Pinterest
Marketing
It's time
to grow
Check our solutions today!
Pinterest Mistakes I See Small Businesses Make Every Day (and How to Fix Them)
Pinterest is one of the most underrated marketing platforms for small businesses: yet it’s also one of the most misunderstood. Many business owners create an account, post a few pretty images, and then wonder why traffic and sales don’t come in.
After managing Pinterest accounts since 2017, I’ve seen hundreds of small business owners make the same avoidable mistakes that cost them time, traffic, and conversions. If you’re not seeing consistent results from Pinterest, you might be making one (or more) of these common mistakes – let’s fix that!
❌ Mistake #1: Treating Pinterest Like Instagram (or TikTok for the video pins)
Remember: Pinterest is not a social media platform, it’s a visual search engine. Many business owners use Pinterest like Instagram: posting lifestyle photos, behind-the-scenes stories, or aesthetic product shots without strategy. But Pinterest users are searching for solutions, not scrolling for entertainment.
✅ Fix:
Use Pinterest as a content marketing tool. Optimize pins for keywords, link every pin to a relevant blog post or product page, and focus on being discoverable in search results.
❌ Mistake #2: Ignoring Pinterest SEO
If you’re not using keywords strategically, your content simply won’t show up. Pinterest SEO drives visibility, without it, your pins disappear into the algorithm void.
✅ Fix:
Do basic keyword research inside Pinterest’s search bar or check Pinterest Trends feature to figure out what is currently trending. Type in your niche keywords and use the auto-suggested results as your guide.
Include these keywords in:
- Your pin titles and descriptions
- Board names
- Profile bio
- Alt text
Example:
Instead of “Summer Outfits,” use “Summer Outfit Ideas for Small Business Owners” or “Affordable Summer Capsule Wardrobe.”
❌ Mistake #3: Using Low-Quality or Inconsistent Pin Designs
Remember that Pinterest is a visual platform: design matters more than you think. Poor design leads to low clicks, even if your SEO is strong.
✅ Fix:
- Use Canva templates or branded pin designs with high readability.
- Stick to a consistent color palette and font style.
- Always include your logo or URL for brand recognition.
- Test multiple layouts – Pinterest favors fresh designs.
❌ Mistake #4: Expecting Instant Results
Pinterest growth takes time. Unlike TikTok or Instagram, pins can take weeks or even months to gain traction. Many businesses give up right before their strategy starts working.
✅ Fix:
Commit to at least 6 months of consistent, optimized pinning. Pinterest rewards consistency – the longer you post fresh content, the stronger your reach becomes.
Pro Tip: Schedule pins weekly using Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler to stay consistent.
❌ Mistake #5: Not Linking Pins to Valuable Content
One of the biggest Pinterest mistakes? Posting pins that lead to your homepage – or worse, nowhere.
Pinterest users click because they want to learn more, buy something, or solve a problem.
✅ Fix:
Link every pin to:
- A specific blog post
- A product page
- A freebie or opt-in landing page
Remember: Give your audience exactly what your pin promises. That’s how you convert Pinterest browsers into loyal customers.
✅ Final Thoughts
Pinterest isn’t just another social platform – it’s a long-term traffic and sales machine for small businesses.
Avoiding these five common mistakes will help you:
✔ Get more clicks
✔ Build consistent traffic
✔ Grow your email list
✔ Increase product sales
Remember: success on Pinterest is about strategy + consistency + design.
🚀 Need Help Building a Pinterest Strategy That Works?
If your Pinterest traffic has stalled or you’re not sure where to start, I can help you create a custom Pinterest strategy built for your small business.
✅ Done-for-you Pinterest management
✅ SEO keyword optimization
✅ High-converting pin designs
✅ Consistent growth systems
📩 Let’s turn your Pinterest into a marketing engine – not a guessing game!
👉 Book Pinterest Strategy + Management: contact me now! Message me anytime and let’s grow your Pinterest ROI!
My usual service is completed and full Pinterest monthly management (organic strategy) – there is no need for you to do anything. Here is another case study to read more on how I increased 3 times the monthly traffic for a blogger in 12 months (and of course affiliate sales) for a client (Pinterest case study 1): socialmarketingnest.com/my-pinterest-marketing-tips-and-pinterest-traffic-case-study/
I personally care for each of my client’s accounts and because my time is limited, I can’t take every project, just one or two per month. My focus are bloggers and small businesses in almost any niche. Price starts at only 300 $ per month.
Here are a few ways I can support you with Pinterest marketing help:
- Building Personalized Pinterest strategy, updated for 2026 as a one-time project (implemented by you);
- Monthly Pinterest Management on a long-term for more than 6 months (done for you monthly Pinterest management service – this is my main service).
- One-time Pinterest account set up, optimization or Pinterest audit clean up (done for you one time service);
- Custom Pinterest Canva Templates creation based on your content with a problem-solution model;
- Pinterest one-time consultation with tips for growth in 2025-2026 for your blog – in a pdf file with easy to implement steps by you;
Need help with pins creation -> contact me here for bundle of custom made 20 editable Canva design pins (based on your content) to make sure you will always have the right visuals for Pinterest! It is one time service which will cost you only 50 $, contact me here and ask about mini service for 20 editable static Canva pins based on your content (products, blog posts or services on your site). You will be able to post these directly and use them to build next batch of pins for your Pinterest marketing!
To see more about me and my work with other bloggers, you can check my testimonials here. Feel free to contact me here!
Here is my LinkedIn for a quick connection and help:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/socialmarketingnest/
I will be happy to support and help you in your Pinterest journey in 2025-2026!
About the author:
Stiliyana Stoycheva – Pinterest Manager, Strategist and Consultant located in Varna, Bulgaria
Helping entrepreneurs worldwide with their internet marketing strategy, specializing in Pinterest marketing for bloggers. She has solid experience behind her with hundreds of clients from all over the world, helping them with highly successful and result oriented Pinterest management services. She has studied the Pinterest platform in detail for the last 8 years and has tested various strategies for maximum performance.
To understand more about me and SocialMarketingNest team, read our FAQ here.
Trusted by Bloggers, Coaches & Online Shops