a Linked Pinterest Business Account

Log into your personal Pinterest account.
Click the down icon at the top-right and select Add account.
Under Create a free business account, click Create linked account.
Follow the instructions to build your profile and describe your business.

Convert a Personal Pinterest Account Into a Business Account

Log into your personal Pinterest account.
Click the down icon and go to Settings > Account management > Account changes.
Select Convert to a business account and follow the prompts.

Once your Pinterest business profile is set up, add your online store or business website to your profile.

2. Claim Your Online Store

Claiming your business website provides valuable analytics for your Pinterest marketing strategy. All Pins from your site will have your profile picture and a Follow button for your Pinterest account, increasing brand awareness. The website URL on your profile will also get a blue globe icon, marking you as a verified seller.

How to Claim a Website By Adding an HTML Tag

Log in to your Pinterest business account.
Select Settings > Claimed accounts > Claim.
Copy the text under Add HTML tag and paste it into the section of your website’s index.html file.
Verify the website on Pinterest.

How to Claim a Website By Uploading an HTML File

Log in to your Pinterest business account.
Select Settings > Claimed accounts > Claim.
Download the HTML file and upload it to your website’s root folder.
Verify the website on Pinterest.

How to Claim a Website By Adding a DNS Record

Log in to your Pinterest business account.
Select Settings > Claimed accounts > Claim.
Copy the TXT record and add it to your website’s DNS settings.
Verify the website on Pinterest.

3. Optimize Your Pinterest Business Profile

A professional profile for your Pinterest business account is as essential as your website. Follow these best practices to properly brand your Pinterest business profile:

Use the same display name and username as your other social media accounts.
Change the profile picture to your business logo.
Add an attractive cover picture that represents your brand.
Write a short introduction about your brand, products, and company mission.

4. Apply for Rich Pins

Rich Pins automatically sync with your website’s information and update when changes occur. They are free for all Pinterest business account users and come in three types: Product Pins, Recipe Pins, and Article Pins.

To use Rich Pins, add rich meta tags to your web pages and validate them using the Rich Pins Validator. Pinterest will process your application within 24 hours.

5. Categorize the Boards and Pins

Having a collection of different Pinterest boards lets you categorize and market your products in segments, attracting a niche audience through targeted keywords. Create boards for each product category and fill them with relevant Pins to improve your brand’s visibility.

6. Optimize Your Pins for Search Engines

Implementing search engine optimization (SEO) strategies, especially keyword optimization, is essential when marketing products on Pinterest. Use Pinterest’s search bar, Analytics tool, and Google Keyword Planner to find suitable keywords and incorporate them naturally into your Pinterest content.

7. Use Paid Advertising on Pinterest

Decide on your advertising goal—boost engagement, build brand awareness, or drive traffic—and choose an effective ad format: Standard, Video, Carousel, or Collections. Set a budget and select your target audience based on your campaign’s format and duration.

To explore more about selling your products online, consider checking out Hostinger for reliable hosting solutions.

How to Grow Your Audience and Boost Sales on Pinterest

Understand Your Audience

Research your target audience on Pinterest and create content that meets their needs. This targeted content increases followers and drives traffic to your online store.

Stay Up to Date With the Latest Trends

Use tools like Pinterest Analytics, Google Trends, Ecomhunt, and Trend Hunter to discover current trends and post fresh content regularly to keep your audience engaged.

Engage With Your Audience

Build brand awareness and trust by interacting with followers through comments and messages.

Prioritize Quality

Ensure every Pin you publish is valuable and optimized for SEO. High-quality images are especially important for promoted Pins.

Optimize for Mobile Devices

Since most Pinterest users browse on mobile, refer to Pinterest’s Pin and ad size guide to ensure your images are optimized for mobile users.

Conclusion

Pinterest is an excellent platform for selling and marketing your products. By following the outlined steps, you can make the most out of Pinterest and boost your online sales. Create a business account, claim your store, apply for Rich Pins, and optimize your content with SEO and paid advertising. Good luck!

How to Sell on Pinterest FAQ

How Much Does It Cost to Sell on Pinterest?

Selling on Pinterest is free of charge, but it requires time and effort to set up your profile and build a following.

What are the Requirements to Become a Seller on Pinterest?

Pinterest requires adherence to laws and having a high-quality website with a clear shipping policy.

What Type of Items Can We Sell on Pinterest?

Pinterest allows the sale of most items except those in its prohibited products list, like alcohol and gambling products.

Does Pinterest Take a Commission From My Sales?

No, Pinterest doesn’t facilitate transactions directly but serves as a marketing channel for your online store.

Is Selling on Pinterest Worth It?

Yes, as Pinterest users often have buying intent, making it a profitable marketing channel for suitable products.

Andzelika D. & Hasna A.

Andzelika is a Content Writer and Editor with over 5 years of experience in the digital marketing industry. Hasna is passionate about tech, culture, and the written word.

Starter-Pack HTML Section

Feb 26, 2025
Andzelika D. & Hasna A.
11min Read
If you’re considering Pinterest as a potential platform for starting an online store, you are on the right track. The social media network and image-sharing platform attracts over 460 million monthly active users looking for ideas and their next purchases.

Pinterest functions similarly to a mood board. Users can upload various content called Pins and compile them to public or private boards.

It is especially popular for food and drink recipes, home decor, travel, fashion, and DIY projects. Many businesses in these categories use Pinterest to market their brands, grow their audience, drive traffic to their eCommerce websites, and increase sales.

No matter your business idea, Pinterest can be a powerful marketing tool if you know how to use it. This guide will teach you how to sell on Pinterest and market your products effectively.

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