The cannabis industry is subject to tight regulations, and how these businesses advertise is no exception. Digital platforms like Google and Facebook have strict rules that often limit how dispensaries can promote their products online. Targeting customers in specific areas allows you to connect your products with the right people at the right time. But how do location-based ads work, and why should they matter for dispensaries? Let’s break it down.
Hyper-Focused Targeting
Location-based ads allow you to show ads only to people within a designated geographic area. For dispensaries, this is a huge win. Most cannabis customers search for products near them. By using geotargeting tools, you can serve ads to potential customers who live or work close to your dispensary.
For example, an ad for your newest product could target customers within a two-mile radius of your store. This approach saves money since you’re not wasting ad spend on those who are too far away to visit. Instead, you’re reaching people who can realistically make a purchase.
Boosts Local Awareness
Unlike broad online campaigns, location-based advertising makes your dispensary visible to the most relevant audience. Think about it this way: if new customers don’t even know your dispensary exists, how can they visit?
Plus, your business should advertise with outdoor banners to complement your digital efforts. Strategically placing banners around your area can reinforce your online ads, creating a cohesive marketing experience. This combination helps local customers see your presence as they move around town.
On-the-Go Shoppers Are Watching
Have you ever caught yourself hungry and Googling “restaurants near me”? Dispensary customers behave the same way. They search for cannabis products while already out and about. By combining geotargeted ads with mobile search strategies, you meet them as their intent peaks.
For example, if someone searches for “dispensary near me” while walking in your neighborhood, a location-based ad can pop up, leading them directly to your door. Timing is everything, and this strategy gives your dispensary the upper hand when shoppers make split-second purchasing decisions.
Cost-Effective Marketing
Budgets for dispensaries can be tight, and ad restrictions on some platforms make digital marketing options expensive. Location-based ads allow you to stretch your marketing dollars further. Instead of blanketing ads across a broad region, you focus only on customers in your business zone.
Seal the Deal
Why location-based ads matter for dispensaries is simple: they effectively connect your products to local customers. Whether it’s through hyper-focused targeting, boosting local awareness, or reducing costs, this approach makes sense for cannabis businesses. Connecting directly with your audience could be your dispensary’s best strategy yet.
