As the Canadian Cannabis industry matures, more tech companies specializing in the Cannabis space will appear. As you start researching Cannabis software for your business, you will have many options, which can be overwhelming. Don’t worry; our team has put together a few tips that will help you pick the right Cannabis software for your dispensary, and choosing the right software systems will set your store up for long-term success.
1. Evaluate Your Needs
Once you implement a software solution for your Cannabis store, reversing that decision can be complicated. So it is essential to identify everything you need before starting your search. Make a list of what you need the software to accomplish and be clear on the type of customer experience you want to provide. This will go a long way in helping you make the right decision. Knowing where to start can be difficult with so many different tools available for Cannabis retailers. There are POS systems, e-commerce platforms for online ordering, in-store self-service apps, and more. Start by picking your POS system first, then fill the rest of your needs. Our partners, Cova and Greenline, are the top POS providers in the Cannabis industry and integrate seamlessly with our free e-commerce software. Don’t just take our word for it. Check them out for yourself.
2. Compliance
Compliance has to be a priority. Partnering with a software provider specializing in the Cannabis industry will make your life so much easier. Since they will be compliant with all rules and regulations, you will have one less thing to worry about.
3. Integrations
As mentioned above, so many software options are available to Cannabis retailers, and you will likely need more than one. You will need a POS to accept payments, you should have an e-commerce platform for online ordering, and you might want a rewards program to help you with customer loyalty. As you pick the appropriate software for your Cannabis store, you will want to ensure they can efficiently work together. This will help your business run more efficiently while eliminating the need to spend time on manual tasks to ensure each software system is up to date with the correct information.
4. Customer Support
Regardless of which software programs you choose, there will be times when you have questions, need help, or run into a technical issue. When this happens, you want to be able to get help as quickly as possible. Ask your potential software partners if they provide customer support, and find out the hours of availability and their response times. Find out the best ways to get in touch with them. If they cannot give you the support you need when you need it, you might want to keep looking.
5. Feedback
Your team will be using the software daily, so be sure to include them in the process. Purchasing software that won’t meet their needs or makes their lives more difficult will be counterproductive. Before signing any agreement, have your team test drive the software and get feedback. The whole thing will be a waste if your team isn’t on board.
6. References
When picking software, you want a successful partnership. Once you have narrowed your choices down to a few options, ask to speak with some companies they are already working with. Knowing who they are working with lets you determine if the software company can deliver on its promises.