The Dispensary Digital Checklist: 10 Things You’re Probably Overlooking
By Sativa Strategies Consulting
Your online presence is the “first budtender” most modern shoppers meet—yet even the savviest operators miss low‑hanging fruit that can add thousands of dollars in monthly revenue. Below is our 2025‑ready cannabis marketing checklist (heavy on dispensary website optimization) to help you spot-and fix-digital leaks before they drain your profits.
1. Strain‑Level Search (Not Just Product Names)
Google’s Rich Results now surface individual strains when your schema is tight. Add microdata for terpene profiles, THC/CBD percentages, and effect tags so “Maui Wowie near me” routes shoppers straight to your menu.
2. Load Speed Under 2 Seconds—Even on 3G
Half of U.S. dispensary traffic still comes from rural or low‑signal areas. Compress hero images, lazy‑load menus, and ditch heavyweight animations. Aim for a <2 s LCP score in Google Lighthouse.
3. Interactive Store Locator with Live Inventory
Embedding a static Google Map is 2019. Modern shoppers expect a click‑to‑reserve widget that shows real‑time stock by location. If your POS can’t stream inventory, you’re handing sales to competitors who can.
4. Voice‑Search‑Friendly FAQs
“Hey Siri, where can I buy vegan gummies?” Optimize long‑tail, conversational keywords in FAQ accordions. Keep answers <50 words so smart assistants read your snippet aloud.
5. ADA & WCAG 2.2 Compliance
Accessible sites rank better (Google’s Helpful Content system cares) and reduce legal risk. Test color contrast, add keyboard navigation, and caption your product videos.
6. Localized Schema for Every City You Serve
Running three storefronts? Give each a dedicated landing page with unique driving‑directions, neighborhood shout‑outs, and store hours. Duplicate content here = instant ranking penalty.
7. Dynamic Meta Titles Tied to Promo Calendars
Swap “Dispensary Deals” for “4/20 Flower Deals – Denver” the week of 4/20. Automated meta‑swap scripts boost CTR by up to 30 % during peak traffic windows.
8. First‑Party Data Capture Before Checkout
Offer a one‑click “Save my cart” for email or SMS capture. You’ll grow first‑party lists (critical as third‑party cookies disappear) and rescue abandoned orders in a single move.
9. UTM‑Tagged QR Codes In‑Store
Paper menus aren’t dead—they’re trackable. Print QR codes that fire UTMs like ?utm_source=menu&utm_medium=qr&utm_campaign=store_visit to measure which shelf‑talkers actually move product.
10. App‑Store Optimization (ASO) Mirrors On‑Site SEO
If you run a native app, mirror high‑volume keywords (“dispensary delivery Boston”) in your App Store/Play Store description. Consistent on‑site and in‑app language boosts both rankings.
Final Puff
Digital success isn’t about one giant overhaul - it’s stacking tiny optimizations that compound into outsized revenue. Sativa Strategies Consulting audits, implements, and iterates these details so you can focus on running the shop floor.
Ready for a full diagnostic? Book a free 30‑minute growth call and let’s turn those overlooked gaps into green gains.