Shopify Basics
What is a Shopify App?
A Shopify App is a third-party tool that adds functionality to your Shopify store. Referbro is a Shopify App — once installed, it appears in your Shopify Admin sidebar under Apps.New to Shopify? Read the official Shopify Admin overview to familiarize yourself with the admin panel.
Key Shopify Locations You’ll Need
| Location | How to Find It | When You’ll Need It |
|---|---|---|
| Apps section | Shopify Admin → Apps (left sidebar) | To open Referbro after installing it |
| Theme Customizer | Shopify Admin → Online Store → Themes → Customize | To enable Referbro widgets on your storefront |
| App Embeds | Inside Theme Customizer → Click the App embeds icon (puzzle piece) on the left sidebar | To toggle on the Refer & Earn and Referral Received widgets |
| Checkout Editor | Shopify Admin → Settings → Checkout → Customize (or via Online Store → Themes → Customize select Checkout) | To add the Referbro widget to Checkout and Order Status pages |
What are App Embeds?
App Embeds are toggleable widgets provided by Shopify Apps that overlay on your store’s theme. They don’t require editing theme code — just flip a switch in the Theme Customizer. Referbro uses App Embeds for:- Refer & Earn Widget — A floating button on your storefront that opens a referral sharing panel.
- Referral Received Popup — A popup shown to visitors who arrive via a referral link, displaying their discount.
WhatsApp Business API Basics
Personal WhatsApp vs. Business API
| Personal WhatsApp | WhatsApp Business API | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Messaging friends & family | Sending automated messages at scale |
| Templates | Not required | Templates must be pre-approved by Meta |
| Access | Download the app | Obtained through a BSP (Business Solution Provider) |
| Cost | Free | Per-message pricing (varies by BSP) |
What is a BSP (Business Solution Provider)?
A BSP is a company authorized by Meta to offer WhatsApp Business API access. You sign up with a BSP, they provide you API credentials, and Referbro uses those credentials to send messages on your behalf. Referbro supports these BSPs:| Provider | Website |
|---|---|
| Pragma | pragma.ai / logisy.tech |
| Meta (Cloud API) | developers.facebook.com |
| Wabtune | Contact your Wabtune representative |
| LimeChat | limechat.ai |
| AiSensy | aisensy.com |
| Interakt | interakt.shop |
| KwikEngage | Contact your KwikEngage representative |
| SagePilot | Contact your SagePilot representative |
| Custom | Any HTTP-based WhatsApp API provider |
What is a WhatsApp Template?
WhatsApp requires that all business-initiated messages use pre-approved Message Templates. You can’t send arbitrary text — you must:- Create a template on your BSP’s platform (e.g., Pragma dashboard).
- Submit it for approval by Meta (usually takes minutes to hours).
- Map the approved template in Referbro by entering the Template ID and parameters.
{{1}} is a placeholder that Referbro fills with the customer’s unique referral link at send time.
Glossary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Referrer | The existing customer who shares their referral link |
| Referee (Friend) | The new customer who clicks the referral link and makes a purchase |
| Referral Code | A unique alphanumeric code assigned to each referrer (e.g., JOHN-AB12) |
| BSP | Business Solution Provider — a company that provides WhatsApp Business API access |
| Template | A pre-approved message structure on WhatsApp, with placeholders for dynamic content |
| App Embed | A toggleable widget provided by a Shopify App, enabled in the Theme Customizer |
| Checkout Extension | A widget that appears on Checkout or Order Status pages (requires Checkout Extensibility) |
| Discount Strategy | How the friend’s discount is calculated — either a fixed amount (e.g., ₹150 off) or a percentage (e.g., 10% off) |
| Cashback / Store Credit | The reward type given to the referrer after a successful referral |