> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mention-me.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Understanding the Referral Journey > Understand how the referral experience works for referrers and referees, across retail and non-retail industries. The referral journey is how your customers share your brand with friends and how those friends become new customers. The core flow is the same regardless of industry, with some differences in how eligibility and rewards are handled. Two flows in the customer journey ## The Core Flow 1. A customer (*referrer*) sees your referral offer 2. The referrer shares it with friends (*referees*) 3. The referee registers for the offer and completes their first purchase or sign-up 4. Both parties receive their rewards ## How the Journey Unfolds ### The Referrer Sees Your Offer The post-purchase (or post-signup) page is the most effective place to promote a referral offer. At this point the customer trusts your brand, feels positive about their purchase, and won't be interrupted by the promotion. You can also promote referral in your account area, emails, banners, and other touchpoints where customers engage with your brand. The referral offer on the order confirmation page ### The Referrer Shares with Friends Referrers can share your offer through multiple channels: * **Name Share** — Mention Me's unique feature that lets referrers tell friends to use their name at checkout * **Email** — a direct email invite to the referee * **Social media** — Facebook, WhatsApp, SMS, and more * **Unique link** — a personalised sharing link that can be pasted anywhere * **Native Share** — uses built-in device sharing capabilities (WhatsApp, iMessage, etc.) Sharing options including email, link, and social channels Referrers sharing with friends online and offline ### The Referee Claims the Offer When a referee engages with the offer — by clicking a link or entering their friend's name — they register with their email address. They receive the offer either immediately (for example, a discount code) or as a promise (for example, a voucher after their first purchase). Whether or not the referee applies the code at checkout, Mention Me recognises the referral as completed. The friend clicks a referral link from a social post or message The friend registers for the introductory offer The friend receives their reward ### Rewards Are Issued Once the referee meets the eligibility criteria, both the referrer and referee receive their rewards. ## How It Works by Industry The journey typically starts on the post-purchase confirmation page. Mention Me captures purchase details via a JavaScript tag and registers the customer as a referrer in the background. * Referrers can share through 25+ channels, including personalised links, social media, and Name Share * Referees redeem via the referral landing page or by entering the referrer's name at the "Referred by a Friend" link at checkout * Vouchers are automatically issued and applied at checkout For non-retail businesses — utilities, subscriptions, insurance, and financial services — the journey starts on the post-signup page. * Customer data captured includes name, email, and signup ID * Reward eligibility is confirmed after specific criteria are met (for example, payment made or cooling-off period passed) * Eligibility can be confirmed manually or via secure SFTP * Once confirmed, both parties receive their rewards ## The Customer Perspective From the customer's point of view, the Mention Me tag captures key data and triggers the referral overlay at checkout. Referrers share through their preferred channel. Referees receive and redeem their reward using either a referral link or Name Share. Offers are personalised, marketing consent is collected, and referral codes are applied automatically.