Simple Pin Podcast – Episode Summary

Podcast: Simple Pin Podcast: Simple ways to boost your business using Pinterest
Host: Kate Ahl
Episode: How to Get Started on Pinterest if You're a New E-commerce Brand
Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kate Ahl delivers a step-by-step guide for new e-commerce businesses to successfully launch and optimize their presence on Pinterest. The episode clarifies Pinterest’s value for e-commerce, debunks persistent myths, and walks listeners through practical strategies: from profile setup and board creation to pin design, Pinterest SEO, utilizing shopping features, and ads. Kate also addresses common frustrations faced by new brands and reaffirms a long-term, consistent approach for best results.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Pinterest Matters for E-commerce [02:05]

• Pinterest is Not Social Media: “Pinterest isn’t social media...it’s actually a visual search engine and that kind of changes everything.” (Kate, 02:32)
• User Intent: Unlike users on other platforms, Pinterest users are actively searching and planning to make purchases.
• Audience & Stats:
  • 600 million monthly active users, +11-15% YoY growth.
  • 1 in 3 shoppers earns over $100k/year.
  • 80% of weekly users find purchase inspiration; 85-95% of usage is mobile.
• Pinterest’s Commercial Power: “They’re not just browsing—they are buying.” (Kate, 03:02)

2. Setting Up Your Pinterest Business Account [05:40]

• Business Account Benefits: Access to analytics, ads, and shopping features.
• Profile Setup:
  • Your profile is your storefront—include what you sell in your profile name.
  • Add a clear description.
  • Use a professional profile photo.
• Claim Your Website: “It takes less than five minutes and honestly, it makes a massive difference in how professional your profile looks.” (Kate, 07:19)
• Common Mistakes: Incomplete profiles and missing claimed websites are frequent issues.

3. Organizing Boards Strategically [08:15]

• Start with 5–10 boards: Each should represent major product categories or themes related to what people actually search for.
• Board Naming Tips:
  • Use search-friendly, descriptive names (e.g., “Nighttime skincare routines” instead of “Our Products”).
  • “Nobody is searching for ‘our products.’” (Kate, 09:30)
• Board Descriptions: Add keyword-rich, natural explanations. Don’t keyword-stuff.
• Profile Structure: Make the first 3–5 boards the strongest; fewer, richer boards are better than many empty ones.

4. Creating Pins That Convert [11:01]

• Pin Dimensions: Use vertical (2:3 ratio, 1000x1500px) for engagement; catalog product pins will be square.
• Pin Design Essentials:
  • Clean, eye-catching visuals.
  • Use text overlays for clarity, unless in home décor (where imagery rules).
  • Example: “Summer 2025 sandal collection.”
• Video Pins:
  • Huge and growing—up 200% YoY; 1 billion videos watched daily.
  • “Users are 55% more likely to buy after watching a product video on Pinterest compared to other platforms.” (Kate, 13:10)
  • Short demos, styling tips, testimonials, unboxings; add captions; grab attention fast.
• Pin Titles & Descriptions:
  • Use clear, keyword-rich titles.
  • Descriptions: Highlight benefits and include a strong call to action (“Grab this great travel tech organizer for your next vacation.”)
• Pin Links:
  • “Every pin should link back to a specific product page… Do not send everybody to your homepage.” (Kate, 15:05)
  • Never pin without a link; skipping this is a critical lost opportunity.
  • “Please, please don’t just add a link. It is never worth it to gamify... Pinterest is a long-term platform.” (Kate, 16:14)

5. Pinterest SEO & Keyword Research [19:34]

• Pinterest = Visual Search: Works like Google for images and ideas.
• New AI Tools: Pinterest Assistant helps recommend products with smart search and image matching.
  • “Having this Pinterest Assistant, your keywords, and a great image really pulls those together so someone can have an ‘aha’ moment when they encounter your product.” (Kate, 21:25)
• Where to Research Keywords:
  • Use Pinterest’s search for auto-suggested terms.
  • Use the Pinterest Trends tool (trends.pinterest.com).
  • “It actually is being updated. It’s amazing. So go there and look for shopping trends.” (Kate, 22:11)

6. Activating Shopping Features [23:00]

• For Self-hosted Shops Only: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, etc.—not Etsy or TPT.
• Connect Your Product Catalog:
  • Ensures live, accurate product info and inventory refreshes daily.
  • “This allows you to no longer have missed opportunities on the platform. It literally removes a lot of the friction where I can just click to buy…” (Kate, 24:35)
• Verified Merchant Program:
  • Extra features and a trust badge, but not essential at first.
  • “If you do nothing else as a product seller, please, please, please connect your product catalog. Just do it.” (Kate, 25:30)
• Resources: Kate promises links and deep dives on shopping features and the Verified Merchant process.

7. Pinterest Ads for E-commerce [27:00]

• When to Start: Only after nailing organic strategy and connecting your catalog.
• Why Try Ads:
  • “If you are looking to scale faster with your products on Pinterest, this is where the money is. Don’t be scared of Pinterest ads.” (Kate, 28:30)
  • Ads offer robust targeting and can help accelerate results for top-performing pins.

8. Expectations: Patience & Progress [29:38]

• Why Growth Might Feel Slow: “Pinterest, as it might remind you, takes 6, 9, 12 months to really see good forward movement.” (Kate, 30:15)
• Early Wins: Increased engagement and traffic are positive leading indicators, even if sales take time.
• Long-term Payoff: Some clients now get 30–40% of website traffic from Pinterest.
  • “Pinterest is never, ever, ever going to explode overnight. But if you do stay consistent, you’ll start to see traffic pretty quickly, but you might not see sales right away.” (Kate, 31:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Pinterest isn’t social media...it’s actually a visual search engine and that kind of changes everything.” (02:32)
• “They’re not just browsing—they are buying.” (03:02)
• “Nobody is searching for ‘our products.’” (09:30)
• “Every pin should link back to a specific product page… Do not send everybody to your homepage.” (15:05)
• “Please, please don’t just add a link. It is never worth it to gamify... Pinterest is a long-term platform.” (16:14)
• “If you do nothing else as a product seller, please, please, please connect your product catalog. Just do it.” (25:30)
• “If you are looking to scale faster with your products on Pinterest, this is where the money is. Don’t be scared of Pinterest ads.” (28:30)
• “Pinterest is never, ever, ever going to explode overnight. But if you do stay consistent, you’ll start to see traffic pretty quickly, but you might not see sales right away.” (31:22)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:05: Why Pinterest matters for e-commerce brands
• 05:40: Setting up your Pinterest business account
• 08:15: Organizing and naming your boards
• 11:01: Creating pins that convert (static & video)
• 15:05: Link strategy for every pin
• 19:34: Pinterest SEO and keyword research
• 23:00: Connecting your product catalog and shopping features
• 27:00: Pinterest Ads advice
• 29:38: What to expect for timeline and results

Summary Tone

Kate Ahl is warm, practical, and empowering, with a no-nonsense approach. She busts myths, gives concrete how-tos, and uses memorable analogies. The encouragement to stay the course, optimize for search, and leverage platform-specific tools and strategies comes through with clarity and enthusiasm.

Useful Resources & Next Steps

• Follow links in the show notes for:
  • Related podcast episodes (boards, shopping features)
  • Pinterest Trends tool and keyword help
  • Information on Verified Merchant status
• For further strategies or questions, listeners are invited to reach out via YouTube comments or email.

Bottom Line:
Pinterest is a visual search engine designed for discovery and purchase intent—making it ideal for e-commerce. A well-optimized, consistent presence, with search-focused pins, strong board structure, active product catalog connection, and measured patience, can transform Pinterest into a powerful revenue stream for your store.