The cannabis industry is growing at an incredible rate of highly booming yet strictly regulated. And as more and more states legalize marijuana for medicinal and recreational purposes, the demand for cannabis website design will only increase.
But what exactly goes into designing a website for cannabis business? And how can you ensure that your website complies with all the relevant laws and regulations?
In this article, we’ll look at everything you need to know about designing a cannabis website, from the importance of having a solid website to driving a decent amount of traffic.
So, if you’re ready to get started with cannabis website design, read on!
Why do Cannabis Businesses Need a Website?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of cannabis website design, let’s first take a look at why having a website is so important for cannabis businesses.
There are a few key reasons why every cannabis business needs its own website:
A Website Establishes Your Credibility
In the cannabis business, too much fraud is running around, so it is important to establish your business’s credibility from the get-go. And one of the best ways to do this is by having a well-designed website.
A professionally designed website will not only help you build trust with your target audience, but it will also make your business look more credible and professional.
Make sure your Website Meets Regulations
In many states, one of the requirements for getting a cannabis license is having a website. This is because a website provides an easy way for the state to track your business and ensure that you comply with all the relevant laws and regulations.
Moreover, a website can also help you comply with advertising restrictions. For instance, most states do not allow cannabis businesses to advertise through traditional television, radio, or print channels. However, they generally allow advertising on cannabis websites as long as the website is only accessible to people 21 and over.
Promote Special Offers and Discounts to Customers
So easy yet so effective, a website provides an excellent platform for promoting special offers and discounts to your customers. You can use your website to announce new products, run promotions, and offer discounts and coupons.
Help You Build Customer Loyalty and Repeat Business
If your customer cannot reach your business physically due to distance or any problem, a website is the next best thing. A website helps you stay connected with your customers and build customer loyalty and repeat business.
A Website Makes Your Business Look More Professional
In the competitive world of the cannabis business, it is important to make your business look as professional as possible. And having a website is one of the best ways to do this.
A Website Allows You to Educate Your Customers
Since everybody tends to be online these days, a website is a great way to reach out to your target audience and educate them about your products.
For instance, you can use your website to post informative blog articles about the different types of cannabis, the benefits of using cannabis, and how to use your products. You can also use your website to answer frequently asked questions about your products and business.
A Website Helps You Drive Sales
Last but not least, and most important purpose of having a website is to increase sales. With a well-designed website, you can showcase your products, provide customers with detailed product information, and even take orders and payments online.
How to Get Started with your Cannabis Website Design?
Now that you know the benefits of having a website for your cannabis business, it’s time to get started with the design process. Here are a few tips to get you started:
Define Your Goals and Objectives
Chances are you have now physically opened a dispensary or are in the process of doing so. So, when you are designing your website, think about what your goals and objectives are. Do you want to use your website to increase sales? Or do you want to use it to educate your customers about your products and services?
Knowing your goals and objectives will help you create a website that is in line with your business goals.
Do Your Research
Of course, you are inspired by other businesses in the cannabis industry, but it is essential to do your research and find your own unique voice.
Look at other websites in the cannabis service industry and take note of what you like and don’t like. This will help you develop a unique website design for your business.
Choose a Website Builder
There are many different website builders available, so it’s important to choose one that is right for your needs. If you have a limited budget, many free and low-cost website builders are available. For example, WordPress and Wix.com are two popular website builders that offer free plans.
If you have a bigger budget, you can opt for a paid website builder like Squarespace or Shopify. These paid website builders offer more features and options but also a higher price tag.
Choose a Domain Name
Your domain name is your website’s address on the internet. When choosing a domain name, try to choose something short, easy to remember, and relevant to your business. For example, if your business name is “The Green Dispensary”, you could choose a domain name like “thegreendispensary.com“.
If your chosen domain name is already taken, you can try adding a location to your domain name or using a different extension like .net or .co.
Find a Good Web Hosting Company
Hosting counts for so much. Finding a web hosting company that offers fast and reliable service is important. Additionally, you will want to find a web hosting company that offers good customer support in case you run into any problems.
Select the Ideal Website Template
You will need to select a website template if you don’t have an in-house team of remote developers. A website template is a pre-designed website that you can customize to fit your needs.
Many website templates are available, so take your time to browse through them and find one that is a good fit for your business.
Edit and Customize Your Website
Often, the hardest part of designing a website is getting started. But once you have chosen your website builder and template, the rest is easy.
Simply edit and customize your website to add your own text, images, and videos. And don’t forget to add your business’s contact information so customers can reach you.
Optimize Your Website for Search Engines
SERPs? They’re important. You will want to ensure that your website is optimized for search engines so that people can find you when searching for keywords related to your business.
Some simple tips to optimize your website include:
- Adding relevant keywords to your website’s content but don’t overstuff it
- Creating keyword-cluster pages
- Submitting your website to directories and search engines
- Adding a blog to your website and writing blog posts that are optimized for SEO
Launch Your Website
It’s time to go live! Once you have designed and customized your website, it’s time to launch it.
Make sure to test your website before launching it to ensure everything is working properly.
And that’s it! You are now ready to start promoting your cannabis business online.
Evaluate and Improve Your Website
There is nothing perfect, and your website is no exception. As time goes on, you will want to evaluate and improve your website based on analytics and feedback.
What to Include on Your Cannabis Website That Will Help It Stand Out?
In order to make your cannabis website stand out, you need to include certain elements that will set it apart from the rest. Here are some of the things you should consider adding to your website:
A Professional Logo
Logos are recognized by consumers at 75%, followed by visual style (60%), brand color (45%), and distinct voice (25%).
Your logo is one of the first things people will see when they visit your website, so it’s important to ensure that it is professional and represents your cannabis brand well.
Easy to Navigate Website Structure
CONFUSION ALERT! The average person has an 8-second attention span, which means you have a very short window to make a good impression.
Your website should be easy to navigate so that users can find what they are looking for without getting frustrated.
A Blog or News Section
Including a blog or news section on your website is a great way to show that you are an authority in your industry. This is also a great way to drive traffic to your website and improve your SEO.
Social Media Integration
Never underestimate the power of social media. In fact, social media can be a powerful tool to help you promote your website and grow your business. Utilize social media by adding social media buttons to your website and promoting your content on your social media channels.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know what to include on your cannabis website, it’s time to get started!
If you need help designing or launching your website, contact the experts at 12sm Agency. We are here to help you every step of the way.
