The best e-commerce platform for CBD

CBD is booming! With its meteoric rise in popularity comes a pivotal question for sellers: Which e-commerce platform should I use? We’re here to help you make the decision and choose the best e-commerce platform for CBD products.

Challenges in selling CBD online

Diving into the online CBD market isn’t as simple as selling regular products like t-shirts. Firstly, the legal landscape for CBD is complex. Regulations differ drastically across countries and even within states, making compliance a delicate balancing act. 

On the financial front, many payment gateways hesitate to support CBD transactions, labeling them “high-risk” due to legal ambiguities. This can result in higher transaction fees or even frozen accounts for businesses. 

Beyond these logistical and financial hurdles, there’s a pressing need to educate customers. The burgeoning CBD market is filled with misconceptions. As sellers, there’s a dual role to play: merchant and educator. Providing clear, accurate information about CBD’s benefits and safe use not only counters misinformation but also builds trust, an essential ingredient for long-term customer loyalty. Plus, you can’t advertise CBD products or any topic related to it, which makes this even more difficult.

Essential Features for a CBD eCommerce Platform

As the CBD market flourishes, choosing the best e-commerce platform for CBD products becomes a pivotal decision for retailers. At the top of the feature list is age verification tools. Ensuring that under-aged users can’t make purchases is not just a legal requirement; it’s also an ethical responsibility. Age gates act as the digital doorman, keeping out those too young to buy. 

Payment security is another critical concern. CBD, often tagged as “high-risk” due to its association with cannabis, requires specialized payment gateways that understand and navigate its intricacies. 

But visibility is just as vital. A platform optimized for SEO can be the tool that guides potential customers to your storefront amid a sea of competitors. With a significant number of consumers transitioning to mobile shopping, a platform’s mobile responsiveness can’t be overlooked. A smooth, intuitive shopping experience on smartphones is now less a luxury and more a necessity. 

The most popular e-commerce platforms for CBD sellers

CBD sales have skyrocketed, and if you’re aiming to get a piece of that pie online, picking the right e-commerce platform is a top priority. Let’s get into the top three platforms that are most suited for CBD sellers.

Shopify

Shopify, an established leader in the eCommerce sector, has recently become more CBD-friendly, particularly for sellers based in the US.

Pros:

• Ease of use: Even if you’re a newbie, Shopify’s intuitive interface ensures you can set up your store without hassles.

• Expansive app store: From marketing to inventory management, Shopify’s app store offers a range of tools to boost your store’s functionality.

• SEO advantage: With built-in SEO tools, you have a head start in the race to top search engine rankings.

Cons:

• Transaction costs: While Shopify does offer its own payment gateway, using external gateways can attract additional fees.

• Pricing: Shopify’s basic plan starts at $29/month, offering value for both new entrants and established sellers.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce isn’t just another eCommerce platform; it’s a customizable WordPress plugin that puts you in the driver’s seat of your online store.

Pros:

• Limitless customization: From themes to checkout fields, every aspect of your store can be tailored with WooCommerce.

• Zero sale fees: Every penny you earn is yours; WooCommerce doesn’t charge you on your sales.

Cons:

• Technical challenges: If tech isn’t your strong suit, setting up and managing WooCommerce might demand a steep learning curve.

• Pricing: The WooCommerce plugin itself is free. However, associated costs like hosting, premium themes, and extensions can pile up based on your needs.

We can help you with your WooCommerce store.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce, a cloud-based solution, offers a holistic package. It caters to a range of business sizes, making it a versatile choice.

Pros:

• Inbuilt features: Unlike other platforms where you’d need a barrage of plugins, BigCommerce comes with a plethora of built-in tools.

• SEO strength: Climbing search engine ranks becomes easier with BigCommerce’s potent SEO capabilities.

Cons:

• Cost considerations: While it’s robust, BigCommerce can become a pricier proposition for businesses driving high-volume sales.

• Pricing: Their offerings commence at $29.95/month for the standard plan, providing a balanced feature set for the cost.

Tips for selling CBD online

Here are some useful tips every CBD brand could use.

1. Prioritize transparency

• In the CBD industry, trust is a currency.
• Showcase third-party lab testing results prominently on product pages to verify purity and potency.
• Dive into the product origins. Inform customers about where the hemp was grown, its cultivation practices, and the extraction process.

2. Educate with engaging content

• The CBD realm is rife with misconceptions and myths.
• Regular blog posts can cover topics like CBD vs. THC, benefits of full-spectrum CBD, or how CBD interacts with the body.
• Videos can offer a visual guide to product usage, testimonials, or behind-the-scenes looks into the production process.

3. Stay vigilant on regulations

• The legal landscape of CBD is in flux, varying between countries and even states.
• Regularly check with local, state, and international laws to ensure your store operates within legal boundaries.
• This vigilance not only ensures compliance but also enhances customer trust when they know you operate legitimately.

4. Invest in visual appeal

• Online shoppers can’t physically touch products, so the next best thing? High-quality imagery.
• Use multiple angles, close-ups, and even 360-degree views to give customers a comprehensive visual tour of products.
• Consider interactive features, like zoom or rollover info, to enhance the browsing experience.

5. Harness the power of reviews

• Digital word-of-mouth is a formidable tool for credibility.
• Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences and feedback.
• Incorporate reviews directly on product pages, and if possible, include user-generated content like photos or videos of the product in use.

Hemps*hr brand nailing the CBD market

When it comes to selling CBD online, Hemps.hr made a smart move by choosing WooCommerce for their shop. Why? Well, WooCommerce let them tweak and adjust their site just how they wanted. They found lots of handy add-ons, many of which didn’t break the bank.

The best part? It worked smoothly with their existing business tools, making things like stock checks and order handling a breeze. This choice wasn’t just about looks; it was about making things work efficiently behind the scenes. Thanks to WooCommerce, Hemps.hr stands out and nails it in the market!

Conclusion

CBD’s world is exciting, promising, and admittedly, a tad challenging. The right e-commerce platform is like a reliable partner, streamlining the journey. While challenges abound, with the right tools and strategies, sky’s the limit for CBD sellers.

If you’re struggling to choose the best platform, contact us to help you make the decision.