How to setup and manage promo codes in Duel
Overview
Setup
Video Walkthroughs
Promo code management
Expiring Code Batches
Retracting Individual Referral Codes
Overview
Promo codes are any form of code that the advocates in a programme can use or share.
All codes need to be validated in a brands e-commerce and tested by the brand team to ensure correct setup.
Duel has no control over a codes rules, all the settings in the dashboard are for tracking purposes.
🚨 Any changes made to promo codes after creation will impact the programme's functionality. It’s your responsibility to let Duel know any planned changes so they can be properly implemented.
Types of promo codes
Action - The most common code used in Duel programmes, action codes are uploaded in batches after being validated/activates on a brands e-commerce
Personal - Used to create unique codes automatically based on an advocates display name with additional affix optional.
Hyper Personalised - Individual codes can be distributed to users using hyper personalised codes, when uploading the codes as a CSV include the advocates email address in another column. See example csv here and walkthrough here.
Universal - A single code that all advocates share when they've unlocked/have access to the code.
How can codes be distributed
There are 3 ways to distribute promo codes to advocates these are setup in different places, see guidance below and
Referral Rule - Advocates can access these codes via the overview page/referrals model, these codes used for referrals & affiliates, and are setup when creating referral rules.
Reward - These codes are distributed when an advocate reaches a particular tier, these codes are setup via Members > Groups > Select appropriate group > Tier > Post-Unlock Promotion. Note these codes are distributed when an advocate arrives in the tier the code it linked to.
Task - Codes can also be distributed via a task, when building tasks select the 'Promo code reward' toggle and configure from there. These codes will be distributed upon task moderation.
Setup
Depending on how you want the code to be distributed navigate to the appropriate location, see distribution methods above.
Type - Select type that's appropriate see definitions above.
Discount type - What does the promo code offers
Amount - If the code offers a fixed amount off
Percentage - % off order total
Free shipping
Promo code creation
Import from file - A batch of pre created codes can be uploaded, using the CSV format, see example here
Automatic - Duel can generate promo codes in the dashboard that can then be authenticated against a brands e-commerce
Redemption Limit
Unlimited - Duel will track and reward all redemptions of the code
Fixed - Duel will stop tracking and rewarding after X redemptions of the promo code.
Renew after limit reached - If setting up a referral code then a brand can also specify that a new code gets distributed once redemption limit is reached.
This can be used for mitigating code leaks, however we'd generally recommend the code has a hard limit of uses aligned with what's setup in Duel.
Start & End date - When the promotion will go live in Duel and the codes distributed to the appropriate advocates.
Using Existing Promotion
When setting up promo codes for Referrals & Affiliates, brands have the option to reuse batches of codes for multiple rules. Instead of creating a separate batch of codes for each rule, you can follow the instructions above to create the first batch and then select "use existing promotion" for the remaining rules to copy the same codes. This means as advocates move through the tiers they'll keep their same code.
Video Walkthroughs
Setting up Referral Codes
Setting up Tier Reward Codes
Setting up Hyper Personalised Referral Codes
Promo code management
After codes have been configured they can be managed and updated in the Promotions Tab in the Duel dashboard.
Topping up codes
When codes are running low it's the brands responsibility to ensure e-commerce are prepared and educated on the codes required and to get a fresh batch uploaded.
These can be uploaded directly into the already existing promo code rule in the promotions tab under 'Import more codes (.csv)'
Expiring codes
Codes can be expired and retracted from the dashboard if required.
If codes need to be changed, it's preferable to update the rules on the brand e-commerce and keeping them in the programme. Retracting codes can be poor UX for the advocates.
⁉️ Speak to your BSE before expiring & retracting any codes for best practices
Expiring codes is done where the code was setup originally, see the distribution methods for more info on where codes are setup.
Once the promo codes have been located hover over the promotion, hit the ❌ and follow the prompts.
Expired codes can be found in the promotions tab under Expired.
Retracting Individual Referral Codes
In the below video, you can learn how to retract a referral code that has been leaked on a code sharing website.
Removing a referral code is a straightforward process that can be completed within the Duel dashboard. If you also need to retract the commission associated with the code, it is important to take prompt action as automatic commission payments are typically processed within a specific timeframe (generally set to 45 days) after the code is used.