Automated referral tracking and rewards

Purpose

1.1. Automate tracking of customer referrals and delivery of rewards to incentivize word-of-mouth marketing for American restaurants.
1.2. Seamlessly log referrals, validate eligibility, distribute incentives, and provide analytics for management.
1.3. Integrate referral data across loyalty, POS, communication, and analytics platforms.
1.4. Deliver multi-channel notifications (email, SMS, push), update customer reward statuses, and alert managers of high-performing referrers.
1.5. Provide campaign performance visibility and automate compliance with referral-related policies.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. New referral submission via web form, mobile app, or QR on receipt.
2.2. Referral-based transaction completed in the POS.
2.3. Validation of unique referral (no duplicate/invalid attempts).
2.4. Reward eligibility confirmed (referee meets requirements).
2.5. Scheduled interval for referral and reward status updates.
2.6. Achievement of threshold (e.g., 10 successful referrals).
2.7. Referral campaign start, end, or modification.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio SMS
• Feature: Send SMS reward notifications and referral codes.
• Example: Configure Messaging API to send confirmation "Congrats! Your referral has been rewarded."

3.2. SendGrid
• Feature: Automated email delivery of referral codes and updates.
• Example: Use Send Email API to trigger a “Reward earned” message on qualification.

3.3. Salesforce
• Feature: Record referral events, trigger journeys, and update contact records.
• Example: Configure workflow rule on “Referral_Submitted” to update “Referral_Status” field.

3.4. HubSpot
• Feature: Segment contacts by referral activity, auto-enroll in loyalty workflows.
• Example: Trigger Workflow API on “Referrer” tag to start reward sequence.

3.5. Shopify
• Feature: Issue discount codes and track redemption for referred customers.
• Example: Use Discounts API to create unique coupon for each successful referral.

3.6. Square POS
• Feature: Detect qualifying purchases, record referral codes, sync with customer profiles.
• Example: Configure Webhook on “Transaction Completed” with referral flag.

3.7. Stripe
• Feature: Validate payment completion from referred customers, trigger reward issuance.
• Example: Listen to “Invoice Paid” event and cross-reference referral database.

3.8. Mailchimp
• Feature: Automated referral drip campaigns and reward updates.
• Example: Trigger Email Automation API on referral milestone.

3.9. Slack
• Feature: Internal notifications for management when key referral actions occur.
• Example: Use Incoming Webhooks to send alert: “Referral #123 reached 5 successful invites.”

3.10. Zapier
• Feature: Orchestrate actions (multiplatform data sync) on referral events.
• Example: Set up Multi-Step Zap on “New Referral” to update CRM and trigger email.

3.11. Google Sheets
• Feature: Maintain dynamic referral and reward log with auto-updates.
• Example: Sheets API to append referral data each time a record is created.

3.12. ActiveCampaign
• Feature: Personalize nurture tracks and automate reward emails.
• Example: Use Automations to send reward when tag “Referral_Success” is applied.

3.13. WhatsApp Business
• Feature: Notify customers of referral status and rewards directly via chat.
• Example: Use WhatsApp API to send templated “You’ve earned a reward!” message.

3.14. Wix
• Feature: Capture, log, and trigger workflows from site-based referral form.
• Example: Use Wix Automations to trigger on “Referral Form Submitted.”

3.15. Microsoft Dynamics 365
• Feature: Link referrals to sales pipeline, automate follow-up tasks.
• Example: CRM Workflow to flag “Referral Opportunity” and notify sales.

3.16. Pipedrive
• Feature: Track referral deals, auto-advance pipeline stage on referral milestone.
• Example: Use Webhooks to update deal when “Referral_Code” validated.

3.17. Intercom
• Feature: Send in-app or email messages about referral rewards and progress.
• Example: Configure Messaging API to auto-send triggered updates.

3.18. OneSignal
• Feature: Deliver push notifications for referral achievements on mobile apps.
• Example: Use Push API for instant mobile alerts: “Reward unlocked!”

3.19. Airtable
• Feature: Central referral/reward dashboard with real-time updates.
• Example: Automate record creation and status sync via API.

3.20. Klaviyo
• Feature: Segmented, automated reward offers for top referrers by tier.
• Example: Use Flow Trigger to send special coupon at 10-referral mark.

3.21. LoyaltyLion
• Feature: Automatically allocate loyalty points for referrals.
• Example: Set up Points API to increment customer profile.

3.22. Facebook Messenger
• Feature: Bot-driven referral notifications and reminders.
• Example: Messenger API to deliver “Reward Redeemed” message.

Benefits

4.1. Reduce manual tracking; avert errors and fraud in reward allocation.
4.2. Accelerate reward delivery to boost referrer satisfaction.
4.3. Deliver multi-channel, real-time updates that keep engagement high.
4.4. Provide analytics for ROI, campaign optimization, and customer segmentation.
4.5. Enforce eligibility rules and automate compliance with campaign terms.
4.6. Foster word-of-mouth growth with minimal staff intervention.
4.7. Allow performance visibility for continuous marketing improvements.