Reach the Right Customers Without Breaking the Bank

Geofence marketing is one of the most powerful tools in a cannabis retailer's playbook. But while it sounds high-tech (and often comes with a high price tag), you don’t have to spend big to get big results.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to do geofence for less - without sacrificing impact, accuracy, or compliance.

What Is Geofencing, Really?

At its core, geofencing means setting up a virtual perimeter around a specific location, like a competitor dispensary, college campus, or local event - and sending targeted messages to mobile users who enter that zone.

For cannabis retailers, it’s a smart way to:

• Reach nearby customers ready to shop

• Pull traffic away from competitors

• Promote limited-time offers based on real-world behavior

Why Traditional Geofencing Gets Expensive

Many cannabis marketers get hit with high geofencing costs because:

• They use legacy platforms designed for big-box retailers

• They pay per impression instead of performance

• They get locked into agency fees or 10DLC surcharges

• They’re paying for SMS-based delivery (which gets expensive fast)

This leads to wasted ad dollars and poor ROI.

How to Do Geofencing the Smart Way

You don’t need a huge ad budget or technical team to run powerful geofence campaigns. Here's how to keep it lean and effective:

1. Use Push Notifications Instead of SMS

SMS geofence alerts often come with expensive 10DLC fees and high per-message rates. Instead, opt for push notifications via wallet-based loyalty programs. They're:

• 100% 10DLC-free

• Cost-effective (no per-message charge)

• More visually appealing and interactive

Sticky Cards sends geofence-based push alerts for a fraction of the cost of SMS - no carrier fees, no compliance headaches.

2. Target Fewer, Smarter Zones

Focus on high-intent locations like nearby dispensaries, major intersections, or event venues — not broad citywide areas. You’ll get better conversion and reduce spend on wasteful impressions.

3. Automate Triggers Based on Location

Choose a provider (like Sticky Cards) that automates triggers. You can set it once, and let it run - so your team isn’t spending time manually managing outreach.

4. Pair Geofencing with Loyalty

Reward users who walk into your store after receiving a geofence notification. When it's connected to your loyalty program, you get better tracking and higher ROI.

Real Talk: SMS vs Push for Geofencing

Bottom Line

Geofencing doesn’t have to be expensive or complex. By switching from SMS to wallet-based push notifications, limiting zone targeting, and tying it into loyalty, you can geofence smarter - for less.