Getting people to see your digital products on Pinterest is not always easy. Many beginners make mistakes that stop them from growing.
In this blog, I will show you 15 common Pinterest mistakes that can hurt your business. If you fix these, your pins will reach more people, and you can start earning your first $500 faster.
Mistake 1: Using Canva Templates Without Changing Them
Canva is amazing for beginners. It has free templates that make creating pins fast and easy. I even used them when I first started!
But here’s the big mistake: many people use the templates exactly as they are.
Why This Is a Problem
Pinterest is like a giant library. Imagine if every book had the same cover. You wouldn’t know which one to pick!
If everyone uses the same free Canva template, your pin looks just like everyone else’s. Pinterest’s system can tell when a pin is not unique, and it may not show it to anyone. That means your digital products won’t get seen.
How to Fix It
You need to make your pins unique and eye-catching. Here’s how:
- Change the colors: Use colors that match your brand.
- Change the fonts: Pick fonts that are easy to read and look professional.
- Add your own pictures: Show photos of your digital products, AI tools, or screenshots.
The Easy Way to Stand Out
If you want to save time and still look professional, you can use my [60 Effortless Pinterest Templates].
These templates are built to be easy to change. Instead of using the same free templates as everyone else, you can make unique pins in just a few minutes. This helps your pins get noticed, clicked, and shared, which means more people visit your shop and buy your digital products.
🔗 [Click here to see our 15 Free Canva Templates]
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 2: Forgetting Simple Design Rules
You do not need to be an artist to make great pins. But you do need to follow a few easy rules. Many beginners forget about things like fonts and colors, and that can make their pins hard to read or boring.
Why This Is a Problem
If your font is too fancy or hard to read, people will just scroll past. They won’t know what your pin is about.
Also, if your colors don’t fit your topic, people can feel confused. For example, if you teach digital products, you want colors that feel friendly, bright, and helpful, not dark or dull.
The Solution: Keep It Simple and Clean
Here’s how to make pins that look great and get clicks:
- Use clean fonts: Pick words that are easy to read, even on a small phone screen.
- Use good colors: Look at other pins in your niche. Use colors that feel right for your topic.
- Make it big: Make sure your main words are big and easy to see.
The Effortless Way to Look Like a Pro
If you worry about picking fonts or colors, I’ve done the hard work for you! My [60 Effortless Pinterest Templates] use modern, clean designs that are proven to get clicks.
You just pick a template, add your words, and you have a professional pin in seconds. It’s the easiest way to look like a pro without the stress.
🔗 [Click here to see our 15 Free Canva Templates]
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 3: Posting Too Many Pins Too Fast
Many beginners think posting a lot of pins every day is the secret to success. But it’s not! If you post 5–10 pins a day right after opening your account, Pinterest might think you are a robot.
Why This Is a Problem
Pinterest wants real people who share helpful things. New accounts that post too much can look like spam. Pinterest may stop showing your pins, and that can hurt your growth for a long time.
The Solution: Start Slow and Steady
You want to “warm up” your account. This shows Pinterest that you are a real person who cares about the community.
- The 1-Pin Rule: For the first month, post just 1 good pin per day. It’s safer than posting 10 at once.
- Follow a plan: Use a simple first-month plan. It shows you exactly how to grow without stress.
Mistake 4: Adding Links Too Soon
Pinterest lets you put links on your pins, but you need to be careful. Many beginners add links from day one. They also use the same link over and over.
Why This Is a Problem
If you only post links to your shop, Pinterest might think you are just there to sell things. This can make your account hidden (called “shadow-banned”) or even closed. You need to build trust with Pinterest first.
The Solution: Use the Warmup Strategy
Follow a simple plan to keep your account safe:
- Post helpful pins first: For the first 15 days, post pins with tips or pretty pictures without any links. This shows Pinterest you are helpful.
- Wait 7–10 days: When you start adding links, wait at least a week before using the same link again.
- Change your pin design: If you link to the same product, make each pin look different. My [60 Effortless Pinterest Templates] make this fast and easy.
🔗 [Click here to learn our full Month 1 Warmup Plan]
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 5: Only Posting One Kind of Pin
Many beginners only post pins with big words. These are good for clicks, but they are not enough.
Why This Is a Problem
Pinterest likes it when people save your pins. Saving a pin is like a “vote” that tells Pinterest your content is good. Pins with pretty pictures or helpful tips often get more saves than pins that only sell. If your pins don’t get saved, Pinterest won’t show them to new people.
The Solution: Mix It Up!
Use a mix of pins to grow your account:
- Pretty pictures: Beautiful photos that fit your topic.
- Helpful tips: Quick tips that give value without a link.
- Clickable pins: Pins with clear titles that go to your shop.
The easy way: My [60 Effortless Pinterest Templates] let you make all three types in minutes. You can create a “tip” pin, a “pretty” pin, and a “click” pin at the same time!
Mistake 6: Picking Words That Are Too Hard
Good words (keywords) are just as important as your design. Many beginners pick words that are too popular.
Why This Is a Problem
Think of Pinterest like a big race. Popular words are like racing against the fastest runners. Big companies already use them. If you only use big words, your pins get lost in the crowd.
The Solution: Find Your “Secret Path”
Instead of using huge words, use long-tail keywords. These are specific and easier to win with:
- Be specific: Instead of “Fitness,” try “Easy Home Workouts for Busy Moms.”
- Do your homework: Look for words your ideal customers search for.
- Use our guide: Learn how to find these secret words in our [Beginner’s Guide to Pinterest Keyword Research].
Mistake 7: Forgetting to Fix Your Account
Many people think that just posting pins is enough. But Pinterest is like a giant library. If your account is not set up the right way, the librarian (Pinterest) won’t know where to put your books!
Why This is a Problem
Pinterest is a search engine, not just a place for pretty pictures. It uses “SEO” to understand who you are. If you leave your settings empty, Pinterest gets confused. It won’t know who to show your pins to. This means you are wasting your time because the right people won’t see your work.
The Solution: Use Pinterest SEO
You must fix your account so Pinterest can find you.
•Fill Everything Out: Do not leave any part of your profile empty.
•Use Good Words: Put your winning words in your name and your bio.
•Claim Your Website: This shows Pinterest that you are a real business owner. You can learn how to do this in our [Pinterest Account Optimization Guide].
Mistake 8: Having a Weak Profile
Your profile is the first thing people see. If it looks messy or confusing, they will not follow you. Many beginners forget to add their website link or use a blurry picture.
Why This is a Problem
Your profile is like your “24/7 Salesperson.” It works for you even when you are sleeping! If it doesn’t look professional, people will not trust you. They might think your products are not good. You want people to feel happy and safe when they see your profile so they want to buy from you.
The Solution: Make a Great First Impression
You want your profile to look professional and helpful.
•Clear Name: Use your brand name and your main keywords. For example: “The Healthy Mom | Easy Workouts for Beginners.”
•Helpful Bio: Tell people exactly how you can help them. Use your keywords here too!
•Good Picture: Use a clear photo of your face or your logo. People like to see who they are buying from!
•Add Your Link: Make sure people can click a link to visit your shop or blog.
If you want to make sure your profile is perfect, check out our guide on [How to Optimize Your Pinterest Profile].
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 7: Forgetting to Fix Your Account
Many beginners think that just posting pins is enough. But Pinterest is like a giant library. If your account is not set up right, the librarian (Pinterest) won’t know where to put your “books”!
Why This Is a Problem
Pinterest is a search engine, not just a place for pretty pictures. It uses something called SEO to understand who you are. If your profile is empty or messy, Pinterest gets confused. Your pins might not reach the right people. That means your hard work goes unseen.
The Solution: Use Pinterest SEO
Fix your account so Pinterest can find you:
- Fill everything out: Don’t leave parts of your profile empty.
- Use good words: Put your main keywords in your name and bio.
- Claim your website: This tells Pinterest you are a real business owner. Learn how in our [Pinterest Account Optimization Guide].
Mistake 8: Having a Weak Profile
Your profile is the first thing people see. If it looks messy or confusing, people won’t follow you. Some beginners forget to add a link to their shop or use a blurry picture.
Why This Is a Problem
Think of your profile as your 24/7 salesperson. It works for you even while you sleep! If it doesn’t look professional, people won’t trust you. They might think your products aren’t good. You want your profile to make people feel happy and safe so they want to buy from you.
The Solution: Make a Great First Impression
Make your profile professional and helpful:
- Clear name: Use your brand name plus your main keywords. Example: “The Healthy Mom | Easy Workouts for Beginners.”
- Helpful bio: Tell people exactly how you can help them. Add keywords here too!
- Good picture: Use a clear photo of your face or logo. People like to see who they are buying from.
- Add your link: Make sure people can click to visit your shop or blog.
You can check our guide on [How to Optimize Your Pinterest Profile] to make sure everything is perfect.
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 9: Having Messy Boards
Boards are where you keep your pins. Many beginners make boards that are too big or have unclear names. For example, they might call a board just “Food” or “Clothes.”
Why This Is a Problem
If your boards are too big, Pinterest won’t know what is inside them. It’s like having a box labeled “Stuff”—nobody knows what’s inside! If Pinterest can’t understand your boards, it won’t show them to the people who need your help.
The Solution: Be Specific and Neat
Make your boards easy to understand for Pinterest and your customers:
- Use specific names: Instead of “Food,” try “Easy Healthy Breakfasts.” Instead of “Clothes,” try “Summer Outfits for Work.”
- Write good descriptions: Tell people exactly what they will find in each board. Use your main keywords here too!
- Put the best boards first: Move your most important boards to the top so visitors see them right away.
Mistake 10: Acting Like a Robot
Some beginners think Pinterest is just a machine to make money. They only post pins with links and never interact with anyone.
Why This Is a Problem
Pinterest wants to be a friendly place where people help each other. If you only post links and never “talk” to your audience, your account might stop growing. Pinterest loves it when you are a real person who cares about your followers.
The Solution: Be a Real Person
Build a small community around your business:
- Talk to people: Reply to comments on your pins. Say “thank you” or answer questions.
- Follow others: Connect with people in your niche who share helpful content.
- Be helpful: Your main goal is to help your customers. When you do that, sales will follow naturally.
🔗 [Click here to get our 60 Effortless Pinterest Templates for $9]
Mistake 11: Trying to Do Too Much
Many beginners try to post 10 or 20 pins every day. That is very hard! Soon, they get tired and stop posting. This is a big mistake because Pinterest likes it when you show up every day.
The Solution: Pick a Plan You Can Keep
It is better to do a little every day than a lot and then stop.
- Start small: Post just 1 or 3 pins a day.
- Be consistent: Show up every day for a month. Then you can add more pins.
- Avoid burnout: Your business should give you freedom, not make you tired or stressed.
Mistake 12: Not Looking at Your “Wins”
Some people post pins but never check if they work. This is like driving a car with your eyes closed! You need to see what is happening so you can grow.
The Solution: Look at Your Data
Pinterest has a tool called Analytics. It shows which pins people like and which ones they ignore.
- Find your best pins: See which pins get the most clicks and saves. Make more like those!
- Fix what is not working: If a pin gets few clicks, try a new design or new words.
- Use your data to grow: Analytics is like a map. It shows the fastest way to reach your $500 goal.
🔗 Check out our [Pinterest Keyword Research Guide]
🔗 Use our [Free Canva Templates] to try new designs
Mistake 13: Relying Too Much on AI
AI tools are amazing. They help you create content faster and stay visible. But beginners make a mistake when they let AI do everything.
If you let AI write all your blog posts, pin titles, and designs, your content can look the same as everyone else’s. Pinterest wants original, clear, and personal content.
The Solution: Use AI the Smart Way
- Use AI as a helper, not the boss: Let AI do the draft or ideas.
- Add your own voice: Edit everything. Add your style, energy, and message.
- Fact-check: Make sure your content is correct and clear.
When your unique voice meets AI efficiency, your pins feel special—and Pinterest rewards that!
Mistake 14: Forgetting Your Website
Many beginners make pins but forget about the website behind them. Pinterest looks at both the pin and the page it links to.
If your website is slow, messy, or hard to use on a phone, people leave fast. Pinterest notices this and may stop showing your pins. Sometimes the “View Site” button disappears, which means fewer visitors and fewer sales.
The Solution: Make Your Website Shine
- Keep it clean: Remove old or low-quality pages.
- Speed it up: Use Google’s PageSpeed tool to make your site faster.
- Mobile-friendly: Make sure it works well on phones.
When your pins and website work together, your growth is steady and stress-free.
Mistake 15: Expecting Instant Results
A big mistake is thinking Pinterest will work overnight.
Even if your pins are perfect, your keywords are clear, and you post every day, Pinterest takes time. It is a long-term platform, not a quick-win. New blogs and new accounts especially need patience.
The Solution: Be Patient and Consistent
- Stick to the plan: Follow your Month 2 strategy before making changes.
- Give it time: Let Pinterest learn about your pins and website.
- Watch patterns: Check what works and what doesn’t over a few weeks.
Consistency brings visibility. Patience makes your growth compound over time.