How To Find The Right Web Designer For Your Cannabis Business

Your website is the first place potential new customers go to learn more about your busines. Whether you’re a brick-and-mortar dispensary or an online CBD business, you need a functional, good looking website to build credibility with prospective customers. Having an optimized website and online presence makes every other aspect of marketing your business easier.

Your website is a reflection of your company. It’s a platform for you to talk about your business’s mission and philosophy, and also to build trust with prospects and educate them on cannabis and cannabinoids. If you already have a strong brand voice, website designers can help amplify that voice. If you don’t have a strong brand identity, website designers at advertising agencies can help you discover your voice so you can connect with customers.

Traits of a Good Website Designer

Good web designers have an eye for design. Simply put, this means the work they put out will be visually appealing. Pick a designer that has designed websites for cannabis businesses in the past, and look at their portfolio. It isn’t hard to figure out if a website looks good or not, you can look at the websites of other reputable dispensaries or businesses and compare them to the websites in your designers portfolio.

Good website designers are also communicative and willing to take feedback. Make sure whoever you hire includes revisions as part of the website build and is willing to make changes.

For the cannabis industry in particular, website designers need to be up to date on legislation. Make sure your designer knows what state you’re in and is including necessary measures like age verification. If your website designer is also in charge of the on-page content, make sure they avoid making blatant medical claims and are using SEO best practices.

Getting More out of your Website Designer

The best way to get improved results out of your web designer is communication. Be clear about your expectations for the website and what your needs are. The more information you can provide, the better the end product will be. Make sure you keep the website design open enough that you can make changes in the future if you decide to change aspects of your brand.


Benefits Of Hiring A Cannabis Advertising Agency For The Legal Cannabis Industry

The cannabis industry has seen rapid growth in recent years as more states move to legalization. As more dispensaries, growers, and manufacturers enter the space, its more important than ever to differentiate your cannabis business from the competition. The key to differentiating your cannabis business is marketing and advertising.

Some services, like display advertising or SEO (search engine optimization), are possible to do on your own but take a long time to maintain. Hiring a cannabis advertising agency to do your marketing for you frees up valuable time you can spend on other aspects of your business. Hiring a cannabis advertising agency to handle your online marketing leads to better ROI than if you were to do it on your own, and also has a range of additional benefits.

Compliance With Advertising Regulations

One thing you may not be familiar with as a business owner are the regulations surrounding cannabis advertising. Legality of your cannabis or CBD products is one thing, but there are entirely different rules and regulations on a state and local level. Account manager and other staff working for cannabis advertising agencies are familiar with the rules and regulations and keep up to date to ensure your advertising efforts are compliant with all regulations.

Market Research

A time consuming but essential part of advertising is market research. If you’re managing a business, you won’t have time to properly segment out your audiences to optimize your marketing strategy. This means your display ads and SEO efforts won’t be as effective as they could be. A cannabis advertising agency can shorten the research time needed since they specialize in understanding the data, consumer trends, and the advertising platforms that are open to cannabis advertising.

Analytics and Reporting

Different agencies have their own custom reporting and trackable metrics to show you the value of your advertising spend. It is possible to set up a dashboard of your own, but it takes time and resources that could be better spent elsewhere. This data and reporting can give you additional insights into your buyers and help you determine where to spend your advertising budget to further maximize profits and enhance your market position.

Specialized cannabis advertising agencies will make a positive impact on your brand and business. Look for companies that offer customized services that are designed based on your products and branding.


5 Ways to Turbocharge Your Cannabis Advertising Strategy

Medical and recreational cannabis is one of the fastest growing sectors of the US economy. Every year, a few more states legalize either recreationally or medically, but there are still federal legislations that make it harder to advertise and promote your cannabis business. Despite these regulations, the market is saturated with a ton of dispensaries and ecommerce businesses fighting for your share of the market. Advertising your business and products is imperative to keep yourself in front of consumers. Here’s how you can market your cannabis or CBD company better:

Use Analytics

Whether you’re a brick and mortar dispensary or an ecommerce CBD brand, you have access to free analytics tools. Google Analytics is a free and powerful tool that you can use to monitor website traffic and Google Search Console can tell you how people are finding your website. You can use this information to put together an SEO strategy to help your business reach first page rankings on google. Brick and mortar stores also have access to data from POS systems and rewards programs.

Know Your Audience

Having a clear customer persona in mind is the first step to developing a successful marketing campaign. Customer personas define who your audience is, including their age, gender, habits, interests, income, and geographic location. You can use analytics to find out the kind of customers you’re attracting naturally and hone in on appealing to them or define new segments you can sell to.

Choose Platforms Wisely

Maximizing your ROI on advertising involves choosing the correct platforms. Cannabis marketing can cost you valuable money and time, so you want to make sure you’re spending both wisely. Knowing whether your cannabis dispensary or CBD business should focus its efforts on an SEO campaign, an email marketing campaign, a PPC campaign, a display campaign, or a social media campaign can be difficult, especially if you don’t have data to analyze. We recommend having 7 different touchpoints your consumers can interact with, and at least two major funnels for driving traffic to your brick and mortar store or to your website. We recommend trying do all kinds of marketing for your business if you have the time and resources to do so, but if we had to pick two for sustainable growth and consistent revenue, the combination of SEO and email marketing will give you the best results.

Look to Successful Campaigns

Studying successful campaigns is the first step to creating a successful cannabis advertising strategy. We recommend looking at a mix of cannabis advertising specific campaigns as well as general trends in the advertising space. We have weekly blogs and emails going over marketing trends in cannabis advertising if you would like to learn more!

Hire Professionals

If you don’t have the time to manage your own marketing campaign, hiring a cannabis marketing company and outsourcing your advertising efforts to professionals might be the solution for you. Hiring a cannabis advertising agency isn’t as expensive as you think it is, and you can use the time you would have spent managing the campaign on other aspects of your business. Cannabis advertising experts do the market and legal research to ensure they are marketing your cannabis or CBD products safely and effectively, leading to better ROI and less risk to your business.


An Interview with our CEO, Steve Knapp.

An Interview with our CEO, Steve Knapp.

Our CEO recently got interviewed and we wanted to share the answers with you here!

Q: Who are you?
A: I’m Steve Knapp, CEO and founder of Seedless Media.

Q: What does your company do?
A:We’re a digital marketing agency that works primarily with cannabis brands to help differentiate themselves and stand above the competition. We work to get the client exactly what they need to help grow their business. We take an omnichannel approach and provide geo-targeted display advertising, email and Text marketing, and SEO-driven web development solutions. We’re a forward-thinking agency that emphasizes clear communication, meaningful results, and client retention.

Q: How long has Seedless Media been around?
A: I founded Seedless Media in 2018

Q: What is your primary role in the cannabis industry?
A: Externally, we operate as marketers and industry leaders, but internally, we see ourselves as advocates for cannabis and our clients. We care about cannabis and generating meaningful ROI for our clients. We work with clients of all sizes throughout the USA. We work with brands like seedleSs clothing and Gelato. We provide creative solutions to client problems. We work with our clients to identify their brand voice, and we amplify that voice until all their prospective customers hear it.

Q: How long have you been in the cannabis industry?
A: I’ve been in the cannabis industry for a little over 20 years now.

Q: What past projects and accomplishments are you most proud of?
A: Building this business is my highest achievement. I started Seedless Media because I felt that the advertising solutions for cannabis brands were lacking. Our combined experience and knowledge of the cannabis industry helps us maintain a very high client retention rate.

Q: What projects are you currently working on?
A: We’re working on improving the effectiveness of Pay Per Click (PPC) as a whole, establishing Twitter paid cannabis advertising as a lucrative platform for businesses, harnessing the power of AI and utilizing these emerging trends to give our clients a competitive edge over their competition. And lastly, we’re building two new divisions in the company by the end of this year.

Q: What parts of the industry are you most excited about?
A: I’m most excited about the normalization of cannabis. With mainstream acceptance and the rapid action of some states, we’re seeing innovation and creation of new products at an astonishing rate. Highly specialized companies are forming around cannabis as a legitimate industry and making strides toward utilizing cannabis as a recreational and medicinal product.
Q: What parts of the industry are you most concerned about?
A: I’m most concerned about policymakers at the state & national level not seeing eye to eye. Cannabis has gained cultural support in the past decade, but policymakers aren’t meeting their constituents where they are. I’m worried that bureaucracy will take priority over local businesses and communities.
Q: How old were you the first time you smoked and who did you get it from?
A: The first time I smoked I was twelve years old, I got it from one of my cousins!

Q: What is your favorite way to medicate?
A: Unfortunately for my lungs, I love smoking. They really need a break.

Q: What is the craziest place you’ve smoked?
A: One time I smoked in my tack coach’s office while he was out on the field.

Q: What are your go-to munchies after you get high?
A: Fruit – it’s the best cottonmouth killer.

Q: If you could smoke with anyone dead or alive, who would it be?
A: It’s gotta be Snoop Dogg, man.


The Importance of Google My Business for Cannabis and CBD Dispensaries

The Importance of Google My Business for Cannabis and CBD Dispensaries

In the fast-paced world of cannabis and CBD dispensaries, visibility is king. If you own a physical dispensary, you know how important your store’s location is in terms of driving foot traffic. The digital equivalent to your physical location is your keyword rankings and searchability online. Does your dispensary show up when people google “dispensary near me?” If not, how far do they need to scroll to find you? Something that could help increase your cannabis or CBD store’s SEO and visibility is having a Google My Business (GMB) account properly set up. 

 

What is Google My Business?

Google My Business is a free tool that allows you to promote your business profile and website on Google Search and Maps. GMB helps you connect with customers, post updates to your business profile, and see how customers are interacting with your business on Google.

Why is GMB Important for Cannabis and CBD Businesses?

GMB is crucial for any business, but it’s doubly important for cannabis and CBD dispensaries due to their unique circumstances. These are the reasons why:

Improved Local Visibility

GMB listings significantly enhance your local search visibility. It ensures your dispensary appears in local search results and on Google Maps when potential customers search for businesses like yours. This gives you an instant leg up over dispensaries in your area that don’t have a GMB listing and also helps improve your website’s SEO. Here are some additional ways a GMB listing helps you:

Higher Search Rankings

A well-optimized GMB profile increases the likelihood of your dispensary appearing in Google’s Local Pack, Local Finder, Google Maps, and organic search rankings. A business listed on GMB has a higher chance of being considered reputable by Google, which boosts your SEO efforts significantly.

Increased Engagement

GMB gives you ways to interact with locals, including posts, offers, reviews, and a questions and answers section. These features provide multiple touchpoints for customers to interact with your dispensary, which in turn fosters loyalty and return visits.

Insightful Analytics

GMB provides detailed insights about how customers search for your business, what actions they take, and where they’re coming from. This data can help you refine your marketing strategy.

 

Overcoming the GMB Challenge for Cannabis and CBD Dispensaries

Despite the immense benefits, keeping a GMB listing live can be challenging for cannabis and CBD businesses due to policy complexities. But, it’s worth noting that many successful dispensaries have managed to maintain their GMB listings by following community guidelines and keeping their content compliant with regulations.

Can eCommerce Businesses Have GMB Listings?

Yes! Your Cannabis or CBD eCommerce business can have a GMB listing. When you set your GMB up, you can use your home or office address for your business location and hide this information. You can also set a service area so your business will only appear in areas you can deliver your products to. 

How to Make Sure Your GMB Listing Stays Up

Compliance is Key

Make sure your listing strictly adheres to GMB’s policies. Avoid promoting any restricted products. Instead, focus on the overall experience your dispensary provides, such as its ambiance, customer service, and educational initiatives.

Monitor Your Listing Regularly

Google regularly updates its policies and algorithms. This can affect your listing without you noticing, so it’s important to check back on your GMB listing regularly to make sure it’s still live and to resolve any pending issues! Checking your account regularly also gives you the opportunity to respond to any reviews or questions your customers leave.

Seek Professional Help

Considering the stakes and complexities involved, it might be helpful to engage a digital marketing agency specializing in the cannabis industry. They can help navigate these challenges and keep your GMB listing optimized and compliant.

Google My Business is a potent tool that can significantly improve your dispensary’s visibility and customer engagement while boosting your SEO strategy. With diligence and the right approach, your cannabis or CBD business can harness the full potential of GMB, leading to increased growth and profitability. 


green-therapy-nyc-cannabis-delivery

Marijuana: A Journey Through Time and Changing Perceptions

Cannabis, also known as marijuana, has a long and fascinating history that spans thousands of years. Its use can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Asia, where it was used for medicinal purposes and spiritual rituals. Over the years, cannabis has been both praised and demonized, but its popularity has never waned.

History

In the 20th century, cannabis began to attract more attention, especially in Western countries, where it became associated with the counter-culture movement. In the United States, it was classified as a Schedule I drug, meaning that it was considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.

Recent Years 

However, in recent years, attitudes toward cannabis have begun to shift. Medical marijuana has been legalized in many states, and some states have even legalized recreational use. This change in perception has been fueled by a growing body of research that suggests that cannabis may have many potential health benefits.

Read More at Green Therapy NYC here!


Marijuana Marketing Services

Five Marketing Mistakes Cannabis Companies Should Avoid

A complex, technical, and attention-grabbing sector? That description applies to both cannabis and marketing. But many cannabis insiders aren’t equally versed on the ins and outs of effective marketing campaigns. Whether you run a B2B or B2C business, connecting effectively with customers requires a fair bit of know-how and understanding of the digital advertising landscape.

It’s easy to think a DIY approach to marketing your business will get customers in the door, but organic growth is easier said than done. Here are five common marketing mistakes and how you can avoid these pitfalls to get your brand in front of the right people…Read More


Cannabis Email Marketing

Email Marketing Platforms That Are Cannabis Friendly

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to stay in touch with current customers and to build a relationship with prospective customers. Having an email list that is small is not a concern, as with effective marketing it will continue to grow. The cannabis email marketing experts at Seedless Media are also happy to help you setup a starter email campaign to start collecting emails – everyone has to start somewhere!

Finding the Right Platform

Finding an email marketing platform that is cannabis friendly is critical. Not all email marketing services, including the big names in the market, are friendly to cannabis and even CBD businesses. In fact, many of the big email marketing platforms specifically prohibit the marketing of cannabis products or any type of marketing of cannabis businesses.

As the policies on cannabis marketing are continually changing, it is a wise step to reach out to the email platform and specifically ask what their policies are on marketing for a cannabis industry company. This ensures you get the policy statement in writing before signing up or attempting to send out your first email and being flagged right from the start.

Possible Options

Here are a few email marketing platforms that offer small to mid-sized email marketing campaigns and are also cannabis friendly.

  • Klaviyo – supports cannabis businesses with email and offers easy-to-use email services for small businesses
  • Emurcury – both CBD and cannabis, but requires all subscribers to opt-in to the email marketing campaign
  • Email Octopus – also requires everyone on the list subscribes to the newsletter
  • Hubspot – both CRM (customer relationship management) and email services for cannabis businesses
  • Moosend – cannabis-friendly for both emails and reporting
  • Alpine IQ – offers integration with most cannabis menus and loyalty programs

We prefer to use Klaviyo at Seedless Media as it allows for accurate metric and KPI tracking, as well as simple campaign and automated flow setup. If you have any questions about email marketing for the cannabis industry, be sure to contact us today!

 


Tips for Using Email Marketing to Help Your Cannabis Business

Tips for Using Email Marketing to Help Your Cannabis Business

Email is a very effective way to reach both new and prospective customers for any company or business in the cannabis realm. One of the benefits of email is that it offers the ability to provide more information than a social media post while also offering customized content and very specific and timely information about everything from cannabis products to cannabis laws.

Building a List

Building an email list is the first step in the process. This means collecting email addresses from all customers or prospective customers. Require all online purchasers to include an email and get emails addresses from sales within the dispensary. Most in-person customers, when asked for an email, readily provide this information, especially if discounts or opt-in incentives are offered.

Another way to build a list is to offer a free giveaway on your website and through all your social media marketing. Make it something of value, such as a guide, helpful tips, information about a specific product, strain, or other frequently asked questions from your existing customers.

Start Emailing on a Schedule

Determine the frequency of your emails and the style of emails to make things consistent for your customer base. A more casual and personal tone makes it readable, and adding relevant and timely content without looking salesy is critical.

Include your branding in all emails and develop a format that customers recognize as your brand and email. This encourages higher open rates, which means your target audience is interacting with the content you provide.

Email marketing campaigns that offer a coupon code or a special only available to the email subscribers are another way to add value for your customer base. Change this up and offer seasonal specials to encourage everyone to open and respond to each email.


Cannabis Google My Business

Marketing For Cannabis Dispensaries: How To Optimize Your Google My Business Page

Google, like many other platforms, has specific requirements in place for anyone listing a cannabis dispensary. However, there are a number of features that cannabis dispensaries can use to provide the information new and existing customers need to see about your business.

Complete All Information

There are several ways to provide information to your customers through a Google My Business Page, which is now known more simply as Google Business. This includes your cannabis dispensary address, phone number, and website URL. It also includes photos, hours of operation, and a description of up to 750 characters.

While 750 characters may not seem like a lot of information, strategic planning of the words and phrases can provide a clear picture to customers looking for a cannabis dispensary in your geographic area.

Be Sure to Request Reviews

Google rewards businesses that get positive customer reviews. Many cannabis dispensaries offer something as a thank you for a review, but this cannot be premised on only leaving a positive review.

Next, be sure to respond to the review. This is a relationship-building technique and allows you to provide more information or to recognize the comment left by the customer.

Q&A

Posting relevant information about your business and completing a Q&A section on your Google Business listing is another important way to share how your dispensary is different from the competition. Think about what your customer wants to know about all aspects of your business and create a comprehensive Q&A that is informative and adds value to the customer’s online experience.

Finally, monitor your Google Business listing and be sure to remove inappropriate images and duplicate listings to continue to rank with Google Business pages.