SEO For Cannabis:
Our SEO System Ranked Multiple Cannabis Dispensaries #1 on Google
As Features In
Serious Problems With Cannabis SEO & Marketing
Generic SEO Agencies Can't Do Cannabis SEO.
No-Paid Marketing For Cannabis
You can't run ads on Facebook & Google. The only option for paid marketing is Adult networks but that kind of traffic doesn't convert and they require huge upfront investment ($30k upwards)
SEO Process Is Complicated
Due to advertising restrictions, SEO and content marketing become the only option. However, Cannabis SEO is complicated due to competition, limited keyword data, and the fedral Guidelines.
Highly Competitive Business
As the market grows, competition among cannabis businesses becomes fierce, making it difficult for brands to stand out without access to traditional advertising channels.
Email Marketing Doesn't Work For Cannabis
Email marketing doesn't work well with cannabis due to high spam filter rates; you need to be a master email marketer to craft messages that don't end up in the spam folder.
Why Our SEO System Work So Well For Cannabis?
SEO is a Practice Game. The More you do it the more you find out!
✅Doing Cannabis SEO For 2+ Years
We've been doing Cannabis SEO for 2+ years now. And we know ins and outs of this industry. We know how things works and how to get around algo to rank a business.
✅Rank Cannabis Business Without Voilating Any Law
We use compliant Keywords and avoid unverified health claims to rank you at the top position.
✅Mastered Google's Algorithum
Google algorithum is constantly changing. Every few month a new update is lauched. You've to be an expert to keep up with it.
✅Local SEO & GMB Ranking
We Optimize your Google My Business profile, local listings, and include location-based keywords to improve visibility for local searches.
Here's What You Can Expect If You Work With Us
Below is what you can expect if you choose to work with us.
Rank Your GMB
- Your Google My Business Profile will be ranked in top.
- Your GMB will become authority in your area.
- Become no. 1 in Local listing across your local area.
Rank Your Website For Money Keywords
- Your website will be ranked in top spot for local keywords.
- You'll Rank for money keywords that'll bring flood of sales.
- You'll get recurring clients with SMS and push notification marketing.
Become Authority In
Your Niche
- You'll become authority in your local market/niche.
- You'll get Local backlinks, Press release, citations, etc.
- We'll create a organic Social Media Strategy for your business.
Who Am I?
Hello, I’m Sam Rawat, a passionate SEO expert specializing in helping cannabis businesses dominate Google search results. I've spent the last five years honing my craft in SEO, working with a diverse range of companies to achieve remarkable results.
My journey started in top SEO agencies and companies, where I gained invaluable experience and insights that I now bring to every client I work with.
When you work with me, you’re not just hiring an SEO expert—you’re partnering with someone who’s genuinely committed to your success.
How To Do SEO For Cannabis Dispensary?
If you want to do it on your own. Below is the detailed Guide on How to get the most out of your SEO process.
Problem With Doing Marketing & SEO for Cannabis Dispensary & Stores
First I wanted to talk about the legal considerations when it comes to SEO for your cannabis dispensary. Doing SEO in the cannabis industry is a bit trickier than other sectors due to the strict federal and state regulations, and it's crucial to stay compliant while still getting your site to rank well.
When it comes to cannabis SEO, the primary challenge is that it's still illegal at the federal level in the United States, even though many states have legalized it for medicinal and recreational use.
It’s almost considered a blacklisted industry in Google's Eyes.
Search engines like Google and social media platforms have strict policies regarding the promotion of cannabis products, which means we have to be extra cautious about the content we publish and the keywords we target.
For example, certain keywords that are directly related to the sale or promotion of cannabis might be flagged or penalized by search engines.
Terms like "buy cannabis online" or "order weed" can attract unwanted attention from both search engines and regulatory bodies.
Instead, we focus on optimizing content around less risky terms like "cannabis dispensary near me," "CBD oil benefits," or "legal cannabis in [State]."
Compliance with Federal and State Laws
Trust me when I say this: You don’t want to risk your whole existence for a SEO experiment.
Compliance is key when optimizing your website for search engines. We need to ensure that all content is not only informative and optimized for search engines but also adheres to the legal guidelines set by both federal and state laws.
Step 1: Doing Local SEO For Cannabis Dispensary
So now you might be asking how I can rank my Cannabis dispensary for best results: I would suggest you start with optimizing your Local Google My Business Profile First.
Local SEO is particularly important in the cannabis industry because customers typically prefer to shop at nearby dispensaries due to the nature of the product. By optimizing for local search, we can ensure your dispensary shows up at the top of the results when potential customers are looking for cannabis in your area.
For a cannabis dispensary, this means showing up in search results when someone in your area searches for terms like "cannabis dispensary near me," "weed dispensary [City]," or "where to buy marijuana [State]."
The One & Only Factor You Need To Focus On Is Google My Business (GMB) Optimization
How To Optimize Your Cannabis Dispensary GMP Profile?
Let’s talk about how to optimize your Google My Business (GMB) profile for your cannabis dispensary. Optimizing your GMB profile is crucial for improving your local SEO and making sure your dispensary stands out when people search for cannabis in your area. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get the most out of your GMB profile.
1. Complete and Accurate Business Information
First, we need to ensure that all your business information is complete and accurate. This includes:
- Business Name: Use your official business name without adding any keywords that might seem spammy. For example, "GreenLeaf Cannabis Dispensary" is great, but avoid something like "GreenLeaf Best Cannabis Dispensary."
- Address and Phone Number: Make sure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) is consistent across all platforms, including your website and local directories.
- Business Hours: Update your hours regularly, especially during holidays or special events. Accurate hours improve user trust and help you rank better in local searches.
2. Choose the Right Categories
Selecting the right categories is crucial for ranking in local search results. Your primary category should be "Cannabis Dispensary" or "Medical Marijuana Dispensary," depending on your business focus. You can also add secondary categories like "CBD Shop" or "Alternative Medicine Practitioner" to broaden your visibility.
3. Write a Compelling Business Description
Your business description should highlight what makes your dispensary unique while naturally incorporating relevant keywords.
For example: "We are a trusted cannabis dispensary in [City], offering a wide range of recreational cannabis and CBD products. Whether you're looking for top-quality marijuana strains or expert advice on cannabis use, we provide a welcoming and knowledgeable environment for all our customers."
This description includes NLP and LSI keywords related to cannabis SEO, such as "recreational cannabis," "CBD products," and "marijuana strains." which will help you rank better.
4. Add High-Quality Photos
Photos play a significant role in attracting customers and improving your local SEO. Upload high-quality images of:
- The exterior and interior of your dispensary: This helps customers recognize your location.
- Your products: Showcase your cannabis strains, edibles, oils, and accessories.
- Team members: Humanize your brand by introducing your staff.
Regularly updating your photos keeps your profile fresh and engaging, which can improve your ranking in local searches.
5. Focus On Reviews
Reviews are a powerful ranking factor in local SEO. Encourage your satisfied customers to leave positive reviews on your GMB profile. You can do this by:
- Offering excellent customer service that naturally leads to positive reviews.
- Politely asking customers to leave a review after a purchase.
- Responding to all reviews, both positive and negative, to show that you value customer feedback.
When responding to reviews, try to use relevant keywords. For example, if someone praises your selection, you might respond with, "Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed our selection of high-quality cannabis and CBD products."
6. Use Google Posts to Promote Offers and Events
Google Posts allow you to share updates, promotions, and events directly on your GMB profile. This is a great way to keep your audience engaged and informed. For example:
- Announce new cannabis strains or special discounts.
- Promote events like educational workshops or customer appreciation days.
These posts should be short, include a clear call to action, and feature relevant keywords like "cannabis deals" or "CBD workshop in [City]."
7. Add Products and Services
If applicable, use the GMB "Products" and "Services" features to list what you offer. This allows customers to see your product range directly from your GMB profile. For instance, you can add:
- Cannabis strains with descriptions and prices
- CBD oils and tinctures
- Edibles like gummies and chocolates
Including detailed descriptions with keywords will help Google understand what your dispensary offers and can improve your search rankings.
8. Monitor and Analyze Insights
GMB provides insights into how customers find your business, what actions they take, and which photos or posts are most popular. Regularly reviewing these insights can help you refine your strategy. For example, if you notice a spike in searches for "CBD products near me," you can create more content around CBD.
9. Maintain Consistency Across Platforms
Finally, ensure that all the information on your GMB profile matches what's on your website, social media, and other listings. Consistency helps build trust with both customers and search engines, boosting your overall SEO efforts.
By optimizing your Google My Business profile with these strategies, you'll improve your visibility in local search results, attract more customers, and ultimately drive more business to your cannabis dispensary. If you need help setting this up or tweaking your profile, just let me know!
Step 2: Optimize Your Website For Google: On-Page SEO for Cannabis Dispensary
I won’t bore you with all the generic details to optimize the Headings, images, meta. You can get 1000s of videos on those topics on youtube. Since this is a blacklisted Niche, you need to go above and beyond to do the real On-page SEO. Nonetheless. I’ve created a separate article about on-page seo for cannabis dispensaries where I've listed all the basic and advance details.
The surface-level tactics are just the foundation; true on-page SEO mastery involves nuanced strategies that can significantly impact your rankings. Here's how to take your on-page SEO to the next level:
1. Advanced Keyword Targeting
While primary, secondary, and long-tail keywords are crucial, advanced on-page SEO involves understanding user intent and creating content that meets different search intents. This includes:
- Informational Intent: Target keywords like "benefits of CBD oil" or "how to choose the right cannabis strain." These attract users looking to learn more about cannabis products.
- Transactional Intent: Use keywords like "buy cannabis online [City]" or "CBD products for sale." These attract users ready to make a purchase.
- Navigational Intent: Keywords like "[Dispensary Name] address" or "contact [Dispensary Name]" cater to users who know about your business and want to engage with it.
Secret Tip: Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to find keyword gaps—terms your competitors are ranking for but you are not. This can uncover untapped opportunities to create high-value content.
2. Semantic SEO
Search engines are increasingly using semantic search to understand the context and relationships between words. This is where entity-based SEO comes into play:
- Entity Optimization: Instead of just focusing on keywords, consider the entities (people, places, things) related to your content. For example, mention specific cannabis strains (like "Blue Dream"), cannabinoids (like "THC" and "CBD"), or legal terms (like "cannabis legalization in [State]").
- Content Clusters: Build content around a central topic (pillar page) and create related sub-pages (cluster pages). For example, a pillar page on "Cannabis Dispensary Guide" could link to cluster pages on "How to Choose a Cannabis Strain," "CBD vs. THC," and "Legal Cannabis Use in [State]."
Secret Tip: Implement structured data to define these entities for search engines. For example, use schema markup to define specific products, services, and local business details, which can improve how your content is displayed in search results.
3. Content Depth and Topical Authority
It's not just about hitting a word count; it's about creating comprehensive content that fully answers the user’s query and establishes your site as an authority:
- In-depth Content: For product pages, go beyond basic descriptions. Include detailed information about the origins of the strain, effects, recommended use cases, user reviews, and comparisons with other strains.
- Topical Authority: Aim to cover every aspect of a topic on your site. For example, if you're writing about "cannabis for pain relief," include articles on "best strains for pain," "how CBD helps with chronic pain," and "legal considerations for medical marijuana."
Secret Tip: Use content decay analysis to identify older pages that have lost traffic or rankings and refresh them with updated information, new keywords, and better internal linking.
4. User Experience (UX) and Core Web Vitals
Google’s Core Web Vitals are now a ranking factor, so optimizing for them is crucial:
- Loading Performance (Largest Contentful Paint): Ensure that the most important content (like hero images or product descriptions) loads quickly. This involves optimizing images, using a CDN, and minimizing JavaScript.
- Interactivity (First Input Delay): Reduce delays when users interact with your site by optimizing JavaScript and ensuring the server responds quickly.
- Visual Stability (Cumulative Layout Shift): Prevent elements from shifting as the page loads. This can be done by specifying size attributes for images and videos.
Secret Tip: Tools like Google Lighthouse (Pagespeed insight) and WebPageTest can help you identify specific issues affecting your Core Web Vitals. Addressing these can lead to improved rankings, especially on mobile devices.
5. Advanced Internal Linking Strategy
Internal linking is more than just connecting pages; it's about distributing link equity and guiding users through your site:
- Link Equity Distribution: Prioritize linking to pages that you want to rank higher from pages that already have strong rankings or authority.
- Content Hubs: Create content hubs where multiple articles link back to a central resource (your pillar page), reinforcing the importance of that page to search engines.
- Anchor Text Optimization: Use varied but relevant anchor text for internal links. Avoid over-optimization with exact match keywords; instead, use variations and related terms.
Secret Tip: Implement breadcrumb navigation on your site to improve user experience and internal linking structure. This helps both users and search engines understand the hierarchy of your content.
6. Mobile-First Indexing
Google predominantly uses the mobile version of content for indexing and ranking. Ensuring your site is optimized for mobile is critical:
- Mobile-First Content: Make sure that all the content on your desktop site is also visible and accessible on mobile. This includes text, images, and videos.
- Responsive Design: Use responsive design techniques to ensure your site looks and functions well on all screen sizes.
- Speed Optimization: Prioritize speed optimizations for mobile, such as lazy loading images and reducing the size of resources loaded on mobile devices.
Secret Tip: Test your site with Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test tool and make necessary adjustments. Additionally, consider using Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) for blog content to improve load times on mobile devices. AMP is additional, you can choose to do it, but if you’re not SEO savvy or know what you’re doing, leave AMP, it’ll just do more harm than good.
7. Advanced Schema Markup
Beyond basic schema, advanced markup can give your content an edge:
- Product Schema: Provide detailed information about cannabis products, including price, availability, and user ratings. This can enhance your listing in search results with rich snippets.
- FAQ Schema: If you have an FAQ section, use schema markup to help these questions and answers appear directly in search results.
- Review Schema: Incorporate review schema for individual products or services to display star ratings and customer feedback in search results.
Secret Tip: Use the Schema Markup Validator to ensure your structured data is correctly implemented and debug any issues that could prevent rich snippets from appearing.
8. Content Refresh and Republishing
Regularly updating and republishing content is a powerful technique for maintaining and boosting rankings:
- Content Pruning: Remove outdated or underperforming content that no longer provides value. This can improve the overall quality and relevance of your site.
- Content Updates: Periodically update your best-performing content with new information, statistics, and keywords to keep it relevant.
- Republishing: When significantly updating a piece of content, consider republishing it with a new date. This can bring it back to the forefront of search results.
Secret Tip: Use tools like Google Analytics and Search Console to identify pages with declining traffic or rankings, and prioritize them for updates or republishing.
9. Advanced Technical SEO
Technical SEO is the backbone of on-page SEO, ensuring that your site is easily crawlable and indexable by search engines:
- XML Sitemap Optimization: Ensure your sitemap is up-to-date and includes only the pages you want indexed. Exclude low-value pages like admin pages or outdated content.
- Robots.txt Optimization: Use your robots.txt file to prevent search engines from crawling unnecessary pages or resources that don’t need to be indexed.
- Canonical Tags: Prevent duplicate content issues by using canonical tags to tell search engines which version of a page is the original.
Secret Tip: Implement log file analysis to see how search engines are crawling your site and identify any crawl issues or areas that need better optimization.
10. Analytics and Continuous Improvement
Finally, the most advanced on-page SEO strategy involves continuous analysis and improvement:
- A/B Testing: Regularly test different versions of your pages to see which performs better in terms of rankings, CTR, and conversions.
- Heatmaps and User Behavior Analysis: Tools like Hotjar or Crazy Egg can show you how users interact with your site, allowing you to optimize content and layout for better engagement.
SEO Audits: Conduct regular SEO audits to identify technical issues, content gaps, and areas for improvement.
Step 3: OFF-Page SEO for Cannabis Dispensary
Off-page SEO is crucial for building your cannabis dispensary’s online authority, driving traffic, and improving your rankings on search engines. Unlike on-page SEO, which focuses on optimizing your own website, off-page SEO involves activities that occur outside of your site but have a direct impact on its ranking. Here’s an in-depth look at advanced off-page SEO strategies tailored for a cannabis dispensary:
1. Advanced Link Building Strategies
Link building remains one of the most powerful off-page SEO strategies. For a cannabis dispensary, earning high-quality backlinks can be challenging due to the industry's restrictions. However, with the right strategies, you can build a strong backlink profile.
- Authority Backlinks: Focus on acquiring links from high-authority sites within the cannabis industry, health and wellness blogs, local news websites, and relevant directories. Authority backlinks carry more weight and can significantly boost your rankings.
- Guest Blogging: Write high-quality guest posts for authoritative cannabis blogs, local business websites, or health-focused platforms. Ensure that these posts are valuable and include a natural link back to your dispensary.
- Niche-Specific Directories: List your dispensary in cannabis-specific directories like Weedmaps or Leafly. These sites not only provide backlinks but also drive targeted traffic to your site.
- Resource Page Link Building: Reach out to websites that have resource pages related to cannabis, health, or wellness. Offer to contribute content or ask for your website to be included as a resource.
- Broken Link Building: Identify broken links on cannabis-related websites and offer your site as a replacement. Tools like Ahrefs or Check My Links can help you find these opportunities.
Secret Tip: Utilize link reclamation to identify and reclaim unlinked mentions of your brand. For instance, if a blog mentions your dispensary without linking to it, reach out and request a link.
2. Local SEO and Citation Building
For a cannabis dispensary, local SEO is vital. Off-page local SEO focuses on getting your business listed and reviewed on local platforms.
- NAP Consistency: Ensure that your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) are consistent across all online listings, directories, and social media profiles. Inconsistent information can confuse search engines and hurt your local rankings.
- Google My Business (GMB) Optimization: Regularly update your GMB profile with accurate information, photos, and posts. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and respond to them to show engagement.
- Local Citations: Get your dispensary listed in reputable local directories, cannabis-specific platforms, and industry-specific citation sites. Some important platforms include Yelp, Foursquare, and Bing Places, as well as niche directories like GreenRush.
- Localized Content and Backlinks: Create and promote localized content that attracts backlinks from local businesses, news sites, or community blogs. This can include blog posts, press releases, or partnerships with local influencers.
Secret Tip: Implement geo-targeted outreach by connecting with local bloggers, influencers, and news sites. Offering to collaborate on local events or campaigns can lead to high-quality local backlinks.
3. Social Media Marketing and Engagement
Social signals may not be direct ranking factors, but they can influence your off-page SEO by driving traffic, increasing brand visibility, and fostering customer engagement.
- Platform Selection: Choose the right social media platforms for your audience. For cannabis dispensaries, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook are typically effective, though they have strict advertising policies.
- Consistent Posting Schedule: Post regularly to keep your audience engaged. Share a mix of content, including product updates, educational posts, promotions, and user-generated content.
- Engagement and Interaction: Actively engage with your followers by responding to comments, messages, and reviews. Interaction increases your brand’s visibility and encourages more traffic to your site.
- Social Sharing Buttons: Add social sharing buttons to your blog posts and product pages. This makes it easier for visitors to share your content, increasing its reach and potential for backlinks.
- Influencer Collaborations: Partner with influencers who align with your brand. Influencers can help amplify your content and attract their followers to your site.
Secret Tip: Use UTM parameters to track the effectiveness of your social media campaigns. This will help you understand which platforms and posts drive the most traffic and conversions.
4. Reputation Management and Reviews
Online reputation is crucial for cannabis dispensaries due to the industry's regulatory environment. Managing your reputation can improve your trustworthiness and attract more customers.
- Review Generation: Encourage customers to leave reviews on your Google My Business profile, Yelp, and cannabis-specific platforms like Weedmaps. Positive reviews enhance your credibility and can improve your local SEO.
- Respond to Reviews: Always respond to reviews—both positive and negative. Addressing concerns in negative reviews shows that you value customer feedback and are willing to improve.
- Monitor Mentions: Use tools like Google Alerts or Mention to monitor when your dispensary is mentioned online. Engage with these mentions to protect and enhance your reputation.
- Public Relations: Engage in public relations efforts by getting featured in local news stories, industry publications, and podcasts. This not only builds your brand’s reputation but can also result in valuable backlinks.
Secret Tip: Implement a review strategy by offering incentives like discounts or loyalty points for customers who leave a review. Ensure these incentives comply with review platforms’ guidelines to avoid penalties.
5. Content Marketing and Outreach
Content marketing goes beyond your website and plays a significant role in off-page SEO. It involves creating and distributing content that attracts links, social shares, and engagement.
- Content Distribution: Share your content on relevant platforms, including cannabis forums, Reddit communities, and industry blogs. This can drive traffic back to your site and increase your brand’s exposure.
- Infographics and Visual Content: Create and share visually appealing content like infographics. These are often shared widely and can attract backlinks from blogs and news sites.
- Guest Posting: Write guest posts for authoritative blogs in the cannabis industry. Ensure the content is valuable and includes a natural link back to your site.
- Content Syndication: Republish your blog posts on platforms like Medium, LinkedIn, or cannabis-specific communities. This can increase your content’s reach and drive more traffic to your site.
Secret Tip: Leverage content roundups by submitting your best blog posts to weekly or monthly roundup articles in the cannabis industry. These roundups often include multiple links to valuable content, which can increase your backlink profile.
6. Digital PR and Influencer Outreach
Digital PR is about getting your brand featured in high-authority publications, while influencer outreach focuses on leveraging the reach of social media influencers.
- Press Releases: Write and distribute press releases about significant events, new product launches, or community involvement. Distributing through cannabis-specific PR channels can lead to mentions and backlinks from news sites.
- Influencer Marketing: Collaborate with influencers who have a following that matches your target audience. Influencers can create content that features your products, reviews your dispensary, or participates in your events, increasing your brand’s visibility.
- Podcast Appearances: Get featured on cannabis or health-related podcasts. This not only increases your exposure but can also result in backlinks from podcast websites.
Secret Tip: Use HARO (Help a Reporter Out) to connect with journalists looking for expert quotes. Respond to relevant queries to get featured in articles, which can result in high-quality backlinks.
7. Community Engagement and Partnerships
Building relationships within the community and industry can lead to natural backlinks, mentions, and increased brand awareness.
- Sponsor Local Events: Get involved in local events related to cannabis, health, or wellness. Sponsorships often come with backlinks from event websites and increased visibility in the community.
- Participate in Forums: Engage in cannabis-related forums, such as Grasscity or 420 Magazine, by offering valuable advice. Include a link to your dispensary in your signature or profile, but avoid spammy behavior.
- Collaborate with Local Businesses: Partner with complementary local businesses, like wellness centers or cafes, for joint promotions. These collaborations can lead to cross-promotion and backlinks from each other’s websites.
Secret Tip: Build community resource pages on your site that list local businesses, events, or services related to cannabis. Reach out to those you include, and they may link back to your site.
8. Advanced Analytics and Tracking
To measure the effectiveness of your off-page SEO efforts, advanced tracking and analytics are essential.
- Backlink Analysis: Regularly analyze your backlink profile using tools like Ahrefs or Moz. Identify and disavow any toxic backlinks that could harm your rankings.
- Referral Traffic Monitoring: Use Google Analytics to track referral traffic from your off-page efforts. This will help you understand which campaigns or backlinks are driving the most traffic.
- Social Media Metrics: Monitor social media engagement, including shares, likes, and comments. Tools like Hootsuite or Sprout Social can help you track these metrics across platforms.
Secret Tip: Use multi-channel funnels in Google Analytics to see how different off-page SEO efforts contribute to conversions. This will give you a clearer picture of your customers’ journey and the impact of your off-page strategy.