Referral tracking made easy

Want to know how you can run a fully automated customer referral program with Referral Factory? Lets dive into how our referral tracking works.

Easily see who referred who

Because every person referring gets their own unique link, its easy for us to show you who referred who. We share the source of each referral so you always know who’s sending new business your way.

Automated conversion tracking

Tracking which of your referrals actually convert into new customers is key. This is an automated process when you use Referral Factory, and you don’t need a developer to setup your conversion tracking.

Track when rewards become due

Create rule based rewards to monitor your referral program and notify you when someone needs a reward. You can offer rewards to just the person referring, or the person invited, or both.

Sync data with integrations

Use integrations to generate links for your customers, send new referrals out of Referral Factory, and qualify referrals when they convert into real new customers. We also have webhooks, uploads, and an API.

Why we use links to track

Our platform uses referral links because it offers you the most robust referral tracking solution. When a person shares their link with a friend you can track the location, views, shares, and more.

Key metrics to track on your referral program

Number of referrers

How many people have shared their referral link at least once. More referrers = more potential referrals.

Participation rate

The percentage of your customer base actively referring. A healthy program typically sees 5-15% participation.

Leads generated

How many leads your referral program consistently brings in over time.

Conversion rate

The percentage of referred leads that convert into paying customers or revenue.

Reward motivators

Track which incentives perform best. Adding a reward for the invited friend increases sharing and conversions.

Views of your links

How many views and clicks your referral links are getting across all channels. Measure this by looking for "reach".

Referral tracking is 10x easier when you use integrations

Tracking your referral program can be a manual task. We give you ways to qualify referrals manually by upload or one by one. But this process can be 100% automated using integrations or our API.

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How can you automate referral tracking?

Referral tracking is automated by connecting your referral program to your existing systems. Each referrer shares a unique referral link, and all clicks and sign-ups are tracked automatically. New leads are then sent into your workflow, such as your CRM, database, or billing system.

Next, you qualify which referrals convert into real revenue by syncing conversion events via API, uploads, or integrations (for example with Stripe or your CRM). Once a referral meets your success criteria, rewards are triggered automatically - with no manual work required.

Track the referral → confirm the conversion → issue the reward.

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Do you need leaderboards to track?

In most cases, no — leaderboards aren't necessary for customer referral programs.

Customer referral programs are different from affiliate programs. They rely on many customers referring a few friends from their personal networks, rather than a few "power users."

Leaderboards don't motivate most customers because people naturally have limited networks. Instead, clear, achievable rewards (for example, for referring 1, 2, or 3 friends) are more effective and less pressured.

Leaderboards are beneficial for affiliate programs, however, where they help motivate beginner affiliates to scale their promotional campaigns.

Referral tracking FAQ

How do you track who refers who?

Referral Factory tracks who refers who using referral links. Each referrer is given a unique referral link. When they share this link and someone uses it to join your campaign, Referral Factory automatically tracks the relationship between the referrer and the referred user. You can also track which of your referred users convert in an automated way using our referral software - see the integrations step in your campaign builder to find out more.

Tracking referral links vs referral codes - whats better?

Referral links and referral codes each have their own advantages, but referral links generally offer a more seamless and personalized experience. Referral links provide each referrer with a dedicated landing page featuring a personalized message, making the invitation more engaging and tailored to the invitee. They are easy to use, as referred users can simply click on the link to be directed to the relevant page, eliminating the need to manually enter a code. Additionally, referral links allow for more detailed tracking and analytics, providing insights into who clicked the link, when, and from where. They are also easily shareable across various social media platforms, enhancing their reach and potential impact. On the other hand, referral codes are simple and can be easily shared verbally or in print, making them useful in scenarios where digital sharing isn't possible, such as in physical stores or events. Overall, referral links provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience, both for the referrer and the person being referred, and offer businesses more control and data insights, which can be crucial for optimizing referral programs.

How technical is it to setup referral tracking for your program?

Great news! With Referral Factory its not technical at all. If you build your program on our referral software, it will have automatic tracking setup once you launch. You don’t need to install any scripts! Our no-code referral tracking solution has been voted the best in the industry because of how easy it is to use - all you need to do is connect an integration.

How do people/users track their own referrals?

Users can track their own referrals through two main methods using Referral Factory. Firstly, they receive built-in email notifications that include a "Track Referrals" button, allowing them to view their referral performance, including how many referrals they have made and how many have converted. Secondly, each referrer is provided with a tracking URL for the campaign. This URL can be shared with referrers via email, text, or other communication methods. When a referrer clicks on the tracking URL, they are prompted to enter the email address they signed up with. By clicking the "Check My Referrals" button, they can access their referral metrics, such as the number of referrals made and conversions. These methods ensure that referrers have easy access to their performance data and can stay engaged with your referral program.

Is it possible to track a referral through to sale?

Certainly! You can indeed track a referral through to sale using Referral Factory - you do this by integrating it with your CRM or Stripe or Zapier. You can also integrate through webhooks or API. Or even just use the upload function as your integration. We offer many ways to automatically track referrals through to sale. Referral Factory was specifically built to make tracking easier and simpler - and you’ll find thats exactly the case once you get started.

How do you ask for referrals politely?

Asking for referrals politely involves striking the right balance between being direct and respectful while offering value to the referrer. Start by reaching out to satisfied customers who’ve had a positive experience with your brand—happy customers are naturally more inclined to recommend you. Using referral software like Referral Factory makes this process even smoother. With Referral Factory, you can create personalized referral campaigns that include pre-written messages, unique referral links, and automated follow-ups. This eliminates the awkwardness of asking directly, as customers can simply share their referral links via email, social media, or text. Additionally, you can incentivize referrals with rewards, making the request feel like a win-win situation

What software is the best for referral tracking?

Referral Factory stands out as a premier referral tracking software, offering a user-friendly, no-code platform that enables businesses to swiftly design and deploy customized referral programs. The software's robust tracking capabilities provide real-time insights into referral activities, allowing for effective monitoring and optimization of your referral program. Additionally, Referral Factory integrates seamlessly with popular tools like HubSpot, Zapier, and Intercom, streamlining workflows and automating all the day to day management of your referral program - like qualifying which referrals convert, issuing rewards, and more.