50 Best Referral Program Examples That Actually Work

Crafting a winning referral program is no small feat. It requires a delicate balance of referral rewards, needs to be simple for people to use, offer them something tempting to get involved with, and keep them interested over time.

But how do you create a referral program that ticks all these boxes? And more importantly, where do you find the inspiration to ensure your referral program stands out?

You’re in the right place. We’ve handpicked 50 best referral program examples and key ideas to show you how to set up a referral program that gets results. Let’s dive in.

What is a Referral Program?

A referral program is a powerful referral marketing strategy for businesses to get more customers by encouraging their current customers to tell their friends, family, or coworkers about their products or services.

In the referral program, both the person who tells others (the referrer) and the new customer who joins because of that recommendation (the referee) get exciting rewards out of it. This could be a discount, a free item, or some special service just for them. It’s a deal that benefits everyone involved.

Why Do You Need a Customer Referral Program?

You need a referral program chiefly to expand your customer base by acquiring customers through referrals and reward them for doing so.

Here are more reasons why you need a referral program.

• People trust friends: When your friend tells you about a great product, you’re more likely to try it. A referral program helps spread the word about your business in the same way.
• Saves money: Instead of spending lots on ads, you can give rewards to customers who bring in new people. It’s like paying for ads but cheaper and more effective.
• Grows your business faster: With happy customers telling others, more and more people get to know about your business quickly. It’s a speedy way to get more people interested.
• Improves product awareness: Through referrals, more people learn about your products or services in a positive context, increasing overall awareness.

50 Best Referral Program Examples

1. ASOS

Referee reward: 20% Discount on first order
Referrer reward: 20% Discount

Strategy: ASOS implemented a dual-benefit referral program, offering 20% discount to both the referrer and the referee. This approach incentivized current customers to bring in new shoppers, expanding their customer base.

Outcome: The referral program led to a noticeable boost in customer acquisition and retention, making it an excellent example of an effective referral program strategy in the fashion industry.

2. Blenders

Referee reward: $30 discount on first order over $50
Referee reward: $30 (in points)

Strategy: Blenders launched a eyewear referral program where both received special discounts on their next purchase after their visitor made a qualifying purchase.

Outcome: This strategy effectively drove repeat purchases and attracted new customers, showcasing a successful referral program example in the global retail industry.

3. Bonobos

Referee reward: 25% discount on first purchase
Referrer reward: 25% discount on next purchase

Strategy: Bonobos, a men’s clothing retailer, implemented a refer-a-friend program where both the referrer and the new customer received a significant discount of 25% on their purchases.

Outcome: The program led to an increase in loyal customers and repeat purchases, establishing it as one of the best customer referral program examples in the men’s fashion industry.

4. Boohoo

Referee reward: 15% discount on first purchase
Referrer reward: 15% discount on next purchase

Strategy: Boohoo, a trendy fashion retailer, adopted a refer a friend program that offered 15% discount to both the referrer and referee, with an added bonus if the referee spent over a certain amount.

Outcome: This strategy effectively attracted a younger, price-sensitive audience, boosting online sales and making Boohoo a notable example of successful referral programs in fast fashion.

5. WearPACT

Referee reward: 20% off on first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 credit

Strategy: WearPACT’s referral program stands out as a great ecommerce referral program example, offering a 20% discount to new customers and a $20 credit to those who refer them. This makes it appealing for existing customers to introduce new ones to the brand.

Outcome: This approach significantly increased WearPACT’s online sales, illustrating an effective referral program strategy

6. Honour Clothing

Referee reward: £10 gift card
Referrer reward: £10 gift card

Strategy: Honour Clothing’s refer-a-friend program chose a straightforward approach, rewarding both the referee and referrer with gift cards.

Outcome: Honour Clothing saw a noticeable boost in customer engagement and online sales, making it a perfect example of a referral incentive program.

7. Sanctuary Clothing

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 off on the successful referral

Strategy: Sanctuary Clothing’s referral program directly targets increasing the purchasing power of both new and existing customers. They focused on equal benefits on both sides.

Outcome: The referral program led to a win-win situation. Sanctuary Clothing not only expanded its customer base but also ensured that existing customers had a reason to come back.

8. Primary

Referee reward: 25% off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: 20% off on the successful referral

Strategy: Primary’s referral system sets up a tiered benefit model, giving new customers a higher discount than the existing customers.

Outcome: This likely resulted in a significant influx of new customers, driven by the attractive discount, and simultaneously rewarded existing customers in a way that encouraged loyalty.

9. Goodlife

Referee reward: $50 off on the first purchase over $100
Referrer reward: $50 credit

Strategy: Goodlife’s referral program sets a higher bar with its $50 off on first purchases over $100 and a matching $50 credit for the referrer. This is an excellent example of a referral program that targets higher order values.

Outcome: This high-value incentive program successfully attracted customers willing to spend more, significantly boosting Goodlife’s online sales.

10. Toad&co

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase over $100+
Referrer reward: $20 (in rewards points

Strategy: Toad&Co’s referral program is designed to attract customers willing to spend a bit more by setting a minimum purchase amount, while also rewarding the referrer with points.

Outcome: This strategy not only increased the customer base but also encouraged a higher initial spend, enhancing overall revenue.

11. Ruti

Referee reward: $50 off on the first purchase over $100+
Referrer reward: $50 on successful referral

Strategy: Ruti’s refer-a-friend program offers a generous discount for both parties, with a minimum purchase requirement.

Outcome: Likely, Ruti saw an uptick in both new and repeat customers, with the high-value incentive driving both initial purchases and encouraging existing customers to engage more with the brand.

12. P.E Nation

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 on successful referral

Strategy: P.E Nation’s referral program offers a straightforward discount to both sides. This creates an easy-to-understand incentive for customers.

Outcome: This simple yet effective strategy helped P.E Nation grow its customer base while maintaining strong relationships with the customers.

13. VersedSkin

Referee reward: 15% discount on the first order
Referrer reward: 150 points that is worth of $15

Strategy: VersedSkin’s Refer-a-friend program cleverly incorporates their significant discounts for both new and referring customers, creating a strong incentive for purchases and referrals.

Outcome: This program shines as a great example of a loyalty-based referral program in the skincare industry. It shows how sharing products through word-of-mouth can really boost sales.

14. The Body Shop

Referee reward: £10 off
Referrer reward: 20% off

Strategy: The Body Shop introduced a customer referral program where both the referrer and the new customer received discounts on eco-friendly beauty products.

Outcome: This approach not only increased sales but also reinforced The Body Shop’s commitment to environmental responsibility, making it an effective referral program example in the beauty industry.

15. MAC Cosmetics

Referee reward: Receives referral incentives
Referrer reward: discount on a future eligible purchase

Strategy: MAC Cosmetics’s referral program stands out as a brilliant example in the beauty industry. Aimed at their loyal customers, this referral program offered unique incentives and discounts.

Outcome: By rewarding referrals with unique discounts, they fostered a sense of exclusivity and community among their customers, making it one of the most effective referral program examples in the luxury beauty sector.

16. Kiehl’s

Referee reward: $10 off & 5 complimentary samples on first order
Referrer reward: $20 off on next order

Strategy: Kiehl’s, a leader in skincare products, launched an innovative referral program where both the referrer and the referee received complimentary skincare samples along with discounts on their next purchase.

Outcome: Kiehl’s referral program effectively increased brand loyalty and customer base, as participants eagerly engaged for the dual benefit of discounts and high-quality skincare samples.

Kiehl’s has set a benchmark in the best customer referral program examples with its dual benefit strategy of discounts and samples.

17. Face the Future

Referee rewards: £10 discount
Referrer rewards: 1000 points

Strategy: Face the Future’s refer-a-friend program mutually segmented the discounts and loyalty points for both advocate and friend.

Outcome: This strategy not only drove sales but also built a strong community around the brand, making it an exemplary case of ecommerce referral program examples in the beauty industry.

18. Murad Skincare

Referee reward: $10 off on the first purchase over $50
Referrer reward: $10 off on successful referral

Strategy: Murad Skincare rewards both the friend who’s referred and the person doing the referring with $10 off, encouraging sharing among friends.

Outcome: More people bought skincare products, boosting Murad’s sales and customer base.

19. Sonage

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 off on successful referral

Strategy: Sonage’s referral program offers a generous $20 off for both new customers and those who refer them, making an equal benefit.

Outcome: The substantial discount motivates increased the number of first-time purchases making Sonage a go-to for beauty enthusiasts.

20. The Beauty Chef

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 off on successful referral

Strategy: The Beauty Chef matches the referral incentive for both parties, offering a $20 discount to encourage sharing and trying their products.

Outcome: The brand saw a spike in orders, because of the appealing savings on both sides.

21. Jane Iredale

Referee reward: $30 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $30 off on successful referral which is equal to 600 beauty reward points.

Strategy: Jane Iredale’s unique twist gives $30 off to newbies and equivalent points to the referrer, blending discounts with loyalty rewards.

Outcome: This mix of savings and rewards got more people talking and shopping, expanding their community.

22. Beauty Bio

Referee reward: $25 off on the first purchase over $50+
Referrer reward: $25 off on successful referral

Strategy: Beauty Bio encourages larger purchases by offering $25 off on orders over $50 for both the new customer and the referrer.

Outcome: This led to bigger sales and more customers diving into Beauty Bio’s product line.

23. Bonjout Beauty

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 off on successful referral

Strategy: Bonjout Beauty’s refer-a-friend program keeps it simple with $20 off for both the friend referred and the one doing the referring.

Outcome: Their straightforward approach resulted in a boost in customer numbers and overall sales.

24. Credo Beauty

Referee reward: $10 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $10 off on successful referral

Strategy: Credo Beauty’s strategy focuses on giving a $10 discount to both the new customer and the referrer, making it easy to spread the word.

Outcome: This approach helped grow Credo’s community, leading to more people trying out their beauty products.

25. Muscle Food

Referee rewards: 4 x 125g Chicken Breasts as a freebie
Referrer rewards: 500 loyalty points

Strategy: The Muscle Food Referral Program allows existing customers to refer friends and family. Typically, both the referrer and the referred individual receive a discount or freebie on their next order once the new customer completes their first purchase.

Outcome: One of the successful referral programs examples in the online food delivery industry, Muscle Food’s strategy resulted in significant growth in both its customer satisfaction and order frequency.

26. Blue Apron

Referrer reward: Referral Credits towards future eligible orders for meal subscription.

Strategy: Blue Apron’s referral program encouraged existing customers to invite friends to try their meal kits. In return, both the referrer and referee received discounts on their next purchase.

Outcome: This approach not only increased sales but also introduced new customers to the joy of cooking with Blue Apron, making it a notable example of a successful referral program in the culinary industry.

27. NatureBox

Referee reward: SnackPasses starting from 10-25 and goes higher like 26-50, 51-100, 100+.
Referrer reward: NatureBox Credit starting from $25 and goes higher like $50, $100, $250.

Strategy: NatureBox, specializing in healthy snacks, offered a unique referral incentive program where referrers earned snack credits for each new subscriber they brought in.

Outcome: The program successfully increased subscription numbers, demonstrating how referral programs can be particularly effective for subscription-based e-commerce businesses.
Also, as one of the most successful referral programs examples, NatureBox’s approach effectively tapped into the growing market of health-conscious consumers.

28. Daile

Referee reward: RM50 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: RM50 off on successful referral

Strategy: Daile’s referral program makes joining their wellness community more tempting by offering RM50 off for both the new shopper and the one who referred them.

Outcome: This approach increased Daile’s customer base, making more people choose them for their wellness needs.

29. Optimum Nutrition

Referee reward: £10 off on the first purchase over £50
Referrer reward: £10 off on successful referral

Strategy: Optimum Nutrition fuels fitness journeys by giving £10 off to both the new customer and their friend who refers them, for purchases over £50.

Outcome: This deal got more fitness enthusiasts on board, boosting sales and spreading the brand’s reach.

30. Habbit

Referee reward: 40% off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: 25% of referee’s net spend in the form of points.

Strategy: Habbit rewards new users with 40% off, and the referrer gets 25% of what the new customer spends, in points.

Outcome: This unique approach led to more people trying Habbit, increasing both sales and customer engagement.

31. Once Upon A Farm Organics

Referee reward: $20 off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: $20 off on successful referral which is equal to 400 seeds (seeds refers to loyalty points).

Strategy: Once Upon A Farm gives $20 off for both the referrer and the friend, with the referrer also earning loyalty points (“seeds”).

Outcome: This strategy helped grow their family-friendly brand, with more parents buying their organic products.

32. MegaFood

Referee reward: $30 in rewards for the spend up to $50+
Referrer reward: $30 off on successful referral

Strategy: MegaFood offers a hefty $30 reward for both parties, encouraging purchases over $50 and sharing among health-conscious circles.

Outcome: This generous offer led to an uptick in new customers and repeat purchases, expanding MegaFood’s community.

33. The Sports Edit

Referrer rewards: £15 discount on first order over £75
Referee rewards: £15 discount for successful referral

Strategy: The Sports Edit’s refer-a-friend program revolved around offering exclusive discounts for both the advocate and friend. This unique approach went beyond traditional monetary incentives.

Outcome: The program enhanced brand loyalty and community engagement, positioning ‘The Sports Edit’ as a leader in customer referral program examples within the sports apparel sector.

34. Peloton

Referee reward: Up to $100 towards accessories purchased with the Hardware.
Referrer reward: Up to $100 off on next apparel purchase

Strategy: Peloton, known for its high-end fitness equipment, launched a referral program offering accessories for successful referrals.

Outcome: This strategy not only boosted sales but also helped build a strong customer engagement around the Peloton brand, showcasing an excellent example of a referral program.

Peloton’s referral program is often cited among the best customer referral program examples, particularly in the fitness industry.

35. Kalmarlifestyle

Referee reward: 20% off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: 20% off on successful referral

Strategy: Kalmarlifestyle hooks up both the new buyer and the friend who referred them with a sweet 20% off.

Outcome: This led to a wave of new customers and repeat purchases, boosting Kalmarlifestyle’s popularity and sales.

36. Life botanics

Referee reward: $10 off on the first purchase of $100+
Referrer reward: $10 in loyalty points on a successful referral

Strategy: Life Botanics gives a $10 discount for first-time purchases over $100 and rewards the referrer with $10 in loyalty points.

Outcome: Encouraging bigger first-time buys and rewarding loyalty, Life Botanics saw an increase in both new and loyal customers.

37. Life Fitness

Referee reward: 15% off on the first purchase
Referrer reward: 15% off on a successful referral

Strategy: Life Fitness offers a healthy 15% off for both newcomers and those who bring them in, promoting fitness and friendship.

Outcome: This approach helped Life Fitness to attract fitness enthusiasts, growing their community and sales.

38. Kleankanteen

Referee reward: $10 off on the first purchase of $50
Referrer reward: $10 in loyalty points on a successful referral

Strategy: Klean Kanteen encourages eco-conscious shopping with $10 off a $50 purchase for new customers and loyalty points for the referrer.

Outcome: This boosted Klean Kanteen’s customer base, promoting sustainability and loyalty among eco-friendly shoppers.

39. Everlane

Referrer reward: $25 credit

Strategy: Everlane, known for its transparent pricing and ethical fashion, implemented an effective referral program where customers could earn credits for each new customer they brought in.

Outcome: This program helped boost Everlane’s customer base and reinforced its brand values, positioning it among the best customer referral program examples in the fashion sector.

Among the eCommerce referral program examples, Everlane’s strategy stands out for its simplicity and effectiveness.

40. Bed Bath & Beyond

Referee reward: 1000 loyalty points worth of $10 on the first purchase
Referrer reward: 1000 loyalty points worth of $10 on a successful referral

Strategy: Bed Bath & Beyond rewards both the new customer and the referrer with 1000 loyalty points, turning shopping into a rewarding experience.

Outcome: This loyalty-focused approach helped increase both new and repeat visits.

41. Our Place

Referee reward: £20 off on the first purchase of £100+
Referrer reward: 200 loyalty points worth of £20 on a successful referral

Strategy: Our Place’s referral program provides £20 off on first buys over £100 and matches this with £20 worth of points for the referrer, blending savings with rewards.

Outcome: This strategy attracted more home cooks looking for quality kitchenware, enhancing customer loyalty and sales.

42. Fellowproducts

Referee reward: None
Referrer reward: 15% off

Strategy: Fellow Products refer-a-friend program offers a 15% discount only to the person who refers to a friend.

Outcome: This approach focused on rewarding existing customers, potentially increasing their loyalty.

43. FabFitFun

Referee reward: $20 USD off of the seasonal Membership
Referrer reward: $15 USD in promotional credit

Strategy: FabFitFun’s referral program offered existing subscribers exclusive $100 in promotional credit for referring new subscribers. The new subscribers also receive a $20 discount in their seasonal membership.

Outcome: This referral incentive program example successfully increased subscription numbers and enhanced customer loyalty, showcasing best referral strategies in the lifestyle and beauty box market.

FabFitFun’s approach is a prime example of how eCommerce businesses can leverage refer-a-friend programs to enhance customer engagement and acquisition.

44. Eufy

Referrer reward: $40 cash for each order placed by referee, and get $80 for any order placed on the 22nd of each month. The order must be $200+.

Referrer reward: none

Strategy: Eufy rewards referees with cash, offering a higher bonus for orders on the 22nd of each month, incentivizing both timing and spending.

Outcome: This unique timing and high cash reward increased order sizes and attracted customers looking for smart home products on specific dates.

45. Genuine Fred

Referee reward: $10 off on first order of $40+
Referrer reward: $10 off for the successful referral

Strategy: Genuinefred gives a straightforward $10 off on orders over $40 for both the referee and referrer, encouraging initial and repeat purchases.

Outcome: This led to more people trying out Genuinefred’s quirky products, growing their customer base and sales.

46. Tweezerman

Referee reward: $5 off on the next purchase of $50
Referrer reward: $5 on successful referral

Strategy: Tweezerman keeps it simple with a $5 discount for both parties, aimed at encouraging loyalty and bringing in new customers on higher-priced items.

Outcome: This strategy boosted repeat purchases and attracted new customers looking for quality beauty tools.

47. Caraway

Referee reward: 15% off on first order
Referrer reward: 15% off for the successful referral

Strategy: Caraway offers a mutual 15% off for both the new customer and the referrer, making it attractive to share and shop.

Outcome: This encouraged sharing among those interested in eco-friendly kitchenware, increasing both the number of customers and order values.

48. Nuki

Referee reward: 10% off on first order
Referrer reward: Exciting rewards for the successful referral

Strategy: Nuki provides a 10% discount for new customers and offers exciting rewards for those who refer, adding a sense of mystery and anticipation.

Outcome: This strategy attracted new customers and also kept existing ones engaged and curious about their rewards, boosting referral sales.

49. Ashley

Referee reward: $50 off on first order
Referrer reward: $50 for the successful referral

Strategy: Ashley’s refer-a-friend program kept it simple with a $50 off for both referee and referrer.

Outcome: Likewise, direct and simple approach attracted many people to participate in the referral program.

50. Lovesac

Referee reward: $100 off on first order
Referrer reward: $100 for the successful referral

Strategy: Lovesac’s referral program concentrated on the mutual benefit with a huge discount of $100.

Outcome: This big discount got a lot of people interested, significantly boosting Lovesac’s orders and bringing more fans into the fold.

Key Takeaways from Winning Referral Program Examples

In exploring various examples of referral programs, we can learn a lot about creating best referral strategies. Here’s what we’ve found:

Make it Personal: Successful referral programs are often tailored to fit what their audience likes. Personalized messages and rewards greatly improve how well referral programs work, as shown in many successful referral programs examples.

Rewards structure: These best referral program examples show that having attractive rewards is super important. This could be anything like discounts, points, or special access to products. The key is to offer something that both the person referring and the person being referred find exciting.

Keep it Simple and Easy: Referral program examples reveal that keeping things simple and easy to use is crucial for getting people involved. When the referral process is clear and easy to navigate, it motivates more people to take part.

Stay in Touch: The most effective refer-a-friend programs keep talking to their users. Regular updates about the program and their own progress keep participants hooked and active.

Show Success Stories: Many successful referral programs use happy customer stories as social proof. This helps build trust and motivates more people to join the program.

Check the Stats: The effective referral program always keeps an eye on how they’re doing and make changes based on what the data tells them.

How to Create an Effective Referral Program?

1. Understand Your Audience
2. Offer Attractive Referral Incentives
3. Make the Referring Process Easy
4. Communicate the Referral Workflow Clearly
5. Track and Analyze Referrals
6. Promote Your Referral Program
7. Show Appreciation
8. Create a Community Feeling
9. Continuously Improve your Referral Program

1. Understand Your Audience

Make your referral program something that your current customers will like. Figure out what makes them excited – maybe it’s getting a discount, a free item, or early access to cool new stuff.

Example: Dropbox is one of the best customer referral program example. They offered extra space for both the referrer and the referee which helped in both customer acquisition and retention.

2. Offer Attractive Referral Incentives

Make your referral program something that your current customers will like and need. This helps you create offers and rewards in your referral program that they will find exciting and want to share with others.

3. Make the Referring Process Easy

Simplify the referral process as much as possible. Whether it’s through a simple online form, a referral code, or a dedicated app, the easier it is to refer, the more likely your customers will do it.

4. Communicate the Referral Workflow Clearly

Explain how your referral program works in a way that’s easy to understand. This includes how and when people will get their rewards. Being clear and open builds trust and encourages more people to join in.

5. Track and Analyze Referrals

Implement a system to track referrals and analyze the data. This helps in understanding which aspects of your program are working well and what needs improvement. Use this data to continuously refine your program.

6. Promote Your Referral Program

Regularly promote your referral program through all your communication channels like email, social media, and on your website.

7. Show Appreciation

Always thank your customers for their referrals with customized emails. This can be a simple thank you message or a small additional reward. Acknowledging their efforts strengthens your relationship with them.

8. Continuously Improve your Referral Program

Ask for feedback and make changes as needed. An evolving referral program shows that you value customer input and are committed to providing the best experience.

9. Create a Community Feeling

Encourage a sense of community among your customers. People are more likely to refer friends if they feel they are introducing them to an exclusive and supportive community.

Creative Referral Program Ideas That Work

A well-crafted referral program not only rewards your loyal customers but also attracts new ones. Here are some great referral program ideas that have been successful:

Choose Referral Rewards That Grow

Have a referral system where the more people you refer, the better rewards you get. This keeps people interested and makes them feel good about participating.

One of the best referral program ideas is to introduce tiered rewards, where customers climb up the referral ladder, unlocking new benefits at each level.

In line with this, B2B referral program ideas could focus on offering business-enhancing incentives, like extended service trials, which are particularly appealing in a corporate context.

Offer Reward for both Referee and Referrer

Offer benefits to both the person who refers and the new customer. This could be discounts, free stuff, or special services. Rewarding customers for referrals makes them feel more appreciated.

Implement Time-Limited Referral Contest

Make a referral contest where, for a short time, people can win bigger prizes for referring others. This gets people excited and more involved.

Provide Options to Choose Rewards

Let people pick their own referral rewards. This makes the program more fun because everyone likes different things.

In addition, when considering customer referral program ideas, personalizing rewards based on past purchases can significantly increase the program’s attractiveness.

Easy Social Media Sharing

Make it simple to share your referral program on social media. This spreads the word and uses the power of friends and followers.

Incorporate user-generated content into your referral program ideas, encouraging customers to post about their experiences with your products or services.

Include Gamification Elements

Incorporate elements of gamification like leaderboards, badges, or points systems to make the referral process more engaging and fun.

Conclusion

We’ve looked at different ideas and examples of referral programs in this blog, showing how businesses use them to grow by encouraging their customers to spread the word.

Understanding these insights help you make better referral programs leading to increased customer engagement.

Further Reading:

• Best WooCommerce Referral Plugins
• How to Set Up a Woocommerce Referral Program?
• How to Reward Loyal Customers: 10 Best Ways
• How to Build a Reward Point System for Customers (+Tips)