In the world of marketing and e-commerce, a referral code is a unique alphanumeric code assigned to an individual to share with their network. Essentially, it serves as a way to track and reward existing customers for referring new customers to a business.
App | Earnings per Referral | Notes |
Rakuten | $25 | Earn bonuses when your friend makes a qualifying purchase |
Uber/Uber Eats | Varies (typically a credit) | Credits earned when your friend completes their first ride or order |
Airbnb | $75 (host), $25 (guest) | Host earns $75 when a referred friend rents out their place; traveler earns $25 when referred friend travels |
TaskRabbit | $20 | Earn credits when your friend completes their first task |
DoorDash | Up to $300 | Bonuses earned after friend meets delivery requirements |
BeFrugal | $10 | Both you and your friend earn $10 once your friend earns $10 in cash back |
Ibotta | $10 | Bonuses earned after friend redeems their first offer |
Fetch Rewards | $1.50 | Both you and your friend earn points when friend scans their first receipt |
Boom Gift | 30% of friends’ earnings | Earn a percentage of your friends’ earnings |
Opinion Bureau | $1 | Rewards earned when friends sign up and participate |
It operates as a powerful tool for businesses looking to leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing.
Ref Code Vs Invitation Code
Many people often confuse referral codes with invitation codes. While they may seem similar, there is a key difference between the two. Referral codes are typically used by existing customers to refer new customers to a business, whereas invitation codes are more general and can be used for inviting people to join a platform or app without any direct benefit.
How Does a Referral Code Work?
When an existing customer shares their referral code with a friend or family member, and that person makes a purchase or signs up using the code, both parties usually receive a benefit. This can be in the form of discounts, freebies, cashback, or any other incentive that the business offers as a reward for successful referrals.
Top 10 Refer and Earn + Step-by-Step Earning Steps
Here are ten popular “refer and earn” apps in the USA, along with an introduction and steps to earn through each:
- Rakuten (formerly Ebates):
- Introduction: Rakuten Refer and earn is a cash-back and shopping rewards app where users can earn cash back on their purchases from various retailers.
- Earnings: $25 for each referral.
- Steps:
- Sign up for Rakuten and get your unique referral link.
- Share the link with friends.
- You and your friend earn bonuses when your friend makes a qualifying purchase through Rakuten.
- Uber/Uber Eats:
- Introduction: Uber is a ride-hailing service, and Uber Eats delivers food from local restaurants to your door.
- Earnings: Varies; typically a ride or delivery credit.
- Steps:
- Open the Uber or Uber Eats app.
- Go to the referral section and copy your unique code.
- Share the code with friends.
- Earn credits when your friend completes their first ride or order.
- Airbnb:
- Introduction: Airbnb is a platform for booking accommodations and experiences around the world.
- Earnings: $75 when a referred friend rents out their place and $25 when they travel.
- Steps:
- Get your referral link from the Airbnb app.
- Share it with friends via social media or email.
- Earn travel credits when your friend completes qualifying activities.
- TaskRabbit:
- Introduction: TaskRabbit connects users with local freelancers (Taskers) to help with everyday tasks such as cleaning, moving, and handyman work.
- Earnings: $20 for both you and your friend.
- Steps:
- Refer friends using your unique link found in the TaskRabbit app.
- Share the link through social media or direct messages.
- Earn credits when your friend completes their first task.
- DoorDash:
- Introduction: DoorDash is a food delivery service that partners with local restaurants to bring meals to your door.
- Earnings: Up to $300 per referral.
- Steps:
- Share your referral link from the DoorDash app.
- Your friend must sign up and complete a certain number of deliveries.
- Earn bonuses after your friend meets the delivery requirements.
- BeFrugal:
- Introduction: BeFrugal is a cash-back and coupon site that offers deals and discounts from over 5,000 retailers.
- Earnings: $10 for each referral.
- Steps:
- Use the BeFrugal app to get your referral link.
- Share the link with friends.
- Both you and your friend receive a $10 bonus once your friend earns $10 in cash back.
- Ibotta:
- Introduction: Ibotta is a cash-back app that offers rewards for grocery shopping and other retail purchases.
- Earnings: $10 per referral.
- Steps:
- Open the Ibotta app and find your referral code.
- Share the code with friends via social media or messages.
- You and your friend earn bonuses after your friend redeems their first offer.
- Fetch Rewards:
- Introduction: Fetch Rewards is a receipt-scanning app that rewards users for buying specific items and brands.
- Earnings: $1.50 per referral.
- Steps:
- Share your referral code from the Fetch Rewards app.
- Your friend signs up and scans their first receipt.
- Both you and your friend earn points.
- Boom Gift:
- Introduction: Boom Gift pays users to download and try out new apps, offering high referral bonuses.
- Earnings: 30% of your friends’ earnings.
- Steps:
- Share your referral code with friends.
- Friends earn by downloading and using apps.
- You earn a percentage of their earnings.
- Opinion Bureau:
- Introduction: Opinion Bureau is a survey platform where users can earn money by participating in surveys and polls.
- Earnings: $1 per referral.
- Steps:
- Share your referral link from the Opinion Bureau site.
- Friends sign up and start using the platform.
- You earn rewards for each friend who joins and participates.
How To Create Referral Links For Your Customers
Creating referral links for your customers is a relatively simple process that can yield significant results. By following these steps, you can effectively generate referral codes to share with your audience:
- Identify the platform or tool you will use to create the referral links
- Customize the link with a unique code or identifier
- Share the link with your customers through various channels such as email, social media, or SMS
- Monitor and track the performance of your referral links to optimize your strategy
Customer Review of Referral Code
Customer reviews of referral codes are overwhelmingly positive as they mutually benefit the referrer and the referee. Customers appreciate the opportunity to save money or earn rewards by simply sharing a code with their network. It fosters a sense of community and loyalty among customers while driving new business for the company.
FAQ
Q: Can I use my referral code to get rewards?
A: It depends on the terms and conditions set by the company. Some businesses allow self-referrals, while others have strict policies against it.
Q: How long is a referral code valid for?
A: The validity of a referral code varies from company to company. Some codes may expire after a certain period, while others may have no expiration date.
Q: Can I share my referral code on social media?
A: Yes, most companies encourage customers to share their referral codes on social media to reach a wider audience and maximize their rewards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, referral codes are a win-win strategy for businesses and customers alike. They serve as a powerful marketing tool to drive customer acquisition while rewarding existing customers for their loyalty and advocacy. By creating effective referral links and leveraging the potential benefits, businesses can tap into the vast potential of referral marketing to grow their customer base and boost sales. Start sharing your referral code today and watch your rewards multiply!