Creating a Pin design that gets clicks is the most important part of your Pinterest game. Here are a few Pinterest pin design mistakes that can reduce the click rate on your pins.
If you are not a designer but want to create clickable pin designs, pay attention to a few of the pin design elements. I am sure your pin click-through rate will be much better.
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The pin design is of utmost importance, everything else like keywords, and Pinterest SEO comes later. Pinterest is a visual search engine, if your designs are not enough to entice the users, all other efforts will not yield the required results.
As we know that a good Pin design has a few elements, let us dig deeper into how to correctly use them to grow traffic.
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Pinterest Pin design mistakes to avoid
1. Pin size
The first thing you do while creating a pin is to choose the custom size of the pin. Pinterest doesn’t like horizontal, square, or too long ( Giraffe) pins.
The pin size should be in the ratio of 2:3. Pinterest recommends the 600×900 size for the pins. Also, you can create pins in any size of the ratio 2:3.
Sometimes longer pins do well too. For example, DIY pins or recipe pins can be longer than this range. Even then, never create a pin longer than 1:2 ratio.
Longer pins get cut in the feed. Also, it affects the pin distribution. Longer pins will need more engagement to get distributed. For longer pins, you can choose a pin size of 600×1200 pixels on Canva.
Engagement is when someone clicks on a pin to enlarge, save the pin or click to go to the website.
2. Not writing click-worthy Titles
Here Title refers to the text overlay on the pins.
When you search for something on Google, you are actually looking for something. But when you are scrolling Pinterest feed, you click on the pins that entice you to connect.
Check it yourself; when you look at the pin that has some power words and clicks with your mind, you click on that and go to read the post.
For writing clickable titles,
- Use power words in the title
- If possible use numbers
3.Wrong fonts
Remember, most people use Pinterest on their mobile phones. To provide better user experience, the fonts used as text overlay should be bold enough to look good on the mobile screen.
Keep in mind, you only have a few seconds to grab the attention of the user. Using fonts that are too small can make your pin get buried under the feed.
Tip: Check your pins from your own phone. If you can not read the pin, you have to change the font selection.
4. Using script fonts
Script fonts look cute, but if not used properly, can affect pin visibility. Pinterest, as well as users, cannot read script fonts. Never use script fonts for your main keywords.
Tip: Always use script fonts in lower case letters. They don’t look good in capital letters.
5. Using wrong color combinations
Color combinations can make or break your Pinterest game. Using too light or too bright colors can hurt your Pinterest account.
If you are using bright color background and contrast colorful color fonts, your pins won’t stand out. Pins with a light background and dark-colored fonts do better.
White background or light background feels soothing to the eyes.
There are a few things to keep in mind while creating pins.
- Use contrast so that your text stand out.
- Not use too many bright colors.
- Use vibrant colors that feel soothing to the eyes.
These are my own pins. The pin on the left is doing well even after almost a year. It has lighter background but bright colored bold fonts.
I think I created a pin on the right when I myself forget about the pin design elements. Occasionally I create pins like these with bright backgrounds that never pick up but I love to design pins like this(on the right).
I am not a graphic designer but I have to keep a checklist with me while creating Pins.
6. Using free images
Free images are used again and again on Social media platforms. These images are available for everyone to use.
When you create a pin using a free image, your pin will not stand out. For example, when I use a fresh image for a pin, it gets better engagement and distribution in the feed.
Tip: Always use either your own pics or buy stock photos. I use stock images from the ivory mix. If you want, you can try it here.
7. Not using text at all
If you are in a fashion niche or you are an online business owner with physical products, you may be tempted to use product photos as it is. This is a bad idea; always use text overlay to explain your pin.
You may have come across a few photos which are product-related without any text. Users may or may not get the idea of what your pin is about. Writing text or give a clear idea about your pin.
Tip: Always write text overlay on your pin and also use keywords in your pin title
8. Not using correct spacing
If you are not spacing out your headings and subheadings correctly, the user may not get the idea of what your pin is about.
Writing heading at the top and then adding subheading at the bottom is a bad idea.
Tip: Keep your heading (main keyword) and subheading together. You can use different size fonts to give a clear idea of what your pin is about.
9. Using too many fonts
Using too many fonts can make your pin cluttered. You want your pins to look beautiful as well as convey the right meaning.
Keep the design of your pin as simple as possible and use only two or three different fonts. Even if you have done everything else appropriately, too many fonts or wrong pairing can ruin the user experience.
You can read more here about the correct pairing of fonts.
10. Spelling mistakes( Typos)
I am guilty of this one, not only in posts but also on Pinterest pins. I work as Pinterest strategies also, so I create a lot of pins ( fresh pins for Pinterest) for my clients.
Sometimes my eyes get so dazzled that I could not pick the errors. I always check all the pins after uploading for any leftover errors.
Tip: Always check your pin design again and again.
How to make Pinterest pins go viral
9 Pinterest mistakes you should avoid on any cost
These are a few mistakes you can make while designing pins. Always make sure to use correct fonts, contrast colors, and vibrant colors for your pins.
If you are overwhelmed with the Pinteret and want to grow your Pinterest account, check this course. It has helped me in getting thousands of pageviews on my Personal finance blog.