Maker Codes vs Referral Codes for First Purchase Savings

Shopping online for the first time at a new store? You've probably come across two types of codes that promise savings: maker codes and referral codes. They might sound similar, but they work in different ways and understanding the difference can mean saving 10% versus 30% on your first order. If you're trying to get the best deal on your first purchase, knowing which code type to use (and where to find it) is worth a few minutes of your time.

What's the difference between a maker code and a referral code?

A maker code is a promotional discount created by the brand or store itself. It's usually shared publicly through marketing campaigns, email newsletters, or coupon sites. Think of it as the store saying, "Here's a deal for anyone shopping with us for the first time."

A referral code is personal. It's given to an existing customer to share with friends or family. When someone uses that code on their first purchase, both the new shopper and the person who shared the code often get a reward like a discount or store credit.

So the core difference comes down to origin and intent. Maker codes come from the business. Referral codes come from real customers.

How do maker codes work for first-time orders?

Maker codes are straightforward. The store generates a code something like WELCOME15 or FIRSTORDER and makes it available to new customers. You enter the code at checkout, and the discount applies to your order.

These codes are often tied to specific conditions:

Minimum order amount (e.g., $50 or more)
First-time customers only
Excluded categories or sale items
A set percentage or flat dollar amount off

Most online retailers offer some version of a maker code. If you're looking for ones that actually work on your first order, our list of top maker discount codes for new customer orders is a good starting point.

How do referral codes save you money on your first purchase?

Referral codes work through a different system. An existing customer shares a unique link or code with you. When you use it to place your first order, the store rewards both of you.

Here's a common example:

You get $20 off your first order of $75 or more
The person who referred you gets $20 in store credit

Some brands make referral discounts bigger than their standard maker codes. Others keep them about the same. The real advantage is that referral codes sometimes stack with other promotions, giving you a bigger total discount.

Which gives a bigger discount on your first order?

It depends on the store, but here's a general pattern based on what we've seen across popular online retailers:

Maker codes typically offer 10%–20% off or a flat $10–$15 discount
Referral codes often range from $15–$30 off, or sometimes a higher percentage like 25%

Referral codes can be more generous because the store is paying for customer acquisition they'd rather give a bigger discount and gain a new loyal customer through word of mouth. That said, not every store has a referral program, so maker codes may be your only option in many cases.

For a look at what's available right now, check out the best maker promo codes for first-time order savings.

Can you use both a maker code and a referral code on the same order?

In most cases, no. Stores usually limit you to one promotional code per order. This is one of the most common mistakes new shoppers make they spend time hunting for both types only to find out they can only apply one at checkout.

However, a few things to watch for:

Some stores let you combine a referral code with free shipping offers
Referral codes occasionally work alongside automatic site-wide sales
Maker codes sometimes apply to specific product categories while referral codes apply to the whole cart

Always read the terms at checkout. If a code doesn't seem to work, it might be because you already have another discount applied.

When should you use a maker code instead of a referral code?

Use a maker code when:

You don't know anyone who shops at that store
The store doesn't have a referral program
The maker code offers a bigger discount than any referral code you've found
The maker code includes extras like free shipping or a free gift

If you need help applying these at checkout, we walk through the exact steps in our guide on how to apply maker codes for first-order discounts.

When is a referral code the better choice?

Go with a referral code when:

A friend or family member has one and the discount is clearly higher
The store is running a limited-time referral bonus (double rewards, extra credit, etc.)
You want to help someone you know earn store credit at the same time

A practical example: Say you're buying a custom item from a design marketplace. Your friend shares a referral code for $25 off. The store's standard maker code only gives 10% off a $60 order that's $6. In this case, the referral code saves you nearly four times more.

What are the most common mistakes people make with these codes?

Not checking expiration dates. Maker codes often have short validity windows. A code that worked last week might be dead today.
Using the wrong code type for the store. Some shops only accept their own maker codes and have no referral system at all.
Forgetting to check minimum spend requirements. A code might say "$20 off" but require a $100 minimum order.
Applying the code too late. Some stores require you to enter the code before you start the checkout process, not at the payment step.
Copying expired referral links from old posts. Referral codes shared on social media or forums may have already maxed out their usage limits.

Where do you find working maker and referral codes?

For maker codes, your best bets are:

The store's homepage pop-up (many offer a code for signing up to their email list)
Trusted coupon aggregator sites
The store's social media pages

For referral codes, try:

Asking friends or family who've shopped there before
Reddit communities or forums related to the brand
Referral-sharing threads on deal websites

When working with design tools or creative marketplaces say you're purchasing a bundle that includes fonts like Playfair Display both maker and referral codes can apply depending on the platform's rules.

Do these codes work differently on mobile versus desktop?

Functionally, no. A code is a code whether you're shopping on your phone or laptop. But the experience can differ:

Mobile checkout flows sometimes hide the promo code field behind a dropdown or link that says "Have a code?"
Some store apps don't support referral links the same way a browser does you might need to open the link in Safari or Chrome first
Maker codes shared via email are easier to copy and paste on desktop

If a code isn't applying on mobile, try switching to desktop before assuming it's expired.

Quick checklist before you use your first-purchase code

✅ Confirm the code is still active and hasn't expired
✅ Check the minimum order amount and any product exclusions
✅ Decide whether a maker code or referral code gives you the better deal
✅ Try only one code at a time at checkout
✅ Read the fine print some codes only work for specific product categories or regions
✅ If the code doesn't work, clear your cart and try again from a fresh browser session

Next step: Before placing your next first-time order, take two minutes to compare the store's standard maker code against any referral code you can find. Pick the one that saves you more and if neither works, look for updated codes that have been verified recently rather than guessing at checkout.