thread Re: How do you offer referral incentive to customers? in Online Store

How do you offer referral incentive to customers?

FFH251 — Thu, 01 May 2025 14:04:42 GMT

The title of this thread has been edited from the original: Referral Program

Why is there still no Referral Program? With the constant bugs and rising cost we are about ready to switch to another platform.

Re: Referral Program

TheRealChipA — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 12:40:56 GMT

Hello @FFH251. Square has always had a referral program that gives you free processing and a hardware discount. Here’s the link to it. It can also be found in your web dashboard > Account & Settings > Get free processing.

As for you other part, higher prices are a problem. But I hope you don’t think that only Square is raising prices and fees. In these very troubled economic times (that will only get worse tomorrow), everyone is — including most of us as sellers if we want to make any money. As I always do at the first of the year, I checked out the costs for my Square account vs, switching to one of the big-two competitors. What I found was that after I purchased all the new hardware needed and factored in their monthly fees (which they use to make it seem like you are getting a good deal on lower card processing rates), I was going to pay slightly more every year. But, of course, that is just my experience. Yours might differ since you seem to be dealing with constant bugs that I’m definitely not having to deal with.

Good luck.

Re: Referral Program

FFH251 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:38:37 GMT

Yea it’s funny how squareup has a referral system to grow yet they won’t create something that allows their customers to do the same thing. I’m sorry ice cream social or whatever they are pushing taking 5% commission plus base is a joke.

Re: Referral Program

TheRealChipA — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 13:50:20 GMT

@FFH251 Ah! I misunderstood you. I thought you were referring to a “refer Square” program, but now I see you meant you want a customer referral program. My bad.

Re: Ice Cream Social…. Did you know that it is free for Square Online customers? At least, that is what their listing in the Square App Marketplace says. That seems like a great deal to me — especially compared to the other referral apps I’ve looked at that charge much more than $19.99 + 5%.

Re: Referral Program

FFH251 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:48:48 GMT

Well their websites down so not even sure they are still in business. We just want a simple way for customers to be able to share discounts and receive discounts. It should be that hard to implement into marketing emails.

Re: Referral Program

FFH251 — Tue, 01 Apr 2025 14:49:06 GMT

Shouldn’t

Re: Referral Program

PickupCoffee — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 20:07:55 GMT

im also looking to set up a referral code if someone they refer makes a purchase

Re: How do you offer referral incentive to customers?

linnetconde — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 01:18:28 GMT

There's a referral platform I've been using called ViralRef, it's built specifically for Square merchants and I love it. I actually know the owner personally. He's looking for merchants to give him feedback, and in return he's offering 3 months free.

Re: How do you offer referral incentive to customers?

alejandro-ref — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 02:24:40 GMT

Most Square merchants I've talked to handle referrals with spreadsheets or just try to remember, and stuff falls through the cracks.

I built a tool for this -- I'm Alejandro, I made ViralRef (viralref.com) It connects to Square and automates the whole thing

We're in beta. I'm giving 3 months free to merchants who try it and give me feedback. Would especially like to hear from service businesses -- salons, studios, spas, that kind of thing.

Re: How do you offer referral incentive to customers?

alejandro-ref — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 02:59:42 GMT

Square still doesn't have a native referral program, so I built one. ViralRef — designed for Square merchants in beauty, wellness, and services. Clients share a link, new people book and pay through Square, both sides get rewarded automatically. Every referred client gets their own link too, so it compounds.

Running a beta right now — 3 months free for honest feedback. Check it out at viralref.com.

Re: How do you offer referral incentive to customers?

alejandro-ref — Thu, 02 Apr 2026 18:07:08 GMT

Feel this. We ran into the same gap at our salon and ended up building a tool called ViralRef, it connects to Square via OAuth, tracks referrals automatically, and rewards customers with Square gift cards or coupons. Still early but happy to share more if anyone's interested.