Pinterest is not just for recipes and home décor, it’s a powerful visual search engine that can drive thousands of visitors to your blog, online store, or digital products. Unlike social platforms where posts fade quickly, a well-optimized pin can send you traffic for months or even years.
But here’s the truth: no matter how valuable your content is, if your pins are not clickable, people will scroll right past them.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn step-by-step strategies to design Pinterest pins that not only grab attention but also get clicks and convert into traffic, leads, and sales.
Why Clickable Pinterest Pins Matter
Before diving into design, let’s establish why clickability is the golden key to Pinterest success.
Pinterest is different from Instagram or TikTok. Users don’t go there to watch random videos—they go there with a search intent. They’re actively looking for solutions: recipes, DIY tips, business ideas, fashion inspiration, or blog growth hacks.
A clickable pin does two essential things:
-
Grabs attention with eye-catching visuals.
-
Promises value so users want to learn more.
If your pin looks boring, messy, or hard to read, it won’t get clicks, no matter how helpful your content is.
You can also read my beginner-friendly post on How to Write Blog Posts That Rank on Google to learn how to create content worth clicking.
Step 1: Choose the Right Pin Size
Pinterest recommends a 2:3 aspect ratio for pins, typically 1000 x 1500 pixels.
Why does this matter? Vertical pins take up more space in the Pinterest feed, making them naturally more noticeable. In contrast, square or horizontal pins often blend in and get ignored.
Example:
-
Pin A (1000 x 1500): Tall, bold, and fills the feed → More attention
-
Pin B (1080 x 1080): Small, easy to skip → Less engagement
Pro Tip: Canva and other design tools already offer free Pinterest templates with the correct size, saving you time.
Step 2: Use Bold and Readable Fonts
Pinterest is a mobile-first platform. Around 85% of users browse from their phones. That means your text needs to be readable on tiny screens.
Font Guidelines:
-
Use bold, sans-serif fonts for your headline.
-
Avoid overly fancy script fonts for main text.
-
Add contrast (light text on dark background or vice versa).
If a user can’t read your headline in 2 seconds, they’ll scroll away.
Related: Check out my guide on Best Free Blogging Tools for Beginners to see which design apps I recommend.
Step 3: Add a Strong, Click-Worthy Headline
Your headline is the hook. It determines whether someone stops and clicks or just keeps scrolling.
Instead of writing:
Pinterest Tips
Write something like:
“10 Pinterest Hacks That Will Double Your Blog Traffic in 2025”
Qualities of a Good Headline:
-
Uses numbers or power words (“easy,” “proven,” “best”).
-
Creates curiosity without being spammy.
-
Clearly communicates a benefit.
You can also read my post on How to Write Headlines That Attract Readers.
Step 4: Use High-Quality, Relevant Images
Your background image should be aligned with your content. If your blog post is about healthy breakfast recipes, don’t use a stock photo of a laptop, use a delicious food photo that creates desire.
Free Image Sources:
Pro Tip: Bright, colorful images with good contrast tend to perform best.
Step 5: Stick to Your Brand Colors
Consistency builds trust. If your pins follow a recognizable color palette, people will start to identify your content instantly.
For example, if your brand colors are pink, beige, and white, use them across all your designs. Over time, users will scroll and immediately recognize your pins in a crowded feed.
Not sure about branding yet? Read my guide on How to Create a Simple Blog Brand Identity.
Step 6: Add a Call-to-Action (CTA)
Never assume people know what to do next. Guide them with a clear call-to-action (CTA).
Examples of Pinterest CTAs:
-
“Click to Read More”
-
“Download Free Guide”
-
“Shop the Collection”
-
“Save This Pin for Later”
CTAs increase click-through rates because they tell users exactly what step to take.
Step 7: Keep Your Design Simple
One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is cluttered design. Too much text, too many images, or overwhelming colors confuse the viewer.
Follow the one-message rule: Each pin should communicate one idea clearly. If you want to promote multiple ideas, create multiple pins.
Step 8: Use Pinterest SEO Keywords
Pinterest is not just a social platform, it’s a search engine. That means keywords play a huge role in making your pins discoverable.
Where to Use Keywords:
-
Pin title
-
Pin description
-
On-image text (Pinterest can read text in images!)
Example:
If your blog post is about print-on-demand, your pin could be:
“How to Start a Print-on-Demand Business in 2025 (Beginner Friendly)”
Related: Read my post on Print-on-Demand vs Dropshipping: Which One to Choose.
Step 9: Test Different Designs (A/B Testing)
Sometimes, the only way to know what works is to test different designs.
A/B Testing Ideas:
-
Version A: Blue background, bold font
-
Version B: Pink background, handwritten font
-
Version C: Same text but with numbers in the headline
Upload at different times and monitor which one gets more saves and clicks.
You can also learn from my Beginner’s Guide to A/B Testing for Bloggers.
Step 10: Optimize for Mobile Viewing
Since most users browse Pinterest on their phones, always check how your pin looks on mobile screens.
Ask yourself:
-
Is the text still clear?
-
Does the headline fit without being cut off?
-
Is the image crisp or pixelated?
Step 11: Post Consistently
Even the most beautiful pins won’t work if you post inconsistently. Pinterest rewards active accounts that post frequently.
Posting Strategy:
-
Minimum: 3–5 pins per week
-
Best: 1–2 pins per day
-
Tools: Use Tailwind or Pinterest’s native scheduler
See my guide on How to Create a 10-Week Blogging Schedule for consistency tips.
Bonus Tips to Boost Clicks
-
Add subtle branding (logo or blog name) to every pin.
-
Experiment with animations (Pinterest allows video pins too).
-
Use seasonal trends (e.g., “Holiday Marketing Tips” during Q4).
-
Repurpose pins for multiple posts (change colors, headlines, or CTAs).
Conclusion
Designing clickable Pinterest pins is not about being a professional graphic designer, it’s about understanding psychology, branding, and Pinterest SEO.
If you:
-
Use the right pin size
-
Add strong, clear headlines
-
Choose quality images
-
Stick to brand colors
-
Add CTAs
-
Stay consistent
…you’ll see your Pinterest account grow with more clicks, traffic, and conversions.
Pinterest success doesn’t happen overnight, but with patience, testing, and optimization, your blog or online store can get a steady stream of traffic every day.
Ready to take your Pinterest strategy further? Check out my Beginner’s Guide to Pinterest SEO and start building long-term traffic today.
