If you’re a cannabis business owner, you’ve probably heard of Weedmaps and Leafly. These two platforms are major players in the industry, but what exactly do they offer? And more importantly, which one should you use for your business? Let’s break it down and help you figure out which platform might work best for your cannabis company.
What Are Weedmaps and Leafly?
Weedmaps started in 2008 as a way to help people in the cannabis community find dispensaries. Now, it’s grown into a full-fledged marketplace for cannabis businesses. It’s all about connecting local cannabis companies with customers in their area.
Leafly, meanwhile, came onto the scene in 2010. It began as a place for people to learn about different cannabis strains. These days, it covers pretty much everything cannabis-related, from strain information to industry news and business listings.
Platform Features for Businesses
Both Weedmaps and Leafly offer tools for cannabis businesses, but they have different strengths.
Weedmaps is great for getting your business in front of local customers. You can list your dispensary or brand, manage your menu, and even handle online orders in some areas. Weedmaps also offers advertising options to boost your visibility.
Leafly is more about education and brand building. You can list your business and products, but you also get the chance to share more detailed information about your strains or products. They offer content marketing opportunities, like sponsored articles, which can be great for establishing your brand as an industry leader.
User Base and Traffic
Weedmaps tends to attract users who are ready to buy. They’re often looking for a nearby dispensary or a specific product, which can be great if you’re looking to drive immediate sales or foot traffic to your dispensary.
Leafly users are often in research mode. They might be learning about different strains or reading up on cannabis news. This can be valuable if you’re looking to build brand awareness or share your expertise.
Advertising and Marketing Opportunities
When it comes to cannabis digital marketing, both platforms offer ways to promote your business, but their approaches differ.
On Weedmaps, you can pay for featured listings to appear at the top of search results. They also offer display ads and deals promotions. It’s very focused on driving local business.
Leafly’s advertising options include display ads, but they also offer more content-focused options. You can sponsor articles or create branded content, and that can be a good way to tell your brand’s story or share detailed product information.
Data and Analytics
You know how important it is to understand your customers and track your performance. Weedmaps has analytics tools that can show you how many people are viewing your profile, what products they’re interested in, and how you compare to nearby competitors. This can be really helpful for dispensaries trying to optimize their inventory or marketing.
Leafly provides insights, too, but they’re often more focused on broader industry trends. They offer reports on popular strains and consumption habits, which can be valuable for product development or marketing strategies.
Menu Management
Weedmaps has a comprehensive menu management system. You can update your inventory in real time, set prices, and even integrate with some point-of-sale systems. This can be a big time-saver for busy dispensaries.
Leafly also offers menu management, but it’s often more focused on providing detailed product descriptions. This can be great for brands that want to highlight the unique aspects of their products.
Online Ordering
Does your dispensary accept online orders? Weedmaps is a leader in this area. In many markets, customers can place orders directly through the Weedmaps platform for pickup or delivery. This can be a big draw for dispensaries looking to streamline their operations.
Leafly has also entered the online ordering space, but their system isn’t as widely adopted as Weedmaps’s. However, they do offer integration with some third-party ordering systems.
Brand Building
For cannabis brands, building a strong, recognizable brand is key to success.
Weedmaps offers brand pages where you can showcase your products and share some basic information about your company. It’s straightforward and focused on helping customers find your products.
Leafly provides more opportunities for in-depth brand storytelling. You can share detailed information about your cultivation practices, company history, or product philosophy. This can be valuable for brands looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market.
Ancillary Business Opportunities
If you’re running an ancillary cannabis business, like a software company or a packaging supplier, you might be wondering if these platforms have anything to offer you.
Weedmaps has been expanding its B2B offerings. They have a wholesale exchange platform that could be interesting for suppliers. They also partner with various technology providers, which could be an opportunity for software companies.
Leafly doesn’t have as many direct opportunities for ancillary businesses, but their content platform could be valuable. If you offer a unique product or service, you might be able to reach potential clients through sponsored content or industry news coverage.
Costs and ROI
Weedmaps’s pricing can vary depending on your location and the services you use. In competitive markets, it can be pricey, but many businesses find the exposure worth it. The potential for direct sales through the platform can make it easier to calculate your ROI.
Leafly’s costs can also vary. Their basic business listings are often more affordable than Weedmaps, but premium features and advertising will cost extra. The ROI might be less immediate than Weedmaps, but the brand-building opportunities can pay off in the long run.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
The truth is, many cannabis businesses find value in using both Weedmaps and Leafly. They serve different purposes and can complement each other in your overall digital marketing strategy.
If you’re a dispensary focused on driving local traffic and sales, Weedmaps might be your primary platform. Its local search functionality and online ordering features can directly impact your bottom line.
If you’re looking to educate consumers about your products and build brand loyalty, Leafly’s content-rich platform might be more valuable. It gives you the space to really tell your brand’s story.These platforms are likely to keep changing, so stay flexible and keep an eye out for new features or opportunities that could benefit your business. And if you need further assistance measuring your results and adjusting your strategy as needed, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at HIGHOPES.
