Additional information is available to FareHarbor employees.
Affiliate book buttons and QR codes are booking elements that allow your affiliates to seamlessly resell your activities on their website or by paper marketing materials in real-time. Both elements have the same booking link behind them but are used for different advertising depending on how your affiliate is reselling. Bookings created with this booking link automatically appear in your Dashboard with the appropriate affiliate tagged.
If you know of a potential affiliate that would benefit from this, fill out the New Affiliate Request form.
Affiliate book buttons and QR codes, by default, reflect the online book form that guests booking on your website see. If a book form needs to be adjusted for a particular affiliate (for example, a custom field needs to be added or hidden and/or the rates should be different), we can make that happen!
What do affiliate book buttons and QR codes look like?
Affiliate book buttons
Affiliate book buttons are best for affiliates who have their own website. Once integrated onto a webpage of one of your affiliates, an affiliate book button will look just like a Book Now button on your own website. The only difference is that the name of the affiliate’s Dashboard is added to the booking link, so the bookings generated through that webpage will appear in your Dashboard with the appropriate affiliate tagged.
QR codes
QR codes are best used for affiliates who advertise on paper marketing materials. Once the QR code is scanned, the booking tags the relevant affiliate and any commission you might owe.
Note: A single QR code can only tag one affiliate and one commission.
How to create affiliate links or book buttons
Navigate to Settings > click on Book Buttons & Embeds via the options on the left-hand side.
Step 1: Choose widget type
- Select the option Book button or link.
- Add a call-to-action label for the button (e.g. Book online now!).
- Select what the link behind the button opens. This can be:
- A specific booking flow.
- A specific item.
- A specific item availability.
You can also customize this embed! If you prefer a calendar view or a grid view rather than a ‘Book Now’ button, select the Embedded calendar or Embedded grid option under Choose widget type. If you want to stick with a ‘Book Now’ button but want to change its style, check this help page here!
Step 2: Options
Under Options you can configure what the booking link looks like, where it directs the customer, what pricing it uses, and how the booking is tagged on the Dashboard.
Note: You can disable Include item description and images if you would like the link / book button to direct the customer to the booking calendar directly instead of the Lightframe. This is recommended if your affiliate is creating the content and photos for the booking themselves.
To set up specific affiliate tagging:
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Click on Advanced settings to expand the options.
- Online ref (recommended): Enter an online booking reference i.e. the source of the booking. We advise this to be the affiliate name. This will be tracked in your Dashboard so you can see where your bookings are made.
Note: If your link will be used exclusively behind a QR code, we advise adding qrcode to the online reference (e.g. affiliatename-qrcode).
- Pricing: If your affiliate uses a different price sheet from the default online sheet, select their price sheet via the dropdown menu.
Tip: If you don't see the desired price sheet, you may have to update its visibility settings so that it is available for online use.
- ASN company (required): Select the affiliate company to associate with bookings made via this booking link.
Note: The affiliate must already be added to your Dashboard in order to appear in this dropdown menu. If you need to add them, please let us know via the New Affiliate Request form.
Step 3: Copy this code for your site
- Select Link from the options.
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Copy the booking link from the field and either paste it into your page or provide your affiliate with it.
Once your booking link is created and configured, you can also distribute it using a generated QR code.
To locate and download your affiliate QR code:
- Navigate to Settings.
- Click on Book Buttons & Embeds via the options on the left-hand side.
- Select the QR code tab from the "Copy this code for your site” options.
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Click on the Download QR code button.
How does payment work?
As with bookings made on your website, any payment processed through an affiliate book button or QR code flows directly to you. Once the booking is completed, it appears in your Dashboard with the affiliate tag and tracks the commission you owe to that affiliate for the booking (if applicable).
Advantages of affiliate book buttons and QR codes
Affiliate book buttons and links are ideal for activity reseller websites, blogs, or hotel “Things to do” pages. Key benefits include:
- They can be embedded on any web page, included in confirmation emails, shared via social media, or anywhere a link can be pasted.
- Links can be bookmarked for easy access or quick reuse.
- They boost your online exposure through affiliate networks.
- A seamless booking experience for affiliates and the customers they refer.
QR codes are ideal for resellers who advertise with paper marketing materials. If a reseller displays pamphlets or distributes cards, adding a QR code to them:
- Allows customers to scan and book instantly, without manually entering a URL in their browser.
- Provides a mobile-friendly booking process that reduces friction for the customer.
How do I get this set up?
If you know of a potential affiliate that would benefit from this method, please contact our Channel Support team by filling out this New Affiliate Request form.
Once you request an affiliate book button, our team can send the URL directly to your affiliate. If they’d like assistance integrating it on their website, our Integrations Team can integrate it for them at no cost!