Acquiring new customers has become a real challenge.
Advertising costs are soaring, competition is everywhere, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to stand out.
Rather than relying solely on ads, why not activate a more profitable lever?
Referrals allow you to transform your satisfied customers into true ambassadors.
With a good program on PrestaShop, you attract more qualified buyers, while boosting loyalty and engagement.
But you still have to set it up properly and choose the right tools. We explain everything.
Relying solely on advertising to attract new buyers is no longer enough.
Acquisition costs are skyrocketing and it is more difficult to secure consumer loyalty.
A referral program is a game-changer: it allows you to attract qualified buyers thanks to the recommendations of your existing customers, while strengthening their commitment to your brand.
In addition to reducing your dependence on ads, referrals boost retention and create a real community effect around your shop.
A simple, profitable and effective lever for developing your business on PrestaShop.
Why continue to inject huge budgets into ads when your own customers can do the work for you?
With a referral program, there is no need to invest heavily in paid acquisition.
Your satisfied customers become your ambassadors and attract buyers who trust you from the start.
These new customers are also much more qualified than those who arrive via traditional campaigns.
They don't just show up by chance after seeing an advert; they come on the recommendation of a friend or family member.
The result: a higher conversion rate and a lower customer acquisition cost (CAC).
The snowball effect is immediate: each new conversion can potentially generate others, creating a virtuous circle that allows you to attract more customers without blowing your marketing budget.
A referral program not only attracts new buyers, it also strengthens the loyalty of existing customers.
When a customer recommends your shop, they become more involved in your brand.
They are no longer a simple occasional buyer, but a true ambassador.
Referrers are often more committed and return more frequently.
Why? Because they are invested in the success of their recommendation and in the experience of their referee.
What's more, if they receive a reward for each share, they have an additional reason to come back and buy again.
The result: the customer lifetime value (LTV) increases.
A customer who refers someone is not limited to a one-off purchase, they remain active for longer and contribute to the growth of your shop in the long term.
A good referral program is not limited to a simple transaction, it creates a real community dynamic around your brand.
When a customer recommends your shop to their friends and family, they are not only sharing a good idea, they are also strengthening trust in your brand.
Recommendations from friends and family carry much more weight than traditional advertising.
A buyer who discovers your shop through a referral arrives with an already established level of trust, which naturally encourages them to make a purchase.
And the more attractive your program is, the greater the viral effect.
A satisfied customer attracts another, who in turn can refer new buyers.
With the right system, you're not just focusing on acquisition, you're building a committed community that actively participates in your growth.
Learn all about referrals with the ultimate referral guide
To set up an effective referral program on PrestaShop, choosing the right module is essential.
Not all are equal: some offer extensive customisation, while others focus on simplicity or integration with marketing tools.
Your module should be tailored to the size of your shop, your objectives and your budget.
Are you looking for a solution that makes it easier to manage rewards, that integrates perfectly with your ecosystem and that really motivates your customers to refer others?
We review the best options available.
There are several modules for integrating a referral program on PrestaShop.
Each has its own specific features, ergonomics and prices. Here is an overview of the main solutions available.
Loyoly is a SaaS solution designed to maximise customer engagement through referral and loyalty programmes.
Unlike conventional modules, it allows you to fully automate reward management and integrate advanced mechanics such as automatic referral validation and detailed performance tracking.
With Loyoly, you can offer rewards not only for referrals, but also for other strategic actions (reviews, UGC, engagement on social media).
Its intuitive interface and native integration with PrestaShop make it a turnkey solution for brands that want to boost their acquisition and retention.
Prestahero offers a module designed for PrestaShop shops looking for a solution that is easy to install and configure.
It allows you to reward referrers and referrals via discount vouchers or fixed discounts, with integrated management directly from the PrestaShop interface.
This module is suitable for small shops that want to set up a simple referral program. Its main advantage is its business model: a one-time purchase, with no follow-up costs.
FME Modules offers a module for PrestaShop with several configuration options.
It allows rewards to be awarded in the form of discounts, vouchers or loyalty points, with real-time conversion tracking.
This module is aimed at shops looking for a more flexible solution without having to go through a SaaS platform.
It also offers the possibility to customise referral emails and adapt the program conditions according to the brand strategy.
Each solution has its strengths and meets different needs.
Some shops will favour a simple and economical option, while others will look for a more comprehensive solution with advanced tracking and integration.
Choosing the right module depends on your loyalty strategy, your acquisition goals and your budget.
Choosing a referral module is not just about comparing prices.
For a program to be effective, it must be simple to use, well integrated into your e-commerce ecosystem and tailored to your customers' expectations.
Here are the key features to check before making your choice.
Every shop has its own specific features, and your referral program must be tailored to your brand image.
A good module should allow you to customise the rewards (vouchers, discounts, loyalty points), the messages sent to referrers and referrals, as well as the sharing conditions.
The more in line your program is with your loyalty strategy, the more effective it will be.
A good referral program should not operate in isolation.
To maximise its effectiveness, it must integrate naturally with your marketing and e-commerce tools. CRM, emailing, automation... everything must be connected to ensure a smooth experience and optimise customer engagement.
Loyoly offers native integrations with PrestaShop and Shopify, enabling rapid implementation without complex development.
The platform is also compatible with tools such as Klaviyo, Hubspot and Brevo for automated emailing, as well as Gorgias for customer service and Judge.me for reviews.
Thanks to these integrations, your referral program works in perfect synergy with your marketing ecosystem.
A program that is too complicated is a program that nobody uses.
The user experience must be smooth, both for you and for your users.
Activating referrals, tracking rewards and validating shares must be intuitive.
A good module offers a clear interface, accessible dashboards and automated reward management to avoid administrative burden.
An effective program should not be limited to simple email sharing.
Today, referrals are made through several channels: social media, SMS, instant messaging, etc.
A good module should allow referrers to easily share their referral code or link, wherever their friends and family may be.
Loyoly stands out in this respect by directly integrating these different sharing channels and offering advanced engagement mechanisms to maximise the viral effect.
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Referral programs are strategic for your Prestashop store, and we can probably help. Check out our platform!
Setting up a referral program on PrestaShop is not just a matter of installing a module and hoping that customers will use it spontaneously.
For it to generate results, it must be well structured, aligned with your objectives and easy for your users to use.
Here are the five essential steps for a successful implementation.
Before you start, it is essential to choose a module that is suitable for your shop.
A small organisation may prefer a solution that is quick and easy to set up, while a more developed e-commerce business will need an advanced platform with detailed performance monitoring.
Your priorities should also be clear: are you looking to reduce your acquisition costs, build loyalty among your existing customers or generate UGC content through referrals?
The answer to this question will help you choose the tool that best suits your strategy.
Budget is also a criterion to be taken into account.
Some solutions work with a one-off payment, while others, such as Loyoly, offer a subscription with advanced features, full automation and detailed monitoring.
This type of solution, although requiring a monthly investment, pays for itself quickly by optimising acquisition and retention.
A referral program only works if the incentive is sufficiently attractive.
The reward should be calibrated according to your average order value and your commercial strategy.
For shops with a high average order value, a voucher will often be more effective than a percentage discount.
Conversely, an immediate reduction can be a powerful lever for low-cost products.
The sign-up bonus is also something to consider. Offering a reward from the first order of the referral can accelerate acquisition and maximise the conversion rate.
A good program must also find the right balance between the interests of the referrer and the referee.
If only the referrer is rewarded, the incentive may be insufficient to trigger an order.
Loyoly makes it easy to adapt these parameters, offering flexible options such as vouchers, discounts and loyalty points.
Once the module has been installed, integration should be seamless and well thought out.
A good referral program should not be seen as a simple addition, but as an integral part of the shopping experience.
It should be easily accessible, whether via a dedicated page, the customer account or a mention in the order tunnel.
Loyoly stands out for its ability to integrate directly with your e-commerce stack.
With a native connection to PrestaShop, Shopify and other tools such as Klaviyo, Gorgias, Judge.me and Typeform, it integrates naturally with your marketing ecosystem.
Personalisation is also a key element.
Each brand has its own identity, and an effective referral program must reflect this image.
Loyoly allows you to adapt the interface, visuals and messages for an experience that is fully aligned with your branding.
Even with the best referral system, a program won't work if no one knows it exists. It should be promoted in several places in your shop.
A banner on the homepage, a visible insert in the navigation menu or a reminder in post-purchase emails are all ways to encourage your users to participate.
Emails also play a key role. A launch announcement campaign and regular reminders are essential to activate your existing customers.
By using a platform such as Loyoly, these mailings can be automated and integrated directly into your CRM strategy.
Social media is also a channel to be exploited.
An engaging post on Instagram or Facebook, coupled with a highlight in your stories, can quickly generate shares and encourage the virality of the program.
Launching a program is not enough; you also need to analyse its results to continuously improve it.
The participation rate is a good indicator of whether your customers are signing up for the program.
Low engagement can mean that the reward is not attractive enough or that the program lacks visibility.
The conversion rate of referrals is also a key indicator. If too few prospects convert after being referred, it may be useful to adjust the purchase incentive, for example by adding a more attractive sign-up bonus.
The customer lifetime value of referrers and referees also makes it possible to measure the impact of the program on retention.
A good program should not only generate new buyers, it should also encourage repeat purchases.
By tracking the cost of customer acquisition through referrals, you can compare its effectiveness with other channels such as paid advertising.
Discover all the KPIs of referral marketing for your program
A referral program can be a powerful lever for acquiring new buyers and building loyalty among those who already trust you.
But for it to really work, it must be well thought out and continuously optimised.
Here are the best practices to follow and the mistakes to avoid in order to maximise its effectiveness.
If your customers don't know that you offer a referral program, they won't use it.
It should be highlighted in several strategic places in your shop: in the main menu, on the home page, in the customer account and at the end of the purchase tunnel.
A good program should also be understandable in a few seconds.
The offer should be clear, with an engaging promise and a simple process.
A reward that is too small will not encourage users to refer.
A reward that is too generous may harm your profitability.
The right balance depends on your average order value and your margin.
To avoid mistakes, test different formulas and analyse performance.
Offering a discount for the referrer and a voucher for the referee is often an effective approach, but each brand must adapt its model to its audience.
A referral program is not a static device. For it to continue to perform well, you need to monitor its results and adjust the offer if necessary.
Customer engagement, the conversion rate of referrals and the cost of acquisition through referrals are key indicators to monitor.
If any of these are falling, adjustments may be necessary, whether in terms of rewards, communication or program conditions.
To revitalise the program and revive interest, it can be worthwhile to offer one-off promotions.
For example, offering double or triple points for a limited period can encourage customers to refer more actively.
These campaigns boost engagement and temporarily increase the virality of the program, while keeping the budget under control.
Referrals should not be used in isolation.
They work even better when integrated into an overall loyalty strategy.
Combining them with a loyalty program creates a virtuous circle where customers earn loyalty points by referring others and making repeat purchases.
This approach strengthens long-term engagement and retention.
Loyoly fits perfectly into this logic by combining referral, loyalty and customer engagement within a single platform. Thanks to its advanced tools, you can automate your program, monitor its performance and optimise it continuously.
Loyoly is a loyalty and referral platform combined with UGCs, which helps to engage customers in 40+ ways to increase LTV and social proof, while reducing CAC.
