The Best Mobile App & Platform In The Cannabis Industry – The Strain App | Manny Ramirez

Strain simplifies dispensary operations.

Strain is a company that simplifies dispensary operations. The company provides retailers with a branded mobile app and a single platform to help them centralize their operation in terms of e-commerce, marketing, and customer retention. By doing so, Strain helps retailers lower up to 70% of their technology costs. The company has already powered around 500 locations in the US and is now expanding into the Canadian market.

The idea for Strain came about when the founder, Manny Ramirez, met with a friend who owned a dispensary in Puerto Rico. Manny saw all the technology that his friend was using and realized that there was no mobile app in the cannabis industry. He started building a mobile app for his friend’s dispensary, and when they launched it, they kept identifying more and more things that they could integrate into their offering. They realized that the customer journey experience in terms of e-commerce was really broken, and they decided to cover the full customer journey and be able to solve a problem for the retailer.

Strain’s mobile app allows customers to view products, order products from their favorite dispensary, and redeem their points on the fly. Customers no longer need to enroll in the e-commerce of the dispensary, enroll in the customer and the loyalty rewards program, etc. Strain simplifies the process for customers and retailers alike, making the whole experience more seamless.

In conclusion, Strain simplifies dispensary operations by providing retailers with a branded mobile app and a single platform to help them centralize their operation in terms of e-commerce, marketing, and customer retention. The company has already powered around 500 locations in the US and is now expanding into the Canadian market. Strain’s mobile app simplifies the process for customers and retailers alike, making the whole experience more seamless.

Listen to customers, provide value.

However, what sets Strain apart is their dedication to listening to their customers and providing value. They understand that simply offering a mobile app is not enough, and that in order to truly succeed, they must constantly iterate and improve their product and service to better meet their customers’ needs.

Rather than focusing solely on sales and revenue, Strain takes a customer-centric approach, asking their clients what their pain points are and how they can make their lives easier. By doing so, they build trust with their customers and gain valuable insights into what they need and want.

Strain’s commitment to providing value is evident in their approach to sales. Rather than simply selling their service, they offer their knowledge and expertise to help their clients overcome any issues they may be facing. This approach not only helps to build trust and loyalty, but also ensures that their clients are getting the most out of their investment in Strain’s technology.

Overall, Strain’s success can be attributed to their willingness to listen to their customers and provide value. By constantly improving their product and service, they have been able to differentiate themselves from their competitors and build a loyal customer base. As they continue to expand into new markets, it is clear that their commitment to providing value will remain a core part of their business strategy.

Save money with all-in-one solution.

One of the key differentiators of Strain is their ability to help retailers save money with their all-in-one solution. By combining e-commerce, loyalty, and analytics into one platform, Strain is able to offer a comprehensive solution that is significantly more affordable than their competitors. In fact, retailers can save up to 70% of what they are currently paying by switching to Strain.

This cost savings is particularly beneficial for retailers with multiple locations, as they can save up to $250,000 annually by switching to Strain. This is a significant amount of money that can be reinvested into other areas of the business, such as marketing, inventory, or employee training.

In addition to cost savings, Strain’s all-in-one solution also offers a number of other benefits for retailers. By providing a mobile app, Strain is able to help retailers capture more traffic and convert more sales. In fact, within 90 days of adding the mobile app, Strain’s customers see a 70% conversion rate to the mobile app, which is significantly higher than the industry average.

Furthermore, Strain’s all-in-one solution also includes loyalty and analytics, which can help retailers better understand their customers and tailor their marketing efforts to their needs. By providing push notifications, SMS campaigns, and email marketing tools, Strain is able to help retailers engage with their customers and drive more sales.

Overall, Strain’s all-in-one solution is a powerful tool for retailers looking to save money and grow their business. By offering a comprehensive platform that includes e-commerce, loyalty, and analytics, Strain is able to provide value to their customers and differentiate themselves from their competitors. As they continue to expand into new markets, it is clear that Strain’s commitment to providing value will remain a core part of their business strategy.

Mobile apps are faster.

One of the key advantages of Strain’s platform is its mobile app. According to the podcast, mobile apps are three to five times faster than e-commerce websites. This is because mobile apps do not use embeds and have local storage, which means that most of the user interface is already on the device. As a result, the only thing that needs to be rendered is product information. This makes browsing and purchasing products on a mobile app much faster and more efficient than on an e-commerce website.

Furthermore, Strain’s mobile app has the added benefit of being integrated with their loyalty program. Once a customer enrolls in the app, they are automatically enrolled in the loyalty program. This eliminates the need for customers to enroll separately in both the e-commerce platform and the loyalty program. This is a competitive advantage for Strain and has been shown to be effective in retaining customers.

However, there may be concerns about app fatigue among consumers. The podcast acknowledges this, but notes that e-commerce apps are still among the most downloaded apps. Retailers can incentivize customers to download their app by offering app exclusive offers and products. This can be a way to connect with customers and provide them with a more personalized shopping experience. Additionally, push notifications can be used to communicate with customers and offer them promotions and deals.

Overall, Strain’s mobile app is a key component of their all-in-one solution for retailers. By providing a faster and more efficient way for customers to browse and purchase products, Strain is able to differentiate themselves from their competitors. Additionally, the integration with their loyalty program makes it easier for customers to engage with the brand and stay loyal. While there may be concerns about app fatigue, retailers can use strategies such as app exclusive offers and push notifications to incentivize customers to download their app.

Invest in SEO and customer retention.

However, the conversation in the podcast highlights the importance of investing in SEO and customer retention for retailers. According to the Strain representative, many retailers focus too much on marketing and not enough on retaining their customers. This can be a costly mistake, as customer retention is key to generating long-term revenue and growth.

One of the top priorities for retailers should be investing in SEO. Without a strong online presence, retailers risk being overshadowed by their competitors. Customers need to be able to find them easily through search engines, and SEO is the best way to achieve this. By ranking higher than their competitors, retailers can attract more traffic to their website and increase their chances of making sales.

In addition to SEO, email marketing is another powerful tool that retailers should take advantage of. It is relatively cheap compared to other marketing strategies, and it can generate significant revenue. Retailers can use email marketing to target their existing customer base and encourage them to make repeat purchases. By analyzing their customer data, retailers can identify which customers are not visiting their store or website frequently and send them personalized campaigns to win them back.

Overall, the key message from the podcast is that retailers need to focus on retaining their customers and investing in strategies that will generate long-term revenue. While marketing is important, it should not be the sole focus. By investing in SEO and email marketing, retailers can attract new customers and keep their existing ones engaged and loyal. Strain’s all-in-one solution, including their mobile app and loyalty program, can also help retailers achieve these goals.

Value and personal touch matter.

However, the podcast highlights that simply investing in technology and marketing is not enough. Value and personal touch matter. The hosts discuss how many retailers have lost touch with their customers, bombarding them with spam newsletters and generic discounts. This approach may generate short-term sales, but it does not build long-term loyalty. Instead, retailers need to focus on providing value to their customers and building relationships with them.

The hosts argue that email marketing, despite its bad reputation, can still be an effective tool for building relationships with customers. By providing personalized recommendations based on a customer’s interests and previous purchases, retailers can show that they understand their customers and care about their needs. Additionally, the hosts suggest that retailers should not be afraid to pick up the phone and call their customers, just like in the good old days. By taking the time to talk to customers and offer personalized recommendations, retailers can build trust and loyalty.

The podcast also highlights the importance of taking a long-term approach to business. While many companies focus on hitting quarterly sales goals, this can lead to short-term thinking and strategies that do not prioritize customer relationships. The hosts argue that retailers should focus on retaining their existing customers and building long-term loyalty, rather than constantly trying to attract new customers.

Overall, the podcast emphasizes the importance of providing value and personal touch in building long-term customer relationships. By investing in strategies that prioritize customer needs and building relationships, retailers can generate sustainable revenue and build a loyal customer base.

Personalized communication for customer retention.

One of the key strategies discussed in the podcast is personalized communication. This includes using various communication channels such as push notifications, emails, and phone calls to engage with customers and offer them products or services that align with their preferences. The speaker highlights the importance of calling customers and upselling them, as it can significantly increase the chances of them making additional purchases. This approach can be particularly effective for customers who have already demonstrated loyalty to the brand.

Another critical aspect of personalized communication is referral marketing. While many retailers are aware of the importance of referrals, they may not know how to implement this strategy effectively. By providing retailers with the tools and training necessary to launch and configure referral programs, they can gain a better understanding of how to generate referrals and increase customer retention.

The podcast also emphasizes the importance of being proactive rather than reactive in customer engagement. Retailers must be willing to engage with customers and understand their needs to create a personalized experience that resonates with them. By analyzing customer data and segmenting customers based on their preferences, retailers can tailor their communication and marketing efforts to specific customer groups, increasing the chances of conversion.

The speaker notes that these strategies are not exclusive to the cannabis industry but apply to any market or industry. By looking at successful retailers such as Starbucks and replicating their strategies, retailers can gain valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t in customer engagement and retention. Ultimately, personalized communication is about providing value to the customer and building long-term relationships that generate sustainable revenue for the retailer.

In conclusion, personalized communication is a critical component of customer retention. By investing in strategies that prioritize customer needs and building relationships, retailers can create a personalized experience that resonates with customers and increases the chances of conversion. Referral marketing, proactive engagement, and data analysis are all essential elements of personalized communication that retailers must prioritize to build a loyal customer base.

Invest in technology for growth.

However, investing in technology is also crucial for growth in the retail industry. Technology can improve efficiency, lower costs, and increase revenue. In a recent podcast, a retail technology expert discussed the benefits of investing in technology for dispensaries. The expert emphasized the importance of learning about new technologies and how they can be integrated into dispensary operations.

One of the key benefits of technology is its ability to personalize the customer experience. By using data analysis and customer insights, dispensaries can create targeted marketing campaigns that resonate with their customers. This can lead to increased customer loyalty and higher conversion rates.

Another benefit of technology is its ability to streamline operations and reduce costs. By automating processes and using software to manage inventory and sales, dispensaries can reduce the time and resources required for these tasks. This can free up staff to focus on other areas of the business, such as customer service and marketing.

Finally, technology can also help dispensaries expand their reach and increase revenue. By creating an online presence and offering e-commerce options, dispensaries can reach customers beyond their physical location. This can lead to increased sales and revenue growth.

In conclusion, investing in technology is crucial for dispensaries looking to grow and remain competitive in the retail industry. By prioritizing personalized communication and technology, dispensaries can create a seamless customer experience that drives loyalty and revenue growth. It is important for dispensaries to stay up-to-date on new technologies and seek out experts who can guide them through the implementation process.

Invest in online presence ROI.

One aspect of investing in technology that dispensaries should focus on is their online presence. As discussed in a recent episode of the Dispensary Marketing Podcast, dispensaries should approach their online presence with the same mindset as their brick and mortar store. This means investing time and money into creating a strong online presence that aligns with the dispensary’s goals and values.

While investing in an online presence may not yield immediate returns, it is a long-term strategy that can result in a significant return on investment (ROI). For example, building a user-friendly website that allows customers to easily browse products and make purchases can increase revenue and customer satisfaction. Additionally, creating a strong social media presence can help dispensaries connect with their audience and build brand awareness.

However, it is important to note that investing in an online presence requires effort and collaboration with experts in the field. Dispensaries should seek out professionals who can guide them through the process of creating a strong online presence that aligns with their goals and values. This may include web developers, social media managers, and marketing experts.

Overall, investing in technology and creating a strong online presence is crucial for dispensaries looking to remain competitive in the retail industry. By prioritizing personalized communication and technology, dispensaries can create a seamless customer experience that drives loyalty and revenue growth. While the ROI may not be immediate, the long-term benefits are well worth the investment.

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Brandon Quan

About The Author: A digital marketer with over 7 years of experience, Brandon Quan is wildly known as the top marketing expert within the Cannabis Industry.

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