title | seoTitle | seoDescription | datePublished | cuid | slug | cover | ogImage | tags |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Create a custom referral program for free using Firebase |
Create An Easy, Free Referral Program |
Quickly launch a customized referral program without spending any money and get a leg up on your competitors! |
Sun Feb 04 2024 16:38:50 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) |
cls7q9k20000008l24otr9849 |
create-a-custom-referral-program-for-free-using-firebase |
firebase, php, nodejs, vanilla-js-1, referral-program |
Having a great referral program in place is a smart marketing move however, third-party referral software such as Growsurf have really high price tags that may not be a good option for startups. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the process of building a powerful referral program using Firebase in your vanilla project. Whether you're a fintech enthusiast, a startup founder, or a developer eager to enhance user engagement, this guide is for you.
Explore the key elements and steps involved in creating a robust referral program that can be seamlessly integrated into your web or mobile application. From understanding the impact of referral programs to deploying Firebase Cloud Functions for real-time reward calculations, we've got you covered.
The code snippets provided are adaptable to various applications, ensuring flexibility and scalability. Let's dive right in!
-
index.html: The main HTML file where the user dashboard is displayed.
-
style.css: The main CSS file for styling.
-
app.js: The main JavaScript file for your application logic.
-
firebase-config.js: A separate file to handle Firebase configuration.
-
auth.js: A file to manage user authentication.
-
referral.js: A file to handle referral-related logic.
Referral programs serve as potent tools across industries, driving user growth and enhancing conversion rates. The ability to leverage existing users to bring in new customers is a game-changer.
Referral programs can significantly impact user acquisition and conversion rates. Harnessing the trust between existing and potential users leads to more organic and engaged customer bases.
Firebase offers a suite of tools that cater to various application needs. From real-time databases to authentication services, it provides a robust foundation for building dynamic web or mobile applications.
// Initializing Firebase in your project
const firebaseConfig = {
apiKey: "YOUR_API_KEY",
authDomain: "your-project-id.firebaseapp.com",
projectId: "your-project-id",
storageBucket: "your-project-id.appspot.com",
messagingSenderId: "your-messaging-sender-id",
appId: "your-app-id",
};
// Initialize Firebase
firebase.initializeApp(firebaseConfig);
A vanilla build approach, devoid of extensive frameworks, provides greater control over your codebase. It optimizes performance and allows for a modular architecture.
Firestore, as Firebase's NoSQL database, facilitates the creation of a collection to store essential information about referrals.
// Creating a Firestore collection for referrals
const db = firebase.firestore();
const referralsCollection = db.collection('referrals');
Defining the structure of referral data ensures effective data management within Firestore.
// Defining the structure of the referral data in Firestore
const referralData = {
referrerId: 'user123',
referredId: 'user456',
status: 'pending',
reward: 0,
createdAt: firebase.firestore.FieldValue.serverTimestamp(),
};
A JavaScript function can be crafted to generate unique referral codes, adding a personalized touch to your program.
// JavaScript function to generate unique referral codes
const generateReferralCode = () => {
const characters = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0123456789';
let referralCode = '';
for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
referralCode += characters.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * characters.length));
}
return referralCode;
};
Integrate the referral code generation function seamlessly into your application to make it a seamless part of the user experience.
// Integrating referral code generation into your platform
const userReferralCode = generateReferralCode();
console.log(`Your referral code is: ${userReferralCode}`);
Craft a function to generate referral links, providing users with an effortless way to share your application.
// JavaScript function to generate referral links
const generateReferralLink = (userId, referralCode) => {
return `https://yourapp.com/signup?ref=${referralCode}`;
};
Seamlessly integrate referral links into your application's user interface for a user-friendly experience.
<!-- HTML code to display the referral link in the user interface -->
<a href="${generateReferralLink(user.id, userReferralCode)}">Share your referral link</a>
Integrate referral tracking logic into the user sign-up process to associate every new user with their referrer.
// JavaScript code to implement referral tracking on user sign-up
const trackReferral = (referrerId, referredId) => {
if (referrerId !== referredId) {
referralsCollection.add({
referrerId,
referredId,
status: 'pending',
reward: 0,
createdAt: firebase.firestore.FieldValue.serverTimestamp(),
});
}
};
Implement measures to validate referrals and prevent users from referring themselves.
// Code to ensure valid referrals and prevent self-referrals
const isValidReferral = (referrerId, referredId) => {
return referrerId !== referredId;
};
Leverage Firebase Cloud Functions for real-time reward calculation to enhance the responsiveness of your referral program.
// Firebase Cloud Function for reward calculation
exports.calculateReward = functions.firestore
.document('referrals/{referralId}')
.onCreate((snapshot, context) => {
const referralId = context.params.referralId;
// Implement your reward calculation logic here
const rewardAmount = calculateRewardAmount(referralId);
// Update referral record with the reward amount
return snapshot.ref.update({ reward: rewardAmount });
});
Deploy and monitor Cloud Functions to ensure the reliability of your real-time reward calculation.
# Command to deploy Cloud
Functions using Firebase CLI
firebase deploy --only functions
Security is paramount. Implement measures to prevent fraudulent activities within your referral program.
// Firebase Authentication for user identity verification
const isAuthenticated = () => {
// Implement your authentication logic using Firebase Authentication
return true; // Placeholder, replace with actual authentication check
};
// Additional code for IP and device tracking
// Implement as per your security requirements
Maintain the integrity of your referral program by implementing additional security measures.
// Regular audit code for referral data integrity
const auditReferralData = () => {
// Implement regular audits to identify and rectify any anomalies
console.log("Audit complete. Referral data is secure.");
};
// Code to educate users on program integrity
const educateUsers = () => {
console.log("Educate users on the importance of maintaining program integrity for a fair ecosystem.");
};
Ensure a cohesive and engaging user experience by seamlessly integrating the referral program into your application.
<!-- HTML code to display the referral dashboard in the user interface -->
<div>
<h3>Your Referral Dashboard</h3>
<p>Your Referral Count: ${getUserReferralCount(user.id)}</p>
<a href="${generateReferralLink(user.id, userReferralCode)}">Share your referral link</a>
</div>
Make it intuitive for users to share and track their referrals.
// JavaScript code to display real-time referral data
const displayRealTimeData = () => {
// Use Firebase Realtime Database or Firestore to display up-to-date referral information
console.log("Displaying real-time referral data in the user interface.");
};
// JavaScript code to provide sharing options
const provideSharingOptions = () => {
console.log("Integrate social sharing options for users to share their referral links easily.");
};
Gather valuable insights into the performance of your referral program through effective logging and analytics.
// Firebase Analytics initialization code
const initAnalytics = () => {
firebase.analytics();
};
// Custom logging code for specific events and user activities
const logEvents = () => {
console.log("Logging events for performance monitoring and analysis.");
};
Continuously optimize your referral program based on user behavior and insights gained through analytics.
// JavaScript code to analyze user behavior
const analyzeUserBehavior = () => {
console.log("Regularly analyze user interactions with the referral program.");
};
// JavaScript code to iterate and improve the program
const iterateAndImprove = () => {
console.log("Implement improvements based on user feedback and program performance data.");
};
%[https://codepen.io/kaped25/pen/poYVXeK]
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>Your Fintech Startup</title>
<style>
body {
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
padding: 20px;
}
.dashboard {
border: 1px solid #ddd;
padding: 20px;
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.referral-link {
margin-top: 10px;
}
.signup-form {
max-width: 400px;
margin: 0 auto;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="dashboard">
<h2>Your Account Dashboard</h2>
<p>Welcome, Vashon Gonzales!</p>
<!-- Step 3: Display Referral Code -->
<p>Your referral code is: <strong id="referralCode"></strong></p>
<!-- Step 4: Referral Link -->
<p class="referral-link">Share this referral link: <a id="referralLink" href="#"></a></p>
</div>
<!-- Step 5: Track Referrals -->
<div class="signup-form">
<h2>Sign Up</h2>
<form action="signup.php" method="post">
<!-- Add other form fields as needed -->
<!-- Add a hidden input for the referral code -->
<input type="hidden" name="referralCode" id="signupReferralCode">
<button type="submit">Sign Up</button>
</form>
</div>
<script>
// JavaScript for generating and displaying referral code and link
function generateReferralCode() {
const characters = 'ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyz0123456789';
let code = '';
for (let i = 0; i < 8; i++) {
code += characters.charAt(Math.floor(Math.random() * characters.length));
}
return code;
}
// Set user's referral code and link on page load
document.getElementById('referralCode').innerText = generateReferralCode();
document.getElementById('referralLink').href = `https://yourwebsite.com/signup?ref=${document.getElementById('referralCode').innerText}`;
// Set the referral code in the signup form
document.getElementById('signupReferralCode').value = document.getElementById('referralCode').innerText;
</script>
</body>
</html>
This template includes a basic account dashboard, a referral code display, and a referral link for sharing. The signup form has a hidden input field to capture the referral code.
Adapt the form action (signup.php
) to your backend processing script if needed.
signup.php
would typically be a server-side script (written in PHP in this case) that processes the user's signup information and handles the referral logic. Here's a simplified example of what signup.php
might look like:
<?php
// Check if the form is submitted
if ($_SERVER["REQUEST_METHOD"] == "POST") {
// Retrieve other form fields as needed
$username = $_POST["username"];
$email = $_POST["email"];
// Retrieve the referral code
$referralCode = $_POST["referralCode"];
// Perform user registration logic, store user data in the database, etc.
// ...
// Check if a referral code is present
if (!empty($referralCode)) {
// Perform actions for a referral signup
// Update the referrer's account in the database, provide rewards, etc.
// ...
// Notify both the referrer and the new user about the successful referral
$referrerNotification = "Congratulations! Someone signed up using your referral code.";
$newUserNotification = "You successfully signed up using a referral code!";
// Example: Send notifications (replace with your actual notification mechanism)
mail($referrerEmail, "Referral Success", $referrerNotification);
mail($newUserEmail, "Referral Success", $newUserNotification);
}
// Redirect the user to a thank you page or their account dashboard
header("Location: thank-you.php");
exit();
}
// If the form is not submitted, redirect the user to the homepage or another appropriate page
header("Location: index.php");
exit();
?>
This PHP script does the following:
-
Retrieves form data (like username, email, and referral code) submitted via POST.
-
Performs user registration logic (store data in the database, etc.).
-
Checks if a referral code is present. If yes, it performs actions for a referral signup, such as updating the referrer's account and notifying both the referrer and the new user.
-
Redirects the user to a thank you page or their account dashboard.
Since you're using a Node.js backend, you'll need to handle the signup logic within your Node.js application. Here's a general guide on how to integrate the referral logic into your Node.js backend:
-
File Structure:
- If you don't have one already, create a directory for your server-side code. Place your Node.js files in this directory.
-
Create a New File:
- Create a new file, let's call it
signup.js
or any appropriate name for your signup logic. Paste the Node.js code into this file.
- Create a new file, let's call it
-
Update Form Action:
-
In your HTML signup form, ensure that the
action
attribute points to the correct endpoint in your Node.js server. For example:<form action="/signup" method="post">
-
-
Express.js Setup:
-
If you're using Express.js for your Node.js server, you'll need to set up route handling for the signup endpoint. Here's a basic example:
const express = require('express'); const bodyParser = require('body-parser'); const app = express(); app.use(bodyParser.urlencoded({ extended: true })); app.post('/signup', (req, res) => { // Handle signup logic here // ... // Redirect the user to a thank you page or their account dashboard res.redirect('/thank-you'); }); // Start the server const PORT = process.env.PORT || 3000; app.listen(PORT, () => { console.log(`Server is running on port ${PORT}`); });
-
-
Database Integration:
- Integrate the user registration logic with your database. Connect to the database, insert user data, and update the referrer's account. If you're using a specific database library or ORM (Object-Relational Mapping), adjust the code accordingly.
-
Notifications:
- If you're using email notifications or any other form of notification, ensure that the notification mechanisms are properly configured and working within your Node.js application.
-
Security Considerations:
- Ensure that your Node.js code is secure. Use parameterized queries or an ORM to prevent SQL injection, validate and sanitize user input, and implement other security best practices.
-
Testing:
- Test the integration by submitting the signup form. Check if the form data is being processed correctly, and if the referral logic is working as expected.
-
Deployment:
- Deploy the updated Node.js files to your server.
npm install
if you're using external libraries like Express.js or others.