Referrals are basically another form of discount in which a user shares a code to others so that they may use it to apply discounts. In addition, the sharer may also enjoy benefits when their referral codes are used by others, depending on the configuration that is set on referrals.
Setting up referrals
First, enable the referral system for PayPlans at PayPlans > Settings > Discounts > General > Enable Referral System.
Once the referral system is enabled on the site, users are able to retrive their referral codes from the user preferences page.
If you have not create any referral instance or linked them to the appropriate plans in the backend, you will not see the option to enter a referral code in the checkout screen. To create a referral instance, click on the New button at PayPlans > Referrals. The following screenshot shows a new referral instance form.
Using referral codes
Purchasers should see a referral form to input a referral code, provided the plan is associated with one of more referral instances. This allows them to apply the referral discount on the purchase.
Depending on what setting is set for When to Send E-Mail to Code Sharer in the referral instance, an email will be sent out to the user(sharer) who owns the code. The code in this email will be different than the referral code used by the purchaser.
Also, the code from the email is actually a discount instance which is located at PayPlans > Discounts.