In our previous article, we revealed why traditional advertising platforms are failing CBD brands in 2025. And why mobile apps are the #1 channel for CBD brands.
In this playbook, we'll reveal how to turn your CBD brand website into a high-converting mobile app without coding, the must-have features, and how to grow app downloads without relying on ads.
Want personalized guidance on launching your CBD app? Schedule a call with a CBD App Growth Expert.
How to turn your CBD Website into Mobile App
You have realized why CBD brands need to break free from ad platforms and decided to own your customer relationship. Now comes the next question: how do you actually turn your CBD brand website into native mobile app for iOS & Android?
Most CBD brands face three options, each with significant drawbacks:
Option 1: Custom Development = $80K+ and 6-12 months Hiring a development team requires massive upfront investment and months of development before seeing any results.
Option 2: Generic No-Code App Builders = Generic template based app builders lack CBD-specific features and compliance requirements creating immense legal risks.
Option 3: Shopify Mobile App Builder = If you're on Shopify, you don't need to reinvent the wheel. With Appbrew - Shopify Mobile App Builder, you can launch a fully compliant, high-performance CBD mobile app in 4 weeks without hiring a dev team or spending months in development.
Which is the Best Shopify Mobile App builder for CBD Brands?
Appbrew is the best Shopify mobile app builder for CBD brands looking to turn their Shopify store into native mobile app.
- Fully branded, custom-built native apps with complete design flexibility
- CBD Compliance-ready onboarding with age verification and state restrictions
- Supports third-party CBD-friendly payment gateways so you can process transactions without friction.
- 100+ Native Integrations seamlessly connecting with Klaviyo, Yotpo, Gorgias, Recharge, and more
- Deep Analytics from install to checkout to optimize every step of the funnel
- Growth-focused success team specialized in CBD marketing.
Still confused? Our CBD App Growth Experts can help you evaluate the best path forward - schedule a call today.
9 Must-Have Features for CBD Brand Apps
Building an app is one thing. Building one that actually converts is another. Most CBD brands focus on getting an app live without thinking about what makes users stick around, buy more, and become loyal advocates. The difference often comes down to the features built into the experience.
Here are 9 features that Appbrew builds into every CBD app that consistently move the needle:
1. Educational Shoppable Videos
Customers are drowning in misinformation and sketchy advice from random people on CBD products. Shoppable videos make it easy for customers to learn about the product, feel confident and shop at the same time.
Within the app, users can watch detailed product videos that demonstrate proper dosing techniques. They can also see real before-and-after results, helping them understand the product’s impact. These videos show how each product fits seamlessly into everyday routines.
Best of all, customers can add items directly to their cart while watching, without ever needing to leave the page.
2. Smarter Retargeting with First Party App Data
App data makes your SMS, and email campaigns more effective by reaching the right people with the right message at the right time.
Every tap, scroll, and product view is captured in real-time and sent to Klaviyo. While website visitors browse anonymously and disappear forever, your app captures deep behavioral data that syncs seamlessly with Klaviyo to power hyper-personalized retargeting campaigns.
3. Advanced Personalization
Every customer deserves a unique experience. One-click personalization using Shopify tags based on past purchase behavior, location, and preferences creates a personalized experience that feels tailored just for them.
Advanced personalization allows you to show different collections based on state regulations and customer needs. A first-time buyer in California gets educational content and starter products, while a returning VIP customer in Colorado sees exclusive launches and subscription offers.
4. AI Concierge for Personalized Assistance
Customer questions don't follow business hours. "Which product works best for sleep?" "How much should I take?" "Can I combine these products?" These questions need instant answers, not a 24-hour email response when the buying intent is high.
An AI-powered concierge provides instant, personalized guidance that feels like having a knowledgeable associate available 24/7. No hold music, no support tickets, just immediate answers that help customers use products safely and effectively.
5. AI Skin Analyzer
Decision paralysis is a conversion killer in the CBD space. Too many options, not enough guidance, and customers end up buying nothing. AI skin analyzer solves this by letting users upload a selfie for instant evaluation and the Ai gives personalized product recommendations based on actual skin condition.
The AI Skin analyzer creates a seamless decision-making experience, guiding customers to products that work perfectly for their specific needs and skin concerns.
6. Advanced Promotion Engine
Traditional advertising channels killed your ability to run lucrative promotions with endless restrictions and approval processes. Therefore, your app brings that power back allowing you to run tiered discounts, BOGO gifts, product bundles, and cart-based offers without any external platform gatekeepers approving your every move.
7. Push Notifications
Push notifications deliver what email marketing promises but struggles to achieve for CBD brands. While email open rates hover around 1-2%, push notifications achieve 200% more open rates at zero cost while providing complete control over your messaging.
The power lies in re-targeting. With Klaviyo segmentation integrated into your app, you can send cart abandonment reminders to recover lost sales, back-in-stock alerts for popular products, flash sale notifications for exclusive app deals, subscription renewal reminders, and educational content about proper product usage.
8. Native Subscription Management
Your customers want control over their wellness routine without jumping through hoops. They should be able to manage subscriptions, skip deliveries when they're traveling, or adjust quantities based on their changing needs all from within the app without calling customer service or remembering yet another password.
9. Native Post Purchase Experience
Your customer has made a purchase, but the journey is far from over. What happens after checkout can make or break their entire experience with your brand. Real-time order tracking with active updates about shipment and fulfillment keeps customers engaged, building anticipation and satisfaction that carries over into their product experience.
Customers who actively track orders in-app are 3.4 times more likely to make a second purchase because that continued engagement creates a lasting connection that extends well beyond the initial transaction.
While other app builders give you basic functionality and call it done. All these AI led advanced features come standard with Appbrew - Shopify Mobile App Builder.
Want to launch your CBD app with a team that’s scaled top-performing apps before?
Book a free consultation with a CBD App Growth Expert from Appbrew.
CBD App Marketing: How to drive downloads without ads
Launching an app is the easy part. The real challenge is getting customers to actually download it when you can't rely on advertising channels that keep blocking you.
Even more, when most app builders hand over a template, launch your app, and move on. You’re left with an app but no real plan to grow it.
At Appbrew, we help you scale. We become your long-term growth partner. Our customer success team works hands-on with you to turn your app into a best performing sales channel. That means personalized support, campaign strategy, retention playbooks, and deep performance insights built specifically for CBD brands.
Some of the most effective app marketing strategies don't require ad spend at all. They require creativity, strategic thinking, and understanding where your customers already spend their time.
1. QR Codes: Your Offline-to-Digital Bridge
Every piece of packaging, every shipping insert, every point-of-sale display is an opportunity to drive app downloads. QR codes create an instant connection between physical touchpoints and digital engagement.
A CBD brand generated over 12,000 app installs in just 30 days using strategically placed QR codes on packaging paired with app-exclusive discounts. The key is making the value proposition immediate and obvious.
2. App Store Optimization for CBD Terms
Your app store listing is prime real estate, but using the wrong keywords can get you rejected before customers even find you. The way is finding terms that attract your target audience without triggering policy violations. Avoid obvious terms like "cannabis," "marijuana," or direct CBD references that immediately alert automated review systems.
3. Influencer-Led App Campaigns
When most CBD brands struggle with influencer restrictions, skincare and hemp oil brands operating within allowed percentages have a unique advantage. You can actually partner with influencers to grow your app downloads.
The strategy involves positioning your app as the personalized skincare consultant behind real transformations. Picture an influencer documenting their 30-day skincare journey, showing weekly progress photos, and explaining how your app's AI skin analyzer identified exactly what their skin needed. When followers see genuine transformation guided by an app, they want access to that same personalized guidance - driving downloads naturally.
4. Email & SMS: Funnel to App Download
Your email list and SMS subscribers are already engaged with your brand. Instead of just promoting products, funnel them toward app downloads with exclusive app only offers and discount coupons.
A simple three-touch campaign works beautifully: start with an email offering 20% off exclusively through the new app, follow up with an SMS reminder 48 hours later, then close with a final chance email featuring a countdown timer. This approach leverages urgency and exclusivity to drive action.
Conclusion
CBD brands need control over the user experience and mobile apps exactly offer that. The features and strategies covered in this playbook work because they focus on helping customers find the right products and creating a personalized shopping experience that's meant for them.
Getting that control doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. With Appbrew, you can launch a compliant, feature-rich app for your CBD Brand in just a few weeks.
Schedule a call with a CBD App Growth Expert.
FAQ about CBD Apps
How much does it cost to build a CBD app?
Custom development typically costs $80,000-150,000+ with 6-12 months of development time. With Appbrew, you can launch for just $599 in just weeks with a monthly subscription model that includes ongoing improvements.
Will Apple and Google approve my CBD app?
Yes, when properly built. Appbrew has a 100% approval rate for CBD apps by following strict compliance guidelines like age verification, appropriate categorization etc.
How long does it take to see ROI from a CBD app?
Most CBD brands see positive ROI within 150-180 days of launch. The average Appbrew CBD app pays for itself through increased customer lifetime value and higher conversion rates.
Do I need a developer to maintain my CBD app?
With Appbrew, no development team is required. Updates, feature additions, and maintenance are all handled by the Appbrew team allowing you to focus on growing your brand rather than technical management.
