This article explains the differences between the codes used in the Advocate program. There are three main codes:
Referral codes - Mainly used as an attribution method
Coupon codes - Mainly used as a participant and referral reward
Promo codes - Mainly used for both attribution and reward in one
When a user is registered in the system they are provided a unique referral code. This code typically comes in the form of FIRSTNAMELASTNAME, such as JOHNDOE. By default the referral code is shown in the referral widget right underneath the main text.
The referral code provides a simple method for users to connect with your referral program. They are relatively short human-readable codes, which users can share with their friends and family. People are familiar with the concept of a coupon code so using referral codes as part of your referral program can make the process easier to understand.
Referral codes do not provide a reward to the referred friend, they are only used for attribution. Learn more about Advocate Program Sharing Options.
Example: When a referred friend visits your site they are prompted to fill out a form to request a demo, with the option to input a referral code they received from the advocate.
Coupon codes can be incorporated into your program widget or microsite, and used to reward your participants and any friends they refer.
The Fuel Tank Rewards feature streamlines the process of handing out rewards using unique coupon codes. Your program participants can redeem these codes for discounts, credits, and other reward types.
Coupon codes can be added, deleted or managed through your impact.com account. View our Set Up a Fuel Tank Rewards article to learn more on how to do so. You can also track which coupon has been given to which program participant, and cancel their reward if needed.
Example: When a referred friend lands on your website and enters their information into the Friend Widget, they receive a coupon code for 20% off their order which they can apply at checkout. This coupon code is unique to the referred friend and can only be used once.
Promo Codes are values that a consumer uses to receive some form of discount when generating an order. These differ from Coupon Codes in that they can also be used to attribute a referral. If a promo code is entered by a consumer during the checkout process, the promo code value can be passed to impact.com as part of the conversion data. impact.com can then use promo code values as a method to track conversion events back to a specific advocate.
Referral Promo Codes are a great way to condense the attribution and reward into one step at the start of the referral process. The promo codes are presented by customer advocates to referred friends and offer a discount. Once the referred friend uses their promo code upon checkout, the code is attributed to the customer advocate, who gets rewarded in turn.
Referral promo codes for your advocates require you to upload promo codes in your program rules. They can be set to either Multi-use or One-time use. With One-time use codes, an advocate can have a number of unique codes assigned to them. The advocate is automatically given another promo code when one that they had, was used.
Example: Each of your advocates have 5 one-time use promo codes assigned to them. When an advocate shares one of their codes with a friend, the friend can input the referral promo code at checkout to receive a discount on their purchase. The referral is then attributed to the advocate based on the promo code that was entered.
