Learn about Pinterest’s Verified Merchant Program and what to do if you don’t qualify
Pinterest is rapidly evolving into a powerful e-commerce platform. With its new CEO Bill Ready’s background in Google Commerce and PayPal, it’s clear that significant changes are coming to make buying and selling on Pinterest even easier. Whether you sell digital or physical products, Pinterest offers unique opportunities to reach a vast audience and drive sales.
Head on this little journey with me as we’ dive deep into the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program, discuss why you should join, and provide strategies for those who might not qualify just yet.
What is the Pinterest Verified Merchant Program?
The Verified Merchant Program is Pinterest’s way of ensuring a trustworthy shopping experience for its users. Merchants who are verified have undergone a rigorous vetting process, ensuring they are legitimate businesses with high-quality products.
Why Should You Join the Verified Merchant Program?
The benefits of becoming a verified merchant are significant:
- Increased Visibility: Your product pins will appear in organic search results and be marked as “Shoppable,” making them stand out to potential customers.
- Enhanced Trust: The verified merchant badge signals to shoppers that your business is credible and reliable.
- Increased Reach: Verified merchants often experience higher engagement and visibility, leading to more sales.
Qualifying for the Verified Merchant Program: What You Need to Know
To qualify for the program, you’ll need to meet several requirements:
- Account Age: Your Pinterest business account must be at least three months old.
- Website Age: Your claimed business website must have been created at least 13 months ago.
- Profile Completion: Your Pinterest profile should have a profile picture and a complete “About” section. Learn how to Optimize Your profile here.
- Merchant Guidelines: Your products and website must adhere to Pinterest’s merchant guidelines.
- Catalog Connection: You’ll need to connect your product catalog to Pinterest, ensuring that at least 50% of your products are ingested successfully.
- Conversion Source: Set up a conversion source to track sales and measure the impact of your Pinterest marketing efforts.
Don’t Qualify Yet? Here’s What You Can Do
Even if you don’t meet all the requirements yet, you can still leverage Pinterest to promote your products:
- Pin Directly From Your Shop: Use the Pinterest or Tailwind extension to pin products from your shop. Be sure to space out your pins and avoid pinning too many at once to prevent being flagged for spam.
- Tag Your Products: Utilize the “Shop the Look” feature to tag products in your pins, making them easily shoppable for viewers.
- Create High-Quality Pins: Design visually appealing pins that showcase your products in the best light. Use keywords in your pin descriptions to improve discoverability. Check out this blog post on how to create effective pin descriptions.
- Use Pinterest Pin Templates: This will speed up your workflow and ensure you have high quality pins.
- Create a Workflow: Create a workflow that will work for you and ensure all your products make it onto Pinterest.
Commonly Asked Questions:
- Does it cost money to sell products on Pinterest? No, it’s free to have your products listed on Pinterest. You only incur costs if you choose to run ads.
- What kind of products can I sell on Pinterest? Pinterest allows a wide range of products, from digital goods to home decor, clothing, and more. However, you cannot sell prohibited items like weapons or adult products.
- Do I need a paid scheduler? No you do not, you can schedule directly on Pinterest up to 30 days in advance. If you want to schedule further in advance you can use a scheduler. My two favorite schedulers are Tailwind and Metricool.
Next Steps: Building Your Pinterest E-commerce Strategy
Pinterest offers immense potential for e-commerce businesses. Whether you’re already a verified merchant or working towards it, there are numerous strategies you can implement to drive traffic and sales.
If you’re ready to take your Pinterest marketing to the next level, consider scheduling a strategy call with a Pinterest expert, like me. I can help you develop a customized plan tailored to your business goals.
Remember, success on Pinterest takes time and effort. But with the right strategies and a commitment to providing value to your audience, you can unlock the full potential of this platform and achieve significant growth for your business.
Ready to get started? Click here to book a free strategy call and start driving more sales today!
