SEO for Cannabis Companies
Search Engine Optimization For Cannabis Websites
Using SEO for cannabis businesses is one of the most effective strategies to consistently attract website visitors and customers to your location. Traditional methods like phone books are obsolete, and in-person networking events can be unpredictable due to various factors. So, how can a cannabis business market itself when in-person promotion might not be an option?
The answer lies in organic traffic. Search engines such as Google, Bing, Yahoo, and Edge are essential resources for most people with internet access. Throughout the day, people rely on these search engines for directions, shopping, researching topics, or finding the best dispensary in their area. Utilizing search engines has become an integral part of daily life
Is SEO worth the investment?
Investing in search engine optimization (SEO) can be worthwhile, but it's important to consider several factors. SEO for cannabis e-commerce businesses is extremely competitive and typically requires an initial investment of at least $5,000 per month. New businesses may struggle to rank for purchase-related keywords if there is already a high volume of sellers online.
However, if you run a cannabis service business, dispensary, or provide legal or accounting support to the cannabis industry, a well-optimized SEO campaign can generate a steady stream of calls, visitors, and customers. We understand the value of a cannabis client, and appearing on the first page of search results for a buyer-intent keyword is definitely worth the investment. Although the search volume may not match that of e-commerce queries, obtaining free, qualified leads from your website and map listings can significantly boost your monthly revenue.
Can we adjust the speed of the results?
SEO for cannabis businesses can drive consistent traffic and generate leads. Once you start receiving calls and visitors, you have the flexibility to increase or decrease traffic as needed. In a growing competitive market, it’s better to have an excess of calls than too few, so we generally advise against scaling down. Unwanted clients or customers can be referred to other businesses in the industry, creating opportunities for profitability across the board. We value building relationships with our "competitors" and fostering a collaborative environment.
How does SEO for cannabis businesses work?
There are two main factors to consider for a properly optimized cannabis SEO campaign: on-page and off-page SEO.
- On-Page SEO: This involves optimizing your site for search engine rankings, speed, user experience (UX), and conversions. On-page content significantly impacts how and what your site ranks for. We have encountered and fixed numerous sites that looked great but were not properly optimized by their web designers. Most web designers focus on aesthetics and may not have the expertise to optimize a site for search engine rankings.
- Off-Page SEO: This encompasses all activities done off the website to build its authority. This includes backlinking, sharing campaigns, social signals, guest posts, niche edits, IFTTT campaigns, citation updates, and more. Off-page SEO takes time for the “link juice” to take effect, but maintaining a consistent link-building campaign is crucial for achieving and maintaining high rankings.
Is SEO Dead?
Every year, people question if SEO is dead, yet search engines continue to generate more traffic than any other platform consistently. As long as people rely on search engines to find what they need, SEO will remain vital.