Reward Types

ViralRef supports four reward types for your referral program. You can configure different reward types for the referrer and the referred customer independently — so the person who refers gets one type of reward, and the new customer who signs up gets another.

Gift Cards

Square gift cards are the default reward type. When a conversion is approved, ViralRef automatically creates a gift card (or tops up an existing one) through Square.

How It Works

1. A referred customer makes a qualifying purchase
2. The conversion is approved (automatically or manually)
3. ViralRef creates or loads a Square gift card for the affiliate
4. The affiliate receives a notification with their updated balance

Why Gift Cards Work

• Money stays in your business. The reward is store credit, not cash out the door.
• Guarantees a return visit. The affiliate has to come back to use their balance.
• Automatic. No manual work once the conversion is approved.
• Visible in Square POS. Staff can look up gift card balances at the register.

Gift cards are managed entirely through Square's gift card system. Affiliates can check their balance in the portal or add it to Apple Wallet.

Coupons

Coupons give referred customers (or referrers) an automatic discount at Square POS. The discount applies at checkout with zero friction — no code to enter, no manual override.

How It Works

1. ViralRef creates a discount in your Square catalog tied to a customer group
2. When a conversion qualifies, the affiliate or referred customer is added to the group
3. At their next visit, Square POS automatically applies the discount at checkout

Coupon Options

• Fixed amount — A flat dollar discount (e.g., $10 off)
• Percentage — A percentage discount (e.g., 15% off)
• Expiration — Set an expiration date to create urgency

Why Coupons Work

• Zero friction at checkout. The discount applies automatically — staff don't have to remember or look anything up.
• Drives the first visit. A coupon for new referred customers gives them a reason to book.
• Trackable. Each coupon has an internal code (like VR-XXXX-XXXX) for tracking in your dashboard.

ViralRef handles expired coupon cleanup automatically, removing customers from discount groups when their coupon expires.

Loyalty Points

If you use Square Loyalty, you can reward referrals with loyalty points instead of gift cards or coupons. Points are added to the customer's existing loyalty balance.

How It Works

1. A conversion is approved
2. ViralRef accrues loyalty points on the affiliate's Square Loyalty account
3. The affiliate can redeem points according to your loyalty program's rules

Why Loyalty Points Work

• Builds on an existing program. If you already run Square Loyalty, referral rewards feel like a natural extension.
• Flexible redemption. Customers choose when and how to use their points.
• Encourages repeat visits. Points accumulate, giving affiliates a reason to keep coming back.

Manual Payouts

For businesses that want to pay referrers in cash, check, Venmo, or another method outside of Square, manual payouts let you track commissions without automatic fulfillment.

How It Works

1. Conversions are tracked and commissions are calculated as usual
2. Instead of automatic rewards, commissions accumulate in the Payouts section
3. You create payout batches, export them, and pay affiliates through your preferred method
4. Mark payouts as paid to keep your records clean

Payout Workflow

Why Manual Payouts Work

• Flexible payment method. Pay however makes sense — cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, bank transfer.
• Works for agencies and influencers. Professional affiliates often prefer direct payment over store credit.
• Full audit trail. Every payout is tracked with amount, period, and status.

Double-Sided Rewards

You can set different reward types for each side of the referral:

This lets you optimize each side independently. A common setup:

• Referrer gets a gift card — Rewards loyalty and guarantees a return visit
• New customer gets a coupon — Lowers the barrier to their first booking

Configure both in your program settings under Programs > Edit Program > Rewards.

When to Use Each Type

Next Steps

Creating a Program

Set up your referral program with the right reward configuration.

Payouts

Manage payout batches and export commission data.