The popularity of online shopping has grown significantly in recent years. Experts predict that 16.4% of all retail purchases in the U.S. will occur online in 2023. They also expect the U.S. e-commerce market to reach more than $1.1 trillion in sales.
It makes sense. E-commerce is incredibly convenient. Customers can shop from anywhere with an internet connection at any time. They can easily browse and purchase products at their leisure. From the business side of things, e-commerce allows you to cast a wider net and attract more new customers to your brand.
Many businesses, including those in the cannabis industry, have responded to the increased interest in online shopping by opening up digital storefronts. If you’re thinking about launching a cannabis e-commerce site, there are a few things you’ll need to know to ensure your success.
Know the Laws
While you can sell cannabis online, there are several laws you’ll need to follow to avoid potentially significant legal issues. You’ll need to have a handle on what you can and can’t sell online. You’ll also need to make sure you know how to sell products legally. For instance, your customers won’t be able to complete transactions online. Instead, they’ll need to pay for their orders when they receive them.
Ensure a Solid Online Experience for Customers
According to statistics, 88% of online customers won’t return to an e-commerce site after a bad user experience. Furthermore, 70% of customers say they’ve abandoned their online shopping carts due to poor experiences with a website. In short, a solid user experience is vital. Your e-commerce site should load quickly, be easy to use, and be visually appealing.
Prioritize and Optimize for a Smooth Mobile Commerce Experience
Many customers these days shop online using a mobile device. In fact, 63% of organic search traffic comes from mobile phones. A mobile-optimized site is a must. Your cannabis e-commerce site should look and function just as well as — if not better than — your desktop site.
Have Great Product Mockups
Since customers can’t see the actual products in your physical store, mockups give them a better idea of what to expect and influence purchasing decisions. Great cannabis mockups bring your products to life, helping online shoppers imagine their look, smell, taste, and feel.
Optimize Your Product Listings
If you want your target audience to find your products online, you’ll need to optimize your product listings. One of the most popular ways to do this is to incorporate relevant keywords, increasing the chances that potential customers will find your e-commerce site during online searches.
Make Sure Your Site Is Secure
While your cannabis e-commerce site might not store payment information, it may still hold sensitive data that hackers could steal if you aren’t careful. Taking steps to ensure a secure website is essential for protecting your customers and your brand.
Figure Out Delivery Logistics
Due to current laws, you can’t ship products containing THC to your online customers. So, how will they receive their orders? One option is in-store pickup. You could also obtain a delivery license where offered and deliver products to local customers.
Market Your Products
When it comes to marketing your cannabis products online, you have many options. Search engine optimization (SEO) is a great way to increase your e-commerce site’s visibility in organic searches. You can also market your products on your social media pages, start a cannabis blog, and use email marketing. No matter what marketing tactics you use, make sure you keep local, state, and federal laws in mind.
Highopes Is Here to Help
Cannabis e-commerce can be a great way to attract more customers, sell more products, and grow your brand — and Highopes is here to help. For more information about our services, visit Highopes online or contact us today!
