In this cannabis industry marketing resource, we’re going to be breaking down keyword research for dispensaries. You’ll learn:

• Why SEO keyword optimization is a smart strategy for dispensaries and other cannabusinesses
• How to do keyword research to support a stronger SEO for your dispensary website
• Useful tips for keyword research, specifically tailored for businesses in the cannabis industry

With the right keywords, you can unlock the full power of SEO to make sure your target audience discovers your dispensary online. And to figure out exactly which words and terms to build into your content, you’re going to need to know how to tackle keyword research.

Essentially, keyword strategy research is a process that empowers you to answer a critical question: what does my target audience type into the online search box when they’re looking for the products and services my dispensary can provide? Researching SEO keywords for your dispensary will equip you to understand how, when, and what your potential customers are searching for.

But before we can do a deep dive into keyword research tools and tips, we’re going to take a quick pause to address something very important: if you want great SEO, you absolutely must start with a solid website. Professional web development is key to effective search engine optimization, and it makes a significant difference in your online presence. Feeling less than confident in your website? Reach out to Marijuana Marketing Xperts, and we’ll get our talented web development team right on it.

Once you have a website that can serve as a solid foundation, you can learn how to research keywords for dispensaries – and we’re here to teach you.

Why Cannabis Businesses Need SEO Keywords

Wondering why you so often hear about SEO for the cannabis business industry? The short answer is, cannabis SEO services work for cannabis businesses. And the longer answer? Well, it’s all about helping search engines help users by matching search intent and, in turn, helping you increase organic traffic.

When you click over to your search engine of choice, you’re coming with a problem that needs to be solved. In your target audience’s case, their “problem” is that they want to find a dispensary and/or cannabis products near them. Google (and other search engines) aim to solve that problem effectively by providing relevant suggestions that match user intent via the search results. So, when your SEO strategy successfully supports Google’s goal and connects your products with the online users that want/need them, all of the pieces fall into place – and you’ll be able to harness the power of search engine ranking and organic search traffic.

And because cannabis companies face some unique marketing obstacles, including being restricted from certain ad options, making the most of SEO keywords and organic search is vital. Marijuana Marketing Xperts is one of the cannabis industry’s leading providers of SEO for dispensaries, so connect with our team for more details.

How to Perform Keyword Research for Dispensaries: Research Tools

One of the easiest and most effective ways to collect data on keyword targets, demand, and referrals is to use research tools and platforms. You can find plenty of free keyword research tools online, as well as a wide variety of paid platforms that offer extra benefits.

Some popular online tools for research are:

• Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool
• Moz Keyword Explorer
• Microsoft Bing Ads Intelligence
• SEMrush

We highly recommend using the Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool as your starting point, largely because it offers a wealth of information and is very user-friendly. Even though cannabis dispensaries aren’t currently permitted to advertise via Google Ads, you can still take advantage of it for research purposes. With the Google AdWords Keyword Planner, you’ll get access to:

• Search terms
• Cannabis advertising competition
• Estimated monthly search volume
• The estimated cost of a PPC campaign

Moz Keyword Explorer is another great keyword tool option, providing data on:

• Estimated monthly search volume
• Click-through rate estimates
• Search rankings
• Difficulty to rank
• Potential to rank

Generally, the two platforms above are ideal for dispensary owners interested in conducting light keyword research. Beyond that, partnering with SEO agencies to benefit from their specialized expertise and industry resources is necessary for high-impact results for marijuana businesses.

Keyword Value

Keyword value is exactly what it sounds like: how much a specific keyword is worth for your website. The relevance, accuracy, and potential dollar value of a keyword determine how well it fits into your strategy. You’ll also want to use the Google AdWords Keyword Planner Tool to figure out the competition for a keyword phrase (in terms of average monthly search volume), so you can take that into account as well.

 

Branded Keywords

A branded keyword is a search term that contains your cannabis business name. For example, your dispensary name plus key search identifiers such as a menu, address, location, hours, prices, etc., all fall under this umbrella.

General Keywords

General key phrases are all of the terms that relate specifically to cannabis but don’t build in your dispensary name, location, or “nearby.” These are generally the most competitive because they’re frequently used by large websites such as Leafly.

How to Pick the Right Target Keywords According to Difficulty

You may think that choosing the right key terms iis easy, but it isn’t. One tip: lower is better (easier), and if you have a brand new website, stick below 10. You should choose keywords that fall within these ranges. For example, “Cannabis oil” is very competitive because there are so many other sites out there trying to get organic rankings for those exact match words.

There are many different ways to choose them, such as:

• Choose long-tail keywords instead of short ones
• Use synonyms
• Avoid using too broad terms
• Use negative keywords
• Make sure they’re relevant to your site
• Select low competition keywords

It’s also important to note that some might seem difficult to use because they don’t match well with your brand image. If you’re looking for more information about how to use keywords effectively including creating effective SEO content, reach out to Marijuana Marketing Xperts for help from our SEO experts.

5 Tips on Keyword Research for Cannabis Websites

1. Build a shortlist.

As you do your research, create a shortlist of potential key phrases to keep everything organized. This list can include high-intent and low-intent keywords, as well as short-tail and long-tail keywords. Don’t be afraid to make it a long, diverse list because you can always narrow down your options later once you begin setting up a content marketing plan.

2. Ask current customers what they searched/would search to find you.

It’s always helpful to talk to real people – not just search platforms – to learn about the key terminology that they associate with your dispensary. With this tactic, you can learn which popular keywords might not be the ones frequently used by your target customers and adjust your content plan accordingly.

3. Think of keyword research and SEO as an ongoing project.

Even once you’ve “finished” your SEO improvements, the work is never really done. Watch your keyword search volume and click-through rate data, then make adjustments based on what’s working and what’s not.

4. Don’t forget about local SEO.

For dispensaries, local SEO can be a huge asset when done properly. As you conduct your keyword research, keep both organic and local SEO in mind because they each serve a valuable purpose.

5. Invest in professional SEO services for the best results.

An SEO strategist is a full-time job, and for a good reason – it takes a lot of work and expertise to master everything involved. Ultimately, you’ll see the most progress when you work with an SEO agency. It’s an investment in marketing that will more than pay off in the long run.

Level Up Your Dispensary Digital Marketing Strategy with Services from MMX

From effective keyword research strategies to high-quality content opportunities, there is a myriad of ways to reach your target audience online and help your dispensary flourish. But if you really want to leverage digital marketing tactics to advance in the cannabis industry, you’ll need an experienced team by your side.

Marijuana Marketing Xperts is a one-of-a-kind digital marketing agency that specializes in serving cannabusiness owners, partnering with dispensaries, cannabis product brands, and other marijuana-centric businesses. Not only do we know the ins and outs of digital marketing, but we understand exactly what it means to advertise a dispensary or another cannabis brand effectively. Your business is unique, and your marketing strategy should be too.

Check out our full range of cannabis marketing services and learn how they can help your dispensary get ahead when you contact the Marijuana Marketing Xperts team today.

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