Cannabis is one of the most popular plants in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Its therapeutic and medical properties have helped many people live better lives. Plus, with cannabis becoming legal in more states, demand is skyrocketing.
As a result, many dispensaries are stepping up their marketing to attract new customers. One of the best ways to do that is through SEO. However, not every effort in search engine optimization leads to success.
Maybe your website traffic is slowing down, or you’re not ranking for the right keywords. This can result in missed opportunities and lost revenue.
So, how can you tell if your SEO is working or falling behind? And what can you do to make your efforts count? Let’s dive in and find out.
1. Your Website Traffic is Declining
A noticeable decline in website traffic is a strong indicator that your SEO strategy may be lagging behind. This means that your pages are not ranking well for important keywords, or search engines are no longer viewing your content as relevant.
For example, if your cannabis business was once ranking for terms like “CBD edibles,” but you’ve seen a drop in traffic, it could be because Google’s algorithm updates are pushing your site lower in search results.
Apart from this, several other factors can contribute to declining traffic. Your content might be outdated, your backlinks could be losing authority, or you may be targeting keywords that are no longer relevant to your audience.
For instance, if your focus is on general terms like “cannabis dispensary,” you might be losing traffic to businesses targeting more specific terms such as “organic cannabis dispensary in [your city].”
To fix this, regularly monitor your traffic through tools like Google Analytics. Identify which pages are underperforming and update them with fresh, relevant, and keyword-optimized content.
2. You’re Not Getting Quality Backlinks
Backlinks play a major role in boosting your website’s authority, but if your cannabis business isn’t acquiring the right kind of backlinks, your SEO can suffer. To be more specific, backlinks from spammy websites, link farms, or irrelevant industries might raise red flags to search engines.
This tells Google that your site may not be trustworthy, and it can lead to a drop in search engine visibility. Worse, you could even face penalties that make it harder to rank in the future.
This is why many cannabis businesses opt to outsource their cannabis seo efforts. They not only know how to avoid low-quality backlinks but also have established networks and resources to secure high-authority backlinks that drive real value.
These professionals understand the cannabis industry’s unique challenges and have the tools to build a strong backlink profile that enhances your site’s credibility and boosts search rankings—without the risk of harmful penalties. By outsourcing to experts, you save time and ensure that your backlinks are boosting your SEO and positioning your cannabis business as a trusted authority in the market.
3. You’re Not Optimizing for Local Search
Local SEO helps you reach nearby customers actively searching for dispensaries, cannabis products, or services in their area. Without it, your business might not appear in local search results, even if someone is just a few blocks away.
Start by optimizing your Google My Business profile. Make sure your address, hours, and contact information are up-to-date. Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, as these can boost your local rankings.
Also, use location-based keywords in your website content. For example, instead of targeting “cannabis dispensary,” try “cannabis dispensary in [your city].” This helps search engines know where your business is located and improves your chances of ranking in local searches.
Focusing on local SEO can attract more nearby customers and increase foot traffic to your cannabis business.
4. You’re Ignoring Social Signals
Last but not least, social signals are essential in boosting your cannabis business’s SEO, even though they may not directly affect rankings. Social signals refer to likes, shares, comments, and overall engagement on platforms like Meta, Instagram, and Twitter.
When your content is shared widely, it drives more traffic to your website, which can improve your site’s credibility in the eyes of search engines. On the other hand, ignoring social media engagement can mean missing out on valuable opportunities to increase brand visibility.
The more people engage with your posts, the more likely they will visit your site. This traffic signals to search engines that your website offers valuable content. It can also lead to more backlinks, improving your SEO performance.
Final Thoughts
If your cannabis business is showing any of these signs, it’s time to revisit your SEO strategy. By closely examining what’s working and what’s not, you can fine-tune your approach and get your website back on track. Remember, SEO isn’t a one-time effort. You must make continuous adjustments and competitor analysis and commit to providing high-quality content and user experiences. This way, you can keep your cannabis business ahead of the competition.
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