How referral codes are created
You configure the Referral Codes section in your program settings, which defines the discount rate, product eligibility, and referral rule title for every code in that program.
Buzzbassador creates that referral rule in your Shopify Discounts list.
When an applicant fills out your form, they choose their own referral code in the "Create Your Referral Code" field.
Once approved (assuming the program they're placed in has referral codes enabled), Buzzbassador automatically generates that code under your referral rule in Shopify.
If the code the applicant chose is already taken (all Shopify codes must be unique), Buzzbassador auto-generates a different one.
What happens if a program has referral codes disabled
If a member is approved into a program that has the Referral Codes section toggled off, no referral code is created in Shopify for that member, even if they entered one on the application form. The code they chose is preserved in their Buzzbassador profile for future reference.
If you later turn the Referral Codes section on for that program, Buzzbassador creates referral codes for each member in the program at that point. If a member's preferred code is still available in Shopify, they get the code they originally chose. If not, an alternative is auto-generated.
If the Referral Codes section is later toggled off again, all referral codes for members in that program are deactivated in Shopify. They aren't deleted from member profiles, so toggling the section back on at any point reactivates them.
Where to find member codes in Shopify
1. Go to Programs in Buzzbassador and click Edit on the program.
2. Note the Referral Rule Title in the Referral Codes section.
3. In Shopify, go to Discounts and search for that referral rule title.
4. Click the rule and then click View all codes.
How to edit a member's referral code
From the Members page, find the member, click the edit icon next to their referral code, type the new code, then click the checkmark to save. The new code must be unique in Shopify.
Note: Ambassadors cannot make this change from this admin screen — the steps above are for you, the merchant. Ambassadors have their own self-serve version: they can update their own code any time from their Buzzbassador dashboard (Settings > Referral Settings). If an ambassador asks how to change their own code, direct them to Members: How To Change Your Referral Code rather than walking them through the Members page steps above.
Notes:
Changing a code (whether you edit it from the Members page or the member updates it themselves) updates it in both Buzzbassador and Shopify automatically.
Members in programs with referral codes disabled may still see referral settings in their portal but cannot use a code at checkout, since none is active in Shopify.
If you toggle referral codes on for that program, the codes activate immediately and members can begin using them.
This article is about referral codes specifically, which are separate from and completely untied to BuzzLinks codes. For more information about BuzzLinks' one-time use codes, read the article below.