When people need products or services, they typically turn to the internet — most often Google — first. Many of those searches are “near me” searches, meaning users are looking for local businesses, including dispensaries. In such cases, a Google Business Profile (GBP) is an invaluable tool.
A GBP — formerly Google My Business — allows you to influence how your dispensary appears on local searches and Google Maps. It includes information about your location, how to contact you, your business hours, and details about your shop. It isn’t enough to simply have a profile, though. If you want to reach and attract more potential customers, you need to optimize it.
The Benefits of GBP Optimization for Dispensary Marketing
An optimized Google Business Profile provides several significant benefits:
- Increased visibility in search engine results
- Appear on Google Maps
- Increase foot traffic to your dispensary
- Builds trust
- Provides valuable insight into your performance online
Tips to Set Up and Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Now let’s take a look at how to set up your GBP and optimize it for the best results:
Create or Claim Your Listing
Google sometimes creates listings for businesses it already knows exist. A quick Google search will let you know if there’s a listing. If there is, you can claim it by clicking the “own this business” link.
If there isn’t a listing, you’ll need to create one. Be sure to provide the requested information exactly as you want it to appear on Google. Select your business category (there are cannabis-related categories), secondary categories, and attributes. When you’re ready, submit your profile.
Verify Your Google Business Profile
Whether your claim an existing listing or create a new one, Google will follow up by sending a postcard containing a code to your dispensary. Entering this code confirms your location. It also gives you full access to your profile and all GBP features.
Provide All Essential Details About Your Dispensary
Your Google Business Profile should contain as much accurate information as possible to help prospective customers learn about you, including:
- Your business name, address, and phone number
- Hours of operation
- A link to your website
- A detailed description of your dispensary
- Pictures of your dispensary (inside and outside), team members, and brand
Be sure to include local keywords to help with your SEO efforts.
Check for Duplicate Listings
You may have old, outdated, or inaccurate listings for your dispensary in other locations online. While they might not seem like a big deal, they can impact your visibility. Merge or remove duplicate GBP listings and ensure all details in other directories are accurate and up to date.
Encourage Reviews
High-quality positive reviews play a significant role in your visibility and can influence a prospective customer’s decision to visit you. Along with encouraging reviews, be sure to respond to both positive and negative feedback.
Work With Dispensary Marketing Professionals
While critical, optimizing your GBP can be time-consuming. You also want to make sure you get it right. That’s where working with cannabis marketing professionals like Highopes comes in handy. They’ll take care of creating and optimizing your GBP for you, helping to ensure optimal results.
Optimize Your Google Business Profile and Attract More Customers
With GBP optimization, you can bolster your dispensary marketing efforts, making it easier for potential customers to find and visit your shop. Contact Highopes to learn more and get started today.
