What do you need to create an online cannabis store?
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online stores
420MKT is an internationally operating DAO. We create and market your online cannabis store.
Our team covers all aspects, from financing to programming and marketing, to make your cannabis store a success. Find out below what it takes to implement an online store and how we can help you.
Creating the cannabis online store to complement the retail store
In the following, I assume that you already have a business. Things like trips to the tax office have been taken care of or branding including logo, business cards etc. are already in place. You may also have one or more employees.
If you don’t have a store but want to sell online, this article will still be helpful for you.
What do you need to consider when creating an online cannabis store?
In summary, the following aspects must be taken into account:
Why an online store makes sense
First of all, we’ll explain why an online store makes sense at all. Here is a brief overview:
- Purchasing behavior is changing and a lot is ordered online. An online store would always be open, at the latest in the event of unforeseen closures of your business. In times of coronavirus, online shopping is more in demand than ever, as the Institute for Retail, Sales and Marketing confirms in its report.
- You are not tied to a specific location; people from all over the world can become your customers with just a few clicks.
- One-time effort. The work you invest once in your store can be used by an unlimited number of buyers. A good product description or an explanatory video will generate an infinite number of customer conversations and sales.
- Very good customer loyalty is possible.
How can I create an online cannabis store?
There are various options here. Either you “dare” to do it yourself and use one of the many modular systems or you hire someone to create your individual store.
- Create it yourself with a modular system
- Hire 420MKT (agency or freelancer)
Why not an online store construction kit?
There are now a large number of providers with which you can put together your own store seemingly effortlessly. There are certainly some good examples here, but the list of things that need to be considered and implemented independently of the store system is extensive. As a layperson, you either don’t know this or don’t have the skills or the appropriate software.
This starts with the correct storage of images and ends with the correct formulation of meta descriptions (for Google).
Even if the site works well from a technical point of view, this is only one factor. The following things also need to be considered.
What should an online cannabis store have?
Here is just a selection of functions that should be available.
- user-friendly design
- Customer-specific extensions and adaptations (product combinations, variations, etc.)
- Good SEO for organic traffic
- Paid traffic through Google Ads, if applicable
- right payment provider
We will discuss the last 3 points below.
Create an online cannabis store with 420MKT
There are tasks that can only be done reliably with a certain level of experience and/or knowledge. If my washing machine is faulty, for example, I can invest time and nerves and try to solve the problem myself. Due to a lack of experience and technical understanding, I will either get no result or a very unsatisfactory result.
So I use the time for more sensible things and call in an expert. Of course, I pay money for this expertise, but I also get a reliable result.
Contact person / initial consultation
If you would like to create a cannabis online store, we can provide you with advice and active support.
Contact
0157 37 58 57 35 // hi@420mkt.com
Behind 420MKT is a wide-ranging team of qualified specialists who can boast outstanding results in their respective fields.
We will now take a closer look at the information and data required for implementation and the best way to create it.
What does a professional online cannabis store cost?
An online store based on WooCommerce costs around €3,000 – €7,000. If the range of functions is greater, it may cost more. In return, you get a fully functional store with all the necessary functions.
Once set up, maintaining and adding new or editing existing products is very easy and comparable to writing an e-mail. You simply log in and edit your product range in the “background”.
This allows you to offer new products or run spontaneous discount campaigns etc. at short notice.
In addition, there are other costs, such as marketing, payment optimization, etc., which we break down below.
The good thing is, we at 420MKT are eligible for funding!
Promotion through 420mkt
Our 420MKT DAO is an authorized consultant and can apply for additional funding under current subsidy programs such as BAFA and go-digital. In addition, we can provide access to regional fundings.
So we can boost the budget and add further marketing solutions to the service package virtually free of charge.
How does an online store work?
When creating websites and online stores, we rely on WordPress in combination with our in-house theme SV100 and WooCommerce. This store system is widely used and offers a wide range of expansion options.
In addition to physical products, digital content (music, e-books, etc.) can also be offered. You can actually sell almost anything with this system; you’ve probably already ordered from a WooCommerce store.
Here you should rely on the knowledge of a specialist. The list of very specific requirements is too long for it to make sense to “read up a little” here.
Extensions and adaptations
Depending on the products you want to sell, the store may need additional extensions. These include, for example, selection options for individual products (sizes, colors, design, etc.), product combinations (e.g. with discounts), vouchers, subscription or rental functions. The possibilities are many and varied and should be used sensibly.
Payment provider for cannabis online stores
This topic is so extensive that it deserves its own article. In short: the usual payment providers, such as PayPal and the like, do not want cannabis products to be paid for with their services.
To ensure that your business doesn’t fall at this sensitive hurdle, we will find a suitable provider and flexible payment options for your online cannabis store with our online payment optimization.
Cannabis online store design
The design of a store is not just about choosing a handful of colors and deciding whether to use portrait or landscape images. Your customers want to find information and/or the product as quickly and easily as possible and order it without any problems.
All without long searches or one unnecessary click too many. This user-friendliness must be considered in the design beforehand and constantly checked and optimized during operation.
We bring a wealth of experience and knowledge, measure, test and optimize your online store.
Creating content for the cannabis online store
Before you install the store, you should think about images and texts. Experience has shown that this part takes a lot of time and should be given high priority.
The visual language and writing style should be geared towards the clientele.
A well-functioning store is just the basis, a stable shelf, so to speak, which now needs to be well sorted and clearly stocked with products.
Product images
The images should be of high quality, classic product photos well lit and against a neutral background. If you don’t have any pictures for the products, our 420MKT photographers can help you out. Here is a small selection of our work.
Infographics provide a better understanding of the function and structure of products. Thanks to our experience in graphics and content management, we can also help with the creation of all kinds of information material.
If you are lacking photos and visual material, we have a fantastic selection of qualified photographers who will visually enhance your cannabis online store and enrich your digital appearance.
Product videos, VLogs etc.
Our videographers have a ton of experience and have produced videos that have been clicked on millions of times. In addition to product and music videos, we have also produced vlogs and other formats.
At the latest when you need to feed your social media channels, you need content, content and even more (high-quality) content.
In addition to our videographers and photographers, we have a 14-strong social media team at 420MKT, with in-house designers and content creators.
Bear in mind that we can also cover these services with a grant.
SEO – Organic traffic
These visitors come (after 6 months at the earliest) virtually on their own, because the site is so good and informative (from an SEO perspective) that Google places you high up in search queries.
The search engine giant makes the presentation of its search results dependent on over 200 factors. In addition to fast loading times and clean coding, nothing beats informative content in the form of text, photos (infographics) and videos.
Product descriptions
In order for the store to rank well in Google searches later on, the texts must meet certain criteria. It is also important to analyze exactly what people are searching for in order to process certain keywords and search phrases. This keyword analysis is best done before the texts are written.
It is important to always bear in mind that personal advice is not possible and that the store therefore provides as much information as possible in a well-prepared form.
Traffic to the site – How long does it take for an online store to start up?
For example, if you create a new page, it must first be indexed by Google. This can take up to 6 months. So in the first six months you won’t get any relevant organic traffic, as Google first has to “get to know” your site.
However, this time can be bridged with the right marketing strategy.
Merchandise management system
If you own a store, you will probably already have a merchandise management system (also known as a “WaWi” for short). A large part of this system is compatible with WooCommerce, for example. This means you can easily integrate your cannabis online store and your accounting will continue to run smoothly.
Is a merchandise management system necessary?
No – If you only want to sell online, it’s not necessary. WooCommerce alone basically works like an ERP system. Creating invoices, managing stock levels and other tasks are automatically handled by WooCommerce. If you have several sales channels at the latest, the use of a WaWi makes sense and simplifies the bureaucratic effort.
Logistical planning / packaging material for the cannabis online store
If you sell physical products, you need to think about what goes into the package and how it should be transported.
What must be included with an online order?
- the product(s) ordered (complete, if necessary in the correct color and size)
- an invoice with all relevant information (is created automatically by woocommerce, for example)
- a return slip (with shipping sticker for return, if applicable)
- Direct contact option (can be placed prominently on the invoice, for example)
- optional: information material (flyer about your own shop/product, stickers)
Effective
The packaging box is not much bigger than the product itself. This saves space and additional polystyrene or other insulating materials.
In the interests of sustainability, as little waste as possible should be left behind.
Conclusion – Create cannabis online stores
We have thus illuminated the basic pillars for a successful cannabis online store.
Firstly, you need high-quality products, lots of well-prepared information and a functional technical framework.
Your site must be easy to find on Google. The ordering process should be straightforward and delivery should be on time.
If the customer is satisfied, he will come back and tell others about it.
We offer:
- Funding via various programs
- Online store development, maintenance and care
- Online Payment-Optimization
- Content
- Sustainable marketing through SEO and social media
We have the expertise and sufficient experience to provide a well-functioning cannabis online store with suitable payment providers. Our team creates product videos and visuals and can prepare SEO-compliant editorial content. We also ensure visitors, sales and that your customers come back.
Contact person / initial consultation
Ingo Lembke is an online marketing consultant with a focus on search engine optimization (SEO) and content management.
As a graphic and web designer with programming experience, he also advises on a technical and design level.
Contact
0157 37 58 57 35 // hi@420mkt.com