The Complete Guide to Connect Shopify to Pinterest

 With 518 million monthly active users, Pinterest is one of the most popular social media for discovering new products and brands, making it a big hit among Gen Z and millennials. 80% of its users were inspired by the shopping experience on the platform and use it to find relevant items and pin them for inspiration.

Now, imagine you have your Shopify store synced up with your Pinterest profile. Your users can find the ideas and products they like and get tags or links to buy them from your store. Easy-peasy, right?

This is precisely what the Pinterest and Shopify integration can achieve. You can increase visibility and organic traffic, improve conversion rates, and enhance brand awareness.

Ready to discover the true potential of your Shopify store? This comprehensive guide includes a detailed step-by-step of how to connect Shopify to Pinterest. We’ll delve into the benefits of this integration, walk you through the setup process, and show you how to create captivating content that drives sales. So, let’s get started!

If you are considering Wix as another option, here’s a guide on Shopify Vs. Wix.

Understanding the Benefits of Pinterest for E-commerce

Before we get started on linking Shopify to Pinterest, let’s first understand why it can be a game changer for your business.

To those unfamiliar, Pinterest is a social media and visual search platform that allows its users to discover, save, and share ideas, which can be in the form of images, videos, or, as they call it, “Pins.” Users or brands create these Pins to help an audience find inspiration, ideas, or products for their specific requirements.

For example, suppose you are looking for the latest trends in jewelry. In that case, you can find thousands of pin ideas using a simple search on the platform and discover brands like Mejuri, which works with content creators to share the best fashion inspiration using their products.

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Thus, by having a presence on Pinterest, brands can:

1. Leverage Its Visual Search Engine

Unlike traditional search engines that rely on text keywords, Pinterest functions as a visual discovery platform. Users explore a vast collection of images (Pins) categorized by boards and topics. Thus, your potential customers can:

• Find your products organically, and be more interested in the products as opposed to traditional ads since Pins feel more natural and impress the user.
• When you connect your Shopify store with Pinterest, your products become discoverable by a vast audience actively searching for inspiration. Thus, optimized Pins rank higher in search results, leading qualified traffic directly to your store.

2. Improve Organic Reach

The beauty of Pinterest for e-commerce lies in its user intent. Studies have shown that Pinterest boasts significantly higher conversion rates than any other social media platform. 

In fact, 85% of weekly users made a purchase from their Pinterest pins, making it the best platform to showcase your products and increase the chances of someone making a purchase.

3. Build a Solid Brand

By creating inspiring and informative boards featuring your products alongside complementary content, you engage potential customers on a deeper level. This promotes trust and loyalty, positioning your brand as a go-to source for inspiration and high-quality products.

Preparing Your Shopify Store for Pinterest Integration

Before we discuss how to connect Pinterest to Shopify, let’s understand some prerequisites.

The first step is to have a Pinterest profile that is optimized for maximum impact. Remember, the more visually appealing and Pinterest-friendly your products are, the higher your chances of attracting attention and driving sales.

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To do this, you will need to:

1. Optimize Product Listings

To start, you need to create a brand presence with your products and brand images being showcased on the platform. Remember that this platform is all about creatively promoting your brand. So, to make your products more organically searchable, make sure to:

• Add relevant titles and descriptions: Craft clear, concise, and keyword-rich product titles that accurately reflect your offerings. Incorporate relevant keywords that users commonly search for on Pinterest. Similarly, write engaging product descriptions that highlight key features, benefits, and how your product solves user problems.

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• Optimize for mobile: Since most Pinterest users are Gen-Z and millennials, they will spend more time on their smartphones than on their desktops or laptops. So, remember to optimize your products and links for mobile browsing.

2. Create High-Quality Images

High-quality product images are the cornerstone of success on this platform, acting as magnets that draw users in, spark interest, and ultimately drive sales. So, to elevate your brand image:

• Use high-quality, professional images with clear focus, clean backgrounds, and proper lighting to showcase your products in the best possible light and make them visually appealing to the user.
• Go Beyond Product Shots: While product close-ups are essential, don’t neglect the power of lifestyle imagery. Showcase your products in use, styled in creative settings, or solve user problems.
• Multiple Angles Tell the Story: Include multiple images from different angles to provide a comprehensive view of your products and build trust with the customers.
• Experiment with Different Formats: Pinterest offers a variety of Pin formats beyond static images. Explore video Pins to showcase product demonstrations or tutorials and Carousel Pins to display multiple product variations or create a visual narrative.

3. Follow SEO Best Practices

While Pinterest prioritizes visuals, it still operates similarly to any search engine. So, make sure to optimize for:

• Keyword Research: Identify relevant keywords that potential customers might use to search for products like yours on Pinterest.
• Add keywords in titles and descriptions: Integrate your target keywords naturally into your product titles and descriptions. Don’t stuff keywords, though! Focus on creating informative and engaging content.
• Board Optimization: Use relevant keywords in your board titles and descriptions. This helps users discover your boards when searching for specific topics.

Setting up a Pinterest Business Account

Once your Pinterest profile is set up, it is time to lay the foundation for a Pinterest Business Account. With a personal Pinterest account, you can create up to 2000 boards and 200,000 pins.

Of course, this is a huge amount for most users, but it may not be adequate for a brand. So, to go beyond this limit and even see performance insights or run ads, you need to have a Pinterest business account.

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1. Create and Convert to a Business Account

Having a Pinterest business account gives you complete control of your Shopify products and even runs ads to improve visibility. This allows you to create content similar to a personal account, but you can add pins and direct links to your page, which will help you increase your conversions. 

Setting up a business account on Pinterest is completely free, and all you need to do is:

Step 1: Go to https://business.pinterest.com/ and sign up for a free account.

Step 2: Complete your profile information, including your business name, website (your Shopify store URL), and a short bio (if not done already).

Step 3: Once your account is created, navigate to your profile settings and convert it to a Business Account. This unlocks valuable features like analytics and advertising tools.

Also read: 10 Best Shopify Analytics apps for your store

This process is much simpler if you already have a Pinterest personal account. To convert it into a business account, you need to set your account to public (switched to public), go to Pinterest Business Account, and log in with your credentials. 

2. Verifying Your Shopify Website

Once you have created a Pinterest Business account, you will need to verify your Shopify website on the platform. To do this, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Within your Pinterest Business Account, go to settings.

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Step 2: Go to the “Claimed accounts” section.

Step 3: Select “Shopify” as your website platform.

Step 4: Log in to your Shopify admin and follow the on-screen instructions to grant Pinterest access to your store data.

Step 5: Once connected, you’ll see a verification badge next to your website URL on your Pinterest profile. This establishes your store’s legitimacy and builds trust with potential customers.

3. Enabling Rich Pins for Enhanced Product Information

One more thing you need to do to optimize your Pinterest store is to use Rich Pins for your images. Rich Pins are a powerful tool that automatically displays additional product information directly on your Pins. This can include pricing, availability, and even product variations.

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Here’s how to activate them:

Step 1: Go to your Pinterest Business Account settings and navigate to the “Data Sources” section.

Step 2: Click “Claim website” and follow the steps to connect your Shopify store.

Step 3: Once connected, you can enable Rich Pins for specific product categories.

Step 4: With Rich Pins activated, your Pins become even more informative and enticing, potentially leading to higher click-through rates and conversions.

Connecting Shopify to Pinterest: Step-by-Step Guide 

Once you have a Pinterest Business Account, it is now time to understand how to link Pinterest to Shopify. To do this, we have two methods:

Method 1: Using the Pinterest App on Shopify

This is the simplest and most recommended approach for most users. The official Pinterest app for Shopify offers a user-friendly interface and streamlines the connection process. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Log in to your Shopify admin panel.

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Step 2: Navigate to the “Sales Channels” section. Then, click on the “Add sales channel” button and search for “Pinterest.”

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Step 3: Select the “Pinterest” app, log in using your Pinterest account credentials, and click “Install.”

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Step 4: Review the app permissions and grant access to your Shopify store data.

Step 5: Go through the on-screen instructions to log in to your Pinterest Business Account and connect the two platforms.

Once completed, your Pinterest Business Account will be successfully connected to the Shopify store. You can now start selling on Pinterest directly. This is one approach. Another approach is to use tags manually using Pinterest tags.

Method 2: Manually Adding Pinterest Tags (for Advanced Users)

For a more advanced method to link Pinterest and Shopify, you can use the manual Pinterest tags method. This method offers more granular control over your product feed but requires some technical knowledge. Here’s a step-by-step on how it is done:

Step 1: Generate a product feed from your Shopify store. This typically involves exporting your product data in a format like CSV.

Step 2: Locate the Pinterest tag within your Shopify theme code. You can access the theme code through the “Online Store” and “Themes” sections of your Shopify admin.

Step 3: Customize the tag with your product feed information.

Step 4: Upload your product feed to a hosting platform and update the tag to reflect the feed location.

Note: Regardless of the connection method you choose, ensure your product catalogs on Shopify and Pinterest remain synchronized. This guarantees that users see accurate information and product availability on Pinterest. The Pinterest app automates this process, while manual tag users need to update their feeds regularly.

Product Feed Management Apps for Shopify and Pinterest

While connecting Shopify and Pinterest is a crucial first step, managing your product feed for optimal performance can be a complex task. This is where product feed management apps come into play.

Why is Product Feed Management Important?

Your product details have to match each platform’s requirements while also providing accurate information. Product feed management apps automate these tasks, offering several key benefits like:

• Automatically sync your product data between Shopify and Pinterest
• Format your product feed to meet Pinterest’s exact specifications
• Built-in tools to optimize your product titles, descriptions, and image URLs
• Track the performance of your Pins and campaigns

Best Product Feed Management Tools

To help you with product feed management, you can consider these powerful tools:

1. AdNabu

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AdNabu is a user-friendly platform designed to simplify product feed management for Shopify stores. It caters to users who value a hassle-free experience with built-in automation and optimization features. It also uses the power of AI-based recommendations to help simplify feed management and make it more personalized.

Some of the top features that AdNabu offers include:

• Automated Updates: Say goodbye to manual updates! Thanks to the data feed URL, AdNabu automatically syncs your product information between platforms, ensuring your Pins always reflect the latest information (pricing, availability, etc.). You can even create a unique data feed URL for each country, language, and currency. This ensures that your customers get accurate details about your products. 
• Advanced Optimization Tools: Fine-tune your product listings for maximum discoverability. Leverage built-in features to optimize titles, descriptions, and image URLs with relevant keywords, boosting your Pins’ ranking in search results.
• Multi-Channel Management: AdNabu goes beyond Pinterest. It can manage and sync information for your product feeds across various marketplaces, such as Facebook, Instagram, Google Shopping, and more, saving you time and effort.

Below is a step-by-step guide to get started with AdNabu for Pinterest:

Step 1: Sign up and connect to your Shopify store.

Step 2: Go to Marketplaces and install “Pinterest Feed” in your Shopify account.

Step 3: AdNabu guides you through mapping your Shopify product data to the specific requirements of Pinterest Shoppable Pins. For this, you can utilize UTM parameters like source, medium, and campaign.

Step 4: Utilize AdNabu’s built-in optimization tools to refine your titles, descriptions, and image URLs for maximum impact.

Step 5: AdNabu takes care of the rest! Your product listings are automatically synced and optimized, ensuring your Pins are always up-to-date and primed for success.

2. DataFeedWatch

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DataFeedWatch is another popular product feed management app for Shopify and Pinterest integration. It is a comprehensive solution built for users who crave granular control. Unlike AdNabu’s focus on automation, DataFeedWatch empowers you to customize every aspect of your product feed for Pinterest integration.

DataFeedWatch offers a comprehensive set of features:

• Feed Mapping and Rule-Based Editing: Map your Shopify product data to Pinterest’s specific requirements and utilize rules-based editing for advanced control over your feed.
• Performance Monitoring and Reporting: Track the performance of your Pins and campaigns with detailed reports, allowing you to identify areas for improvement.
• Channel Management: Similar to AdNabu, manage product feeds across various marketplaces, such as Google Shopping, Facebook, and more.
• Customizable Templates: Utilize pre-built templates or create custom ones to tailor your product feed presentation.

Which Tool to Choose?

Both AdNabu and DataFeedWatch are powerful tools, but they cater to slightly different needs:

Both AdNabu and DataFeedWatch are powerful tools, but they cater to slightly different needs:

Choose AdNabu if you:

• Consider a user-friendly interface as a top priority
• Value automated optimization features and Google keyword suggestions.
• Are looking for a comprehensive solution that includes multi-channel management

Choose DataFeedWatch if you:

• Require a high level of customization and control over your product feed
• Need advanced feed manipulation capabilities through rule-based editing
• Have a complex product catalog with specific data formatting needs

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific requirements and technical expertise. If you need a high-level customization option and want to get started quickly, AdNabu is the option to choose.

Creating Effective Pinterest Pins for Shopify Products

On Pinterest, attention spans are short, and visuals reign supreme. To truly captivate users and drive them to your Shopify store, your Pins need to be more than just product photos. Here’s how to create effective Pins that entice, inform, and convert:

1. Strategic Use of Text

Keep your Pin text concise and clear. Craft compelling titles that use relevant keywords to grab attention and accurately reflect your product. Utilize descriptions to provide additional details, benefits, and CTAs to encourage users to take action on your Shopify store.

2. Harness the Power of Color

Colors evoke emotions and influence user behavior. Leverage your brand colors and experiment with contrasting colors to make your Pins stand out in a crowded feed.

3. Scheduling Pins for Maximum Reach

Posting fresh content from time to time keeps your audience engaged. This will also increase your chances of appearing in search results. So, aim to create and schedule Pins several times a week. 

You can consider creating Pins ahead of time that resonate with seasonal trends and upcoming holidays. This will help you maximize the outcome and plan your content calendar effectively. 

Promoting Your Shopify Store on Pinterest

While organic reach on Pinterest remains a powerful tool for e-commerce businesses, true mastery lies in leveraging a long-term approach. By strategically amplifying your presence, you can unlock exponential growth for your Shopify store.

Here, we explore a thought-leadership approach that can harness the full potential of Pinterest’s advertising capabilities.

1. Leveraging Pinterest Ads for Maximum Impact

People connect with stories, not just products. Leverage the power of visual storytelling on Pinterest. Craft narratives that resonate with your target audience’s aspirations and lifestyles. Show how your products enhance their lives, solve problems, or elevate their experiences.

This emotional connection is powerful enough to drive engagement and, ultimately, sales.

Organic reach is a fantastic starting point, but targeted advertising allows you to hyper-focus your message and exponentially amplify your reach. Pinterest Ads offer a variety of campaign objectives, from driving website traffic and brand awareness to promoting specific products and boosting conversions.

By leveraging audience insights and crafting compelling ad creatives that align with your organic content strategy, you ensure your message resonates with the most receptive audience, maximizing your return on ad spend (ROAS).

2. Understanding Your Audience: The Foundation of Success

The cornerstone of any successful marketing strategy is a deep understanding of your target audience. On Pinterest, this translates to pinpointing the specific demographics, interests, and behaviors that define your ideal customer.

Utilize Pinterest Analytics and audience insights tools to create detailed buyer personas. This knowledge informs every aspect of your Pinterest strategy, from crafting targeted content to pinpointing the most effective advertising segments.

3.  Data-Driven Optimization: The Continuous Improvement Cycle

The best marketing strategies are never static. Utilize Pinterest’s analytics tools to track the performance of your organic content and paid advertising campaigns meticulously. Analyze key metrics like click-through rates, engagement, and conversions to identify areas for improvement.

Refine your content strategy, optimize your ad targeting, and continuously adapt your approach based on data-driven insights. This will ensure that your Pinterest presence remains dynamic and delivers optimal results over time.

By adopting this strategic approach that blends organic content creation, audience-targeted advertising, and data-driven optimization, you can transform Pinterest into a powerhouse sales channel for your Shopify store. 

Conclusion

We’ve now covered the essential steps to connecting Shopify to Pinterest, including creating captivating product Pins and leveraging targeted advertising to reach a wider audience.

By following these comprehensive strategies and potentially utilizing powerful product feed management tools like AdNabu, you’ll be able to unlock Pinterest’s immense potential and transform it into a powerful sales engine for your e-commerce business. 

Remember, the journey to success is continuous, so stay informed about the latest Pinterest trends and experiment with different approaches to fine-tune your strategy and achieve long-term growth.

You may also like: Shopify Audiences: A Detailed Guide Auction Vs Reservation In Facebook Ads: The Key Differences

FAQs

1. What are the steps to connect Shopify to Pinterest?

To connect Shopify to Pinterest, you will first need to install the Pinterest app in the Shopify App Store. Then, review the permissions, add your TAG ID, and follow the instructions on the screen to connect your Pinterest Business account.

2. Do I need a Pinterest Business account to connect to Shopify?

Yes, a Pinterest Business account is a crucial requirement if you want to sell and advertise on the platform. You can either convert your existing personal account to a Business account or create a new one specifically for your store.

3. How do I install the Pinterest app on Shopify?

Shopify makes it easy to install the Pinterest app. To do so, open the Shopify App Store, search “Pinterest,” and locate the app. Next, click “Add App” and follow the prompts to install the app in your Shopify store.

4. What information is shared between Shopify and Pinterest?

After connecting Shopify with Pinterest, all the details—images, pricing, descriptions, availability—needed to create Product Pins are shared.

5. How do I verify my Shopify domain on Pinterest?

To verify your Pinterest domain, you need to navigate to the “Claim” section once you have installed the Pinterest app in Shopify. Then, enter your Shopify store’s domain to complete verification.

6. Can I track Pinterest analytics from my Shopify store?

While Shopify itself won’t display Pinterest analytics, connecting your accounts grants access to these insights within your Pinterest Business profile.

7. How do I create Product Pins from my Shopify store?

By connecting Pinterest and Shopify, your product catalog automatically syncs with Pinterest, generating Product Pins that display up-to-date information about your offerings.

8. Are there any costs associated with connecting Shopify to Pinterest?

The app itself is free to use, allowing you to connect your store and leverage organic reach. However, if you decide to run targeted Pinterest Ads to amplify your reach, advertising costs will apply.

9. Can I customize the appearance of my Product Pins?

Yes, because though the core layout is pre-defined, you have creative control over how your Product Pins appear.

10. What should I do if my Shopify products are not appearing on Pinterest?

If your products aren’t showing up on Pinterest, you need to check a few things. First, verify the integration status within the Shopify Pinterest app. Ensure your product listings on Shopify are active and visible. Also, double-check your Pinterest Business account settings for any discrepancies. By following these steps, you should be able to troubleshoot the issue and get your products displayed on Pinterest.