Image by JamieY Photography

We’re letting you in on a little insider secret: Pinterest has been Junebug Weddings’ #1 social traffic driver. Not Instagram, not Facebook, but Pinterest. This is because Pinterest drives traffic directly to your website, gives your SEO a boost, and is 100% free. Not to mention it has become one of the largest sources for online inspiration, meaning your ideal client is on Pinterest. So if you’re not yet prioritizing Pinterest as a business tool, you’re missing out on natural traffic opportunities. 

Ready to take your business to the next level and get your Pinterest strategy in check? We’re here to help. We’re sharing our tried-and-true strategies we’ve implemented to grow our Pinterest traffic over 6+ years that will help put you on the right track. 

What is Pinterest SEO?

SEO stands for search engine optimization. This is the practice of increasing a website’s organic visibility and ranking in search results. When it comes to Pinterest specifically, the goal is to drive traffic to your website using relevant keywords strategically in your Pin descriptions, board titles, and board descriptions to increase the chances of eyes on your content. And a strong Pinterest SEO strategy is one of the best ways to increase your reach.

Image by Kristel Aragon

Pinterest SEO Tips You Need To Know 

#1: Optimize Your Profile

The first tip is to get your business account set up for success. Whether you’re building a Pinterest profile from the ground up or using an existing one, the first thing you should do is make sure it’s a business account. Business accounts introduce a handful of tools for you to use, including analytics. This will be helpful later on so you can track how your pins are doing and adjust your pinning as needed.

It’s also important to focus on your “about” section. When switching to a business account, you’ll have the opportunity to edit your “about” section in your profile. This section is your introduction and should give the following information: who you are, what you do, what you can provide for clients, and an idea of what sort of content they can expect from your profile. But don’t forget to do some trending keyword research and pack your bio with those keywords. 

Lastly, you’ll want to verify your website with Pinterest–definitely do this! The verification will help make your profile more credible to Pinterest, meaning more potential eyes on your work. 

#2: Prep Your Website

To get your website Pinterest ready, there are a couple of things you need to do with your website design. First off, you’ll need to add Pinterest save buttons to your blog. This will make it easy for viewers to pin an image they like when they’re on your site. Pinning an image directly from your website will create a direct click-through link from the pin to your website, which can lead to other pinners finding your website. This increase in traffic will help boost your SEO and ultimately lead to more bookings.  

Secondly, you should link your Pinterest profile next to the other social media links you have on your website. This makes it easier for people to see where else they can follow along and see your work.

Image by Jessika Christine Photography

#3: Research Trending Keywords 

Keywords are useful for helping people find you and your work. Think of it in terms of searchable words and phrases–the more specific you get, the more likely you are to find exactly what you need. So when it comes down to what and where to use keywords, keep these three areas in mind: your “about” section, your board titles and descriptions, and Pin descriptions. 

In your bio, be specific and concise, while also giving pinners an idea of who you are and what sort of content they will come across in your profile. When it comes to board names, you want to name your Pinterest boards in a way that relates to words and phrases that people are searching for. This will increase the chances of your content showing up in their search results. For example, some of Junebug’s top performing boards are titled “wedding floral design,” “bridal fashion,” and “wedding ceremony inspiration.”

Lastly, Pin descriptions. Before pressing that save button, add a description to your pins that are full of searchable keywords, and don’t forget to give yourself photo credit. For example, if you are pinning a photo of a bride, describe her style, such as “Boho bridal style that is perfect for an outdoor wedding. Photo by…”

#4: Rich Pins

Not using Rich Pins is one of the biggest mistakes you can make while using Pinterest for your wedding photography business. But what exactly are rich Pins? These are a type of organic Pins that automatically sync additional information from your website for your Pin titles and descriptions. 

Rich Pins are free to use, but you need to apply for them—this is where having a business account on Pinterest will be necessary. To apply for Rich Pins, first make sure you have accurate metadata on your website, specifically the pages or posts that you want to Pin images from. You’ll also want to use the Pinterest Rich Pins Validator to ensure there are no issues with your metadata. Then, Pinterest will let you know once you’ve been approved, and the meta descriptions you write on your website will automatically be included in your Pins moving forward.

#5: Group Boards

A group board has more than one pinner pinning related content to the same board. Being part of group boards allows you to participate with like-minded pinners and expands your reach. When you pin to a group board, you are showing those pinners directly what kind of content you offer, which can drive traffic to your Pinterest profile and, ultimately, your website. 

Group board participation also boosts your profile credibility, which Google likes. The more credible your profile appears to be, the more likely your content on Pinterest will circulate and appear more often, and the more likely Google will notice, which can ultimately boost your SEO potential.

These tips will help you get your Pinterest SEO strategy on the right track. But if you want to take your business to the next level, and dive deeper into all things Pinterest, check out our Pinterest for Wedding Photographers e-course. This is the best way to turn your Pinterest account into a traffic and lead-generating machine. 

Image by The Portrait Photography