Despite the rapid growth of their market, cannabis providers have a limited arsenal when it comes to online promotion. Google does not allow advertising of cannabis or any related services, so PPC is out of the question. Fortunately, there are plenty of SEO strategies to boost visibility even in this highly censored industry. Discover the best tips for driving organic traffic in 2022.
SEO in the cannabis field requires a special type of expertise. Professional dispensary SEO services are helping sites rank on the first page on Google on a number of keywords. Experts navigate the complicated legal landscape and help their clients succeed through high-quality content and white-hat strategies.
How SEO Works
So, what is search engine optimization all about? Websites cannot promote themselves. Cannabis providers may not use paid ads, but they can forge ahead through wise optimization. This concerns technical aspects of their sites, content, and link-building strategies. SEO is always a complex endeavor.
When users search for cannabis, CBD, marijuana, or any other related products or services, they enter keywords into a search engine. If your website ranks well for these words, you may end up on the first page of the Google results. The higher you rise — the more users will click on your link, visit your catalog, and potentially buy from you.
The premise is quite simple, but the factors contributing to ranking are diverse. A professional agency knows all the ins and outs of search optimization. Make use of the following tips and tricks to make the most of your web presence:
1. Boosting Your Website
Websites can be optimized for SEO during and after development. In addition to eye-catching and aesthetically-pleasing design, you need smooth navigation, fast loading, and engagement through images, videos, infographics, and other elements. Put yourself in your customer’s shoes and think about the first impression your site makes.
Slow loading is a major deterrent. The majority of users abandon websites that load for more than 3 seconds. When choosing any graphic elements, make sure they do not overload the interface. Find the perfect balance between quality and size.
2. Mobile Optimization
Google prioritizes websites optimized for smaller screens. Today, the majority of customers use their smartphones or tablets for the online search. Hence, they are most likely to Google cannabis on the go. Make sure your content looks great on mobile screens and visitors can find what they need quickly and easily.
3. Adding a Blog
A blog will not only let you educate visitors and customers. It is also important for SEO! Optimize your articles for organic search by including relevant keywords. Gradually, you can establish yourself as a trusted source of insights about the industry and its products. Provide only well-researched content and keep it updated. Allow customers to comment to boost engagement.
Marijuana is still a controversial subject surrounded by a lot of myths and misconceptions. For example, the overwhelming majority of American consumers have an incorrect perception of safety oversight for CBD, and few understand the intricacies of this emerging market. This is hardly surprising, as there is a patchwork of contradictory and inconsistent regulations across the country.
Help your visitors make sense of what cannabis is all about, how to use the products correctly, and what benefits they bring. Contribute to changing consumer perceptions and attitudes for the better. Create a strategy, post regularly, and pay attention to the following requirements:
● Avoid salesy language and explicit promotion of your own products or services. Focus on education instead.
● Make sure the articles are well-structured, have proper meta tags, keywords, and subheadings, etc.
● Include lists, images, and subheadings to make the articles more readable.
● Write at least 500 words.
4. Google My Business
GMB is a powerful tool showing the physical location of your business, its contact information, hours, and a brief overview of products and services. It can help you reach new customers online and offline. Create your local profile and keep it updated.
Google will ask you to verify your business, which may be done in different ways — for example, by mail. Normally, it takes around five business days to complete verification. Then, customers will be able to find you online. Provide users with as much information as possible, and double-check every detail. Even small mistakes make businesses lose credibility.
5. Google Reviews
Encourage customers to leave reviews on Google Maps and any other websites where your company is featured. Response to positive and negative feedback alike, and solve the problems if the complaints are objective. Do not ignore criticism, even if it is unfair. Remember that the majority of your potential customers check reviews before placing an order.
6. Social Media
Although social media ads are prohibited, your company can still create a profile and fill it with impressive content. On the one hand, this is a great way to promote your website and include links to it. Secondly, it is also good for SEO, as social media profiles are also ranked for organic search.
7. Google Analytics
Finally, successful SEO campaigns are unimaginable without reliable metrics. How will you measure the performance of your site and make sure your investment is paying off? Google Analytics is a treasure trove of information. You will see how many unique users come from organic search, which pages are the most popular, what keywords are used to find your content, etc. If you have not implemented Google analytics code on your site, do this ASAP and start tracking your data!
