Selecting the ideal email platform for your dispensary can improve brand recognition with your customers and increase sales. Certain email platforms and software include useful tools that help separate a subscriber list into various segments by active users or by geographic location.
Consider using multiple methods of communication to improve your relationship with your customers and increase brand recognition. Before selecting an email platform, think about your specific cannabis dispensary needs, intended price point and interest in customer relationship management (CRM).
The Best Email Platforms for Cannabis Dispensaries
Email platforms have the ability to positively impact your dispensary by creating brand awareness and promoting customer engagement. Take your time selecting the correct email platform to obtain the best results when marketing and reaching out to customers.
MailerLite
MailerLite provides an email marketing product that offers automated emails and targeted campaigns. The company allows for e-commerce websites to become seamlessly integrated within emails. Such integration allows dispensaries to more easily monetize an audience.
MailerLite produces targeted emails that can be created by segmenting subscribers by specific interests or level of email engagement. The company offers both monthly and annual billing options that depend on the number of subscribers a dispensary intends to email. The free version reaches up to 1,000 subscribers and provides an automated email creator. MailerLite offers extensive features for paid plans such as the ability to send unlimited emails.
In addition to its email platform, the company builds websites, collects leads and helps companies sell products.
Moosend
Moosend provides email marketing software that’s crafted to send emails while growing your market. The software offers companies the ability to automate emails to save time and provides customer relationship management (CRM) tools.
One important benefit Moosend offers individuals is the ability to understand the success of an email by offering helpful tools and personalized data about current campaigns.
The company has a 30-day free trial as well as flexible paid options. Keep in mind that the free trial does not offer transactional emails. Moosend maintains a pro plan where companies pay $9 per month to send emails to a maximum of 500 subscribers. In general, the pro pricing varies depending on the number of subscribers a company has, but an alternative custom plan is also available.
Klaviyo
Klaviyo provides both short message service (SMS) for marketing and an email marketing platform. Klaviyo’s email marketing software allows companies to send emails that track shipments, offer discounts and collect data such as the type of products viewed by subscribers.
Interested companies can sign-up for a demonstration or use the free option that includes limited services and reaches up to 250 subscribers. Pricing varies depending on the number of subscribers. For example, a company with 2,000 subscribers will likely pay around $60 per month, which is generally considered more expensive than the competition.
Omnisend
Omnisend focuses on reaching customers using a variety of communication channels such as email, SMS messaging and push notifications. One benefit of using an Omnisend plan is that the company provides SMS credits for individuals who already have a different plan.
Omnisend offers a free plan that has limited features but can reach up to 250 contacts and send out a maximum of 60 SMS. Companies have the ability to select a standard plan that focuses on sending emails for $16 a month or a pro plan that allows individuals to send both emails and SMS for around $59 a month.
A big benefit this company offers is multiple communication methods. Keep in mind that the provided email tools can be combined with SMS and web pushes to have a more effective marketing campaign.
SendX
SendX is a software specifically created for email marketing that offers landing pages and forms to promote company growth. The software has a tagging and segmentation tool that helps companies more easily organize and sort customers.
One major benefit for beginners to email marketing is that the company provides A/B testing to test the strength of your email in terms of return on investment (ROI) and engagement to better direct future marketing plans. SendX provides a free trial option as well as multiple paid versions of the software that are heavily linked to the number of subscribers obtained by a company.
Benefits of Using an Email Platform
The benefits of using an email platform are mainly limited by creativity. Emails have the potential to positively impact your business with a minimum amount of time and effort. The platforms strengthen customer relationships, increase traffic to your website and elevate sales.
Stronger customer relationship: Using an email platform potentially improves customer relationships by allowing previous customers to become more familiar with your brand. A properly crafted email can feel friendly and has the ability to motivate readers into visiting your website. Emails also have the ability to create a positive association with your brand.
Higher website traffic: Contemplate the benefits of placing links to your dispensary within your emails. Providing easy access to your website will likely increase sales. You should research state rules and regulations before sending out emails or including direct links.
Elevated sales: Emails that inform customers about new products or upcoming discounts have the ability to improve sales. Consider the benefits of sharing with your customers whenever popular products are discounted or new items enter your dispensary because such updates can act as a call to action.
Drawbacks of Email Platforms
Email platforms have the potential for a few drawbacks. For example, not all high-powered email platforms are cannabis-friendly, which means dispensaries will likely need to use other platforms. In addition, emails related to cannabis have the potential to become stuck behind email filters so customers might not even receive your email. Research the available email platforms in combination with the rules and regulations to have a stronger understanding of your options.
Lack of cannabis-friendly email platforms: A fair number of email platforms are not cannabis-friendly. To save time, research the email platforms that are cannabis-friendly before creating an account. Finding the right platform can prove beneficial in the long run so consider asking questions to effectively decide whether a specific platform will work best for your needs.
Filters: Keep in mind that email platforms have the power to filter out content that goes against their guidelines or that is deemed as spam. Think about how your content will interact with filters and check to ensure it follows general email platform guidelines.
How to Maximize Your Email Platform
Email platforms are an excellent way to convey information to customers. It’s a method that requires little overhead and has the potential to reach a continuously growing number of customers. Email lists often work to the advantage of a smaller business like dispensaries by remaining within budget while quickly conveying information about new products and upcoming sales.
Organize your email list: Email lists have the potential to get out of hand if not frequently monitored. Consider reviewing your email list quarterly to remove inactive emails or uninterested readers.
Know email formats: When using an email platform, try to send each email out as a tester to your account before actually sending it out to your entire email list. Determine how an email will look in both mobile and computer format to have a working knowledge of what your customers will see.
Engaging email subject line: Subject lines are what customers will see first so it’s important to make them engaging. Consider writing a subject line that creates excitement or curiosity in your customer. Garnering interest with the email subject line can help earn your dispensary clicks.
Create an opt-in list: One way to easily create an email list is to allow customers on your website to self-elect into your email list. It’s a strong way to find a group of customers or curious individuals who will likely be more interested in your upcoming email content than others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before purchasing an email platform for a dispensary, think about your specific needs while researching potential questions. Create a list of questions and try to answer them before using an email platform to make an informed choice. One important area of research for dispensaries centers around the legality of emails containing marijuana-related content.
What software do dispensaries need?
Dispensaries typically need multiple software items to help keep the businesses functioning. For example, dispensaries often need point-of-sale software, accounting software, compliance software and project management software. Certain software is created specifically for dispensaries and addresses industry needs. Research software by comparing and contrasting its benefits and potential drawbacks. Using an email platform can boost sales by creating awareness and increasing customer loyalty to your brand.
Can you use PayPal at a dispensary?
In general, PayPal is not a recommended method of payment for dispensaries. One reason is that it has a long-standing history of remaining unfriendly toward the CBD industry. For example, marijuana has the potential to fall under prohibited activities within PayPal’s acceptable use policy. Dispensaries should have an alternative payment method available.