ReferralCandy is the ideal solution for merchants who want to grow their customer base and increase sales through referral marketing. This powerful platform enables ecommerce stores to reward customers for spreading the word about their business, resulting in more targeted, qualified customers.
According to McKinsey, 63% of Gen Z consumers trust their friends' opinions more than any other source, making referral marketing a great tool to increase brand awareness and sales. In fact, one happy customer can generate up to nine referrals. Referral marketing is cost-effective, and efficient, and helps businesses build a network of advocates for their brand.
Connecting ReferralCandy to your BigCommerce store offers a wide range of benefits, such as:
The platform allows you to track key metrics, including:
With ReferralCandy and BigCommerce integration, you can easily reach out to new customers and engage your existing ones, resulting in higher conversion rates and sales.
ReferralCandy is a powerful, easy-to-use platform for creating and optimizing referral programs. It allows you to connect with other third-party apps like Bold, PayWhirl, and ReCharge to automate the process of building your referral programs.
Other features include:
ReferralCandy integrates seamlessly with BigCommerce, enabling merchants to track referrals and rewards earned by customers. Plus, with custom rewards and automated invites, it's easy to keep customers coming back for more. To get started, simply sign up for a ReferralCandy account, authorize the app to access your BigCommerce store, and insert the tracking code. Then, you can start creating the referral program of your dreams.
ReferralCandy is the perfect solution for BigCommerce merchants who want to increase customer acquisition and retention through referral marketing. With the ability to track performance and rewards, merchants can leverage the power of word-of-mouth marketing to grow their businesses. Sign up for 30 free days of ReferralCandy and growth with the power of referral marketing to increase customer acquisition and retention!
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As customer acquisition becomes more and more expensive, customer loyalty is the new key to success. And ambassador programs are one of the most effective tools for fostering customer loyalty and reinforcing your brand’s message.
More than just a marketing strategy, they are transforming customers into passionate advocates, giving brands a more authentic voice. So, if you are looking to elevate your business and create a thriving community around it, launching an ambassador program should be on your radar.
But where do you start?
Fear not, we've got you covered! In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through a step-by-step process to launch a successful ambassador program. Follow these 7 steps and you’ll be well on your way to creating a loyal community of brand advocates in no time.
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If you want to win the race, you need to know where the finish line is. The same logic applies to launching an ambassador program. Your first task is to define your program's purpose.
Are you looking to:
Whatever your goal is, remember that a jack of all trades is a master of none. So select one or two primary goals to hone in on.
Once you’ve identified your objectives, establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success of your program. These KPIs should tie back to your goals and should be tangible enough to track.
For example, they could be the:
Finally, let's not forget about your target audience and demographics. Picture this: you're selling vegan leather jackets but your ambassadors are all passionate meat lovers. Not the best match, right?
It's crucial to ensure your ambassadors mirror your target audience (or the aspirations of your target audience), so their outreach efforts have the highest chance of success.
The best place to begin recruiting ambassadors is your existing customer base. Remember the buyer persona that lady who bought 50 pairs of your eco-friendly socks last month? She could be the perfect fit.
So sift through your VIP list and reach out to the customers who already love your brand the most. They won't need much convincing to join your program.
Social media is your next best bet. It's like a modern-day gold mine, teeming with potential ambassadors. Search for budding content creators that align with your brand's values and offer to send them your product for free. If they love it, chances are they’ll be willing to share it with their followers. And from there, you can strike up a more formal partnership.
Another great way to grow your ambassador ranks is with a referral program. After all, nothing beats word-of-mouth. A referral program can motivate your current ambassadors to bring more like-minded people on board.
And lastly, consider targeted advertising. If you can narrowly define who your ideal ambassador is, then you can probably pinpoint them with online ads.
Try to determine their:
This strategy may be less cost-effective, but it is more likely to bring in ambassadors at scale. Once you have tapped your existing customer base and manually located potential candidates on social media, you can use targeted ads to create a steady stream of new leads.
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Now, let's talk compensation. To motivate your ambassadors, consider both monetary and non-monetary incentives. The most successful programs understand that value is multi-dimensional, and reward accordingly.
This is because brand ambassadors tend to care about more than just money. They want to feel that they matter, that you honor their efforts, and that they are part of a greater purpose.
So keep in mind that a financial bonus may be appreciated by some, but others may prefer:
Implementing a tiered rewards structure can be a great way to balance both goals. It encourages your recruits to work hard and stay with the ambassador program while providing a clear path to promotion and tangible rewards. This creates a sense of achievement and fuels the desire for continued engagement and growth.
Finally, consider personalized incentives. While one ambassador might be over the moon with a cash reward, another might prefer early access to new products. Cater to these preferences with a personal touch, and you will build yourself a happy (and motivated) ambassador army.
Your ambassadors need the right tools to represent your brand effectively. And a simple training program should be your priority.
This program should cover everything from your brand values and company mission to your product lines and policies. When your ambassadors complete this training, they will be full-blown brand experts.
You should also provide ambassadors with access to marketing materials. These resources can include:
These ready-to-use materials can help your ambassadors hit the ground running from day one. And it may even inspire them to create their brand-compliant content.
Next, consider building an intuitive ambassador portal. This digital hub would allow your ambassadors to track their performance, access marketing materials, and review new product information. Although this step is not essential, it can elevate and differentiate your program — making organizing, managing, and motivating your ambassadors all the easier.
Open and frequent communication is the glue that holds an ambassador program together. Creating a dedicated ambassador community, either through a community platform or a social media group, encourages camaraderie and a sense of belonging.
Regular updates are also crucial. Newsletters or emails can keep your ambassadors informed about new products, promotional campaigns, or any significant company news. And as long as your communications are relevant and interesting, each update will help your ambassadors stay invested.
Lastly, don’t forget to thank your ambassadors from time to time!
A simple ‘thank you’ email or personalized postcard can go a long way. This small gesture of recognition will remind your ambassadors that their work is appreciated — and that they are an integral part of your team.
But if you want to take this recognition a step further, you could:
All of these simple acts can enhance team spirit, generate excitement, and foster relationships between ambassadors. And remember, a close-knit ambassador team is an engaged and productive one.
Regular monitoring and optimization are key to the success of your ambassador program. Analyze your KPIs to ensure your program is on track to meet the objectives you set in Step 1. If it isn't, make a change and measure the impact. Continue to tweak, test, and optimize until you get the results you desire.
If you're not sure what to change, conduct a survey to collect feedback from your ambassadors. Their first-hand experiences can provide valuable insights into what's working well and what could be improved.
Another way to elevate your is by identifying successful ambassadors for potential collaboration or mentorship. These individuals can share their ideas with others, fostering a culture of shared growth.
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Success, when celebrated, breeds more success. Recognizing your top-performing ambassadors not only motivates them but can also inspire others. Consider highlighting their achievements on your social media platforms or newsletters. Showcasing their stories can create a sense of pride and strengthen their connection with your brand.
Offering exclusive rewards or opportunities to your top performers is another effective strategy. These could be anything from tickets to an event, a travel voucher, or a tablet. This will not only incentivize them to maintain their performance but also show your appreciation for their hard work.
Encouraging peer recognition within your ambassador community is another underrated way to celebrate success. This could be through a 'kudos' system or a dedicated space in your forum. These informal acknowledgments foster a positive culture and promote a sense of camaraderie among your team.
An ambassador program offers an effective way to amplify your brand's reach and build a community of devoted advocates. Let's recap the key steps to launching a successful ambassador program:
There's never been a better time for businesses to harness the power of word-of-mouth marketing. An ambassador program not only amplifies your brand's reach but also builds a community of loyal advocates. So, why wait? Take the plunge and establish your ambassador program today!
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Then, take a leaf out of some of the most beautiful websites that exist on Shopify.
We highly discourage any copy and pasting of these designs because 1) those sites were customized for the brands themselves, it might not work best for yours, and 2) customers appreciate some individuality and originality when they browse your site, so do what's best for your brand!
What we do recommend though, is for your to scroll through the different website designs we've compiled and "do research" on how they combine stunning photography, sexy copy, and a beautiful design to bring out the best in their brand—and motivate their customers to make a purchase at their store.
Especially with Shopify introducing Online Store 2.0, there are massive opportunities for Shopify merchants to explore and discover the best design for your very own brand.
Some interesting insights from the announcement last June include the following:
(NOTE: Some of the ecommerce brands listed below use ReferralCandy as their referral program software. If you're interested to learn how to set it up for your own Shopify store, here's a quick setup guide.)
Here are some key characteristics of a great Shopify website:
Rothy's is a store that sells washable ballet flats made from recycled materials.
(NOTE: Rothy's uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
DeathWish Coffee sells the world's strongest coffee.
Endy Sleep sells mattresses.
PopSockets is a stylish phone accessory that allows you to do more with your phones.
DockATot sells a multi-functional lounging, playing, chilling, resting, and snuggling dock for babies.
(NOTE: DockATot uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
Guava Family sells travel cribs.
Fit Tea sells all-natural detox tea.
Koh sells eco-friendly universal surface cleaner.
Bison Coolers sells coolers.
Kuna is a smart home security system that prevents break-ins.
(NOTE: Kuna uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
Triangl sells bikinis.
Meller sells sunglasses and eyewear.
(Meller is also using ReferralCandy for their referral marketing efforts.)
Keen Home creates smart zoning for your home and helps you achieve the perfect temperature in any room.
Pipette sells skincare and bath essentials for both babies and moms.
Yoga Democracy sells yoga leggings and sports attire.
Jake and Jones sells apparel made by emerging designers.
St. Frank sells beautiful, handcrafted home decor.
The Coucou Club sells beauty tools, accessories and skincare.
Grub Club Pets sells hypoallergenic insect-based dog food.
NewSmile sells teeth aligners.
Blanqi sells nursing and maternity clothes.
Dona Jo sells women's workout clothing.
The Ghostly Store sells clothing, music and art by Ghostly International.
The Ollie World sells swaddles.
(NOTE: The Ollie World uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
HOP WTR sells sparkling water infused with adaptogens and nootropics.
Sakura Wada sells medicinal tea.
Soso Sake sells a Japanese beverage that is usually referred to as "Japanese rice wine".
RIFRUF sells quality dog shoes.
Smyle sells toothpaste tablets.
Youfoodz sells a meal delivery service.
(NOTE: Youfoodz uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
JRINK sells cold-pressed juice delivery.
Love Ya Guts Box is a subscription-based box that includes supplements meant for better gut health.
Binxy Baby sells baby shopping cart hammocks.
(NOTE: Binxy Baby uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
My happy flo sells vitamins to help with periods.
Coobie sells undergarments.
Noémie sells jewellery.
Noah's Box sells subscription boxes starter kits.
Label K sells jewelry for moms by a mom.
Acton sells electric skateboards and related gears.
(NOTE: Acton Global uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
Snuggs sells period underwear.
Pretty Litter sells health-monitoring cat litter.
Furbo sells interactive pet cameras.
Moxie Scrubs sells medical apparel for nurses.
Cheesies sells cheese-based snacks.
Thrive Causemetics sells cosmetics.
(NOTE: Thrive Causemetics uses ReferralCandy for their referral program!)
Player One Coffee sells coffee and cocoa beans.
Perfect Keto sells exogenous ketones.
RollinGreens sells plant-based food.
Christy Dawn sells dresses.
(See what Christy Dawn has to say about ReferralCandy here)
Trip sells CBD drinks and CBD oils.
Honeylove sells garments made for all body shapes and sizes.
(Honeylove is also using ReferralCandy to power their referral program)
Fleur & Bee sells skincare.
Better & Better sells premium, natural, vegan, and eco-friendly oral care with vitamins.
JetFuel sells clean, sustainable, ethical vitamins and tea.
A Glass Of sells wines from Australia's best independent winemakers.
Allplants sells healthy chef-prepared plant-based meals.
Don't just scroll through these websites and wait for inspiration to drop.
Observe and analyze carefully how these websites have managed to bring out their brand personality, nail their Shopify SEO and still motivate customers to buy, and buy more. Here are some good pieces of advice from experts:
Some other quick tips for your ecommerce sites:
Once you've identified these patterns of success, apply them to your website and soon, you'll have a beautiful + high-converting website to shout about.
Here are some articles that we think might be able to help you optimize your ecommerce website further:
P.S. If you enjoyed reading this, subscribe to our newsletter where we share our latest articles and helpful resources.
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Unlock the power of referral marketing with ReferralCandy and BigCommerce. ReferralCandy is the easiest way to create and manage a referral program for your BigCommerce store. With ReferralCandy, you can easily create referral campaigns, track your results, and reward your customers for referring their friends.
Brand ambassador programs are a great way to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive sales. In this article, we will discuss how to launch a successful ambassador program in 2023.
Stuck on your own Shopify website and need some inspiration to design something breathtaking? We can help. Check out all you need to know here.
Need some fresh ideas for your referral program? Here are 7 we recommend trying and 1 that everyone else recommends but we do not.
Looking for stylish BigCommerce store designs? We take a look at some of the most well-designed stores you should take a look at.
Storytelling is used in marketing to connect with customers on a deeper level. Here are our favorite storytelling examples, plus 4 storytelling techniques that you can use right now.
Looking to partner with a beauty influencer in 2023? Look no further than this list of the top 21 beauty influencers to work with.
With our expert insights, you'll be able to make an informed decision about whether a loyalty program is the right investment for your ecommerce brand.
A referral program is a deliberate, systematic way of getting people to make referrals to your business. Referral programs are often called word-of-mouth marketing, because they reward existing customers for sharing and incentivize new customers to try out your brand.
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