What Are The Right Website Platforms For Your Cannabis Website

Being in a cannabis business, knowing what are the best website builders for CBD products is important. Why? Well, despite the fact that cannabis has proven to have medicinal benefits and has been legalized to sell, not all website platforms allow cannabis business, and the platforms that do, have specific guidelines that one must adhere to. 

This is the biggest challenge for brands and makes it hard for legitimate businesses to create a digital footprint they need to keep up with the competition. 

Given the strict ad restrictions on cannabis advertising, it is important to have a reliable host and a platform that allows potential leads to access the website and navigate through it to make a purchase successfully. 

Therefore, at this point, it is essential to identify a solid website host that supports the cannabis website to lay a solid foundation and generate sales efficiently. 

What Are The Best Website Builders for CBD Products That Allow to Sell CBD?

Building your brand on a renowned web host allows your brand to build credibility. It gives you access to the core functionalities that you need to make your website easier to access for the customers. Generally, most hosts do not allow CBD companies to access a full range of payment systems, services, and solutions. 

It is also important to note that at any time, hosting services like Squarespace, Shopify or Wix can decide to stop hosting CBD companies, especially if you fail to comply with the guidelines of the platform. This can disrupt your ability to generate business, the ability to market, and maintain credibility. 

So, what are your options? Tough say, but it is critical to know that none of this means you should not utilize these mainstream platforms. And considering that you are thinking about it, you need to navigate carefully to ensure you understand their restrictions for CBD companies before making a decision. 

Let’s dive into detail. 

– Squarespace and Wix 

If you are still at the startup stage with little experience in getting a website up and running, Squarespace and Wix provide more affordable options. What makes these platforms the best website builders for CBD products? Well, they do not cost much to get started and will not need a professional to set up a website. Not just that, there are website templates you can choose from that are visually appealing and a little customizable. 

The Difference 

Let’s look at some of the differences between using the two platforms. 

Squarespace 

Squarespace has not, until yet, directly expressed its position on hosting hemp-based CBD stores on its platform, nor do they have explicit rules or regulations regarding the matter. The fact is, there are CBD companies that are using the platform to build and host their site but are unable to utilize the eCommerce functions without having third-party platforms or software. 

Wix

CBD companies based in the U.S are permitted to sell CBD products digitally through Wix. However, they, too, need to partner with third-party payment providers to process payments. The companies using Wix for building their website are required to submit a declaration for selling Hemp products. If you haven’t yet connected your site to a payment provider, you will be able to connect to Square or Pinwheel right after submitting the declaration. However, it is important to know that when you create an account with third-party payment providers to sell CBD products on Wix, the process could take longer than usual. 

– WordPress, Drupal, Joomla

WordPress, Drupal, and Joomla are open-source platforms that offer customizable templates and plugins for better functionality of the website. The difference compared to Squarespace and Wix is they need a website host. Not just that, you may also need to hire expert developers to get your website up and running. These platforms work best for small to medium-sized companies. 

The Difference 

Let’s look at some of the differences between using the two platforms. 

WordPress

WordPress powers 39.5% of all websites, so they must be doing something right. It is one of the biggest CMS platforms, where you can create high-quality sites either for free or with very little money. It has a library of free templates that you can access for your website. Besides that, it also offers premium templates that increase functionality and adds to the uniqueness of the website. 

Not just that, WordPress is also easy to use for non-technical people. It means they can easily change the content of the website when it goes live. 

What’s the major downside to using WordPress? If you add in a lot of plugins to expand functionalities, it can slow down the website. 

Joomla

Joomla is very similar to WordPress. However, it needs technical support for a non-tech person. In other words, there is a learning curve with the platform, so for someone with a non-development background, hiring a professional developer is imperative. Keeping that aside, Joomla is an excellent platform for creating a social network or eCommerce Cannabis website. 

A major downside to using Joomla is the less SEO functionality. If you are familiar with the website, you can fix some of the major SEO shortfalls, but it can take a lot of effort. Joomla is also less popular than WordPress and Drupal, meaning fewer themes and plugins are available. 

Read More: Joomla vs WordPress – Which One is Better?

Drupal 

Drupal is excellent when it comes to performance. Websites that are built on Drupal tend to load faster and are aesthetically appealing. However, there are two major drawbacks to using Drupal. First, it is difficult to use. It means if you are choosing to work on Drupal, you likely need to get assistance from a professional developer to build the website. It also means you need expert help when you need to make any changes to the website. Second, it has fewer themes and extensions available. 

Also Read: Drupal vs WordPress – The Differences You Should Know

– Shopify and BigCommerce 

Shopify and BigCommerce are industry-leading eCommerce platforms. 

The Difference 

Let’s look at some of the differences between using the two platforms. 

Shopify

Shopify is a market-leading platform for selling CBD products. While Shopify does not explicitly prohibit the sales the CBD products, it does not accept CBD-related payments. However, you can always employ a third-party gateway supported by Shopify for product payment processing. Of course, this is one downside of using Shopify, which also affects your conversion rates. 

BigCommerce 

BigCommerce is by far the most user-friendly and adaptable platform for retailers to expand their CBD businesses online. It includes numerous tools and software that you can use to conduct your CBD business smoothly. Not just that, you can use the platform to launch your digital marketing campaigns and turn it into a powerful platform for your website. 

Check out the detailed comparison of Shopify vs BigCommerce

There Isn’t One Perfect Website Platform 

The bottom line, choosing the right platform for your cannabis website is not a simple task. If you are starting out and have a restricted budget, Wix or Squarespace is the platform for you, but if you can have flexibility in cash flow, WordPress, Shopify or BigCommerce are much better options. 

A better tip, get help from a professionals providing eCommerce development services. Even better, augment your staff to make sure you get the work you desire without outside help.