How To Add Pinterest's Buttons & Widgets To Your Website

Why Add Pinterest Integration to Your Website

Pinterest functions as both a social platform and a visual search engine, with users frequently visiting the platform specifically to discover new products and ideas. For website owners, integrating Pinterest functionality directly into your site creates seamless pathways for content discovery and social sharing.

Key Benefits of Pinterest Integration

• Increases content reach: When visitors save your images to Pinterest, they share your content with their followers, extending your brand's visibility to a highly engaged audience actively seeking recommendations and inspiration.

• Drives referral traffic: Pinterest remains one of the top referral sources for many websites, particularly those in fashion, home decor, food, and lifestyle niches. Integrating social sharing buttons like Pinterest can significantly boost your referral traffic from engaged users.

• Enhances user experience: Providing familiar Pinterest actions directly on your site reduces friction for users who want to save ideas for later.

• Improves SEO signals: Increased traffic and engagement from Pinterest can complement your overall search engine optimization strategy by signaling content quality to search engines.

Method 1: Using Pinterest's Official Widget Builder

Pinterest provides a free widget builder that generates the necessary code for all their website add-ons. This method works on any website platform that allows custom HTML or JavaScript.

Accessing the Widget Builder

Navigate to the official Pinterest Widget Builder at developers.pinterest.com/tools/widget-builder. You'll find separate builders for:

• Follow Button Builder
• Pin Button Builder
• Pin Widget Builder
• Board Widget Builder
• Profile Widget Builder

Creating Different Widget Types

Follow Button: Enter your Pinterest profile URL, choose button style (large or small), and copy the generated code.

Pin Widget: Paste the URL of the specific pin you want to embed and customize size options.

Board Widget: Enter your Pinterest board URL and customize dimensions (board height, width, image size).

Profile Widget: Display your Pinterest profile with recent pins using the Profile Widget Builder.

For developers building custom web applications, this approach integrates seamlessly with modern CSS frameworks to maintain consistent design language.

Method 2: Adding a Pin It Button to Images

For maximum control and performance, custom JavaScript implementation allows you to integrate Pinterest sharing directly into your image handling.

Basic JavaScript Implementation (React/Next.js Example)

function PinterestSaveButton({ imageUrl, description, pageUrl }) {
 const handlePinClick = () => {
 const pinterestUrl = `https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=${encodeURIComponent(pageUrl)}&media=${encodeURIComponent(imageUrl)}&description=${encodeURIComponent(description)}`;
 window.open(pinterestUrl, '_blank', 'width=600,height=400');
 };

 return (
 <button onClick={handlePinClick} className="pinterest-save-btn">
 <img src="//assets.pinterest.com/images/pidgets/pinit_fg_en_rect_gray_20.png" alt="Pin It" />
 </button>
 );
}

This approach gives you full control over button placement, styling, and behavior while opening Pinterest's save dialog in a new window.

Using Pinterest's JavaScript API

For more integrated functionality with Pinterest's native styling:

<script async defer src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
<a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/"
 data-pin-do="buttonBookmark"
 data-pin-round="true">
</a>

The data-pin-do="buttonBookmark" attribute converts the link into a Pin It button, while data-pin-round="true" creates a circular button style.

Method 3: Manual HTML Embedding

For websites that don't use JavaScript-based widgets, Pinterest provides direct HTML embed codes.

Embedding a Pin Directly

<a data-pin-do="embedPin" href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/123456789012345678/"></a>

Embedding a Board

<a data-pin-do="embedBoard"
 data-pin-board-width="400"
 data-pin-scale-height="240"
 href="https://www.pinterest.com/username/boardname/">
</a>

Platform-Specific Instructions

WordPress: Use a Custom HTML block or text widget to paste the embed code.

Squarespace: Add an Embed block and paste the Pinterest widget code.

Wix: Use the Embed HTML element to add Pinterest widgets.

Shopify: Edit your theme template and add the code to a suitable section.

Tumblr: Add the Pinterest script tag before the closing body tag if not already present.

Implementing social integrations like Pinterest widgets is part of comprehensive web development best practices that enhance user engagement.

Best Practices for Pinterest Widget Implementation

Performance Optimization

Performance considerations are critical when adding third-party widgets:

• Load widgets asynchronously: Use async and defer attributes on the Pinterest script tag
• Lazy load widgets: Use Intersection Observer API to load widgets only when they enter the viewport
• Limit widget count: Too many widgets can significantly increase load times
• Use placeholder content: Display a placeholder while widgets load to prevent layout shifts

Mobile Responsiveness

• Test widget display on various screen widths
• Use responsive containers that adapt to available space
• Adjust Pinterest's default dimensions for mobile layouts

Accessibility Considerations

• Include descriptive alt text on pinned images
• Ensure buttons are keyboard accessible
• Provide text alternatives for visual widgets
• Test with screen readers for compatibility

Common Implementation Challenges

Script Conflicts

JavaScript from different widgets can sometimes conflict. If Pinterest widgets don't load correctly:

• Check for JavaScript errors in browser console
• Ensure the Pinterest script loads after page scripts complete
• Test widget functionality after adding other third-party scripts

Image Detection Issues

Custom Pin It buttons may fail to detect the correct image URL when:

• Images are loaded via CSS background properties
• Images use lazy loading techniques
• Images are displayed inside canvas elements

Solution: Explicitly pass the image URL as a data attribute.

Cache and CDN Issues

Verify that:

• Image URLs are accessible without authentication
• Server responds with proper CORS headers when needed
• Cache control headers allow reasonable refresh intervals

Measuring Pinterest Integration Effectiveness

Track key metrics to understand how Pinterest integration impacts your goals:

Pin button clicks: Use event tracking to measure how often users engage with Pin It buttons.

Referral traffic: Monitor Pinterest visits in your analytics, tracking volume and engagement metrics.

Pin performance: Use Pinterest Analytics to see how your website content performs when saved.

Conversion tracking: Set up goals to measure actions taken by Pinterest referral visitors.

Understanding social media referral patterns helps inform your broader digital marketing strategy.

Sources

1. WPBeginner - How to Add Pinterest Pin It Button in WordPress - Comprehensive guide covering plugin recommendations and implementation methods
2. Curator.io - How to Embed Pinterest on Your Website - Embedding methods and best practices for performance
3. Pinterest Business Help - Build a Website Add-On - Official documentation for widget types and creation
4. Pinterest Developers - Widget Builder - Official widget generation tool for all Pinterest add-ons
5. Pinterest Business Help - Save Button - Save button implementation guidance