Get Started with BudAuthority: Cannabis SEO Onboarding Process

Objective:

Understand your current state, competitive environment, and market opportunity.

What happens:

- INTERCEPTOR audit of your site, technical layer, compliance framework, and schema implementation - Competitive analysis: 3-5 primary competitors mapped against your current performance - Market opportunity assessment: keyword volume, competitive intensity, addressable market size - Regulatory and compliance mapping specific to your markets

What you need to provide:

- Website access (or URL + Google Analytics sharing) - List of 3-5 primary competitors - Current marketing assets (if available) - Key stakeholders for strategy discussions

Deliverables:

- INTERCEPTOR audit report (technical findings, compliance notes, priority issues) - Competitive intelligence brief - Market opportunity summary - Strategic recommendation brief (30-minute meeting)

Duration:

10-14 days from engagement start

Outcome:

You understand exactly where your site stands, what's blocking ranks, and what the opportunity looks like.

Objective:

Execute the strategy and measure performance.

What happens:

- Content production: blog posts, pillar content, product pages, location pages - Technical SEO implementation: site architecture changes, schema additions, performance optimization - GBP management: profile optimization, review strategy, content calendar - Link-building: if applicable to your strategy - Compliance verification: every piece of content reviewed before publication - Weekly performance tracking and competitive monitoring

What you need to provide:

- Timely feedback and approval on content and technical changes - Product/service information for product pages and location pages - Images and media assets (if not provided by BudAuthority) - Stakeholder alignment on strategy adjustments (if needed)

Deliverables:

- 20-50+ published content pieces (depending on strategy) - Technical SEO implementations (completed and tested) - GBP profile fully optimized - Schema implementation (products, organization, local business) - Competitive monitoring reports (bi-weekly) - Performance tracking dashboard

Duration:

12-16 weeks (typically overlaps with Reconnaissance and Architecture)

Typical timeline:

Week 8-10 of deployment, you'll start seeing rank movement. Month 4-5, meaningful traffic growth becomes visible.

Outcome:

Your site is optimized and deployed. Rank movement is accelerating. Traffic trends are positive.

Objective:

Continuous monitoring, optimization, and competitive response.

What happens:

- Monthly performance analysis and reporting - Competitive monitoring and response strategy - Continuous content optimization based on performance data - Algorithm update monitoring and SEO adjustment - New opportunity identification (emerging keywords, market expansion) - AEO monitoring and content updates as answer engines evolve

What you need to provide:

- Conversion data and attribution information (so we can measure revenue impact) - Feedback on leads and traffic quality - Changes to business strategy or market focus - New products/services requiring optimization

Deliverables:

- Monthly performance report (rank movement, traffic, revenue impact) - Competitive intelligence updates - Quarterly strategy adjustment recommendations - Continuous content optimization - AEO content updates as algorithms change

Duration:

Ongoing (no minimum commitment; month-to-month engagement)

Outcome:

Your site maintains and improves rankings. Market changes are monitored and responded to proactively. Revenue impact is continuously measured.

Minimum requirements:

- Website access (or analytics sharing if access can't be provided) - List of primary competitors - Marketing goals and timeline expectations - Decision-maker availability for strategy calls

Helpful additions:

- Current marketing calendar - Competitor pricing and positioning - Product/service details and positioning - Historical performance data (if available) - Stakeholder feedback on strategic direction

Ongoing support:

- Conversion data and revenue tracking - Feedback on lead quality - Notification of business changes or market expansion - Content review and approval (typically 1-2 days turnaround)

Rank movement:

Most clients see top 100 entry by week 8-10. First-page positioning typically within 3-4 months. Full maturity by months 6-9.

Traffic growth:

15-30% increase visible by month 4-5. Sustained growth continues as new content pieces mature and compound.

Competitive factors:

Highly competitive markets take longer. New sites see faster relative improvement. Existing rankings accelerate improvement through content addition.

Consistency required:

SEO is a systems discipline. Consistent execution and feedback cycles accelerate progress.