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3 steps to build your referral program

Step 1 🎁 — Set your referral rewards Step 2 📣 — Choose how customers can share referrals Step 3 🛍️ — Choose where referred friends land

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Step 1: Set your referral rewards

Choose the reward your referring customer receives and the offer their referred friend receives.

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Where to update

Configure your referral rewards in Smile Admin: Program → Referrals

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Set rewards for the referring customer and referred friend

Your referral program includes two rewards:
  • Referring customer reward: Issued to your existing customer after their referred friend completes a purchase.
  • Referred friend reward: Given to the referred friend to use on their first purchase.
Keep the value of these rewards equal, even if you use different reward types for each. If you’re also running a points program, we recommend using points for the referring customer reward. For a referral-only program, use a dollar amount discount instead.

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Aim for 10–20% of your average order value

Aim for a referral reward value of 10–20% of your average order value (AOV), rounded to the nearest $5. For example, if your AOV is $100, your referral rewards could be valued between $10 and $20.

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Set a minimum purchase amount

Consider setting a minimum purchase amount for the referred friend’s discount to help balance the value of the reward with the amount they spend.

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Protect your referral program

Smile automatically flags and blocks referrals with a high risk of fraud. For additional protection, you can lock a referred friend’s discount code to their account.

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Step 2: Choose how customers can share referrals

Once you’ve set your referral rewards, choose how customers can share their referral offer.

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Where to update

Configure referral sharing in Smile Admin: Program → Referrals

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Choose your sharing options

Customers can share referrals through:
  • Facebook and X for public sharing
  • Email for private sharing
On mobile devices, customers can also use their device’s native sharing options, including WhatsApp, iMessage, and Messenger, without additional setup.

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Customize your referral message

Customize the message customers share with their referral link. Lead with the value the referred friend will receive, make it clear what your store offers, and use personal language. You can also customize the preview that appears when customers share their referral link.

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Step 3: Choose where referred friends land

Choose the page referred friends see when they follow a referral link.

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Where to update

Configure your referral landing page in Smile Admin: Program → Referrals

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Choose a relevant landing page

By default, referral links direct referred friends to your store’s homepage. You can change this to another page in your store. Choose a page that helps new customers discover what your store has to offer, such as a collection of bestsellers or new arrivals.