Hiring a cannabis SEO agency should help your dispensary grow—not leave you with poor SEO results and unanswered emails. But not every agency delivers on their promises. If you’re wondering, “Did I hire the best cannabis SEO company near me?” and feel unsure, you’re not alone. Many cannabis businesses end up stuck with a bad SEO agency without realizing it until it’s too late.
Here’s how to spot cannabis SEO red flags early and what to do next if you’re ready to switch cannabis SEO companies.
Your Rankings Aren’t Improving
Search visibility is one of the biggest goals of SEO. If your dispensary still doesn’t show up for local cannabis searches after months of work, your agency might not be doing enough. Consistent progress should happen within the first 90 days.
“If your rankings are flat or dropping, you’re not getting a real SEO strategy—you’re getting excuses,” says Felix Shaye, Google Certified Expert at AdJet Marketing.
You Get Vague Monthly Reports
An SEO report should show data you can understand—like ranking changes, traffic growth, and conversion metrics. If your agency sends unclear updates or dodges your questions, that’s a warning sign. Transparency matters.
They Never Customize Your Strategy
Cannabis SEO isn’t one-size-fits-all. A dispensary in Los Angeles has different needs than one in a small town. If your agency uses cookie-cutter tactics and ignores your unique location, audience, or goals, it’s time to compare cannabis SEO services locally and find one that fits your market.
You’re Locked Into Long Contracts Without Results
Being stuck with a bad cannabis SEO agency for 12 months is painful—especially when they don’t deliver. Top agencies earn your business month-to-month by proving results, not forcing commitment through contracts.
They Focus on the Wrong Keywords
If your traffic is growing but your sales aren’t, the agency may be ranking you for the wrong terms. Generic cannabis keywords aren’t enough—you need location-based, purchase-intent keywords like dispensary near me or buy weed online in [your city].
They Don’t Offer a Performance Audit
Reputable agencies offer cannabis SEO performance audits to show you where you stand and how they can help. If your current provider won’t give a clear analysis of your website, that’s a major red flag.
There’s No Local SEO Strategy
Local cannabis SEO is critical. You need to show up in Google Maps and local searches. If your agency isn’t optimizing your Google Business Profile or building local backlinks, they’re missing a key part of cannabis marketing.
“Local intent drives dispensary foot traffic. If your SEO company isn’t focused on that, they’re missing the point,” says Shaye.
They Promise Instant Results
Cannabis SEO takes time. If your agency guarantees overnight success, be cautious. Real SEO is a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
They Outsource Everything Overseas
If your SEO team doesn’t know cannabis laws, your products, or your market, they can do more harm than good. Some agencies cut costs by outsourcing content, link building, and strategy to people who don’t understand the cannabis industry or your local area.
You’re Spending More Without Seeing ROI
Are your marketing costs rising but your leads or sales aren’t? This is often the final straw. Many dispensary owners switch cannabis SEO companies after realizing they’re paying for growth that never comes.
What to Do If You See These Red Flags
- Fire your bad cannabis SEO agency if they’re not delivering. Don’t keep wasting your budget.
- Schedule a consultation with a trusted cannabis SEO expert to get a second opinion.
- Book a cannabis SEO performance audit so you can clearly see what’s working and what’s broken.
- Compare local cannabis SEO services to find a team with proven experience in the cannabis space.
- Hire the best cannabis SEO company near you—one that focuses on your goals, reports transparently, and delivers results.
Ready to Stop Guessing and Start Growing?
If you’re seeing these signs, it’s time to switch. AdJet Marketing specializes in cannabis SEO that delivers trackable, profitable results. We don’t do generic—we do what works for your business. Book your free strategy call today and find out how to improve poor SEO results for your dispensary fast.
👉 Let’s fix your SEO—Schedule a consultation now
