How to Set Up the Referral/Sponsorship Program (Part 2)
Set up the voucher code for customers and sponsors
The "Voucher" tab in the Referral/Sponsorship Program configuration allows administrators to offer voucher codes to sponsored friends, enhancing the program's effectiveness by providing immediate benefits to new users.
Below are summaries and functions of the options within this section, along with an illustrative example to make the configuration clearer.
Part 1: Customer's voucher code
This section is dedicated to configuring the voucher codes that new, sponsored friends receive upon account creation.
- Offer a voucher code to sponsored friend?: Enables or disables the provision of a voucher code to newly registered friends. Offering a voucher code can significantly boost the effectiveness of your referral program by encouraging new users to make their first purchase.
- Voucher type: Allows you to choose between a fixed voucher code and a dynamic voucher code. A fixed voucher code remains the same for all new registrations, while a dynamic voucher code is unique for each new registration.
- Apply a discount: Specifies the type of discount applied by the voucher code. You can choose between a percentage-based discount, a fixed amount discount, or no discount.
- Minimum amount: Sets the minimum cart value required to apply the voucher code. This condition ensures that the voucher code is used for substantial purchases.
- Discount availability: Defines the validity period of the voucher code in days. This creates urgency for the new user to make a purchase.
- Welcome message: Customizes the message displayed to the new user upon receiving the voucher code. You can include the tag [discount_value] to dynamically insert the discount amount into the message.
Example Scenario: Let's illustrate how these settings work with a detailed example involving Camellia Studio, Marie, and her friend Sophie.
Store settings:
- Voucher type: Dynamic voucher code
- Apply a discount: Percentage (%)
- Discount percentage: 10%
- Minimum amount: $50
- Discount prefix: REF_
- Discount availability: 30 days
- Can use with other voucher in the same shopping cart: No
Scenario:
Marie's invitation:
- Marie invites Sophie to join Camellia Studio using the referral link.
- Sophie registers a new account and receives a dynamic voucher code.
Sophie's voucher:
- Sophie's dynamic voucher code is generated as "REF_MD624YN" with a 10% discount.
- The discount is valid for 30 days and requires a minimum cart value of $50.
Sophie's purchase:
- Sophie adds products worth $60 to her cart (excluding discounted items).
- She applies the voucher code "REF_MD624YN" and receives a 10% discount ($6 off).
- Since the voucher is not combinable with other vouchers, she cannot use any additional voucher codes in this purchase.
Part 2: Referral-voucher setting
This tab allows you to customize the discount type, set minimum purchase requirements, define the voucher validity period, and control the usage limits, ensuring a flexible and effective referral strategy that aligns with your store's marketing goals.
- Allow sponsors to generate their voucher code?: This option allows sponsors to generate their voucher codes to share with their friends. When their friends use the voucher code, they receive a discount, and the sponsor earns a commission.
Example: At Camellia Studio, this option is enabled. Marie can copy a unique voucher code and share it with her friends. When her friends use the code to make a purchase, they get a discount, and Marie earns a reward.
- Sponsor voucher code: This is a description displayed to sponsors explaining how the "sponsor voucher code" works. You can use the [discount_value] tag to automatically insert the discount value.
- Apply a discount: Choose whether the voucher code provides a percentage discount, a fixed amount discount, or no discount.
Example: Camellia Studio decides to offer a 10% discount to friends using the voucher code. Marie's friends will receive a 10% discount on their purchases.
- Minimum amount: Set a minimum cart amount required to apply the voucher code.
Example: The minimum cart amount at Camellia Studio is set to $50. Marie's friends need to have at least $50 in their cart to use the voucher code.
- Discount availability: Set the duration (in days) for which the voucher code is valid.
Example: The voucher code at Camellia Studio is valid for 30 days. Marie's friends need to use the voucher code within 30 days of receiving it.
- Total available: Set the total number of times the voucher code can be used.
Example: Camellia Studio allows each voucher code to be used up to 20 times. Marie's voucher code can be redeemed by up to 20 different friends. Starting with the 21st friend, they cannot use the voucher anymore, and Marie must generate another voucher code.
Set up Sponsor URL and banner
The sponsor URL & banner settings allow you to further customize and promote your referral/sponsorship program. These settings help sponsors effectively share referral links and banners, increasing their potential to earn rewards. The tab includes options for displaying sponsor URLs, customizing and uploading sponsor banners, and controlling the appearance of referral links on social media. Additionally, you can set up an introduction popup to attract customers to join the referral program.
Sponsor URL
Display sponsor URL: Decide whether to display the sponsor's unique URL for easy sharing. If enabled, sponsors can share their URLs with friends to track referrals.
Sponsor Banner
- Default sponsor banner: Upload a default banner image that sponsors can use to promote the referral program. The banner can be shared on websites, blogs, forums, etc. When someone clicks on the banner, they will be redirected to the sponsor's URL, where their ID will be saved in a cookie to track rewards.
- Available image type: jpg, png, gif, jpeg.
- Resize banner image before uploading: Choose whether to resize banner images before uploading to ensure they fit the required dimensions.
- Allow sponsor to upload their custom banner: Enable this option to allow sponsors to upload their banners from their sponsor account management area in the front office. If no custom banner is uploaded, the default banner will be used.
- Redirect URL: Set a URL to redirect customers when they land on a sponsor's URL. The sponsor's ID is saved in a cookie before the redirection to track referrals. Leave blank to keep customers on the sponsor's URL.
Social Network Appearance
- Title: Provide a custom title that appears on social networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.) when the sponsor's URL is shared. Leave blank to use the default website title.
- Description: Provide a custom description that appears on social networks when the sponsor's URL is shared. Leave blank to use the default website description.
- Image: Upload a custom image that appears on social networks when the sponsor's URL is shared. Leave blank to use the default image specified by the social network when it feeds your website content.
Referral/Sponsorship Program Introduction Popup
- Enable introduction popup: Enable this option to display a popup introducing or inviting customers to join the referral/sponsorship program when they land on the website.
- Popup banner: Upload an image for the popup banner. Available image types: jpg, png, gif, jpeg.
- Popup title: Provide a title for the introduction popup.
- Popup content: Write the content for the introduction popup, explaining the benefits and inviting customers to join the referral program.
- Redisplay popup in X day(s): Set the number of days to wait before redisplaying the popup to a customer. Leave blank to display the popup only once per customer.
- Do not display the popup if customer has invited their friends: Choose whether to hide the popup for customers who have already invited friends to the referral program.
- Customer group to see the popup: Select which customer groups should see the introduction popup.
Set up notification messages
The “Messages” settings tab allows you to customize the various messages that are shown to your customers and sponsors regarding the referral/sponsorship program. This includes explanations, introductions, and eligibility notifications. Personalizing these messages helps in clearly communicating the details and benefits of the program to your customers.
| Message type | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Explanation message | This message appears in the "Referral program" area and explains how the program works for your customers and sponsors. It provides an overview of the referral process and the benefits of participating. Leave this field blank if you do not want to display any explanation message. | Our Referral Program allows you to earn rewards by inviting your friends to shop with us. Share your unique referral link or code, and earn points every time your friends create an account or make a purchase using your referral. Start referring today and enjoy exclusive benefits! |
| Introduction message | This message is displayed on the program's registration page. It should give a brief overview of the program and invite customers to join. | Join our Referral Program and start earning rewards for every friend you refer! Simply sign up, share your unique referral link or code, and watch your rewards grow as your friends shop with us. It’s our way of saying thank you for spreading the word about Camellia Studio! |
| Eligibility notification message | This message is shown to customers on their "My account" page if their total past order value does not meet the minimum required amount to join the referral program. Use the available data-tags to personalize the message. Available data-tags:
| You are NOT eligible to join our referral program because your total past order value [total_past_order], doesn't meet minimum amount required [min_order_total]. Please purchase [amount_left] more to be eligible for referral program. |
By setting up these messages, you ensure that your customers and sponsors have clear and informative guidance about the referral program, enhancing their understanding and participation.
Conclusion
Setting up a referral/sponsorship program for your store is a fantastic way to engage your customers and reward them for their loyalty and promotion of your business. By carefully configuring the options in each tab, you ensure that the program runs smoothly and benefits both your store and your sponsors. From enabling the program and setting conditions to customizing rewards, vouchers, sponsor URLs, banners, and messages, every detail helps create a seamless and rewarding experience for your customers.