Acquiring new customers is expensive – but there is one cost-effective channel that brings new customers organically. And the Referral program examples you will see in this article will prove that eCommerce stores are already on it.
Not only do Referral programs bring in new customers, but it also increases their lifetime value. Studies show that customers acquired via Referral programs are more loyal to the store than others.
Word of mouth is a powerful tool because customers trust the recommendations from their friends. This is why the Referral marketing campaign is the best customer acquisition channel.
To make it happen, you must run a campaign using the best Referral program plugins. Ecommerce stores are already using them to acquire new customers, and here are some referral program examples.
These examples are not just to prove what other stores are doing but to inspire you to create a referral program in your store and start acquiring new customers.
Want to increase your Word-of-Mouth Sales.
What is a Referral Program?
A referral program allows you to turn your customers into brand advocates and acquire new customers cost-effectively through WOM marketing.
Reward customers for every referral they bring to your store and increase customer loyalty. You can offer discounts, gifts, or points as Referral rewards.
Running a Referral program will generate Word of mouth sales and foster loyalty with your existing customers.
Referral programs have become a massive success in Ecommerce stores because both the Referrer and Referral get the benefits.
Why does your store need a Referral program?
What is the most crucial thing for an Ecommerce store?
Customers!
Let’s imagine you already have a good customer base but want to expand. So, you’re looking for new customers to boost your sales.
But you know acquiring new customers is costly.
That’s where the best Referral programs come to the rescue, where you can leverage your existing customers to acquire new customers without spending a lot.
Referral marketing is not only to acquire new customers but also to retain the existing customer base.
Offering Referral rewards to your existing customers will encourage them to bring more referrals to your store, thus increasing your sales.
So, back to the question, why do you need a Referral program?
- To retain existing customers and foster loyalty.
- To acquire new customers without spending much
- To increase sales organically
- Generate Word of mouth sales
- Increase Brand awareness
How does the Referral Program work?
Ecommerce stores have become more agile than ever, thanks to plugins. To make a Referral program work, you need a Referral plugin. Retainful is one such Referral plugin that lets you launch a Referral program within minutes.
This is how the Referral program works,
- Every customer in your store gets a unique referral link with a code.
- Your customers invite their friends using the referral code or the link.
- The friend(Referral) visits your store using the link, gets the discount code, and makes a successful purchase.
- Your customers get an incentive as their friends have completed the purchase. Depending on you, this reward can be a percentage, flat discount, or free product.
This is how a Referral program works; it increases WOM sales and customer retention. So, are you ready to launch a Referral program in your store?
Before you launch it, here are some eCommerce Referral program examples that show you how other eCommerce businesses are doing it. These Referral marketing program examples will help you get started.
Best Referral program examples to inspire you
Fashion Referral program
Fashion Ecommerce stores have become popular in the past decade. A great way for fashion stores to attract new customers is by running the best Referral programs like these.
Fashion Shoes
ZooShoo offers the finest quality fashionable footwear. Their Referral program is as simple as it gets, and that’s why it took the first spot.
Ecommerce Referral program
Referrer reward – $10 off on the next order
Referee reward – $10 off if they purchase more than $40
How this Referral program works – ZooShoo’s Referral program is one of the best Referral program examples to steal as it offers $10 each for both the Referrer and the Referral. A link will be given to the customer, and his friend must use the link to purchase to get the rewards.
The crucial criteria in this Referral program is that the Referral has to purchase $40; only then both of them will be rewarded. This boosts your sales, increases your revenue, and, most importantly, flourishes your relationship with the customer.
Watches
Next in our Referral marketing examples is Watchshop. It is the ultimate stop where you can get all kinds of designer watches from various brands. Its Referral program is also unique, just like the watches they sell.
Ecommerce referral program examples:
Referrer reward – £10 Tesco digital gift card
Referee reward – 30% off and a chance to win a watch
How this Referral program works – Watchshop’s Referral program allows you to offer 30% off for your friend’s first purchase. Your friend can earn 30% off and an exclusive chance to win a watch worth £250.
For Referring your friend, you get a £10 worth Tesco digital gift card for your next order when your friend makes his first purchase.
They’re offering a discount and a watch as a free gift. This will boost brand awareness, and more customers will participate in the referral marketing program.
Sunglasses
Blenders eyewear offers some of the best affordable eyewear on the market. The company is lauded for its dependable quality and also for its exquisite Referral program.
Ecommerce referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $20 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $20 off
How this Referral program works – Blenders eyewear’s Referral program concentrates on sales and revenue. It holds that one Referral principle, you don’t get rewarded until your friend makes a purchase.
This Referral program example offers a reward of $20 for each successful referral. But to earn that reward, your friend must complete a purchase worth $50, and then you both get $20 off. This will motivate your customers to make a purchase which increases your revenue.
Flash Discounts
Uniqlo is a fashion store that solely concentrates on Winter fashion for both men and women. They offer discounts on designer brands.
Ecommerce referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $10 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $10 off discount code
How this Referral program works – Uniqlo’s Referral program offers a $10 discount on their next order. Remember Uniqlo has an inventory of luxury winter products, so $10 discount is a great deal. Also, both the Referrer and Referee get the same Referral rewards, a recommended practice.
You refer your friend, and he gets a $10 discount on his first purchase, and you get a $10 discount on your next purchase.
Fashion Sneakers
Cole Haan brings you sneakers and other fashion accessories for both men and women. If you are considering the price of their products, a Referral program is the best deal to purchase at Cole Haan.
Ecommerce referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $25 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $25 off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Cole Haan’s Referral program is pretty simple; you can let your friends earn a $25 discount on their first purchase by referring them to Cole Haan. And for every purchase the referral completes, you’ll be rewarded with a $25 discount. Both the referrer and referee get the same reward which will encourage them.
Exotic Jewels
Brilliant Earth can awe you with the range of jewels they have at its disposal. Just like their jewels, their Referral program is also a breathtaking deal.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $100 off the next purchase
Referee reward – Surprise gift
How this Referral program works – Brilliant Earth’s Referral program offers a lavish deal of a $100 discount. Your referral will be rewarded with a surprising gift when they complete their first purchase. As a referrer, you’ll also be rewarded with a $100 discount for your next purchase.
But there is a criterion to earn this deal, the referral must complete a purchase of 1000$, and only then you and your friend can earn the rewards.
Femina Fashion
Lulus is an exclusive fashion store for Women; from casual wear to bridal wear, Lulus is an unskippable store for ladies. The same goes for their Referral program too.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $20 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $20 coupon for the first purchase
How this Referral program works – This customer referral program example follows the simple refer a friend principle: ‘ you earn when your friends make a purchase. They offer a discount of $20 for both the Referral and the Referrer.
The referral gets a $20 discount for their first purchase of $50 or more worth of products. Only if the Referral purchase is $50 or the reward above is valid.
This will motivate customers to purchase to earn the discount, which simultaneously increases your sales.
Fashion Accessories
So, if you’re looking for every fashion product under one roof, FarFetch is the right store. Their Referral program offers a straightforward deal.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 10% off the next purchase
Referee reward – 10% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – FarFetch’s Referral program is a basic deal, as mentioned earlier. They offer a 10% discount which might not seem much, but for the number of exclusive brands they sell, this deal is really a steal.
Your friend gets a 10 % off for their first purchase, and you get a 10 % off for your next purchase when the Referral completes a purchase using the link.
Customer Referral program examples:
Were you shocked by just a 10% discount? Here is a surprise from Farfetch. If you want a price discount instead of a percentage discount, Farfetch has the option for you. Not many stores have this option, which makes FarFetch’s Referral program unique.
Health, Sports & Beauty Referral Program Examples
People have started to trust Health products & Beauty cosmetics from online merchants. So, to make use of this opportunity having a Referral program in your store can increase your conversions.
Sports Accessories
The Sports Edit is an all-in-one store with all the sports equipment you need, and it is available for both men and women. Its Referral program is pretty simple.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 15% off the next purchase
Referee reward – 15% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – The Sports edit’s Referral program offers a Referral discount of 15% for every successful referral you bring to the store. The referral also earns a 15% discount using your unique referral link for their first purchase.
A 15% offer is a huge deal considering the type of products that they’re selling. Sports accessories are getting costly at wholesale stores, so online retails like Sports edit is the best spot to purchase your favorite sports products at lightning deals.
Fitness Equipment
Decathlon is the best spot to purchase all your fitness equipment at affordable prices and flash deals if you own a gym or build a personal workout studio.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $10 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $10 off
How this Referral program works – This referral marketing example is focused more on getting sales; they offer a $10 discount for both the Referral and Referrer.
You get a Referral link as soon as you sign in; you can share the link with your friend.
Now when your friend signs in using your Referral link, he gets a $10 discount for his first purchase, which must be a minimum of $50. When the referral completes a purchase of $50, you’ll be rewarded with a $10 discount.
Beauty Enhancements
There is a huge demand for cosmetics stores as of now; stores like Tarte Cosmetics have made better use of Referral programs to increase their brand awareness.
Referrer reward – 15% off the next purchase
Referee reward – 15% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Tarte Cosmetics has many reward programs in their store, and combined with a Referral program, you can earn a huge deal of rewards so early. Their Referral program offers 15% off when you refer your friend to the store.
Your friend will earn 15% off for his first purchase, and likewise, you will be rewarded when he makes a successful purchase. There are no criteria involved here. Also, you can earn 100 points just for signing up and many more rewards as you continue the journey as a customer.
This Referral program example has shown you that the more you offer rewards to customers, the more they stay loyal and the more they spend on your products, thus increasing your revenue.
Health Vitamin Supplements
Nowadays, people need help to visit a physical pharmacy to purchase a supplement. That’s why these supplement Ecommerce stores are rising. With the right Referral program, you can earn a fortune with these stores.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – €5 discount code
Referee reward – 20% discount on the first order
How this Referral program works – Just Vitamins Referral program offers a 20% discount for a Referral first order using your unique referral link. When your referral successfully completes a purchase, you’ll be rewarded with a £5 discount code for your next order.
Running Shoes
Running is the perfect stop to purchase high-performance and durable running shoes. Their Referral program is also a durable one that persuades customers to refer their friends.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 10% off the next purchase
Referee reward – 10% first purchase discount
How this Referral program works – This Referral program example motivates you to refer your friend as a partner. They offer a referral reward of a 10% discount when the referral makes his first purchase, and you’ll earn a reward of a 10% discount code when the referral successfully completes a purchase.
It may not be much, but how they promote their Referral program is unique compared to others. They are motivating their customers in a healthy way to refer their friends.
Hair Care Supplies
Verb is an iconic Ecommerce store that sells hair care products. They have a unique rewards program and also a Referral program.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $7 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $7 first purchase discount
How this Referral program works – Verb’s Referral program offers a $7 deal for every successful referral. The referrals will be given $7 off for their first purchase, and when they complete a purchase of products worth $50, they’ll be rewarded with $7 for referring your friend.
For every successful referral, you’ll earn $7. Their Referral might look low but considering their rewards program, you can earn a lot for signing up, writing a review, and many more. This is a great tactic for attracting more customers and fostering loyalty.
Skincare Cosmetics
Pai skincare offers many products for various parts of your body and even baby care products. Pai skincare’s Referral program is pretty simple.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – €15 off the next purchase
Referee reward – €15 off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Their referral reward is €15, which you can earn when your referral completes a purchase worth €30. You can offer €15 off for your first referral purchase. Offering rewards for skin care stores can propel your sales to the next level.
Food and Beverage store referral marketing examples
Lifestyle Drinks
Elements sell the finest wellness drinks for a better lifestyle, and their Referral marketing program opens the door to new customers and retains the existing customers effectively.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $10 discount on the next purchase
Referee reward – $10 off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Elements Referral program offers a reward of $10 for the referral’s first purchase. Once they complete their maiden purchase, the referrer gets rewarded $10 for bringing the referral.
They also offer additional rewards programs where you can earn 15% off on your first order when you sign up for their newsletters.
Refreshment Drinks
Hydrant is a beverage store that sells refreshment drinks that can quench your thirst and keep you hydrated. Their Referral program offers a lucrative deal.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 50% off the next purchase
Referee reward – 50% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Hydrant’s Referral program is a lucrative Referral program example as it offers a whopping 50% off for referrals. You can give 50% off to your friends when they make their first purchase.
Why is the offer so high?
Because they are just starting out, which is a great way to attract customers, everyone will be enticed when they hear a 50 % offer for a referral.
This will motivate customers to refer your store to their friends, and the referrals will happily purchase as they get 50% off.
This Referral program example is a testimony of how to increase your sales and boost the brand awareness of any startup.
Packaged Foods
Packaged foods have become a trend in this digital world. If you own a store that sells packaged foods, you can succeed with a Referral program in no time.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – €5 to spend on the next purchase
Referee reward – Freebies
How this Referral program works – Muscle food is a one-stop destination for all your cravings. Their Referral program is more oriented toward selling their products and holding their customers for a long time.
Muscle Foods do it uniquely; instead of offering cash rewards, they offer their products as rewards. This increases the awareness and sales of your profits.
The referral can earn a freebie when he completes the purchase using the referral link. The referrer earns a cash incentive and loyalty points, which can be used for his next purchase for referring his friend.
Rewarding products instead of cash is a great way to keep your customers attached to your products.
Power Beverages
We live in a fitness-conscious world where power drinks are the catalyst every individual needs to stay fit and healthy.
LifeAid is a power drink Ecommerce store with an impeccable track record with a Referral program.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $20 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $20 off for signing up
How this Referral program works – Referring a friend to LifeAid will earn you $20, but the referral must complete a purchase to earn the reward. This criterion is crucial to persuade the customer to purchase.
The referral earns $20 off on his first purchase when he signs up using your referral link.
Power Beverages stores like these are like a magnet for attracting crowds, so having a Referral program like this will give rise to a loyal customer base.
Farm Grown Foods
Stores like Farm Fresh To You have brought the farmers’ market to your screens, where you can order fresh farm foods, which will be delivered to your doorsteps.
Farm Fresh To You Referral program offers a discount of $25 when you refer the store to your friends.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $25 account credit
Referee reward – No reward
How this Referral program works –
All you have to do is share the unique Refer-a-Friend code. It also has customer emails and social sharing options that make it easy for you to share them.
By referring them, you save $25 when your friend joins the store using your Referral code. This is a great way to motivate your customers to bring in new leads and increase sales.
Electronics Gadgets & Appliances Referral Program Examples
Gone are the days when we visited retail stores to purchase electronics. Now we can do it with a smartphone; here are some Referral marketing program examples if you own a store like this.
Drones & Quadcopters
Devices like these are something that you can’t purchase in physical stores. DJI has revolutionized drones and has earned a large fanbase.
DJI knows very well that running a Referral marketing program is the only way to keep its fanbase intact.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $10 credit and gift
Referee reward – $10 coupon
How this Referral program works – This Referral program example is simple; you have to share a $10 coupon with your friend. You see, instead of a link, you’ll send a $10 coupon directly. This will persuade a customer to purchase at your store.
When your friend completes a purchase using your coupon, you’ll be rewarded with a $10 credit and an extra gift.
DJI’s Referral strategy is simple instead of making the referral earn the reward, they are straight away awarding it to them. This is a great way to foster trust and loyalty with a customer and increase your sales.
Convert your customers to brand ambassadors.
Computer Accessories
MSI is a well-known computer hardware manufacturer, and their stores are eye-candy to watch and a true crowd-puller. Its Referral marketing program is something that keeps its customers so close to them.
Referral program examples:
Referrer Reward – Points
Referee Reward – Points
How this Referral program works – MSI Referral program is a thoughtful Referral program example as it does not offer cash incentives, and instead they offer purchase points. Sign in to MSI and refer your friends; you’ll earn points when your friends complete a purchase.
The most important thing about this Referral program is the prizes. Not only the purchase points but you can also win a product as a reward.
Offering products as a reward is a great way to motivate more customers to refer their friends. This will increase your sales and customer count, and that’s how MSI does it.
Electronic devices
Even the electronic device giant has a Referral marketing program to get hold of new customers.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – Benefits up to $1000
Referee reward – 5% off
How this Referral program works – Samusng’s Referral program is simple, refer your friends and earn rewards up to $1000 while your friend gets a 5% off.
Even though there isn’t much of a reward in this program, it’s on this list to show you how impactful Referral programs are.
Security Electronics
Security has become a top priority for businesses, and even residential communities have started upgrading their security. A Referral marketing program in a security service store can be a powerful customer acquisition tool.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – Free monitoring service
Referee reward – $20 off
How this Referral program works – Simplisafe has an interesting Referral program. Their goal is to earn the trust of their customers through their service and product, not through cash incentives.
Refer your friend to SimpliSafe, and when he purchases a product from Simplisafe, you get free alarm monitoring for one month.
This way, you win the loyalty of your customers and get better exposure for your products which can lead to its sales. Trust your products and let them do wonders for you.
Speakers
When it comes to sound speakers, Bose is the undisputed leader. It has revolutionized audio systems for a few decades, and guess what?
Even the biggest audio system store has a Referral program.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $20 off the next purchase
Referee reward – $20 discount on the first order
How this Referral program works – Bose’s Referral marketing program is straightforward, and its primary goal is to acquire new customers. You bring a Referral to the store, and he gets a $20 discount for a purchase of $200.
Yes, the existing customer doesn’t get a reward, and that’s how these companies work.
They experiment with their technologies every time, so they need an ever-changing customer base to stay at the top, and that’s why they are successful.
Smart Wearables
Smart wearables have been growing popular, and stores like Pavlok have used a Referral program to broaden their customer base.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 15% off the referee purchase amount
Referee reward – No reward
How this Referral program works – Pavlov’s Referral program is a great way to retain customers and straighten the engagement. Share the Referral link with your friends and invite them to purchase at Pavlov.
The advocates get a reward of 15% of the purchase the Referral makes. This will motivate your customers to refer a friend, boosting your brand awareness exponentially.
Wifi Gadgets
Skyroam is a pioneer of Wifi Gadgets, and its Referral marketing program is targeted at both the Advocate and the Referral.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – 50% off Wi-fi service
Referee reward – 20% off
How this Referral program works – Customers get a unique referral link they can share with their friends. When the Referral purchases the Skyroam device, he gets a 20% off on the Global hotspot.
The referred advocate will get a reward of 50% off in Wifi service. Skyroam doesn’t offer cash incentives. Rather they offer a service or a product as a reward.
Household & Travel supplies Referral program examples.
Home Lighting
Lulu & Georgia is a one-stop destination for your home decor, especially lighting. Their Referral marketing program is an example of how to get hold of your existing customer and attract new ones in one move.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $50 off the next purchase
Referee reward – 15% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works –
The advocate can earn $50 off as a reward when their Referral makes a purchase. This will also motivate the referrals because they’ll get 10% as a reward for their first order.
Offering rewards like this will motivate the new customers to complete a purchase and the advocates to bring in more friends.
House Pet Food
Pets are also a part of the household, and that’s why most eCommerce stores also have pet services. JR pet products have a great Referral program, increasing the rewards as the Referral increases.
Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – Reward is based on the Referral purchase amount.
Referee reward – 10% off their first order.
How this Referral program works – Every Referral gets a 10% off their first order when they complete a purchase using the link you provided. And for bringing in a Referral, you’ll get a reward based on the Referral’s purchase amount.
This criterion is unique because if you want to earn more, you must bring more Referrals to the store.
Advocates will be encouraged to bring in more Referrals which increases your sales simultaneously.
Pet Supplies
Pets need some supplies like chew toys, litter boxes, etc., and PetFlow is the best place to get all these. Pet Flow’s Referral marketing program is an example of how simple a program must be.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $10 after their first purchase
Referee reward – $10 off
How this Referral program works – Refer PetFlow to your friends and earn a reward of $10 off your next purchase. For completing their first purchase, the Referral will also get a reward of $10.
A simple Referral program, but considering this is a pet supplies store, it is an effective one to leave an impression on the pet lover’s mind.
Household Lifestyle supplies
Leesa is the perfect destination for purchasing household supplies like mattresses, sofas, and many more. They also have a very lucrative referral program.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $75 cash reward
Referee reward – No reward
How this Referral program works – Leesa’s Referral program offers a lavish $75 cash for every successful referral. All you have to do is share the referral link and wait till the referral makes a purchase.
The best thing about this program is that there are no criteria to win the reward. You’ll be rewarded as soon as the referral makes a purchase.
Smart Luggages
How do you feel about designing your own luggage? Roam luggage offers customization options allowing you to build your travel bag. Their enticing Referral marketing program is an excellent way to keep customers happy.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $50 Amazon Gift card
Referee reward – $50 off their first purchase.
How this Referral program works – Roam’s Referral program offers a straightforward deal where the advocate and the referral can earn hefty rewards.
The advocate gets a $50 worth of amazon gift card once the referral makes his first purchase which has $50 off as a reward for the Referral program.
Personal Supplies
If you’re looking for a store to purchase personal accessories like bags, wallets, keychains, etc., then Kiplings is the right spot.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $25 off next purchase
Referee reward – 25% off the first purchase
How this Referral program works – Kipling has remarkable Referral programs that concentrate on retaining customers and acquiring new ones. Your referral gets a 25% off as a reward for their first purchase.
For completing the purchase and for referring to the store, the advocate can take home a $25 reward once they complete it.
This Referral program is targeted to achieve more revenue because there is a criterion where the referral has to purchase $100 of products to receive the reward.
Software & Services Referral marketing examples
Software Services
Chetu is one of the finest software solutions with a lucrative Referral program.
Customer Referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $500 reward
Referee reward – No reward
How this Referral program works – Chetu’s Referral program is pretty simple, all you have to do is refer your friend, and when he requests a service proposition from Chetu, you get a reward of $500.
As these are not Referral program stores offering lucrative cash incentives is the best way to gain more leads and retain your customers.
Vacation & Tour Services
The only way services like these can expand their customer base is through a Referral program, so they haven’t missed out.
Customer referral program examples:
Referrer reward – $250 for the next trip
Referee reward – $250 off the first trip
How this Referral program works – Kensington tours offer a $250 reward in their Ecommerce. When you refer a friend to Kensington tours, he gets a $250 reward for their first trip.
And the advocate gets a $250 reward for referring their friends, which is how tour services can expand their customer base.
7 Best Referral programs in the past
1.Google
Best Referral program examples:
Even the most popular search engine has its own Referral program. They reward their business customers for bringing in new users for Google Apps for work.
The rules of this Referral program are pretty simple. All you have to do is provide your name and email address. Then Google will send you a Referral link to your in, and now you can share this unique Referral link with your friends.
You can offer exclusive discounts to your Referrals, and when these referrals activate their Google App for work account, the person who bought the Referral gets rewarded.
You can earn up to $7.50 when your Referral subscribes to g-suite, and you’ll be rewarded with coupons for additional referrals.
Crucial Takeaway – It is necessary to credit your advocates for recommending your product or service to their peers. This would improve your engagement with them and allow them to refer you again & again.
2. Dropbox
Dropbox implemented one of the best Referral programs on the Internet. Instead of rewarding their users with cash incentives, they did it in their way, free storage space.
Best Referral program examples:
Dropbox is a famous cloud storage firm that initiated a Referral program with product-based rewards instead of the usual cash rewards.
Their Referral program is simple, refer your friend and bring them to Dropbox and get 500MB of free storage space. Both the Referer and the newly referred user can get 500MB to 16GB of storage space as a reward.
The result of this program was groundbreaking. Their signups significantly increased to 60% in a short span, with around 2.5 million refer-a-friend invites sent in one month.
Thanks to this iconic Referral programDropbox revolutionized its marketing campaign. So, instead of spending $288 to $388 for ads per customer, they are spending $0 for their ads.
Pretty cool! Right?
Dropbox built on the need for additional storage space for users and hence offered it as a recommendation reward to gain more customers.
This is what Dropbox achieved with its Referral program.
- Increased their signups by 60%
- Acquired 4 million new users in a year.
- 35% of daily sign-ups through this program.
Crucial Takeaway – Don’t limit your rewards to cash and gifts. Think out of the box and offer something based on your products. This will make your customers stay loyal and committed to your brand, eventually bringing your more referrals.
3. Uber
Is it any wonder that even the famous ride app has a Referral program? This shows how successful these Referral programs are to a Business.
Uber’s Referral program is similar to Dropbox, and they don’t offer cash incentives. Rather, their rewards are integrated into their product.
So, every time a customer creates an account, they get a unique customer referral code. When a new user signs up using their referral code, the friend and the user get a free trip.
Best Referral program examples:
This Referral program caught like wildfire, and now almost every ride app is using it to get more customers to meet their demands.
The incredible thing about the Uber Referral program is that they right away introduced it to mobile devices. This boosted their conversion as most people use mobile phones.
Crucial Takeaway – Offering double-sided incentives helps the advocates to view their interaction with a higher purpose. They’ll feel easier to know that their contacts are getting more than just an irritating email, making them more likely to respond to it in the first place.
4. Paypal
Paypal built an ambitious Referral program where the customers are rewarded with cash incentives for referring their friends.
Best Referral program examples:
Paypal, an online payment system service, has been in the game for many years. Back then, they used to have a Referral program where they would offer 20% for opening an account and 20% for Referring someone.
This was very lucrative, and it took them to the status where they are now, So now they’ve changed their Referral program, where you’ll get a unique referral link.
You can send this link to your friends, who must join using it and achieve a transaction of $10 within 45 days. If the Referral fulfills the criteria, the referer and the referral will get $10 each.
You see, they used to give away free cash once, but once they reached the top of their game, they refined their strategy. Many businesses have been using this strategy to gain popularity; it works great.
Crucial Takeaway – Offering Free cash is a great way to get more people to sign up for your service, but it only works if you have enough money to keep it going.
5. Evernote
The note-taking app Evernote launched a Referral program that rewards customers every time they make successful referrals.
Best Referral program examples:
Doing this increased their customer retention rate because if a referral upgrades to a premium, the referrer will be rewarded. This increases engagement with existing customers.
The result of this successful Referral program is that now there are millions of people using this app, and almost 13 million of its users come through it.
The interesting aspect of this Referral program is that it doesn’t end when a customer makes a Referral.
Instead, the program gets upgraded as the referral’s journey upgrades. Customers get a reward when their friends upgrade their accounts, motivating them to make more referrals to earn more rewards.
Crucial Takeaway– Don’t end your Referral program when a customer makes a referral; instead, keep them going by rewarding your Referrers when the Referrals upgrade their account. This cycle will increase engagement and motivate you to make more referrals.
6. FreeAgent
This accounting app has a Referral program that rewards both the new customer and the referrer with a 10% discount as long as they’re paying subscribers.
Best Referral program examples:
Unlike other Referral programs, the thing that makes Freeagent more unique is that the discounts are stackable.
This means that the rewards get stacked up every time a customer makes a Referral, and once they’ve referred 10 peers, the app is completely free for the customer.
Programs like this will foster loyalty, and customers will be motivated to share the link with as many friends as possible, thus increasing conversion rates.
So, once customers refer 10 friends, they can join the Evangelist program, which gives them a 20% discount for every successful referral.
Crucial Takeaway – This program rewards every referral and has a goal. Once the goal of 10 is reached, they get upgraded to another Referral program. You should keep the cycle going to encourage customers to participate without frustration.
7. Tesla
The electric car company Tesla has adapted over the years to represent its customer base through its Referral program.
They used to offer 1000$ when a customer referred a friend, but now they’ve revised their strategy where a Tesla owner can get a Powerwall 2 battery when they refer a friend.
Another unique thing about Tesla’s Referral program is that it keeps stacking up. If a customer makes 20 Referrals in their region can win a Model X or Model X.,
There are some more Referral rewards like getting invited to an exclusive party or other limited edition products. These kinds of rare incentives motivate the customers to enter and win.
Crucial Takeaway – If you have enough resources, you can offer lucrative rewards. In the end, the winner will always be you because, through these Referral programs, you can increase the demand, make good revenue and attract more customers to your business.
Boost customer loyalty with Referral Programs.
Conclusion
Referral programs are one of the best ways to retain your existing customers and bring in new leads without spending much.
Most eCommerce stores have started it, and these eCommerce Referral program examples prove it. We hope now you have an idea of how the Referral program world and other businesses are doing it.
It doesn’t matter if you own a WooCommerce or Shopify store; initiating a Referral program in your store is no big deal when you have the best referral apps.
So, did these Referral program examples inspire you? Are you ready to launch a Referral program? Let us know what you think.
The eCommerce referral marketing program rewards existing customers for referring new customers to your brand. You provide the referral a perk with a discount, credit, little gift, or anything they find worthwhile when the new customer makes a purchase.
An ecommerce referral program is the easiest, cheapest way to customer acquistion and Customer retention. A referral program helps to increase customer satisfaction and customer loyalty and boost Word-of- mouth sales.
Through a referral program –, you provide your customers with a worthwhile incentive such as a cash reward, a voucher, a discount, a free benefit or service, or a gift card in exchange for referring new customers to your business. It leads to Customer satisfaction and Customer loyalty.
