Are you on Pinterest but not seeing the traffic or leads you thought you would? You’re pinning, you’re posting, but it feels like you’re shouting into the void. I get it—and you’re not alone. Most service providers make the exact same mistakes on Pinterest, and those mistakes are literally costing them clients.
The good news? Every single one is totally fixable. Today, I’m breaking down the five biggest Pinterest mistakes I see all the time and showing you what to do instead—so your pins finally start bringing in the traffic and sales you’ve been dreaming about.
I’m Jen Vazquez, a Pinterest Pioneer who’s been using Pinterest since the beta days back in 2009. I grew my photography business to six figures with it before launching my Pinterest marketing agency. Since then, I’ve helped hundreds of service providers turn Pinterest into their lead-generating machine. And let me tell you: it’s not about working harder—it’s about avoiding these simple mistakes.
Let’s dive in!
Mistake #1: Treating Pinterest Like Social Media
This is one of the biggest mistakes I see: treating Pinterest like Instagram or TikTok. But here’s the thing—Pinterest is not social media. It’s a visual search engine.
People don’t go to Pinterest to scroll mindlessly. They go there with intention: searching for how to plan a wedding timeline, how to create a morning routine for moms, or how to solve a problem. They’re closer to making a purchase because they’re actively researching.
The fix: Think of Pinterest like Google, but prettier and friendlier. Use keyword-rich titles, descriptions, and board names. Don’t just pin pretty photos—optimize everything so your content shows up when someone is searching for exactly what you offer.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Your Website Connection
You can send all the traffic in the world from Pinterest, but if your website isn’t set up to convert, that traffic goes nowhere. Another huge mistake? Not claiming your website on Pinterest.
That’s like setting up shop in the middle of town but forgetting to put your address on the map. Without claiming your site, your pins look less trustworthy, you miss out on analytics, and you lose authority in Pinterest’s algorithm.
The fix: Claim your website in your Pinterest settings. It takes just a couple of minutes, and it unlocks analytics gold—showing you exactly what’s working so you can double down on it.
Mistake #3: Inconsistent Pinning
Raise your hand if this sounds familiar: you go all-in on Pinterest for a week or two, scheduling pins like a pro… and then life happens. Suddenly, it’s been three months since your last pin.
Pinterest notices the inconsistency, and it doesn’t reward it.
The fix: Commit to pinning consistently. Set aside one hour a week to batch and schedule pins. Repurpose content you already have—blog posts, podcasts, videos, and Instagram. And remember: Pinterest is a long game. A pin you create today can drive traffic years from now.
💡 QUICK NOTE: If you’re nodding along thinking, “This all makes sense, but I honestly don’t have the time to do Pinterest myself,” that’s exactly why I offer Pinterest Management services. My team and I handle strategy, pin design, and scheduling so you can focus on serving your clients while your Pinterest works in the background to drive leads. Click here to explore management options →
Mistake #4: Using the Wrong Images
Pinterest is visual, which means your images matter. Horizontal photos, tiny text, or pretty-but-illegible fonts blend right into the feed.
The fix: Use vertical (2:3 ratio) pins with bold fonts, high-contrast colors, and clear text overlays that tell people exactly why they should click. Remember: most people are on mobile, so your pin needs to be legible in seconds. Think of your pin as a mini ad for your content—pretty matters, but clickable matters more.
Mistake #5: No Clear Call to Action
Even if you’ve nailed everything else, you’ll still lose people if your landing page is a dead end. I see it all the time—clicking through to a blog post with no freebie, no opt-in, no next step. That’s like inviting someone into your store and then walking away.
The fix: Always add a clear call to action. Whether it’s downloading a checklist, booking a free call, or watching a video, tell people exactly what to do next. Pinterest traffic converts better than any other social platform—but only if you guide people into your funnel.
✨ Need help with ideas? I’ve put together a list of 80 different calls to action you can use for your pins, blogs, and landing pages. It’s totally free, and it’ll give you endless inspiration for guiding your audience to the next step. Grab the free list here →
Final Thoughts
Those are the five mistakes that might be stealing your Pinterest traffic and leads. The best part? They’re all super easy to fix. Once you treat Pinterest like the search engine it is, stay consistent, and guide people with clear CTAs, your account starts working for you 24/7—for years to come.
Seriously, Pinterest is the platform that keeps giving—even while you’re on vacation, maternity leave, or spending time with your kids. That’s the kind of marketing that truly supports your business and your life.
