The CBD market is exploding.
In a newly released report from Brightfield, they predicted year-over-year CBD product sales growth in the United States of 706% in 2019 to around $5 billion — not a typo – and sales of $23.7 billion by 2023.
The growth potential is staggering, and while CBD itself won’t give you a buzz, the market is buzzing with the potential to cash in on CBD’s explosive growth.
However, many are learning that their typical playbook for marketing a B2C product doesn’t work for CBD.
While enthusiasts will claim CBD is nothing like ephedra, anabolic steroids, or the latest slim-tea fad, advertising giant Google has other ideas.
Google has lumped CBD products under a large umbrella of unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements that come with heavy restrictions on how you market these products.
Navigating the Limitations: Exploring Alternative Strategies to Market and Sell CBD Online
Google has banned all products on that list from using Google Ads, with severe penalties for violations. Including going so far as banning the user & their payment method from all future ads…regardless of what product you’re selling.
This is rough news for holistic health practitioners looking to promote CBD wellness products and services without jeopardizing the rest of their product line.
This leaves many practitioners wondering how they can effectively market and sell CBD products without jeopardizing the rest of their product line.
While it’s true that most major e-commerce platforms don’t allow you to sell CBD products directly, there are alternative strategies you can explore to successfully market and sell CBD online. In this guide, we will discuss some of these strategies and shed light on how you can navigate the limitations imposed by various platforms and regulations.
1. Build a Strong Online Presence:
Instead of relying solely on paid advertising, focus on building a robust online presence for your CBD business. Start by creating an engaging and informative website that showcases your CBD products and educates visitors about the benefits of cannabidiol. Optimize your website for search engines to attract organic traffic. Utilize content marketing strategies to provide valuable information related to CBD and holistic health, positioning yourself as an industry expert.
2. Leverage Influencer Marketing:
Influencer marketing can be a powerful tool for promoting CBD products. Partner with influencers who have an audience interested in holistic health and wellness. Collaborate with them to create authentic and informative content about your CBD products. Influencers can share their personal experiences, conduct product reviews, or endorse your brand on their social media platforms. This approach helps you reach a wider audience and build trust with potential customers.
3. Utilize Native Advertising:
Native advertising allows you to promote your CBD products in a way that seamlessly integrates with the content consumers are already engaging with. Native ads appear like regular content on websites, social media platforms, or mobile apps, making them less intrusive and more likely to be accepted by users. Work with reputable native advertising platforms to place your CBD product promotions in relevant publications or websites frequented by your target audience.
4. Create Compelling Email Campaigns:
Email marketing remains a highly effective way to connect with your audience and promote your CBD products. Build an email list of interested customers by offering a valuable lead magnet, such as an exclusive CBD wellness guide or a discount on their first purchase. Send regular newsletters with informative content, product updates, and special offers to keep your subscribers engaged. Personalize your emails based on customer preferences and purchase history for better conversion rates. Remember to comply with the FDA guidelines and ensure you provide accurate information about your CBD products without making unsubstantiated health claims.
5. Harness the Power of Social Media:
Social media platforms provide a great opportunity to promote your CBD products and engage with your target audience. Create compelling and visually appealing content that highlights the benefits of CBD and its impact on holistic health. Utilize paid social media advertising options that allow CBD product promotion, such as Facebook’s limited advertising policy for CBD. Engage with your followers, respond to their queries, and build a community around your brand.
6. Explore Alternative E-commerce Platforms:
While some e-commerce providers won’t allow you to sell CBD products, there are platforms that specialize in supporting CBD businesses. Look for CBD-friendly e-commerce platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, or WooCommerce. These platforms have specific tools and integrations tailored to the needs of CBD merchants, ensuring compliance with regulations and providing a seamless online shopping experience for your customers.
7, Partnering with CBD-Friendly Payment Processors
One of the challenges CBD businesses face is finding a reliable payment processor. Due to the industry’s association with cannabis, traditional payment processors often categorize CBD as a high-risk product, making it difficult to find suitable options. However, several CBD-friendly payment processors specialize in serving the industry and providing secure and compliant payment solutions. Research and partner with a reputable CBD merchant processor to ensure smooth transactions and a positive customer experience.
Maximizing Online Presence: Leveraging White Hat SEO Techniques for Effective CBD Marketing and Selling CBD Products in the Digital Realm.
Most SEO strategies won’t cut it when all of your marketing hinges on organic search. The typical SEO firm tracks only a handful of keywords and phrases. We’re talking small numbers, 1-10 phrases, maybe 15 or 20 if you’re lucky. They get their phrases locked in and keep tracking the same ones the entire time, sometimes for years. This is a great way to end up at the bottom of the search results and lose a TON of clicks.
To successfully market CBD products online, you need to employ a comprehensive approach that encompasses various strategies and techniques. In this guide, we will explore the different aspects of CBD marketing and how you can leverage white hat SEO techniques to boost your online presence and drive traffic to your CBD products.
One important thing to note is that most major e-commerce platforms don’t allow you to sell CBD products. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t successfully market CBD oil without a paid ads campaign. There are alternative ways to advertise and sell CBD online without violating any platform policies.
One effective method is influencer marketing. Influencers, especially those in the health and wellness niche, can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility for your CBD brand. By partnering with influencers who align with your target market, you can tap into their engaged followers and generate interest in your products. It’s important to ensure that the influencers you collaborate with comply with the rules and regulations surrounding CBD advertising to maintain a transparent and ethical approach.
Another way to sell CBD online is by leveraging content marketing. Creating valuable and informative content related to CBD can help you establish yourself as an authority in the industry and attract potential customers. You can write blog articles, create videos, or even host podcasts to share insights, tips, and the latest information about CBD. By offering valuable content, you can build trust with your audience and drive organic traffic to your online store.
Social media platforms also play a crucial role in CBD marketing. Building a strong social media presence allows you to engage with your target audience, share updates about your products, and promote special offers. You can create compelling visual content, share customer testimonials, and interact with followers to create a sense of community around your brand. Additionally, utilizing social media advertising options can help you reach a wider audience and increase brand awareness.
However, it’s essential to be aware of the legal restrictions and regulations surrounding CBD advertising. Different states and countries have varying laws regarding the promotion of CBD products. Familiarize yourself with these regulations to ensure compliance and avoid any potential legal issues.
When it comes to selling CBD products online, finding the right platform is crucial. While some e-commerce providers won’t allow you to sell CBD, there are CBD-friendly platforms like Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce that cater to the needs of CBD businesses. These platforms provide the necessary tools and integrations to support CBD sales, including secure payment processors and compliant store setups.
To enhance the customer experience and encourage repeat purchases, consider offering additional value through various means. You can provide educational resources on the benefits of cannabidiol, create informative packaging, or even offer a free downloadable guide or eBook as a lead magnet to capture email addresses and build your customer base.
It’s important to note that the CBD industry is highly competitive, and standing out requires a well-defined brand strategy. Develop a unique brand identity, craft compelling product descriptions, and invest in high-quality packaging to create a memorable and professional image. Building a strong brand presence will not only attract customers but also differentiate you from competitors.
Elevating CBD Marketing Strategies: Unlocking Online Success for CBD Companies through Effective SEO Optimization
In the ever-evolving world of CBD marketing, staying ahead of the competition is crucial. As more and more CBD companies enter the market, it’s essential to have a comprehensive online strategy in place to reach your target audience and maximize your brand’s visibility. One powerful tool that can significantly impact your online success is search engine optimization (SEO). By effectively optimizing your CBD website and content, you can enhance your visibility in search engine results pages (SERPs) and attract organic traffic to your site. In this guide, we’ll explore the key strategies you can implement to elevate your CBD marketing efforts through effective SEO optimization.
One challenge many CBD companies face is the limited advertising options available due to industry regulations and the policies of major e-commerce platforms. While some platforms may not allow you to sell CBD products directly, there are still various ways to successfully market CBD oil without relying solely on paid ads campaigns. This is where SEO optimization becomes a game-changer. By focusing on optimizing your website and content to rank higher in organic search results, you can drive targeted traffic to your online store and increase your chances of making sales.
First and foremost, it’s important to conduct thorough keyword research. Start by identifying the keywords and phrases that are most relevant to your CBD products and target audience. Look for keywords with a high search volume and low competition to increase your chances of ranking well in SERPs. Utilize tools like Google’s Keyword Planner or other SEO keyword research tools to uncover valuable insights. Keep in mind that search trends and consumer behavior can change over time, so it’s essential to revise your list of targeted keywords regularly based on data and results from the previous month. This agile approach ensures that your brand remains visible and adaptable to evolving search trends.
When it comes to CBD marketing, content is king. Creating high-quality, informative, and engaging content is not only valuable for your audience but also for search engines. By producing educational articles, blog posts, and guides about CBD and its benefits, you can position yourself as a trusted authority in the industry. Incorporate your targeted keywords naturally within your content, ensuring a seamless flow that adds value to the reader. Remember, search engines prioritize user experience and relevance, so focus on creating content that answers questions, provides solutions, and addresses the pain points of your target audience.
In addition to written content, consider diversifying your content strategy to include other forms of media. Social media platforms, such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, offer excellent opportunities to promote your CBD products and engage with your audience. Leverage the power of influencer marketing by partnering with social media influencers who align with your brand values and target audience. Collaborating with influencers can help you reach a broader audience, build brand awareness, and generate product recommendations. Make sure to comply with relevant regulations and guidelines when partnering with influencers in the CBD industry.
Building a strong online presence requires more than just optimizing your website and creating content. It’s essential to leverage the power of social media and email marketing to expand your reach and connect with potential customers. Social media platforms provide a space for you to engage with your audience, share valuable content, run promotions, and drive traffic to your website. Email marketing allows you to nurture relationships with your customers, provide exclusive offers and discounts, and keep them updated on new product launches or industry news. By combining these digital marketing strategies, you can foster long-term customer loyalty and increase brand visibility.
While SEO optimization plays a vital role in elevating your CBD marketing strategies, it’s important to note that the CBD industry is highly regulated, and you must stay compliant with local and federal laws. Familiarize yourself with the guidelines set forth by the FDA and ensure that your marketing efforts, including claims about CBD
Keeping a Competitive Edge: Monitoring and Outshining Rivals in the CBD Online Market
An agile, regularly updated list of keywords and phrases is a great start, but since you don’t sell in a vacuum, you should add competitor tracking as the next best step in optimizing your organic search position.
For this, you’re watching your competitors’ websites to see what they’re up to and ensure your website is outperforming them.
If your biggest competitor starts to allocate a bunch of time and resources towards SEO and you start creeping higher in search results, you’ll need to do the same to keep up with (or outperform) them.
The last thing you want is to spend time and money optimizing keywords and phrases only to have a competitor just barely edge past you.
Empowering Growth: Unleashing the Potential of Influencer Marketing for CBD Products in the Online Market
One way to market CBD products online without relying on paid ads campaigns is by leveraging influencer marketing. Influencers have established loyal and engaged audiences, making them valuable partners in promoting your products. Research and identify influencers whose values align with your brand and whose audience demographic matches your target market. Collaborating with these influencers can help you reach a wider audience and build credibility in the industry.
While you can’t directly sell CBD on certain e-commerce platforms, there are alternative ways to showcase and promote your products. One approach is to create educational content that provides valuable information about the benefits of CBD and its potential uses. By positioning yourself as a reliable source of knowledge, you can establish trust with potential customers and pique their interest in your products. Consider creating blog articles, videos, or podcasts that discuss various aspects of CBD and its applications.
Additionally, building an online store on platforms like Shopify or BigCommerce can provide a solid foundation for your CBD business. While these platforms may not allow you to sell CBD products directly, you can still use them to display your product catalog and capture leads. Offer a lead magnet, such as a free guide or e-book about CBD, in exchange for visitors’ email addresses. This allows you to build an email list of potential customers whom you can nurture and convert through targeted email marketing campaigns.
To promote your CBD products offline, explore partnerships with local businesses that align with your brand values. For instance, you could collaborate with health and wellness stores or fitness centers that cater to your target audience. By placing your products in their stores or offering special promotions to their customers, you can expand your reach and generate sales.
Remember to stay compliant with regulations set by the FDA and state laws regarding the sale and promotion of CBD products. Be transparent about the ingredients and sourcing of your products to instill confidence in your customers. Quality packaging and informative labels can also contribute to a positive customer experience.
The power of influencer marketing and alternative strategies can still empower the growth of your CBD business. By focusing on educational content, building an online presence, and exploring offline partnerships, you can overcome these obstacles and thrive in the evolving CBD industry. Stay informed, adapt to changes, and continue to provide value to your audience to stay ahead of the competition.
Transforming Knowledge into Action: Applying Key Lessons to Successfully Market and Sell CBD Online
Even if you aren’t in the CBD market, these suggestions are solid ways to boost your organic search results.
They’re foundational strategies for the SEO work we do here at The Branding Agency.
Selling CBD products online requires a strategic approach to overcome the challenges posed by regulatory restrictions and advertising limitations. By leveraging content marketing, social media, influencer partnerships, email marketing, SEO, and alternative e-commerce platforms, you can successfully market and sell CBD products to your target audience. Remember to stay informed about the legal requirements and regulations in your area and adapt your strategies accordingly.
If your organic search results could be better, or if you’re working with regulated products like CBD, we’re here to help. We have affordable SEO packages that can quickly start to improve your SEO and search results, like many of our clients, you might even find the additional traffic pays for the service itself.
Contact us and learn more about how we can help you achieve an effective SEO strategy and campaign.
