Pinterest is a powerful social media platform for driving traffic to your website. It allows users to visually discover and share content that interests them. With its large user base and strong visual appeal, Pinterest can be a valuable tool for increasing website traffic and boosting your online presence. To make it easier for visitors to pin your content, you can add a Pinterest "Pin It" button to your WordPress website.
This guide will walk you through four effective methods to integrate the Pinterest "Pin It" button into your WordPress site. We'll explore different plugin options and provide step-by-step instructions to make the process as smooth as possible. So, let's dive in and explore how to maximize your Pinterest marketing efforts!
Method 1: Using a Dedicated Pinterest Plugin
Installing the Pinterest for WordPress Plugin
One of the easiest ways to add a "Pin It" button to your WordPress site is by using a dedicated Pinterest plugin. There are several popular options available, each with its own features and functionalities. One such plugin is the "Pinterest for WordPress" plugin, which provides a comprehensive set of tools to enhance your Pinterest integration.
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Navigate to the Plugins section: Log in to your WordPress dashboard and go to Plugins > Add New.
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Search for the plugin: In the search bar, type "Pinterest for WordPress" and click on the Search Plugins button.
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Install and activate: Locate the "Pinterest for WordPress" plugin in the search results and click on the Install Now button. Once the installation is complete, click on the Activate button to enable the plugin.
Configuring the Pinterest Plugin Settings
After activating the plugin, you'll need to configure its settings to customize the appearance and functionality of the "Pin It" button.
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Access plugin settings: Go to Settings > Pinterest for WordPress to access the plugin's settings page.
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Configure the "Pin It" button: You can customize various aspects of the "Pin It" button, including:
- Button Position: Choose where you want the button to appear, such as above or below images, or both.
- Button Size: Adjust the size of the button to match your website's design.
- Button Style: Select from different button styles, including a floating button, a hover button, or a fixed button.
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Add Pinterest board: If you wish to specify a particular Pinterest board where users can pin your content, you can link your board by entering the URL of your board in the Board URL field.
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Enable sharing: If you want to enable the "Pin It" button for images that are not hosted on your website, enable the Enable sharing for images from other websites option.
Using the "Pin It" Button
Once you've configured the plugin settings, the "Pin It" button will automatically appear on your website's images. Users can click on the button to pin the image to their Pinterest boards.
Method 2: Using a Social Sharing Plugin
Choosing a Social Sharing Plugin
Many social sharing plugins allow you to add various social media sharing buttons, including the Pinterest "Pin It" button. This method offers more flexibility in managing your social sharing options and integrating them seamlessly with your website's design. Popular options include:
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Social Warfare: A feature-rich plugin offering a wide range of customization options and advanced analytics features.
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Sassy Social Share: A user-friendly plugin with a simple interface and an extensive library of social sharing buttons.
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AddToAny: A versatile plugin with a broad selection of social networks and customization tools.
Installing and Configuring the Social Sharing Plugin
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Install the plugin: From the WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New and search for your chosen social sharing plugin. Install and activate the plugin.
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Configure plugin settings: Once the plugin is active, access its settings by going to Settings > [Plugin Name].
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Enable Pinterest sharing: Locate the Pinterest settings within the plugin's configuration and enable the Pinterest sharing option. You can also adjust the appearance and functionality of the "Pin It" button.
Integrating the "Pin It" Button
Once you've configured the plugin settings, the Pinterest "Pin It" button will be displayed on your website's images. Depending on the plugin, you may have to customize the button's position and style.
Method 3: Using a WordPress Shortcode
Adding the Pinterest "Pin It" Button Shortcode
If you prefer a more manual approach, you can directly add a Pinterest "Pin It" button shortcode to your WordPress posts or pages.
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Obtain the shortcode: You can find the Pinterest "Pin It" button shortcode by visiting the Pinterest website and searching for "Pin It" button shortcode. Alternatively, you can use a shortcode generator to create a custom shortcode.
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Add the shortcode to your content: Paste the shortcode into your post or page editor where you want the "Pin It" button to appear.
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Customize the shortcode: Some shortcode generators allow you to customize the shortcode's attributes, such as the image URL and the Pinterest board URL.
Example of a Pinterest "Pin It" Button Shortcode
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=[YOUR_WEBSITE_URL]&media=[IMAGE_URL]&description=[IMAGE_DESCRIPTION]" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-custom="true"><img src="https://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_button.png" alt="Pin It"/></a>
Note: Replace the placeholders in the shortcode with your actual website URL, image URL, and image description.
Method 4: Using Custom HTML Code
Creating a Custom HTML Code Snippet
You can manually add the Pinterest "Pin It" button to your website using custom HTML code. This method allows for precise control over the button's appearance and placement.
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Create a custom HTML code snippet: Use the following HTML code as a template:
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=[YOUR_WEBSITE_URL]&media=[IMAGE_URL]&description=[IMAGE_DESCRIPTION]" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-custom="true"><img src="https://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_button.png" alt="Pin It"/></a> -
Paste the code into your website: Add the code snippet to your theme's header, footer, or individual post/page templates using a code editor or plugin.
Example of a Custom HTML Code Snippet
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://www.example.com/blog/post-title&media=https://www.example.com/images/post-image.jpg&description=An awesome blog post on [TOPIC]" data-pin-do="buttonPin" data-pin-custom="true"><img src="https://assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_button.png" alt="Pin It"/></a>
</div>
Note: Replace the placeholders with your actual website URL, image URL, and image description.
Optimizing Your Pinterest "Pin It" Button
Implementing Pinterest Rich Pins
Pinterest Rich Pins enhance your Pinterest content by displaying additional information directly on the Pinterest platform. To enable Rich Pins, you'll need to verify your website with Pinterest and follow the guidelines for implementing Rich Pins. By enabling Rich Pins, you'll provide more context and information to users, making your pins more appealing and engaging.
Choosing the Right Image Size and Format
The image size and format you use can significantly impact how your pins look on Pinterest. Pinterest recommends using high-quality images with a vertical aspect ratio of 2:3 or 1:1.5. Using high-resolution images can also enhance the visual appeal of your pins.
Creating Compelling Pinterest Descriptions
Your Pinterest descriptions play a vital role in attracting viewers to your content. They should be clear, concise, and informative, using relevant keywords and hashtags to increase discoverability. Your descriptions should also encourage users to click on your pin and visit your website.
Promoting Your Pinterest Profile
To maximize your Pinterest marketing efforts, promote your Pinterest profile across your other social media platforms and your website. You can also use Pinterest ads to reach a wider audience and drive traffic to your website.
FAQ
Q1. How can I add a Pinterest "Pin It" button to my images automatically?
You can use a dedicated Pinterest plugin like "Pinterest for WordPress" or a social sharing plugin with Pinterest integration to automatically add a "Pin It" button to your images.
Q2. How do I customize the Pinterest "Pin It" button?
Most plugins offer customization options to change the button's position, size, and style. You can also create a custom button using a shortcode generator or by writing custom HTML code.
Q3. What is the best way to optimize my Pinterest "Pin It" buttons?
Use a combination of Pinterest Rich Pins, high-quality images with appropriate aspect ratios, and engaging descriptions with relevant keywords and hashtags.
Q4. Can I link my Pinterest "Pin It" button to a specific Pinterest board?
Yes, you can link your "Pin It" button to a specific board by specifying the board URL in the plugin settings or in the shortcode/HTML code.
Q5. How can I track the performance of my Pinterest "Pin It" buttons?
You can use Pinterest analytics to track the number of pins, repins, and clicks your website receives from Pinterest. You can also use social sharing plugin analytics to track the performance of your "Pin It" buttons.
Conclusion
Adding a Pinterest "Pin It" button to your WordPress website is a simple yet effective way to increase your website traffic and reach a wider audience on Pinterest. By using one of the methods described in this article, you can easily integrate the "Pin It" button into your website and encourage users to share your content on Pinterest.
Remember to optimize your Pinterest content for better visibility and engagement. Use high-quality images, compelling descriptions, and relevant keywords to attract viewers to your pins. By maximizing your Pinterest efforts, you can leverage the platform's power to drive traffic to your website and build a strong online presence.
External Link: https://www.pinterest.com/