Pinterest is one platform that really comes in handy when you are in need of inspiration, unlike other platforms where some content will need to compete with personal photos. I would say that it’s a visual discovery engine and not a social network, so there’s a lot of value in the open mindset that Pinners have as a result. This is mainly because almost everything on Pinterest is shoppable, which makes it easy for small businesses to reach and connect with Pinners in a truly authentic way. This open mindset is what brings people on Pinterest to discover new ideas and new brands to shop from. Now that Pinterest has launched Pinterest Shop Pinners can discover and shop unique products from small businesses. The shop’s profile is hand-curated by Pinterest and features hundreds of shoppable Product Pins with 17 small business profiles currently featured on it. The small businesses chosen to be part of Pinterest Shop all “make and sell unique goods, are mission-driven, diverse, and have uploaded their product catalogue to Pinterest.” These products are then automatically converted into Product pins. According to Pinterest, the company will keep adding products from selected businesses to Pinterest Shop. The latter makes their products automatically available to buy, as shoppable Product Pins. Because Pinterest provides a platform for users to get an idea and based on those ideas, they decide to buy a certain product, Pinterest Shop allows users to search a curated product from small businesses and buy by staying on the same platform they are using. In the long run, bringing buyers and small businesses together will boost sales in the holidays season. All of the 17 business profiles on Pinterest Shop highlights the creativity, craftsmanship, and entrepreneurship of the small businesses involved, and feature around 20 products to give Pinners a better idea of each business and its “world.” Subsequently, each Pin takes them to the small business’ checkout page, allowing them to buy the products directly. Pinterest says it will continue updating the account with products from select businesses, but the business profiles currently on there are:
