The marijuana industry is a highly localized one, with most searchers looking for specific products and services in their immediate area. This is why a strong local seo for cannabis strategy is essential for dispensaries and other businesses looking to attract more local traffic and foot business.
SEO, or search engine optimization, is the practice of optimizing content on your website to rank higher in organic search results (i.e. not paid advertising). For cannabis marketers, it’s important to focus on local SEO for cannabis as a way to improve online visibility and drive more in-person foot traffic to your store or dispensary.
While most of the traditional SEO tactics apply to cannabis, there are a few unique strategies that can be used to help boost your dispensary’s rankings and visibility. A well-implemented local cannabis marketing strategy ensures that potential customers searching for products and services in your area can find you in both organic and map pack search results, as well as on Google Maps.
Local seo for cannabis requires a bit of extra finesse, but the results can be huge for your business. Partnering with a reputable cannabis digital marketing agency that has experience with local SEO for dispensaries is the best way to develop a successful strategy and get you results.
Start with keyword research to identify the most popular keywords and search terms for your product or service. Then, focus on creating high-quality content that includes these keywords. Your content should also showcase your knowledge and authority on the topic, and be optimized for voice search queries, as more and more people are using their phones to conduct searches.
Another key tip is to make sure that your website loads quickly and is mobile-friendly. Google prioritizes websites that offer a great user experience, and slow-loading sites can hurt your rankings. Additionally, be sure to claim and verify your Google Business Profile. This free tool allows you to control your online presence across Google Search, the Google Explore Local Pack, and Google Maps.
Finally, be sure to choose the right categories for your business on Google and Bing. This will not only impact your visibility on these platforms, but it can also help influence which local results are displayed in the Google Local Pack.
In addition, be sure to add photos to your GMB and Bing Places profiles. This is a great way to stand out and show off your dispensary’s location, staff, and product. Finally, be sure to update your listing regularly with new hours and any other relevant information that might affect your ranking.