QR Codes & Sharing
Generate QR codes for referral links, add gift cards to Apple Wallet, and share referral links in-store.
Every referral link in ViralRef comes with a QR code and multiple sharing options. For service businesses like salons, fitness studios, and spas, this makes it easy to promote your referral program in your physical location.
QR Codes
Where to Find Them
Every tracking link has an auto-generated QR code. Affiliates can access theirs from the affiliate portal by clicking on their referral link. You can also view and download QR codes from the affiliate detail page in your dashboard.
The QR code links directly to the referral landing page — when someone scans it, they land on the signup form tied to that specific affiliate.
Where to Use QR Codes
QR codes work well in physical locations where customers are already engaged with your business:
- Reception desk or front counter — A small sign with the QR code and "Refer a friend, get rewarded"
- Table tents — For restaurants, cafes, or waiting areas
- Receipts — Print the QR code on paper receipts
- Business cards — Add the affiliate's QR code to their card
- Flyers and postcards — Include in any printed marketing material
- Mirrors or stations — Salon chairs, workout stations, treatment rooms
- Window signage — Visible from outside your location
Printing Tips
- Download the QR code at the highest resolution available
- Make sure there's enough white space around the QR code for scanners to read it
- Test the printed QR code with your phone before putting it up
- Include a short call-to-action next to the code ("Scan to refer a friend")
Apple Wallet Passes
When an affiliate earns a gift card reward, they can add it to Apple Wallet directly from the affiliate portal. This puts their gift card balance on their phone's lock screen for easy access.
What the Wallet Pass Shows
- Current gift card balance
- Your business name and branding
- A barcode the affiliate can present at checkout
This is useful for keeping your reward top-of-mind. Affiliates are more likely to come back and spend their gift card balance when it's visible every time they check their phone.
Sharing Options
Affiliates have several ways to share their referral link from the portal:
Direct Link
Copy the referral link to share anywhere — text messages, social media posts, emails, group chats. The link looks like:
https://your-subdomain.viralref.com/r/sarah-abc123
QR Code
Download or display the QR code for in-person sharing.
SMS
Share the referral link via text message directly from the portal. Pre-filled with a short message and the tracking link.
Send the referral link via email with a pre-written message that affiliates can customize before sending.
Promoting In Your Location
For service businesses, the most effective referral promotions happen during or right after the service. Here are patterns that work:
During the Appointment
- Mention the referral program while the customer is in the chair, on the table, or finishing their session
- Hand them a card with the QR code or text them the link
- Frame it around the reward: "If you send a friend our way, you both get a gift card"
At Checkout
- Have a QR code visible at the register
- Include the referral link on the receipt
- Staff can mention it during payment: "We have a referral program — want me to text you the link?"
In Follow-Up Messages
- Include the referral link in post-visit emails or text messages
- Pair it with a review request: "Enjoyed your visit? Leave a review and share with friends"
Each affiliate's tracking link records clicks and conversions separately, so you can see which affiliates and which sharing methods drive the most results from your Reports page.
Next Steps
Affiliate Portal
See the full portal experience your affiliates get.
Viral Loop
Learn how referred customers automatically become referrers.