How we run a cannabis SEO build

Discovery interviews:

We conduct strategy sessions with your team understanding your business model, sales process, customer acquisition challenges, and growth goals. We interview your sales team about prospect questions, competitor comparisons, and buying objections. This insider knowledge shapes strategy.

Competitive analysis:

We analyze your top competitors. What keywords are they ranking for? What content have they published? What backlinks are they building? How are they positioned? This analysis reveals competitive gaps we can exploit.

Market research:

We research your market size, growth trajectory, competitive intensity, and customer acquisition cost benchmarks. We identify whether your market is undersaturated or hypercompetitive. This shapes expected results.

Technical site audit:

We audit your website for technical issues, crawlability, speed, mobile usability, and SEO foundations. We identify quick wins and foundational improvements.

Keyword opportunity mapping:

We research keyword search volumes, competition levels, and customer intent. We identify high-opportunity keywords your competitors aren't targeting. We map keywords to stages of your customer journey.

Strategic roadmap:

We synthesize research into a strategic roadmap. We identify which keywords to target first, what content to create, where to build links. We outline the expected direction without promising outcomes.

Deliverables:

Competitive analysis report. Market opportunity assessment. Technical site audit. Keyword research and opportunity mapping. Strategic roadmap.

Outcome:

You understand your market completely. You know exactly what we'll do and why. You have confidence we understand your situation and can execute effectively.

Content production at scale:

We publish high-quality articles on a steady monthly cadence addressing your keyword targets and customer journey stages, establishing full topical authority over time.

Content optimization:

We optimize existing content for conversions. We improve headlines and meta descriptions to improve click-through rates. We refactor content structure to improve user engagement signals. We add internal links to high-value pages.

Link building execution:

We build high-quality backlinks monthly from industry publications, relevant resource sites, directories, and partner organizations, establishing domain authority over time.

Ranking tracking and reporting:

We track your keyword rankings weekly across your priority keywords. We monitor ranking positions, fluctuations, and changes. We provide monthly reports showing which keywords are improving, which are plateauing, and recommended next actions.

A/B testing:

We test titles, descriptions, headlines, and calls-to-action measuring impact on click-through rates and engagement. We implement winning variations increasing organic traffic quality.

Algorithm monitoring:

We monitor search algorithm changes and competitive moves. We adjust strategy based on algorithm updates protecting rankings and capitalizing on shifts in search landscape.

Conversion optimization:

We test page elements, form fields, calls-to-action, and content structure improving conversion rates. We monitor where visitors drop off and test improvements reducing friction.

Deliverables:

New articles published. Backlinks built. Weekly ranking reports. Monthly performance reviews. Conversion optimization testing and results. Strategic adjustments based on performance.

Outcome:

Your organic presence is built on steady content and authority work. You capture more of the market over time as authority signals compound. Organic becomes an increasingly valuable acquisition channel.

Authority initiatives:

We help establish you as industry authority. We facilitate media coverage, speaking engagements, and industry participation. We build strategic partnerships expanding reach and authority.

Thought leadership content:

We develop higher-value content moving beyond SEO optimization to genuine industry insight sharing. We document your unique perspectives and expertise.

Market expansion:

We explore adjacent markets or verticals where your expertise applies. We expand keyword targets to related topics building broader authority.

Brand partnership building:

We identify strategic partnerships and integration opportunities with complementary brands and platforms.

Quarterly strategy reviews:

We conduct quarterly reviews analyzing performance, market changes, and competitive moves. We adjust strategy based on business goals and market evolution.

Content maintenance:

We shift to maintenance-level content and link building. You've achieved substantial content and authority coverage. Maintenance volume keeps authority current without requiring growth-phase effort.

Deliverables:

Quarterly strategy reviews. Media and speaking opportunity identification. Authority initiative support. Thought leadership content. Market expansion recommendations. Maintenance-level content and link building.

Outcome:

Your brand becomes a recognized authority in your niche, and organic search becomes an increasingly valuable acquisition channel.

Keyword rankings:

Positions and changes for all priority keywords. Which are improving? Which are stable? Which need attention?

Organic traffic:

Total sessions, growth percentage, traffic by page, traffic source breakdown. Is organic traffic growing? Which content drives most traffic?

Content published:

Titles, publication dates, target keywords, initial performance. Transparency on content production.

Backlinks acquired:

Links published, source domains, anchor text, domain authority. Visibility on link building progress.

Conversion metrics:

Conversion rate, traffic-to-inquiry ratio, inquiry quality feedback. Business impact measurement.

Recommendations:

Next month priorities, keyword opportunities, content gaps, strategic adjustments. Our recommendations based on data.

Cannabis specialization:

We specialize exclusively in cannabis. Not cannabis as one vertical among many. We understand cannabis regulatory restrictions, compliance requirements, GBP limitations, platform constraints, and industry dynamics generic agencies miss.

Transparent execution:

You see what we do. You see results. You participate in strategy. No black-box methodology. No vanity metrics. Just honest reporting on measurable results.

Data-driven decisions:

We track rankings, traffic, revenue impact. We adjust strategy based on data, not assumptions. We measure what matters to your business.

Proprietary technology:

Sentinel, our internal search intelligence platform, and Apex MenuEdge, our edge layer for Dutchie menus, give you capabilities that standard agencies do not offer.

Tactical execution:

We audit your market, identify opportunities, and execute. Progress is visible and consistent.

Results orientation:

We measure success by your business outcomes. Rankings, traffic, revenue. Not vanity metrics.