A referral program only works if your customers want to participate. That means your referral process has to be easy, the rewards need to be worth it, and the customer experience should feel seamless. The best reward programs don’t just bring in new users. They also strengthen customer loyalty by recognizing and rewarding those who share.
Understanding what works can help you build a referral program that effectively acquires new customers and engages existing ones. Here are 15 customer referral program ideas that stand out, proving that the right approach can turn customers into brand ambassadors for life.
What is a referral program?
A referral program is a digital marketing strategy where businesses encourage existing customers to bring in new referrals in exchange for rewards. These incentives can take various forms, such as discounts, store credit, free products, or even cash payouts.
By turning happy customers into brand advocates, you can create an organic marketing channel that engages past customers to build loyalty and increases customer acquisition for your brand.
Why should you run a referral program?
Running a referral marketing program offers several benefits:
- Cost-effective customer acquisition: Good referral programs typically yield a lower cost per acquisition than traditional marketing efforts.
- Higher customer retention: Referred customers tend to be more loyal and have a higher lifetime value.
- Stronger brand trust: People trust recommendations from friends and family members more than paid advertising.
- Scalability: A well-designed referral marketing campaign can create a self-sustaining growth loop.
Top 15 referral program examples & why they work
Here are 15 ecommerce brands that run successful referral programs including insights into what makes their approach effective.
1. Latico Leathers
Latico Leathers, a boutique leather goods brand, has built a simple yet effective referral campaign using Social Snowball, rewarding customers for sharing their brand. Participants get a unique discount code to share, earning a 15% commission on every purchase made through their code.
What makes it work?
- Ease of participation: Signing up is free, and sharing is effortless.
- Clear rewards: A generous 15% commission encourages active referrals.
- Seamless tracking: Automated systems handle payouts efficiently.
By integrating referral activation at key touchpoints and using automation to engage customers, Latico Leathers increased their referral revenue by $18K+ with an ROI of 17.3x.
2. The Pod Company
The Pod Company, a wellness brand that sells portable and insulated ice baths, uses Social Snowball to run a high-performing reward program that brings in $150K per month. Customers and the referred shopper earn $10.
What makes it work?
- Automatic enrollment: Every customer is instantly part of the program after purchasing.
- Easy payouts: Customers can choose the mode of payment they prefer, PayPal, gift cards, or bank transfers.
- Proactive promotion: Customer service actively shares the program.
- Fraud prevention: Unique, single-use codes stop leaks to coupon sites.
In just four months, referrals drove $320K in revenue, with only $27K paid in commissions—proving how effective a well-structured referral program can be.
3. Tumble
Tumble is an innovative homewear brand. The company's referral program allows their customers to share their love for washable rugs while earning rewards.
After their first purchase, every customer gets a referral link to share with up to 3 people. Each referral gets 10% off, and once a referral completes a purchase, the referrer also gets 10% off their next order.
Why does it work?
- Clear and valuable rewards: Both referrers and referrals get 10% off.
- Easy participation: No complicated steps; customers get their referral link automatically.
- Fraud prevention: Unique referral links stop code leaks.
- Automated tracking: No manual monitoring, saving time and effort.
By automating their own referral program and streamlining affiliate management using Social Snowball, Tumble has grown their affiliate channel consistently, achieving more than 20x ROI while cutting down on admin work.
4. Divi
Divi, a haircare brand, offers a referral program that makes it easy for customers to share and earn. Every referrer gets $20 cash for each friend who makes a $45+ purchase, while the referred friend gets $20 off their first order.
Why does it work?
- Simple reward structure: Clear cash incentives encourage participation.
- Seamless experience: A clean, focused referral landing page makes signing up effortless.
- Smart design: Strong visuals and white space keep attention on the referral offer.
By structuring their program around cash rewards and simplifying the sign-up process using Social Snowball, Divi successfully turned customers into active promoters, scaling their referral channel efficiently. The impact? Referrals grew from less than 1% to 4% of GMV in just a few months.
5. Triquetra Health
Triquetra Health is a wellness brand offering science-backed supplements. They make it easy for their customer base to share and earn with their referral program. Participants get a 15% commission on every sale made through their referral link, while their family and friends enjoy 15% off their purchase.
Why does it work?
- Open to all customers: No complex processes— every customer gets a referral code.
- Flexible payout options: Referrers can choose their preferred method, improving retention.
- Personalized communication: Frequent email marketing flows keep referrers engaged and informed.
By making referrals seamless and rewarding using Social Snowball, Triquetra Health turned their refer-a-friend program into a consistent revenue channel, generating 5,260 orders directly tied to referral-driven sales.
6. Blume
Blume, a skincare brand, has created a referral program that rewards customers with perks that align with their shopping habits. Instead of just offering cash, the brand incentivizes referrals with free products and store credits, making it more engaging for their target audience.
Why does it work?
- Non-cash rewards that fit the brand: Instead of generic discounts, Blume rewards referrers with store credit and free products, making the incentives more meaningful.
- Clear, tiered structure: Customers know exactly what they’ll earn at each milestone, encouraging them to refer more people.
- Easy participation: Signing up and sharing referral links is simple, reducing friction in the referral process.
7. Braxley
Braxley, known for their stylish and comfortable Apple Watch bands, has a simple yet rewarding referral program. Anyone can sign up to become a Braxley Ambassador and earn $10 in cash for every successful referral.
Why does it work?
- Minimal sign-up barriers: Just a name and email are required, making it easy to get started.
- Focused call to action: A “Start Getting Rewarded” button directs users exactly where they need to go.
- Distraction-free experience: The referral page is clean and straightforward, without unnecessary elements that could slow down sign-ups.
8. Myoovi
Myoovi, a UK-based brand, offers natural, drug-free relief for period pain with their small, wireless devices. Their referral program is designed to help women support each other while earning money.
Why does it work?
- Clear, flat-rate commission: Earn £10 per sale with no complicated tiers or confusing rules.
- Discount for referrals: Friends receive 10% off, making it easier to spread the word and boost brand advocacy.
- Easy participation: Just sign up, share a unique link, and start earning.
9. Casper
Casper, a sleep company, keeps it straightforward with its referral program. Customers get a 30% discount for referring a friend, and the referred person gets the same discount too.
Why does it work? Casper keeps it simple and effective:
- Clean design: Their referral email is minimal, with a clear call to action.
- Easy participation: A simple referral link makes sharing effortless.
- Dual incentives: Both referrer and referee benefit, encouraging participation.
10. Great Jones
Another great referral marketing example is from Great Jones, an ecommerce brand known for their stylish cookware. They offer a $20 off coupon on the new shopper’s first purchase and a $20 discount to the referrer once the referral is successful.
Why does it work? Great Jones maintaining their branding across the program’s copy and visuals:
- Engaging design: A food-themed background makes the referral page visually appealing.
- Personalized copy: The use of “pals” instead of “friends” adds their brand voice to the program.
- Catchy CTA: “Cook, host, earn” makes the program feel more immersive, than simply being told to “Sign Up”.
11. The Sill
The Sill is a modern plant store that offers a curated selection of live and artificial plants, accessories, and planters, with a mission to make plants more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Their referral program gives both parties $10 off their next purchase, making it a win-win.
Why does it work?
- Strong visuals: A well-optimized landing page with effective color contrast.
- Simple messaging: “Give $10, Get $10” is clear and to the point.
- Seamless process: A single-step email entry makes joining effortless.
12. MOO
MOO is an online print and design company that specializes in creating high-quality, expertly crafted print, promotional materials, and branded merchandise.
Their referral program is designed for both individuals and businesses, making it accessible to a wide audience. Customers can choose between two referral options:
- Refer-a-friend: The referrer gets a $20 MOO gift card, and their friend gets 25% off their first order.
- Refer-a-business: Known as a B2B referral, the referrer earns $150 per confirmed subscriber, while the referred business gets access to MOO’s business-specific tools, templates, bulk discounts, and dedicated account management.
Why does it work? MOO has a thorough approach to their referral program, offering multiple opportunities for customers to refer.
- Dual programs: Options for both individuals and businesses expands participation.
- Clear benefits: The landing page outlines rewards upfront, reducing confusion.
- User-friendly design: The clean layout makes it easy to navigate.
13. MeUndies
MeUndies, an underwear brand, offers a simple and rewarding customer referral program. Customers who have purchased before can invite friends and earn $25 when their friend makes a purchase.
Why does it work? MeUndies makes customers eager to be a part of their referral program
- Exclusive to current customers: This encourages loyal customers to spread the word.
- Low spending requirement: A $12 minimum makes participation accessible.
- Straightforward rewards: A flat $25 payout keeps things simple.
14. ASOS
ASOS, known for their fashion-forward approach, runs a two-sided referral program where both the referrer and the referee receive a 20% discount.
Why does it work?
- Strong incentive: 20% off everything encourages customers to refer.
- User-generated content: ASOS integrates referrals with social media, increasing reach.
- Seamless sign-up: Customers can register and get their referral link in just a few clicks.
15. Cult Beauty
Cult Beauty’s referral program rewards both the referrer and the referred friend with £5 off on their first order of £25 or more.
Why does it work?
- Limited invites: Creating exclusivity makes referrals more valuable.
- Easy sharing: A simple referral link increases participation.
- Proven engagement: With over 2 million Instagram followers, referrals are integrated with influencer and affiliate marketing.
Ready to launch a high-impact customer referral program?
While these 15 brands had their own approach, a few factors stayed the same:
- Brands reward both the existing customer and the new referral.
- The incentives are clear and often the same for both parties—“Give $20, Get $20”— to keep it simple.
- Sign-up and sharing the referral link is as easy as a few clicks.
- The landing page about the referral program has all the information customers need to get started.
For many ecommerce brands, the challenge of building a successful referral program is in the tool they use. This is where Social Snowball helps.
With automated sign-ups, referral tracking, and built-in reward distribution, you can seamlessly convert buyers into brand advocates. The platform also gives you a detailed dashboard, letting you track and optimize your referral program to acquire new customers effectively.
The affiliate and referral marketing tool is designed to deliver a frictionless experience for both you and your customers, helping you scale word-of-mouth marketing with ease.
Frequently asked questions
1. How to create a referral program?
You need a referral program software like Social Snowball. Once set up, customers can refer family and friends to earn commissions for successful referrals. The software also tracks key performance metrics, such as the total number of referrals, revenue per referrer, and average order value (AOV) to help measure your referral program’s success.
2. What is the best referral reward for incentives?
The best referral reward depends on your business model. You can offer store credits, cash rewards, discounts, or premium services. For most ecommerce businesses, a discount on the referrer’s next order o cash rewards work best—typically, a 10-20% revenue share or a fixed cash incentive per sale.
You can also set up tiered rewards for your referral incentives, such as giving a discount for the first five referrals and switching to cash rewards for subsequent referrals.
3. What's the most effective way to get customer referrals?
The most effective way to get customer referrals is by running a referral program that rewards customers for sharing your brand. Promote it through social media, email, and SMS, making it easy for customers to participate. Social Snowball automates this by automatically turning customers into referrers, giving them a shareable referral link on the Thank You page, boosting engagement and conversion rate.
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