Creating a Program
Configure referral programs with commission types, scopes, reward modes, and viral loop settings.
A referral program defines the rules for how your referrers earn rewards when they bring in new customers. You can create multiple programs for different purposes (e.g., one for your staff, one for your customers).
Creating a New Program
Here's what the Programs page looks like with multiple active programs:
To create a new program:
- Navigate to Programs in the sidebar
- Click Create Program
- Fill in the program details
Program Settings
Basic Information
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Display name for the program (e.g., "Client Referral Program") |
| Description | Optional description shown to referrers |
Commission Type
Choose how rewards are calculated:
Referrers earn a percentage of the referred customer's payment amount.
Example: 10% commission on a $100 payment = $10 reward.
Best for businesses with varying service prices. Higher-priced services naturally generate higher rewards.
Commission Value
The amount for the commission. For percentage, enter the number (e.g., 10 for 10%). For fixed, enter the dollar amount (e.g., 15 for $15).
Program Scope
Scope determines which purchases from a referred customer earn rewards for the referrer:
| Scope | What It Means | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| First Purchase | Only the customer's first payment earns a reward | Simple programs with one-time rewards |
| All Purchases in Window | All payments within a set time period earn rewards | Programs that reward ongoing value |
| Lifetime | Every payment the customer ever makes earns a reward | High-value, long-term partnerships |
Reward Mode
How the referrer receives their reward:
| Mode | What It Means | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gift Card | Reward is added to a Square gift card automatically | Money stays in your business; requires gift cards enabled in Square |
| Coupon | Auto-apply discount at Square POS | Configurable discount type, scope, and expiration; no code entry at register |
| Loyalty Points | Reward tracked as loyalty points | Requires Square Loyalty |
| Manual Payout | Reward is tracked for you to pay out yourself | You handle payment via check, bank transfer, etc. |
Both gift card and coupon rewards keep the money inside your business. Gift cards guarantee a return visit. Coupons drive a first visit by removing price friction at checkout. You can set different reward types for referrers and referred customers independently.
Coupon Reward Configuration
When you select Coupon as the reward mode, additional settings appear:
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Discount Type | Fixed amount (e.g., $10 off) or percentage (e.g., 15% off) |
| Discount Value | The amount or percentage of the discount |
| Scope | Entire order, specific items, or specific categories |
| Expiration | Number of days until the coupon expires (optional) |
Coupons auto-apply at Square POS when the customer checks out — no code entry needed. Each coupon is single-use and automatically removed after redemption.
You can set different reward modes for each side of the referral. For example, referred customers get a coupon (to drive their first visit) while referrers get a gift card (to keep them coming back).
Viral Loop Settings
The viral loop automatically turns every referred customer into a referrer. When enabled:
- A new customer clicks a referral link and fills out the signup form
- They receive a welcome reward — a gift card or coupon (you choose the type and amount)
- They automatically get their own referral link
- They can now refer others and earn rewards themselves
Viral Loop Configuration
| Setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Enable Viral Loop | Turn automatic referrer enrollment on or off |
| New Customer Gift Card Amount | Welcome gift card value for new signups (e.g., $15) |
| Referrer Reward Amount | Amount the original referrer earns per successful referral |
For a deeper dive, see Viral Loop.
Commission Tiers
Commission tiers let you automatically increase reward rates as referrers perform better. Tiers can be based on:
- Number of referrals — the more people they refer, the higher their rate
- Time active — the longer they've been referring, the higher their rate
Example Tier Structure
| Tier | Condition | Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Base | 0+ referrals | 10% |
| Silver | 10+ referrals | 12% |
| Gold | 25+ referrals | 15% |
| Platinum | 50+ referrals | 20% |
Tiers are set up per program and applied automatically when purchases are tracked.
Editing a Program
- Navigate to Programs
- Click on the program you want to edit
- Modify settings and save
Changes to commission rates apply to future referrals only. Past referrals keep the rate that was active when they were recorded.
Running Multiple Programs
You can run multiple programs at the same time for different purposes:
- Staff referral program (for your stylists/employees, higher commission)
- Client referral program (for your customers, viral loop enabled)
- Influencer program (for social media creators, percentage-based)
- Agency program (for marketing partners, lifetime scope)
Each referrer is assigned to one program. You can move referrers between programs as needed.
Next Steps
Managing Affiliates
Add referrers, organize groups, and set up commission overrides.
Viral Loop
Learn how automatic referrer enrollment drives exponential growth.