Saveable checklist
Five decisions before starting a referral program
If you start by choosing a percentage, the program can stall over registrations without visits, unused sign-ups, and exceptions. Define when a referral qualifies and how staff will confirm it before deciding the size of the reward.
Write it in one sentence first
Aim to explain who receives what and when in one sentence, such as: “A regular sends a direct-referral link to a friend. After the first visit and checkout, both receive store points when the store settings and actual payment produce a reward.”
1. Decide which introductions qualify
Write the condition in one sentence, such as “an existing customer directly introduces a friend who is visiting for the first time.” Including the referrer’s referrer quickly makes explanation and verification more complex. Starting with direct referrals only makes the operation easier to test.
Check：Direct referrals only / how to handle the same person registering again
2. Decide exactly when the reward qualifies
Sending a link, registering as a member, making a booking, and actually visiting and completing checkout are different events. If a reward qualifies before the visit, the store has more work checking cancellations and unused registrations. Choose a condition staff can verify in the store, such as “after the normal checkout is complete.”
Check：Registration alone does not qualify / qualifies after checkout, for example
3. Set the rewards and usage terms for both people
Consider whether the first-time visitor should also have a reason to return, rather than rewarding only the referrer. Decide in advance whether the reward is an amount or rate, its cap, expiry, and whether it can be combined with other discounts. Keep it simple enough to explain at the counter.
Check：Recipients / rate and cap / expiry / combination rules
4. Define exceptions and change rules
If self-referrals, duplicate registrations, later changes to the referrer, and refunds are left unclear, explanations to regular customers can become inconsistent. State a small number of rules before launch, such as “the referrer is set once at registration and cannot be changed later.”
Check：Self-referral / duplicate registration / later changes / cancellations
5. Test whether it fits the normal checkout
Even a good program is hard to maintain if it adds too many special steps during a busy checkout. Run one customer through scanning the QR, confirming the amount, and explaining the result, then decide who checks each step and when.
Check：Store QR / person responsible / required steps / customer explanation
Frequently asked questions
Should a reward be issued as soon as someone sends a referral link?
Not necessarily. To avoid having the store track unused registrations, the program can qualify a referral only after the person actually visits and completes checkout. Link-Win also does not issue points merely for sending a link or completing member registration.
Does the referrer’s reward need to be cash?
No. If the aim is a return visit, one option is points that can be used only at that store. Set terms the store can sustain after considering cost and the expected time until the next visit.
Should the program be announced widely from the start?
Testing the in-store steps with one regular customer and one friend makes it easier to correct unclear explanations or checkout friction on a small scale. After that check, expand to cards or social media.
One way to put it into practice
Test one customer flow with Link-Win
Link-Win associates a direct-referral link during registration. After the referred friend actually visits and completes checkout, it records points for the visitor and direct referrer when the store settings and actual payment produce a reward. Sending the link or registering alone does not issue points.
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