Referral Program Setup

This guide walks you through the process of creating and configuring a referral program using RefRef.

What is a Referral Program?

A referral program is a systematic way to encourage your existing customers to recommend your products or services to their friends, family, or colleagues. In exchange for successful referrals, you typically offer rewards to the referrer, the referred person, or both.

Getting Started

Step 1: Create a New Project

1. Log in to your RefRef dashboard
2. Click "New Project" in the top right corner
3. Select "Referral Program" as the project type
4. Give your project a name and description
5. Click "Create Project"

Step 2: Configure Basic Settings

In the project settings, configure the following:

• Program Name - The customer-facing name of your referral program
• Program Description - A brief explanation of how your program works
• Program Duration - Set start and end dates, or make it ongoing
• Eligibility Rules - Define who can participate in your program
• Terms and Conditions - Set the legal terms for your program

Step 3: Set Up Rewards

Configure your reward structure:

1. Reward Type - Choose between cash, store credit, discounts, or custom rewards
2. Reward Amount - Set the value of the reward
3. Reward Timing - Decide when rewards are issued (immediately, after purchase, etc.)
4. Reward Distribution - Choose between one-sided (referrer only) or two-sided rewards
5. Reward Limits - Set caps on how many rewards a participant can earn

Step 4: Design Your Referral Flow

Customize how participants will share and track referrals:

1. Sharing Channels - Enable email, social media, or direct link sharing
2. Referral Messages - Create default messages for participants to share
3. Landing Pages - Customize the pages referred friends will see
4. Tracking Method - Configure how referrals are attributed and tracked
5. Notifications - Set up alerts for participants and administrators

Step 5: Integrate with Your Systems

Connect RefRef with your existing tools:

1. Website Integration - Add referral widgets to your website
2. Email Integration - Connect with your email marketing platform
3. CRM Integration - Sync referral data with your customer database
4. Payment Integration - Connect payment processors for reward distribution
5. Analytics Integration - Link with your analytics tools for deeper insights

Launch and Promotion

Once your program is configured, it's time to launch:

1. Internal Testing - Have your team test the referral flow
2. Soft Launch - Start with a small group of loyal customers
3. Announcement - Promote your program through email, social media, and your website
4. Onboarding - Guide participants on how to make successful referrals
5. Ongoing Communication - Keep participants engaged with updates and success stories

Monitoring and Optimization

After launch, continuously improve your program:

• Track Key Metrics - Monitor participation rate, share rate, and conversion rate
• Gather Feedback - Collect input from participants about their experience
• A/B Testing - Experiment with different rewards and messaging
• Fraud Prevention - Watch for and address potential abuse
• Regular Updates - Keep your program fresh with new incentives or features

Advanced Features

Enhance your referral program with these additional capabilities:

• Tiered Rewards - Increase rewards for more successful referrers
• Gamification - Add leaderboards, badges, or challenges
• Seasonal Campaigns - Run special promotions during key periods
• Segmented Programs - Create different referral offers for different customer groups
• Ambassador Programs - Develop deeper relationships with top referrers