The Easy Guide to the Best Cannabis Ecommerce Platforms

Published:

7/17/2024

Updated:

7/17/2024

According to recent statistics, the cannabis ecommerce market is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years. With the rise of legal cannabis sales, more and more retailers are turning to cannabis marketing services and ecommerce platforms to boost and grow their businesses. If you’re looking to get in on the action, you've come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll break down the best cannabis ecommerce solutions out there. Whether you're setting up your first online store or looking to upgrade your current ecommerce platform, we’ve got the scoop on what you need to know.

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Types of Cannabis Ecommerce Solutions

Let's break down the three main types of ecommerce solutions you'll encounter.

1. iFrame Menus

iFrame menus are like a window within your website where users can browse and buy cannabis products. These are third-party websites embedded in your own. They’re cheap and easy to set up, but they come with some major downsides.

Benefits:

Low cost
Quick and easy setup

Drawbacks:

Zero SEO value because Google can't index the products on your site.
Poor user experience and limited customization.
Tracking website analytics can be tricky.

2. Subdomain Menus

Subdomain menus live on a separate section of your website. For example, if your main site is www.yourdispensary.com, your subdomain might be shop.yourdispensary.com. This setup is a step up from iFrames but still has its limitations.

Benefits:

Easier setup than native solutions
Better analytics than iFrame menus

Drawbacks:

Medium SEO value – not as strong as native ecommerce.
Limited customization options.
Poor user experience since it feels like switching to a different site.

3. Native eCommerce Menus

Native ecommerce is the gold standard for cannabis dispensaries. The entire shopping experience, from browsing category pages to checkout, happens on your site. This means better SEO, more customization, and a seamless user experience.

Benefits:

High SEO value – Google can index all your products, category pages, and brand info.
Highly customizable, offering a seamless and branded shopping experience.
Excellent analytics capabilities for tracking and optimizing.

Drawbacks:

Higher startup costs.
Takes longer to implement.
Requires ongoing maintenance.

What to Look for in a Cannabis Ecommerce Platform

Picking the right ecommerce platform for your cannabis business is like finding the perfect strain – it makes all the difference. Let's break down what you need to look for.

Compliance with Laws and Regulations

Staying legit is a must in the cannabis industry. Your ecommerce provider should help you stay compliant with local and federal laws. Look for features that track regulations and ensure your online sales stay within legal limits. Check out our blog about US ecommerce regulation on cannabis product sales for more details.

Security Features

Protecting customer data is critical. An ecommerce store should have robust security features to keep info safe. Look for SSL certificates, encryption, and other top-notch security measures to guard against breaches. Trust us, your customers will thank you.

Cannabis Ecommerce SEO and CMS for Website

Having a content management system (CMS) is crucial. Advanced native ecommerce tools allow you to create relevant content and implement the best SEO practices. This boosts local SEO so your cannabis dispensary and products are efficiently found by nearby customers. Platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce are popular for their SEO and CMS capabilities.

User-Friendly Interface

A dispensary website should be as easy to navigate as your favorite app. Both you and your customers need a smooth experience. Customization options let you tailor the online store to fit your brand and style. A user-friendly interface boosts sales and keeps customers coming back. Dive into our article on mastering ecommerce SEO for cannabis dispensaries to learn more.

Integration Capabilities

Your ecommerce platform should play nice with other tools. Think about POS systems, marketing software, and other integrations that streamline your operations. A platform that integrates well with your existing tools makes managing your cannabis retail store a breeze.

Target Audience and Loyalty Features

Knowing your target audience helps you create a tailored shopping experience. Owning your ecommerce site means you control customer data, which aids in offering personalized experiences and owning customer relationships. Integrating loyalty programs and gift cards into your ecommerce site is also crucial for a seamless shopping experience.

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Top Cannabis Ecommerce Platforms

Ecommerce platforms offer unique features to help your cannabis retail store thrive online. Let’s dive into the best options out there and see what each brings to the table.

Shopify

Shopify is a comprehensive commerce platform that allows businesses to create, grow, and manage their online and physical stores. It is a popular choice for many cannabis retailers due to its user-friendly interface and robust online shopping capabilities.

Pros: Easy to set up, extensive app store for customization, great support.
Cons: No email outreach, pricey, limited free design customization options

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a powerful, open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress. It enables users to turn their WordPress sites into fully functional online stores and offers flexibility and customization, perfect for cannabis dispensaries looking to scale.

Pros: Highly customizable, large plugin ecosystem, open-source.
Cons: Requires WordPress knowledge, hosting and security are on you.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a scalable ecommerce platform designed for fast-growing businesses. It is designed for scalability, making it ideal for growing cannabis companies.

Pros: Unlimited staff accounts, no additional transaction fees, multiple inventory locations
Cons: Limited selection of free themes, not beginner friendly, annual revenue limits on plans

Carrot

Carrot is an all-in-one ecommerce solution specifically tailored for the cannabis industry. It integrates ecommerce with loyalty programs, marketing tools, and delivery management, offering a comprehensive platform for cannabis retailers to grow their business and engage customers.

Pros: All-in-one solution, branded mobile app, built-in delivery features.
Cons: Setup time for custom features, can be costly for high-volume stores.

Mosaic

Mosaic offers a fully branded ecommerce solution with enhanced SEO functionalities and detailed analytics. It's designed for multi-location cannabis retailers looking to build their brand identity and drive customer loyalty through a seamless online shopping experience.

Pros: Fully branded ecommerce menus, robust SEO, excellent analytics.
Cons: Relatively new, setup takes a few weeks.

Dispense

Dispense focuses on providing a plug-and-play ecommerce platform with strong SEO benefits and excellent support. It is ideal for high-volume dispensaries and multi-location operators, offering features like customer chat and self-serve kiosks.

Pros: SEO-friendly, fast launch, great support.
Cons: Requires developer resources for full customization, no mobile app yet.

Rank Really High

This platform is tailored for cannabis businesses prioritizing online growth. It offers strong SEO capabilities, a tailored website for seamless shopping, and AI-powered tools to enhance customer engagement and boost sales.

Pros: Tailored website, AI Budtender, Google Partners.
Cons: Higher initial cost, best for larger retailers.

Buddi

Buddi is a simple, free ecommerce solution for small to medium-sized cannabis retailers. It supports online ordering and in-store pickup, making it easy for new retailers to launch their online presence without significant investment.

Pros: Free to use, easy setup, great support.
Cons: Uses iframe, no SEO value, data shared with producers.

Dutchie

Dutchie provides a comprehensive ecommerce and POS solution for the cannabis industry, focusing on compliance and operational efficiency. It includes features like smart inventory management and integrated cashless payments to streamline the sales process.

Pros: Includes a hosted online menu, point-of-sale systems for in-dispensary use, integrated payments.
Cons: Mainly iframe-based, SEO limitations.

Jane

Jane offers an extensive product catalog and seamless integration capabilities for cannabis dispensaries. It focuses on providing a personalized shopping experience with features like detailed product descriptions and user-friendly menus.

Pros: Extensive product library, easy integration, user-friendly.
Cons: Limited to iframe menus, SEO and analytics tracking limitations.

Leafly

Leafly combines ecommerce with extensive cannabis content, providing a platform where consumers can educate themselves and purchase products from licensed retailers. It’s known for its strong SEO and vast database of product reviews and strain information.

Pros: Great SEO, extensive product reviews, strong consumer trust.
Cons: Primarily a marketplace, limited customization for individual stores.

Sweed

Sweed is an all-in-one system offering robust analytics, integrated marketing tactics, and automation features to help dispensaries manage and grow their operations.

Pros: Comprehensive management tools, customizable loyalty programs.
Cons: Relatively new, limited customization options.

Weedmaps

Weedmaps is a well-known marketplace and eCommerce solution that allows consumers to find and order cannabis products from local dispensaries. It also provides educational content and reviews, making it a trusted resource for cannabis consumers.

Pros: High consumer traffic, omnichannel marketing, easy fulfillment.
Cons: Primarily a marketplace, iframe limitations.

Spark Menus

Spark Menus specializes in providing native eCommerce solutions that integrate with popular APIs. It offers SEO-optimized menus and customizable designs to enhance the online shopping experience for cannabis retailers.

Pros: SEO-optimized, customizable design, great for growth.
Cons: Managed service, depends on third-party integrations.

Olla

Olla offers customizable subdomain menus with SEO benefits, designed to help cannabis retailers improve their online presence. It focuses on providing a branded shopping experience with features like detailed product filters and integrated loyalty programs.

Pros: Customizable branding, good SEO for subdomains.
Cons: SEO still limited compared to native ecommerce, setup required.

Tips for Choosing the Right Platform

Choosing the right ecommerce platform for your cannabis dispensary can feel like a big deal. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with some easy tips to make the process a breeze.

Assess Your Business Needs

First things first, you need to understand what your cannabis business needs. Are you a small shop or a multi-location operation? Your size and goals will help you pick the right platform. Think about your current needs and where you want to be in the future.

Budget Considerations

Money matters, right? You need a platform that fits your budget without skimping on essential features. Compare costs, look for hidden fees, and think about long-term value. Sometimes, spending a bit more upfront can save you money down the line.

Future-Proofing

Your ecommerce platform should grow with your business. Make sure the platform can handle increased traffic, more products, and expanding services. Future-proofing is all about thinking ahead and ensuring your platform stays relevant and robust as you scale.

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In conclusion

Choosing the right platform can set your cannabis dispensary up for success. So, take your time, do your homework, and pick a platform that aligns with your needs, budget, and future plans.

Find the perfect solution to take your online sales to the next level! Our cannabis marketing services can help you tailor your strategy to fit your unique requirements.

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Cannabis Ecommerce Platforms FAQs

What is cannabis ecommerce?

Cannabis ecommerce involves selling cannabis products online through dedicated platforms. These platforms enable dispensaries to list products, manage orders, and process payments while complying with legal regulations. It helps retailers reach more customers and streamline their sales processes.

What are the key features to look for in cannabis ecommerce platforms?

When choosing a cannabis ecommerce platform, look for compliance with local and federal regulations, user-friendly interfaces, and strong security features. Integration capabilities with other tools, like POS systems, are also essential. Additionally, robust SEO and customization options can help enhance your online presence and brand identity.

How do cannabis ecommerce platforms differ from traditional ecommerce solutions?

Cannabis ecommerce platforms are specifically designed to handle the unique regulations and compliance issues of the cannabis industry. They include features like age verification and purchase limits that are not typically found in traditional ecommerce solutions. These platforms also integrate with cannabis-specific POS systems to ensure accurate inventory and sales tracking.

Why is choosing the right ecommerce platform crucial for cannabis businesses?

Choosing the right ecommerce platform ensures your cannabis business remains compliant with laws and provides a seamless shopping experience for customers. The right platform can enhance your online presence, improve security, and integrate smoothly with other systems. It’s crucial for scaling your business and maintaining customer satisfaction.

Which ecommerce platform is better for a THC store?

For a THC store, platforms like Carrot or Dutchie are often preferred due to their compliance features and robust ecommerce capabilities. These platforms offer strong SEO, customization options, and integrations with POS systems, making them ideal for managing a THC store’s online presence. Consider your specific needs and budget when choosing the best platform for your store.

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The Easy Guide to the Best Cannabis Ecommerce Platforms

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