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Track Your Cannabis Dispensary's SEO Without Wasting Time

Eric Allred Head of ProductFEB 26, 2025, 7 Min.Local SEO

Stop wondering if your SEO is working. These straightforward tracking methods show how many customers find your dispensary online—and how to attract more.

Running a dispensary demands your attention in dozens of directions daily. Between inventory management, staff training, compliance requirements, and customer service, your website's performance often falls to the bottom of the priority list. Yet your digital presence directly impacts foot traffic and sales, making it too valuable to ignore.

Quick-Start SEO Tracking Checklist:

  • Set up Google Business Profile insights tracking

  • Connect Google Analytics to your website

  • Connect Google Search Console to your website

  • Identify your five most important search terms

  • Document your current rankings as a baseline

  • Schedule 30 minutes monthly to review metrics

Your Google Business Profile: Your Most Powerful Customer Magnet

Your Google Business Profile isn't just another online listing—it's often deciding whether customers choose your dispensary or a competitor's. This free tool provides immediate visibility into how customers find you locally.

What to Track Monthly:

  • Profile Views: The number of people who saw your dispensary information

  • Customer Actions: Clicks for directions, calls, and website visits

  • Review Volume and Sentiment: Both quantity and quality matter

Quick Win: Add fresh photos to your profile every 30 days. Dispensaries that update photos regularly see more profile views than those with static images.

Action Step: Set a monthly calendar reminder to check these metrics in your Google Business Profile dashboard. Document the numbers in a simple spreadsheet to track trends over time.

Website Traffic: Your Digital Storefront Performance

Google Analytics shows how customers interact with your website, revealing which pages drive business

and which need improvement.

Focus on These Key Metrics:

  • Organic Traffic: Visitors who found you through search engines

  • Bounce Rate: The percentage of visitors who leave without exploring

  • Top Landing Pages: Where most visitors enter your site

  • Local Traffic: Visitors searching from your service area

  • Mobile vs. Desktop: How visitors access your content

Warning Sign: If your bounce rate exceeds 65%, visitors likely aren't finding what they need—signaling an urgent need for content improvements.

Action Step: Install Google Analytics on your website if you haven't already (it's free). Schedule 15 minutes weekly to review these metrics, particularly on which pages attract and retain visitors.

Keyword Performance: Are You Visible When It Matters Most?

Your dispensary must rank well for searches that drive foot traffic and sales. While paid tools offer comprehensive tracking, you can start with more straightforward methods.

Essential Keywords to Track:

  • "[Your City] dispensary"

  • "Dispensary near me"

  • "Cannabis store [Your Neighborhood]"

  • "Buy [Popular Product] in [Your City]"

  • "[Your Dispensary Name]"

DIY Tracking Method:

Use a private/incognito browser window to search for these terms weekly. Record your position and any changes over time. This imperfect but practical approach provides valuable insights without subscription costs.

Free Tool Option: Google Search Console shows which search terms already bring visitors to your site, revealing opportunities you might be missing.

Action Step: Create a simple spreadsheet listing your target keywords. Check and record your rankings biweekly, noting any significant changes that coincide with website updates.

Mobile Experience: Make or Break for Dispensary Traffic

With over 65% of dispensary searches happening on mobile devices, how your site performs on phones directly impacts revenue.

Critical Mobile Metrics:

  • Mobile Page Speed: Should be under 3 seconds (test with Google PageSpeed Insights)

  • Mobile Bounce Rate: Compare against desktop to identify issues

  • Mobile Conversion Actions: Menu views, "Get Directions" clicks, calls

Action Step: Test your website on your phone right now. Try to find your operating hours, view your menu, and get directions. If any task takes more than two taps, prioritize fixes immediately.

Making Data-Driven Improvements That Drive Revenue

Once you understand your performance, focus on these high-impact changes:

When Your Google Business Profile Needs Work:

  • Add product highlights and current specials

  • Respond to every review within 24 hours

  • Update your most viewed photo monthly

  • Verify all business information is accurate and complete

When Your Website Traffic Needs a Boost:

  • Update your top-performing pages with fresh content

  • Create location-specific landing pages if you serve multiple areas

  • Add FAQ content addressing common customer questions

  • Ensure menu pages load quickly and display correctly on mobile

When Your Keywords Aren't Ranking:

  • Add location terms naturally throughout your content

  • Create educational content around underperforming keywords

  • Build local relevance through community references

  • Update title tags and meta descriptions to include target terms

Monthly SEO Checkup: Your 30-Minute Maintenance Plan

Consistency beats perfection when tracking SEO. This simple monthly routine keeps you informed without overwhelming your schedule:

Week 1: Check Google Business Profile (10 minutes)

  • Review profile views and actions

  • Respond to new reviews

  • Add one new photo

Week 2: Review Website Performance (10 minutes)

  • Check organic traffic trends

  • Identify top-performing pages

  • Note changes in bounce rate

Week 3: Assess Keyword Rankings (5 minutes)

  • Check rankings for primary keywords

  • Note any significant changes

  • Identify new keyword opportunities

Week 4: Make One Improvement (5 minutes)

  • Based on your findings, make one meaningful change

  • Document what you changed and when

  • Set a reminder to check its impact next month

The Bottom Line: Measure, Adjust, Grow

Tracking your dispensary's SEO doesn't require technical expertise or substantial time investments. By focusing on these fundamental metrics and minor improvements, you'll steadily increase your digital visibility and customer base.

Remember that SEO is a marathon, not a sprint. Each small change compounds over time, gradually strengthening your online presence and driving more qualified customers through your doors.

Need help setting up proper tracking or interpreting your results?

As a cannabis SEO agency, we specialize in helping dispensary owners maximize their visibility with SEO without jargon or complexity. Contact us for a free consultation and discover your biggest growth opportunities.

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