In today’s eCommerce-driven world, Shopify brands are under constant pressure to not only drive traffic but also turn that traffic into measurable sales. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is through affiliate influencer marketing powered by discount codes. By combining Shopify’s seamless integrations with a dedicated affiliate influencer marketing platform, brands can track performance, boost conversions, and scale with confidence.
This guide will break down everything you need to know about running Shopify influencer marketing campaigns with discount codes—from setup to conversion tracking.
Why Shopify Brands Should Use Influencer Marketing with Discount Codes
Shopify is one of the most widely used eCommerce platforms globally, powering millions of online stores. But with competition growing, brands can’t just rely on ads. Here’s why influencer marketing—especially with discount codes—is a game changer:
- Trackable ROI – Unlike traditional ads, discount codes make it easy to see exactly which influencer drove which sale.
- Higher Conversions – Shoppers are far more likely to buy when they receive an exclusive discount from a trusted influencer.
- Authenticity & Trust – Influencers recommend products they genuinely believe in, giving your brand credibility.
- Scalable Growth – Shopify’s integration with influencer marketing platforms like Referwo allows you to automate campaigns and track results in real time.
According to industry research, influencer marketing delivers 4X higher click-through rates and 79% higher purchase intent compared to traditional ads.
How Discount Codes Drive Conversions in Influencer Campaigns
Discount codes are not just about slashing prices—they are one of the most effective performance tracking tools in affiliate campaigns.
Here’s why:
- Unique Tracking Per Influencer – Assign each influencer a unique discount code (e.g., JANE10). You’ll instantly know who drove the sale.
- Motivation to Purchase – Followers are incentivised to buy because they get an exclusive deal.
- Easy Commission Payouts – Affiliate payouts can be automated based on redemptions.
- Real-Time Insights – Platforms like Referwo allow brands to see live redemption numbers, making it easy to double down on top performers.
Pro Tip: Use tiered discount structures (e.g., 10% for micro-influencers, 15% for macro-influencers) to test which incentive works best.
Setting Up Shopify & Affiliate Influencer Campaigns
Running a Shopify influencer campaign with discount codes involves 4 key steps:
1. Choose the Right Platform
Manually tracking discount codes through spreadsheets can quickly become overwhelming. Instead, use an all-in-one influencer marketing platform like Referwo, which automates:
- Influencer onboarding
- Discount code generation
- Real-time sales tracking
- Commission payouts
2. Launch Your Campaign
- Decide on the type of campaign: Affiliate, Gifted, or Paid collaborations.
- Publish your campaign on Referwo and let influencers apply to promote your brand.
- Provide clear instructions and perks for influencers (e.g., free product samples + commission on sales).
3. Distribute Unique Discount Codes
- Each influencer gets their own trackable code.
- Codes can be easily integrated into Shopify, ensuring seamless redemptions.
- Influencers promote codes in captions, stories, YouTube videos, or TikToks.
4. Track & Optimise Performance
With platforms like Referwo, brands can:
- See real-time sales data.
- Identify top-performing influencers.
- Automate commission payouts.
- Optimise campaigns by reallocating budget towards best performers.
Case Study: How Brands Win with Affiliate Influencer Campaigns
One brand on Referwo, Thread the Word, generated nearly $42,000 in sales and over 470,000 impressions from just 148 influencer collaborations. The secret? Leveraging affiliate influencer campaigns with trackable discount codes.
This demonstrates the power of pairing Shopify with an affiliate marketing platform that provides transparency and performance tracking.
Shopify Influencer Marketing App vs Affiliate Platforms
Many Shopify apps exist for influencer marketing, but most lack advanced features. Here’s how Referwo compares:
Feature | Shopify Apps | Referwo Platform |
Discount Code Tracking | ✅ Basic | ✅ Advanced (unique per influencer, real-time ROI) |
Commission Payouts | ❌ Manual | ✅ Automated |
Influencer Discovery | ❌ Limited | ✅ 1500+ vetted influencers |
Dealshub Exposure | ❌ No | ✅ Yes – Long-term visibility |
Multi-Campaign Support | ❌ Limited | ✅ Affiliate, Gifted, Paid campaigns |
Best Practices for Running Shopify & Affiliate Influencer Campaigns
To maximise ROI, follow these proven strategies:
1. Work with Micro & Nano Influencers
They have smaller but highly engaged audiences, often leading to higher conversion rates.
2. Use a Tiered Commission Model
Offer different commission percentages based on influencer size and performance.
3. Repurpose Influencer Content
Turn influencer UGC into ads, email marketing, and product page content for long-term value.
4. Track Beyond Sales
Look at engagement, impressions, and audience demographics to understand which influencers are building long-term brand equity.
5. Stay Compliant
Follow AIMCO and ACCC guidelines for influencer marketing disclosures.
Why Referwo is the Best Affiliate Influencer Marketing Platform for Shopify Brands
Referwo is built specifically for eCommerce. Here’s why Shopify brands love it:
- Shopify Integration – Track sales and manage influencer payouts directly within Shopify.
- Automated Campaign Management – Save time with influencer discovery, content approvals, and code distribution.
- Affiliate + UGC Power – Get both sales-driven campaigns and high-converting content.
- Dealshub Exposure – Keep your discount codes visible 24/7 in influencers’ digital storefronts.
“So easy to create campaigns, and links to Shopify. Staff super helpful and creators are easy to work with.” – Jaime Turner
Final Thoughts: Tracking & Converting with Shopify Affiliate Influencer Campaigns
Running Shopify influencer campaigns with discount codes isn’t just about tracking sales—it’s about building sustainable growth. With Referwo, you get an all-in-one influencer CRM, real-time tracking, automated commission payouts, and ongoing exposure through Dealshub.
In today’s fast-moving digital economy, success isn’t about guesswork—it’s about making informed, strategic decisions. Discount code tracking gives you the clarity you need to scale with confidence.
Take Action Today 🚀
If you’re ready to start running affiliate influencer campaigns on Shopify, Referwo makes it simple:
- ✅ Start Your Free Trial
- ✅ Book a 15-Min Demo
- ✅ Explore how Referwo for Brands can help you automate, track, and scale your influencer campaigns.
Grow smarter, not harder—turn discount codes into conversions with Referwo.