There are two ways to get a Pinterest business account: create a new one from pinterest.com, or convert your existing personal account in Settings under Account management. A brand new business account needs an email that isn't already on Pinterest and can only be created from a desktop; converting keeps all your Pins and followers.
Most small businesses I talk to already have a personal Pinterest account full of saved ideas. If that's you, converting is usually the simplest route. If you'd rather keep your personal Pins separate, create a new account instead.
Here are both routes, step by step, and the small rules in Pinterest's help centre that cause most of the headaches.
What a business account adds
- Pinterest Analytics, so you can see impressions, saves and clicks on your Pins.
- The Pinterest Business Hub.
- The Pinterest Trends tool, for spotting what people search for in your region.
- Publish later, which lets you schedule Pins up to 30 days in advance.
- Ad formats such as video ads, carousels, collections and product catalogs, if you decide to advertise.
Option 1: create a new business account
You'll need a computer for this. Pinterest says that, at this time, you can only create a new business account from a desktop device.
- Go to pinterest.com and click Sign up at the top right. If you're logged in to another account, log out first or you won't see this option.
- Click Create a business account.
- Enter your email, create a password and enter your age.
- Click Create account.
- Fill in Build your profile and click Next.
- Fill in Describe your business and click Next.
- Choose whether you want to run ads and click Next.
- Pick where you'd like to start, or close the window to go to your new account.
The email can't already be in use on another Pinterest account. That's the most common reason sign-up fails, especially if you once made a personal account with your work email and forgot about it.
Option 2: convert your personal account
On a computer:
- Log in to your personal account.
- Click the more-options icon at the bottom left and select Settings.
- Click Account management.
- Find Convert to a business account and click Convert account.
- Click Convert account again to confirm.
- Choose whether you want to run ads and click Next.
In the app, tap your profile picture at the bottom right, then your profile photo at the top left, then Account management and Convert to a business account. You'll be asked for a profile name, your website (you can skip it) and a description of your business.
Rules that stop a conversion
| Situation | What Pinterest says |
|---|---|
| Your personal account is private | Business accounts are public, so switch it to public first |
| Your personal account is linked to another account | Unlink it before converting |
| You want to link personal and business accounts | No longer possible for new links |
| You change your mind | You can switch back to a personal account at any time |
Accounts that were linked in the past stay connected unless you unlink them. New links between a personal and a business account can't be made any more.
If you're setting it up for a client
Pinterest has a tip for employees and agencies creating a business account to access a company's or client's ad account: use your professional email and your own name, not the business name. It helps the account owner see and approve who has access. Creating the account also means accepting Pinterest's Business Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
New account or convert: which one?
Both routes end with the same kind of account, so this is really about what you want to keep. Convert if your saved Pins already suit your business, or if you've got followers who'd be interested in your work. Create a new account if your personal boards are full of wedding plans and holiday ideas you'd rather clients didn't see, or if several people will manage the business account.
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Switching back to personal
Pinterest says you can switch a business account back to a personal one at any time, so converting isn't a one-way door. That makes it a low-risk experiment. If you convert, try the analytics and scheduling for a few months, and decide afterwards. Just remember that a business account is public, so anything you saved while it was private will be visible once you convert.
What to do in your first week
- Add your logo as the profile picture and a clear description of what you do.
- Add your website so people can find you.
- Create boards around the questions your customers ask.
- Publish a few Pins and schedule more with Publish later.
- Check Analytics after a couple of weeks rather than every day.
If you're weighing up whether Pinterest deserves your time, my take on whether Pinterest is still worth it for small businesses is a good place to start. And getting verified on Pinterest is worth looking at once your profile's up and running.
My advice
If you've got a personal account you're happy to make public, convert it: you keep everything and you can always switch back. If not, set up a fresh one on a computer with an email Pinterest hasn't seen before. Either way, the analytics alone make the switch worthwhile for any business.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a Pinterest business account?
Go to pinterest.com, click Sign up and choose Create a business account, or convert a personal account under Settings, Account management, Convert to a business account.
Can I create a Pinterest business account on my phone?
You can convert a personal account in the app, but Pinterest says a new business account can only be created from a desktop device at this time.
Will I lose my Pins if I convert to a business account?
No. Pinterest says your Pins and followers remain the same, and you can switch back to a personal account at any time.
Why can't I convert my Pinterest account to business?
Business accounts are public, so a private account must be made public first, and a linked account must be unlinked before converting.
Can I use the same email for a personal and business account?
No. To create a new business account, the email must not already be in use on an existing Pinterest account.
