This post is also available in: Español
When it comes to promoting your Etsy shop, Pinterest is an untapped powerhouse that many sellers overlook. Unlike fast-moving social media platforms, Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, meaning your content remains discoverable for months—or even years. This makes it a valuable long-term strategy for driving traffic, increasing brand visibility, and ultimately boosting sales.
No matter what you sell—handmade goods, vintage finds, digital downloads, or print-on-demand products—Pinterest can help you reach a larger audience. Shoppers use Pinterest to plan purchases, find unique gifts, and get inspired, making it an ideal place to showcase your products in a way that connects with buyers. Whether you create one-of-a-kind home decor, personalized gifts, or printable planners, there’s a niche on Pinterest waiting for you.
Why Pinterest Matters for Etsy Sellers
Pinterest is not just another social media platform—it’s where people go to discover brands, plan purchases, and get inspired. Studies show that over 70% of Pinterest users find new brands and products while browsing, making it a prime place for Etsy sellers to connect with ready-to-buy shoppers.
Unlike Instagram or Facebook, where content disappears quickly, Pinterest pins gain traction over time. This means that one well-optimized pin can continue to bring traffic to your Etsy shop months or even years after posting. If you’re looking for a marketing platform that rewards evergreen content, Pinterest should be at the top of your list.
If you’ve ever wondered how to effectively market your Etsy shop on Pinterest, this guide will walk you through nine essential steps to help you maximize the platform’s potential.
- Step 1: Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
- Step 2: Optimize Your Pins with Keywords
- Step 3: Build Relevant Pinterest Boards
- Step 4: Create Eye-Catching Pins
- Step 5: Pin Consistently
- Step 6: Engage with Your Audience
- Step 7: Leverage Pinterest Analytics
- Step 8: Promote Seasonal Content
- Step 9: Boost Visibility with Pinterest Ads
Step 1: Set Up a Pinterest Business Account
To get the most out of Pinterest, you need to create a Pinterest Business Account. If you already have a personal account, you can easily convert it into a business account. Pinterest’s Get a Business Account article walks you through step-by-step how to make this switch.
A business account provides analytics, ad tools, and better visibility for your content, helping you track your progress and refine your strategy over time. When setting up your profile, be sure to upload a high-quality profile image, preferably your shop logo or a best-selling product, and write a short but engaging bio that describes what you offer.
Step 2: Optimize Your Pins with Keywords
Just like Etsy SEO, Pinterest relies on keywords to rank content and connect users with relevant products. To increase your visibility, you need to strategically place highly searched, relevant keywords in your board names and descriptions and your pin titles and descriptions.Start by researching popular search terms within your niche. Use Pinterest’s search bar to explore trending phrases and leverage eRank’s Keyword Tool to find data-driven keywords that align with your products. The right keywords signal to Pinterest’s algorithm what your content is about, increasing the chances of your products appearing in user searches.
To streamline your Pinterest strategy, maintain a list of keywords relevant to your niche and audience. Having these keywords ready allows you to seamlessly optimize your titles and descriptions without last-minute guesswork.
However, avoid keyword stuffing—overloading your pin’s title and description with keywords can make your content feel unnatural. Instead, craft engaging, well-written descriptions that incorporate keywords naturally while encouraging users to take action. A well-balanced approach helps Pinterest categorize your content accurately, increasing your visibility and driving more traffic to your Etsy shop.
Step 3: Build Relevant Pinterest Boards
Your boards should be organized and specific to your niche. Instead of creating broad, generic boards, focus on highly targeted categories that reflect what your audience is searching for.
For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, avoid a board simply titled “Jewelry.” Instead, create multiple, niche-specific boards such as “Boho Handmade Earrings,” “Minimalist Gold Necklaces,” or “Bridal Jewelry Gifts.”
When setting up boards, add keyword-rich descriptions and select a few beginning pins that align with your board’s theme. This helps Pinterest understand what your board is about, which increases its chances of showing up in search results.
Step 4: Create Eye-Catching Pins
Since Pinterest is a highly visual platform, strong imagery is essential for success. Your pins should be high-quality, attention-grabbing, and properly sized for Pinterest’s preferred dimensions (1000 x 1500 pixels). If you’re looking to improve your product photography, check out 7 Smartphone Camera Tips for Stunning Photography for helpful techniques.
However, a great pin is more than just a beautiful image—it should also communicate a clear message. Adding text overlays with keyword-optimized phrases can significantly boost engagement and make your pins more searchable. Instead of posting a plain product image, enhance it with compelling text overlays, such as “Perfect Handmade Gift for Mother’s Day” or “Eco-Friendly Home Decor Trends” to attract your target audience.
Experiment with lifestyle shots, behind-the-scenes images, and video pins, as these tend to perform well on Pinterest. Video pins, in particular, can be highly engaging when they include quick, visually interesting clips of your products in use or a behind-the-scenes look at your creative process.
Lastly, ensure each pin links to an active product or shop page to drive traffic directly to your Etsy store. Consider using Etsy’s Share & Save links to reduce your selling fees while promoting your products. Not sure how? Read Etsy’s Share & Save Program: Boost Your Shop’s Visibility to learn more.
Step 5: Pin Consistently
Pinterest rewards consistent pinning rather than occasional bursts of activity. Instead of pinning a lot at once, spread your content out over the week.
If keeping up with a daily posting schedule feels overwhelming, use a scheduling tool. Pinterest’s built-in scheduler or third-party tools like Tailwind allow you to plan your pins in advance, ensuring that your content remains fresh and visible without requiring daily manual posting.
Consistency is key to building momentum and ensuring that Pinterest’s algorithm continues showing your pins to new audiences.
Step 6: Engage with Your Audience
Although Pinterest is less interactive than platforms like Instagram, engagement still matters. Responding to comments, answering questions, and following relevant accounts within your niche helps increase your visibility.
Even though Pinterest doesn’t require daily interaction, engaging with your audience when necessary can enhance your credibility and attract more buyers to your shop.
Step 7: Leverage Pinterest Analytics
A Pinterest Business Account gives you access to valuable analytics that help you refine your strategy. Regularly check which pins are performing well and analyze key metrics such as saves, clicks, and impressions.
If certain pins are gaining traction, create more content like them. If others are underperforming, test different designs, descriptions, or keywords. Pinterest is a long-term strategy, so even if you don’t see instant results, keep optimizing and experimenting.
Unlike other platforms, Pinterest traffic can take months to gain momentum, but it continues working for years—making it one of the most sustainable marketing tools for Etsy sellers.
Step 8: Promote Seasonal Content
Seasonal trends drive a massive amount of Pinterest traffic, making them a great opportunity for Etsy sellers. Plan your content around upcoming holidays, events, and seasonal changes.
For example, if you sell personalized gifts, pin Mother’s Day-related content well in advance. If you specialize in home decor, focus on fall, winter, or summer decorating trends.
Using tools like Pinterest Trends and eRank’s Trend Buzz Tool allows you to stay ahead of the competition and pin the right content at the right time.
Step 9: Boost Visibility with Pinterest Ads
If you want to increase your reach faster, consider running Pinterest ads. Even a small ad budget can dramatically expand your audience and drive more traffic to your Etsy shop.
To get the best results, promote your best-performing pins rather than starting from scratch. Pinterest already knows which pins users engage with the most, so boosting proven content can yield better returns. Experiment with different targeting options, such as interest-based targeting or keyword-based targeting, to ensure that your ads reach the right buyers.
Turn Pinterest into a Traffic-Boosting Machine for Your Etsy Shop!
Pinterest is a game-changer for Etsy sellers who want to attract new customers, build long-term visibility, and drive consistent traffic to their shop. Unlike other platforms, where posts disappear quickly, Pinterest pins continue working for you long after they’re posted. By following these nine strategic steps, you can optimize your presence on Pinterest, grow your brand, and increase your Etsy sales over time.
Are you ready to transform your Pinterest strategy? Start applying these tips today, and watch your Etsy traffic soar.
Want more tips for growing your Etsy business? Follow eRank’s Blog for SEO insights, trending keywords, and marketing strategies that help you thrive!
