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Referral Program QA Guide for Marketers

This guide walks you through how to QA your referral program end-to-end. You will simulate the experience both as the advocate and friend.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

Before You Begin

  • Have your user flow (Figma) on hand - this is your journey map.

  • Prepare two email addresses:

    • One for the advocate (referrer)

    • One for the friend (referee)

  • If your program has eligibility requirements (like being a member to refer), make sure your test emails have been added to the correct audience before proceeding.

Step-by-Step QA Instructions

1. Review Your Journey Map

  • Open your Figma user flow and use it as your testing checklist.

  • Your QA journey should align directly with the mapped flow created with your Implementation Team.

2. Start the Advocate Journey

  • Navigate to the Share Experience (e.g., promotion link or CTA in your staging environment).

    • Confirm the CTAs are correct and functional.

    • If you have a microsite, ensure it links properly to your webpage.

3. Generate a Share Link

  • Enter your advocate email in the share experience to generate a share link.

  • Test each share channel tile (email, Facebook, Messenger, X, etc.) to ensure they function correctly.

4. Test the Referral Flow

  • Open a new incognito window.

  • Wait 30 seconds after copying the share link to avoid being marked as a self-referral.

  • Paste and visit the share link.

5. Complete the Friend Journey

Standard Retail Friend Journey

This can have 2 paths based on if you are utilizing the Email Capture feature within the Friend Landing Experience:

Email Capture Enabled

Email Capture Not Enabled

  • On the Friend Landing Experience, enter your friend email (must be different from the advocate email).

  • Check that email for the friend reward.

  • Copy code if utilizing promo codes.

  • Land on the Friend Landing Experience via the share link.

  • Copy Code if utilizing promo codes.

Standard Credit Union Friend Journey

This can have 2 paths based on if you are utilizing the Email Capture feature within the Friend Landing Experience:

Email Capture Enabled

Email Capture Not Enabled

  • On the Friend Landing Experience, enter your friend email (must be different from the advocate email).

  • Check that email for the friend reward instructions.

  • Land on the Friend Landing Experience via the share link.

Standard Services Friend Journey

This can have 2 paths based on if you are utilizing the Email Capture feature within the Friend Landing Experience:

Email Capture Enabled

Email Capture Not Enabled

  • On the Friend Landing Experience, enter your friend email (must be different from the advocate email).

  • Check that email for the friend reward.

  • Copy code if utilizing promo codes.

  • Land on the Friend Landing Experience via the share link.

  • Copy Code if utilizing promo codes.

6. Click Through and Complete Program Actions

  • From the success message or the friend reward email or on the friend microsite, click “Get Started.”

  • Confirm the “Get Started” button leads to the correct landing page.

  • Complete the required actions (purchase, signup, etc.) for your program.

7. Verify Rewards

  • After completion, both the advocate and friend should receive their reward emails.

  • Check that these emails:

    • Arrive in the correct inbox

    • Display the correct content and links

Additional QA Items

Link Verification

Click and verify the following links throughout the experience:

  • How it works

  • Terms

  • Contact Us

  • Privacy Policy

Ensure they all:

  • Lead to the correct pages

  • Open in the correct format (new tab, modal, etc.)

Email Checks

Make sure all applicable emails are sent as expected, based on the Figma Journey Map.

Default Advocate Emails

  • Welcome Email

  • Stats Email

  • Pending Reward Email

  • Reward Email

Default Friend Emails

  • Share Email (if sent via email channel)

  • Pending Reward Email

  • Reward Email

Confirm:

  • Subject lines are correct

  • Content matches the journey

  • CTAs in the emails work correctly

Copy & Creative QA

Extole’s QA does not cover creative or copy, so you are responsible for checking:

  • Text accuracy and tone

  • Fonts, sizes, and colors

  • Brand alignment (logos, imagery, etc.)


Final Checklist Before Sign-Off

  • Two unique emails were used

  • Journey matched Figma flow

  • All emails were received as expected

  • All buttons and CTAs worked

  • No broken or misdirected links

  • All visual and copy elements were reviewed and approved

What do I do if things aren't working!?

  • Double check your Program within the Extole Platform to confirm that everything matches your user flow.

  • Connect with your tech team to ensure that the tags or links have been added correctly to your page.

  • Reach out to your Implementation Team for assistance!

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