Pinterest presents an excellent opportunity to drive traffic to your website, product, or service, but only if you know how to take full advantage of all that the platform has to offer. By taking the time to familiarize yourself with all of the tools and techniques available, it is possible to gain an edge that can put you out in front of much of your competition. Below are some of the best strategies for maximizing viewership, engagement, and ROI by using Pinterest to generate increased traffic.

Take a Look at Predicted Trends

One of the most useful tools for boosting Pinterest traffic is provided directly by the company itself: every December, Pinterest’s business blog provides a list of the top one hundred predicted trends for the next year, based on what topics are seeing increased searches and views. Not only does the list give you categories, but it also breaks down a few of the niches and targeted phrases that are related to those topics. Keeping an eye on the yearly list is a great way to get ahead of the curve and see whether your blog can take advantage of emerging trends before they become over-saturated.

Switch to a Business Account

If you plan on using Pinterest to market a product or service on your blog, switching to a business account is a no-brainer. The process is free, and provides crucial analytical data to help you track the performance of your pins and get a feel for your audience. A business account also lets you apply for rich pins, which provide more options and information, such as the ability to link directly back to your blog or display real-time pricing.

Use the Search Bar

Pinterest’s search bar can be an invaluable tool when it comes to search engine optimization for your blog. Compile a list of keywords related to your products, services, or niche, and start typing them into the search bar. You should see a list of autocomplete suggestions, which indicate the most commonly searched phrases by other users. This is a great way to develop stronger long-tail keywords without relying on trial-and-error.

Think About Your Images

Pinterest is a primarily visual platform, so it probably comes as no surprise that having strong, attention-grabbing images is vitally important if you want to attract views. Data shows that images are more effective if they are longer than they are wide, and people are also more likely to click on pictures that don’t include a person’s face–though this may be unavoidable in certain niches such as fashion or makeup. Bold, warm colors are another great choice, as Pinterest users are more likely to click on them than on images with predominantly cool or subdued color palettes.

Time it Right

When it comes to maximizing traffic on social media platforms, timing is crucial. Posting an engaging piece of content during peak work hours, for instance, can drastically limit your audience and throw away potential revenue. Each social media platform has its own “golden hours,” and Pinterest is no exception. Generally speaking, posting in the late evening (8-11pm) will put the most eyes on your pins, especially on the weekends. And unless you are marketing to an international audience, keep in mind that 80% of the U.S. Population lives in the Central and Eastern time zones.

Create a Call to Action

Including a call to action in your pin can increase the chances of a viewer clicking on it by as much as 80%, according to analytical data gathered by Pinterest. Simply put, a call to action involves using language that motivates the viewer to do what you want them to do. For example, phrases such as “click here,” “download my e-book,” or “subscribe to my newsletter” involve direct, active language that encourages clicks. In most cases, adding a sense of urgency can also improve the effectiveness of your calls to action, such as warning viewers not to miss out on a great deal or that your promotion is only running for a few more days.

Pinterest is an ever-growing platform with incredible potential for those who are willing to invest the time in learning its ins and outs. By using the strategies above, you can jump-start the reach and effectiveness of your Pinterest content, significantly increasing traffic to your website and exposure to your brand.