A discount link gives shoppers a discount when they click an affiliate's link, without the extra step of entering a code at checkout. It's an incentive for the shopper, which can help your affiliates convert more of their traffic.
There are two kinds of discount links for Shopify stores:
Refersion discount links: The link itself applies the discount to the Shopper's cart without using a coupon code. This can be beneficial to brands wanting to incentivize customers while minimizing coupon code leakage.
Shopify shareable discount links: A Shopify discount code is added to the affiliate's link and the code is automatically applied to the Shopper's cart.
Please note: Refersion discount links are available for Shopify stores only and on newer billing plans. If you don't see this feature in your account, please contact our team.
Which Link Type Should I Use?
| Refersion discount links | Shopify shareable discount links |
Discount code | The link applies the discount to the shopper's cart and order without the use of a coupon code. | Uses a Shopify discount code added to the affiliate's link. The code appears in the Shopper's cart and on the order. |
Set up | Refersion discount link settings, plus an app embed in your Shopify theme. | Your Shopify discounts, then each affiliate's details in Refersion. |
Applies to | All affiliates' links, with the option to apply or remove it per link. | Individual affiliates, or all affiliates with help from our team. |
Use it when | You want to apply a discount without exposing coupon codes. | You prefer for codes to apply the discount or your account doesn't have access to Refersion discount links. |
Refersion Discount Links
Refersion Discount Links applies a discount automatically to every affiliate's link.
What shoppers experience
When shoppers land on your site with a discount link, the discount is attached to their cart while they browse and shop.
Upon checkout Shopify confirms the link is genuine and applies the discount automatically.
After checkout, the sale tracks back to the affiliate.
Set up in Refersion
Go to Account > Settings > Links > Discount Link Settings.
Pick a Discount type: a percentage off (up to 100%) or a fixed amount off in your store currency. You can choose Disable later if you want to turn them off.
Enter the amount and click Save Link Discount Settings.
Set up in your Shopify theme
On the discount link settings page, you can use the one-click button in Refersion to open your Shopify theme editor. The theme editor opens with Refersion Safelinks app embed already switched on. Simply save your theme to apply the changes. If you need to perform these actions manually in Shopify, follow the steps below:
From Shopify
Go to Online Store.
Click "Edit theme" on your active theme.
Click App embeds.
Turn on the Refersion Safelinks app embed.
Save your theme.
You can confirm this is working by visiting an affiliate's link who has the new discount link applied and confirm there is an affiliate discount applied to your cart.
Apply or remove the discount on a specific link
On an affiliate's main link, choose Apply discount to link or Remove discount from link.
If you'd prefer that affiliates share a shorter link while retaining the discount, you can personalize their links using Branded Links. You can use discount links on their own, but you may want to use them in combination with Branded Links.
Shopify Shareable Discount Links
You can assign a discount link from your Shopify store to an individual affiliate, so their affiliate link always carries that same discount.
Create a discount link for one affiliate
In your Shopify store:
Click Discounts from the left-hand navigation pane.
Select Create discount.
Select a discount type.
Make sure Discount code is selected as the Method.
Enter a discount code name in the box.
Add your discount details, then click Save.
After saving, click Get shareable link.
Click Copy discount code.
In Refersion:
Go to Affiliates > Affiliates.
Click an affiliate's name to view their details.
Switch to the Links tab.
From the Actions menu, click Update Link Settings.
In the Default Path (Subfolder) field, paste the discount/CODE part of the URL in the box.
Click Save Changes.
The affiliate will have an updated link to grab from their dashboard, and customers who make purchases through the link will receive your Shopify discount.
Turn all affiliate links into shareable discount links
Creating links one at a time is only practical for a handful of affiliates. If you want every affiliate's link to carry a discount, our team can automate it with either of these options:
Use Each affiliate's individual coupon code
We can turn each affiliate's default referral link into a shareable discount link using their own coupon code. Every affiliate in your program needs their own coupon code for this to work. Otherwise, the link will be broken by the formatting. See creating coupon codes and allowing affiliates to pick their own coupon code.
Please note: If an affiliate has multiple coupon codes, then their automated discount link will include the affiliate's most recently created coupon code.
Use a Generic Coupon Code
We can add the same static code to every affiliate's link, such as BLACKFRIDAY for a limited-time promotion.
Reach out to [email protected] with your preferred setup and we'll help you get this configured.
Best Practices and Tips
Regularly audit affiliate performance and confirm that assigned discount codes are valid and active in Shopify.
Clearly communicate with affiliates, explaining how their referral links work with the integrated discount codes.
Utilize automation tools within Refersion for an efficient workflow, especially for programs with a large number of affiliates.