Recent research has found that most respondents rank “best customer experience across all channels” first in importance to them as consumers. That statistic shows that omnichannel shopping experiences are now the norm for the shopping process. 

However, it isn’t always given the importance it deserves. When a company decides to improve its brand engagement, it needs to consider omnichannel experience and engagement. 

Customer Referral Programs and refer-a-friend programs are strong revenue generators and have been around for a while, but with so much desire for attention online, they can get lost and forgotten. Plus, people often have no real idea of how to implement them successfully. 

NextBee has helped companies build strong customer referral platforms, including omnichannel programs that tap into the four ways consumers make referrals; Offline to Online, Online to Offline, Online to Online, and Offline to Offline. 

People need to explore ways to generate consistent customer engagement across all channels. Also, it is necessary to create multi-level referrals. NextBee’s Omni-Channel Customer Referral System helps to create engagement through referrals. 

Let’s take a closer look at omnichannel referrals and how you can tap into them.

OMNI-CHANNEL CUSTOMER REFERRALS: OFFLINE TO ONLINE 

In the offline to the online scenario, an in-store customer is given the ability to refer someone who then, in turn, buys online. The process is handled through unique referral codes that can be generated for every customer. The said code can then usually be presented by two methods: 

Receipt Referral Codes Integrating your customer referral software with your POS system means that you can offer unique referral codes printed right on the receipts that customers can share with their friends. 

One thing to note, for proper referral tracking solution, the referral codes need to be captured either by direct entry or uploaded from a database to the referral software system. 

e-Receipts are a great way to solicit referrals following a purchase. Include a referral solicitation with their emailed receipt. 

The power of an e-receipt referral request is that regardless of whether or not the customer belongs to your program or not, they have given you their email address and permission to contact them at the time of purchase. 

Once the shopper clicks on a link, it is a critical system, share using the referral such as social media, email, copy-and-paste codes, copy-and-paste links, etc. 

OMNI-CHANNEL REFERRALS: ONLINE TO OFFLINE 

A customer sends a digital referral code through a text message on social media in the online-to-offline approach. Or else, a personalized email, or some other online channel to their friends, family, or friends. The referred person can then use that information to make an in-store purchase with the below-written methods: 

Custom Codes: QR and In-Store Redemption In the online to offline referrals arena, custom codes’ redemption is a quick and easy method for driving referrals. 

A custom QR code scan at a register or a unique referral code to enter into a POS system is a quick way to input the data. It usually works regardless of the competent method to create the referral, i.e. social, email, or text. 

In-Store Email Lookup: Emails are usually unique identity markers in most POS/CRM systems, which means that they work great for any referral program. 

Email addresses are also usually more memorable and more comfortable to repeat than custom codes, which is part of why this method is so popular. 

OMNI-CHANNEL REFERRALS: ONLINE TO ONLINE 

The online-to-online scenario is probably the best-known customer referral strategy in today’s technology-driven world. It’s very similar to offline in its approach but a much faster and higher converting method. 

A customer sends an online referral to another potential customer, who then buys from an online outlet. Here are the ways to do it in a better way:

Custom Codes- As mentioned above, custom codes’ redemption is a quick and easy method for driving referrals. 

By having a system that generates custom and unique codes for your users, you can boost customer referrals. Users can use built-in sharing tools and seamlessly advocate for your business through social media, email, and even blogs. 

Custom Links – Custom links are very similar to custom codes. It offers users another quick and easy method for generating referrals through social media, email, blogs, et cetera.

But they are great ways to tap into online influencers who can spread their links throughout their sphere of influence on channels. For instance, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter because the link receiver can then click the link vs. having to copy and paste the code.  

OMNI-CHANNEL REFERRALS: OFFLINE TO OFFLINE 

In the offline to the offline scenario, the most common methods are receipt codes. In-store referral solutions, such as signs or kiosks, promotes online sign-up for the referral program.  

Combining these methods with digital (online methods) is best so make sure to offer e-receipt solicitations for in-store shoppers, which then drives traffic to your referral program’s landing page as well. 

It is a great way to get your employees to refer people and track and reward their efforts. 

Codes and Links 

With offline shoppers, you have a minimal opportunity for engagement. Hence, offer choices as much as possible for them to generate referrals from their friends and family members. 

Using receipt codes, signs/kiosks with QR codes for quick mobile scanning, eReceipts proactively engage customers. Then, you have a great chance of capturing more referrals offline and online, which converts more readily.  

NextBee’s Referral Solution Generates More Engagement

Creating a customer referral program is a great way to drive sales. By merging it with loyalty activities, it’s also a great way to keep customers for a long time.  

Having well-executed referral programs is an important marketing strategy for small businesses and enterprise-level companies alike. 

Referral strategies help in the company’s growth. It is affordable to market to your current customers leveraging them to help you find new ones. 

NextBee creates full engagement programs that build loyalty, generate referrals, and grow your brand’s ambassadors.