Automated referral program management

Purpose

 1.1. Automate customer referral program processes for animal cafes, incentivizing guests to refer friends by sending unique links, tracking successful referrals, rewarding advocates, integrating pet-friendly campaign options, segmenting by pet type, and monitoring program performance across digital touchpoints and on-premise experiences.
 1.2. Ensure seamless integration with loyalty systems, enable multi-channel outreach (email, SMS, app), enforce fraud prevention, and automate reward fulfillment (e.g., food/beverage vouchers, pet treat discounts).

Trigger Conditions

 2.1. New purchase by registered customer triggers referral link generation.
 2.2. Customer enrollment in referral program via website, app, or QR code in café.
 2.3. Completion of a referred friend’s first-paid visit or qualifying purchase.
 2.4. Campaign manager activation or selected days (e.g., weekends, pet celebration events).

Platform Variants

 3.1. Twilio SMS
  • Feature: Send SMS with unique referral links.
  • Setting: Use Twilio Messaging API, configure message template and sender ID.
 3.2. SendGrid
  • Feature: Email referral invitations.
  • Setting: Use SendGrid Mail Send API, transactional templates.
 3.3. Shopify
  • Feature: Track qualifying purchases for referral validity.
  • Setting: Configure Webhooks on ‘order/paid’ event.
 3.4. Square POS
  • Feature: Trigger rewards on in-café transactions.
  • Setting: Activate Webhooks for payment events.
 3.5. Slack
  • Feature: Notify internal team of high-performing advocates.
  • Setting: Configure Slack Incoming Webhooks for real-time alerts.
 3.6. HubSpot
  • Feature: Segment and automate referral campaigning.
  • Setting: Use Workflows and Lists, trigger on property change.
 3.7. Zoho CRM
  • Feature: Add referral data to contact timeline.
  • Setting: Use Zoho API to update Contact/Deal module.
 3.8. Zapier
  • Feature: Route referral events to various SaaS.
  • Setting: Connect triggers/actions with Webhooks by Zapier.
 3.9. Google Sheets
  • Feature: Log referral program performance.
  • Setting: Use Sheets API, append row for each event.
 3.10. ActiveCampaign
  • Feature: Conditional automation and targeted messaging.
  • Setting: Automations builder, webhook triggers.
 3.11. Mailchimp
  • Feature: Batch invite sending and referral tracking.
  • Setting: Use API to create campaigns and log engagement.
 3.12. Intercom
  • Feature: On-site chat prompt to join referral program.
  • Setting: Trigger Messenger API target based on segment.
 3.13. Webflow
  • Feature: Referral sign-up pages.
  • Setting: Embed API forms, configure CMS collection.
 3.14. Typeform
  • Feature: Capture extra referral details (pet type, friend’s info).
  • Setting: Webhook Typeform submissions.
 3.15. Stripe
  • Feature: Confirm transaction for reward release.
  • Setting: Subscription/payment succeeded webhook.
 3.16. Salesforce
  • Feature: Create custom report on referral lifecycle.
  • Setting: Use Flow Builder, auto-log referral data.
 3.17. Tidio
  • Feature: Messenger widget for real-time referral invites.
  • Setting: Trigger auto-message by customer action.
 3.18. Pipedrive
  • Feature: Track referral progression in sales pipeline.
  • Setting: API to move deals between stages.
 3.19. WordPress (WooCommerce)
  • Feature: Apply coupon code to advocate’s account.
  • Setting: WooCommerce API order update.
 3.20. Rewardful
  • Feature: Automated link generation and reward management.
  • Setting: REST API create/referral endpoints.

Benefits

 4.1. Increases guest acquisition by leveraging satisfied customers’ networks.
 4.2. Provides consistent, multi-channel outreach, maximizing engagement.
 4.3. Eliminates manual intervention—saves staff time, ensures program integrity.
 4.4. Supports transparent ROI tracking and advanced segmentation (e.g., by pet type).
 4.5. Strengthens brand loyalty through prompt, personalized incentives for both referrers and invitees.