The Referral Landing Experience

What new members see when they click a referral link.

When someone clicks a referral link, they don't go straight to a signup form. Instead, they see a carefully designed landing page that explains the benefits and encourages them to join.

The Landing Page

The referral landing page creates a welcoming first impression with:

Personal Touch

• Referrer's name displayed prominently: "Sarah invited you!"

• Creates trust through personal connection

• Shows this is a genuine recommendation, not an ad

Welcome Bonus

• The referee's bonus points are highlighted

• Clear explanation of what they'll receive

• Creates immediate value perception

Business Branding

• Club logo and colors (if configured)

• Feels like part of the business, not a generic platform

• Builds brand familiarity before the member even joins

Clear Call-to-Action

• "Join Now" button leads to registration

• "Already a member?" link for existing users

• Simple, focused path to conversion

Link Structure

Referral links use a short, clean format:

Short link: https://rewards.domain.com/r/AB12CD

When clicked, this redirects to a localized version:

Full link: https://rewards.domain.com/en-us/r/AB12CD

The locale is detected automatically based on the visitor's browser settings.

What Happens When Links Are Clicked

The system handles different scenarios:

For New Visitors (Not Logged In)

1. Land on the branded landing page

2. See the referrer's name and welcome bonus

3. Click "Join Now" to register

4. Complete registration (email, verification code)

5. Referral is automatically tracked—no code to enter

6. Redirected to member dashboard with the referee's card added

7. See message: "Make your first purchase to unlock your bonus"

For Existing Members (Logged In)

If someone clicks a referral link while already logged in:

1. System checks if they can be referred

2. If eligible: Creates pending referral, redirects to referral dashboard

3. If self-referral: Shows message "You cannot refer yourself"

4. If already referred: Shows message "You've already been referred to this program"

Note: Logged-in members skip the landing page entirely—they're redirected immediately with an appropriate message.

For Invalid or Expired Links

If something's wrong with the referral:

• Code doesn't exist — "This referral link is no longer valid" + redirect to registration

• Program disabled — "This referral program is currently disabled" + redirect to registration

In both cases, the visitor can still sign up normally—they just won't get the referral bonus.

After Signup

Once the new member registers via a referral link:

Immediate Effects

• Pending referral created — Links the new member to the referrer

• Card auto-added — The referee's loyalty card appears in their My Cards

• Welcome message — Explains they'll earn bonus points on first purchase

• Status visible — Referrer sees "Pending" in their referral list

What the New Member Sees

Their dashboard shows:

• The loyalty card they were referred to

• A note about the pending welcome bonus

• Normal functionality—they can browse, collect more cards, etc.

Completing the Referral

The referral stays "pending" until the new member earns points:

1. New member visits the business

2. Shows QR code at checkout

3. Staff awards points for their purchase

4. System detects this is their first transaction

5. Welcome bonus is added automatically

6. Referrer's bonus is awarded simultaneously

7. Both receive email notifications

Mobile Experience

The landing page is optimized for mobile since most referrals come from messaging apps:

• Full-width layout — Easy to read on small screens

• Large tap targets — Big buttons that are easy to press

• Fast loading — Minimal assets for quick display

• Native share support — If they want to share further

Conversion Best Practices

The landing page is designed to maximize signups:

Trust Signals

• Personal name creates social proof

• Business branding adds legitimacy

• Clear value proposition (bonus points)

Friction Reduction

• No code to copy/paste—everything is automatic

• Simple registration (just email + verification)

• Immediate value after signup

Clear Next Steps

• Obvious call-to-action

• Alternative path for existing members

• No dead ends or confusion

Privacy Considerations

The landing page respects privacy:

• Only shows the referrer's first name

• No email or contact info exposed

• New member's info isn't revealed to the referrer

• First name only shown in referrer's activity list

Troubleshooting

"The page shows an error"

The referral code might be invalid. Ask the referrer to:

1. Double-check they copied the full link

2. Reshare from their referral dashboard

3. Try the short code format: /r/AB12CD

"I already have an account but clicked a link"

If you're logged in:

• The referral is applied automatically if you're eligible

• You can't be referred if you've already used this program

• Self-referrals are blocked

"I signed up but don't see the bonus"

The bonus is awarded on your first purchase, not at signup. Visit the business, earn points, and the bonus will appear in your transaction history.

Related Topics

• Referral Program Overview — How referrals work

• Sharing & Earning — How referrers share links

• Setting Up Referrals — Partner configuration

• Collecting Cards — Adding cards to your wallet