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Overview

Refer-a-friend programs are a specific type of referral program where both the referrer AND the referred friend receive rewards. This double-sided incentive creates viral growth loops.

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How It Works

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Setting Up Refer-a-Friend

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Step 1: Create the Program

  1. Navigate to Programs → Create Program
  2. Select Refer-a-Friend Program
  3. Configure your program name and branding

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Step 2: Configure Double-Sided Rewards

Set up rewards for both parties: 
{
  "referrer_reward": {
    "type": "credit",
    "amount": 20,
    "trigger": "friend_first_purchase"
  },
  "friend_reward": {
    "type": "discount",
    "amount": 20,
    "unit": "percentage",
    "trigger": "signup"
  }
}

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Common Reward Configurations

Classic double-sided cash/credit reward.
  • Referrer: $20 account credit on friend’s purchase
  • Friend: $20 off first order
Give discount percentages to both parties.
  • Referrer: 25% off next order
  • Friend: 25% off first order
Great for subscription products.
  • Referrer: 1 month free
  • Friend: 1 month free trial

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Embeddable Signup Forms

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Pop-up Form

Add a pop-up signup form to your website: 
<script>
  po('showReferralPopup', {
    program_id: 'YOUR_PROGRAM_ID',
    trigger: 'exit_intent', // or 'delay', 'scroll', 'click'
    delay: 5000 // if using delay trigger
  });
</script>

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Embedded Form

Embed a signup form directly in your page: 
<div id="refer-friend-form"></div>

<script>
  po('renderReferralForm', {
    container: '#refer-friend-form',
    program_id: 'YOUR_PROGRAM_ID',
    customer_key: 'CURRENT_CUSTOMER_KEY' // optional
  });
</script>

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API Integration

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Register a Referral

When a friend signs up through a referral: 
curl -X POST https://api.partnero.com/v1/pub_api/refer-a-friend/{program_id}/activate \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "email": "[email protected]",
    "name": "Friend Name",
    "referral_code": "JANE20"
  }'

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Check Referral Status

curl -X GET https://api.partnero.com/v1/customers/cust_123/referrals \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY"
Response: 
{
  "referrals": [
    {
      "email": "[email protected]",
      "status": "converted",
      "reward_status": "paid",
      "created_at": "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z"
    },
    {
      "email": "[email protected]", 
      "status": "pending",
      "reward_status": "pending",
      "created_at": "2024-01-20T14:00:00Z"
    }
  ]
}

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Sharing Options

Enable multiple sharing methods for referrers: 
https://yoursite.com/?ref=JANE20

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Email Sharing

Pre-populated email template: 
po('shareViaEmail', {
  customer_key: 'cust_123',
  subject: 'Get 20% off at YourApp!',
  body: 'Use my referral link to get 20% off your first order: {referral_url}'
});

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Social Sharing

Add social sharing buttons: 
<div id="social-share"></div>

<script>
  po('renderSocialShare', {
    container: '#social-share',
    customer_key: 'cust_123',
    platforms: ['twitter', 'facebook', 'linkedin', 'whatsapp']
  });
</script>

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Tracking & Analytics

Monitor your refer-a-friend program performance:
MetricDescription
SharesNumber of times referral links were shared
ClicksClicks on referral links
Sign-upsNew users from referrals
ConversionsReferred users who purchased
Viral CoefficientAverage referrals per user

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Fraud Prevention

Protect your program from abuse:

Email Verification

Require email verification before rewards

IP Limits

Limit sign-ups from same IP address

Purchase Requirement

Only reward after actual purchase

Manual Review

Flag suspicious referrals for review

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Next Steps

Transactions

Track purchases and conversions

Rewards

Configure commission structures