How Cannabis Websites & SEO Helps Retailers Dominate Local Search & Sell More Cannabis
Learn how Cannabis Websites & SEO helps cannabis retailers rank on page one in 60 days or less. Driving visibility, traffic, and real-world sales.
Featuring: Rob Rapiti, President & CEO of “Cannabis Websites & SEO”
When it comes to standing out in one of the most competitive retail landscapes in Canada, digital visibility isn’t optional, it’s survival. That’s where Cannabis Websites & SEO steps in. Led by Rob Rapiti, President and CEO, this Niagara-based agency has built more than 100 websites and carved out a reputation for taking cannabis retailers from invisible to unstoppable online.
A Deep-Rooted Understanding of Cannabis Marketing
“I bring nearly 30 years of digital marketing experience, combined with genuine cannabis industry insider knowledge,” says Rob. “I worked at Up Cannabis pre-legalization through their acquisition by Hexo, in every department — from clone to sale. That experience gives me a deep understanding of this market that most agencies simply don’t have.”
That insider knowledge is paired with data-driven performance. “Our cannabis SEO work delivers something remarkable: clients reaching page one in 60 days or less, sometimes as quickly as 5 weeks,” Rob explains. “We like to say that when a user is on your site, all roads lead to the menu.”
Real Results in Canada’s Toughest Markets
The proof is in the rankings. “In Toronto’s Eglinton West — one of the most saturated retail areas in the country — we got a client appearing up to four times on page one in under 60 days,” says Rob. “In Niagara Falls, we took a two-store brand from no website to dominating dozens of keywords with nearly 1,000 clicks a month within 90 days.”
Each client engagement begins with a complete market and competitor analysis before the first meeting. “We show up knowing your landscape, your competitors, and the gaps we’ll exploit,” Rob explains. “If you’re near a stadium, concert venue, or highway, we make sure those customers find you first.”
The Costly Mistake Retailers Keep Making
According to Rob, one of the biggest mistakes retailers make is overlooking their digital storefront.
“I’ve watched retailers spend hundreds of thousands on build-outs, then wonder why customers aren’t coming,” he says. “Nine out of ten can’t answer this simple question: How are you bringing in new customers?” Delaying your website launch is another costly misstep. “Every month you wait, it gets harder to catch up. When your competitors dominate local search and you’re invisible, you’re leaving serious money on the table.”
His advice? “Treat your website and SEO as your customer acquisition engine, not an afterthought.”
SEO That Translates to Sales
“When someone searches ‘cannabis store near me’ or ‘pre-rolls in [your city]’, they’re ready to buy right now. If you’re on page one, they’re walking through your door. If you’re on page two, you’re invisible... literally 95% less visible.”
The results speak for themselves: clients capturing nearly 1,000 clicks per month from local searches, equating to hundreds of new potential customers walking into their stores instead of competitors’. “Your SEO ranking is literally your customer pipeline. Control it, and you control your market share.”
Success Story: One Stop Cannabis
“One Stop Cannabis in North Oshawa had no website and zero presence in a brutal market — 62 competing stores,” Rob recalls. “Within 60 to 90 days, they were dominating page one across high-value searches. The competitors that used to be at the bottom of page one? They got pushed to page two, where nobody goes.”
The outcome wasn’t just incremental growth. “That’s not gradual growth, that’s market takeover,” he says.
Staying Ahead of the Algorithms
The next frontier in cannabis SEO? “AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization),” Rob explains. “Google’s AI search prioritizes sites with strong Q&A and FAQ sections. Without one, you’re falling behind.”
He also points out that many brands aren’t taking SEO seriously enough. “Search ‘Canada’s best cannabis brand’ you’ll find generic listicles and barely any optimized brand sites. We help brands claim those high-value keywords while staying compliant. We even have a cannabis lawyer on retainer to ensure it.”
Quick Wins for Retailers
For stores ready to take immediate action, Rob recommends five quick wins:
Fully optimize your Google Business Listing
Claim your Bing Business Listing
Ensure your NAP (Name, Address, Phone) info is consistent everywhere
Collect and email customers regularly
Run relevant, recurring promotions
An Exclusive Offer for IRCC Members
IRCC Members receive a fully researched, data-driven website designed to dominate local search and drive measurable sales, all at a discounted rate! That includes:
Full market and competitor analysis
Strategic keyword and geo-targeting
Free monthly analytics reporting
Platinum-level customer support
Cannabis lawyer compliance review
Bottom line: IRCC Members get enterprise-level cannabis SEO expertise without the enterprise price tag, backed by nearly 30 years of digital marketing experience and proven results in Canada's toughest markets. All with a smile.
Ready to see what Cannabis Websites & SEO can do for your store? Reach out here to get introduced to their team.
This feature is part of the IRCC Member Benefits Campaign, connecting retailers with trusted partners who help them grow smarter, faster, and stronger.
