Frequently asked questions
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Do customers need an app to participate in a referral?
No. Tapping an NFC card or scanning a QR code opens a mobile web page in their browser — nothing to download or install, for them or for you.
How do referrals get tracked?
Each customer who taps or scans gets a unique referral link. When they share it and their friend completes a conversion event (booking, purchase, or form fill), the referral is automatically attributed to the original customer. You see the full referrer → referred chain in your dashboard.
What counts as a conversion?
You define it. Common conversion events include: lead form submission, booking confirmed, first purchase, or appointment completed. You set this up when creating your referral flow in CardLinks.
Can I run rewards (discount codes, credits, gift cards)?
Yes. CardLinks can automatically trigger a reward when a referral converts. Supported reward types include discount codes, account credits, and gift cards. You set the reward value and terms; CardLinks handles the delivery and tracking. Reward automation is available on Pro and Team plans.
Can I do this across multiple locations?
Yes. Each location can have its own referral flows, attribution tags, and reward rules. Your dashboard shows performance by location, by rep, or across the whole business. Multi-location is available on Pro (3 locations) and Team (10 locations) plans.
Can it integrate with my booking system or CRM?
Yes. CardLinks natively integrates with HubSpot today (Salesforce is on our roadmap). For booking systems like Calendly, Square Appointments, and Toast, we connect via webhooks and Zapier. More native integrations are being added continuously.
Do I need to use a CRM?
No. Even without a CRM, CardLinks captures every referral and conversion in your dashboard. You can export to CSV at any time. CRM sync is an optional add-on for teams that want leads to flow automatically into their existing tools.
Do I need hardware to get started?
No. You can start immediately with a QR code — print it or display it on-screen. NFC tap cards are optional and available with paid plans. They add a more premium, frictionless experience but are not required.
How long does setup take?
Most businesses are live in under 10 minutes: create your referral flow, set your reward (optional), and share your QR code. See our 10-minute setup guide for step-by-step instructions.
Is it compliant and privacy-safe?
Yes. Referral participation is opt-in. Referred contact data is collected with consent through your referral page. Data is encrypted in transit and at rest. CardLinks is designed to be GDPR and CCPA-friendly. You control all integrations and data exports.
How much does it cost?
See the full Pricing page. There's a free Starter plan, a Pro plan at $49/mo (up to 3 locations), and a Team plan at $149/mo (up to 10 locations). Annual billing saves 20%.
Can I cancel anytime?
Yes. Monthly plans cancel at the end of the billing period. Annual plans cancel at the end of the year. No penalties or gotchas.
Still have questions? Contact us or book a demo.