Referrals (Connections)

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For Developers: : "Referrals" vs. "Connections" in the code

TL;DR - They're the same thing!

In the API code, we refer generically to connections and connection programs--not referrals and referral programs. That's because our Connections system is actually used to power more than just Referrals Programs. However in our Admin Dashboard, we mostly talk about "Referrals," which is the primary use case on that surface.

About Referrals

Village's Referral programs are used to let you create up to 10 levels of connections between users.

These "connections" may be used in Program Rules -> to issue awards or comms to referrers when their referral completes an action, such as a signup.

For example:

Simple Referral Program Diagram

Advanced Options: Multi-Level Connections & Tiered Referral Programs

Multi-level connections (aka tiered referral programs) allow you to issue awards and comms to not only a user's referrer, but also their referrer, and their referrer, and so on.

If implemented and communicated correctly, this can generate huge buzz about your business and drive profitable growth.

Setting up a Referral Program

Side Menu > Incentives > Referrals > Create New Referral.

Create a new referral type and set a unique referral code and signup link that your users will have access to.

So that you can better track this code when new users sign up, we recommend accepting this variable referral code as a parameter in the URL.

Setup

Side Menu > Settings > Home Page Settings. You can add users' special referral link to feature cards to better highlight and integrate your referral program into the end-user experience.

Side Menu > Settings > Home Page Settings. You can add a special referral button at the top of the Earnings Widget on the end-user dashboard for any referral program.

You can customize the button text and the popup card using the Edit Referral Card feature in Home Page Settings.

An example of a simple referral card using markdown.

End users can see their earnings based on each level of referral bonus:

Rules for referral rewards are set up the same as normal Program Rules, but with the Recipient = the relevant referral connection: