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The design of a retention funnel significantly influences an affiliate’s profitability; without effective retention tools, users might exit the site without making their first deposit. For retention strategies to be successful, they need to be tailored to various audience segments, continuously analyzed, and frequently refreshed with new tactics.
Mares, the CEO of Stars Partners’ affiliate program, provided valuable insights into how different brands utilize retention tools and which ones are truly effective.
In this article, you will discover:
Mares: A partner’s conversion rate directly correlates with their eagerness to collaborate with us. Therefore, we strive to enhance that conversion:
Mares: Our engagement with the player begins even before they register.
Once a user arrives on the site, we monitor their cookies, allowing us to run retargeting ads on external platforms, which helps improve click-to-registration (C2R) rates.
Upon registration, we incentivize them to make a deposit within 15 minutes by providing a no-wager bonus.
We also utilize various communication channels, including email, inbox notifications, site alerts, SMS, and push notifications.
Retention strategies vary based on user behavior. For example, the frequency of follow-ups during the first week is influenced by the source of traffic, with more aggressive outreach for Facebook and email compared to PPC or SEO.
Before implementing any new retention feature, we conduct comprehensive analytics across all brands. The “15-minute” feature, for instance, was developed after analyzing post-registration activity, revealing that users in Tier-1 markets generally take 3–9 minutes to explore the product and bonus. Following this, they either deposit or leave.
Many users who exit often intend to deposit “later” – this mechanism aims to capture them in a timely manner.
Mares: It’s essential to motivate users while they are still on the site; encouraging them to return later is significantly more challenging.
Initially, we implement gamified tools:
In several projects, we incorporate a “hidden bonus” of free spins for three months, which is activated after the first deposit.
Weekly, players receive an SMS and email informing them of a new free spin pack available for 24 hours – no deposit necessary, but the spins will expire after that period.
This approach builds anticipation, keeps users involved, and encourages repeat visits.
Mares: We utilize classic methods such as the wheel of fortune, bonus shop, missions, and scratch cards.
Recently, we introduced quizzes and match-X mini-games, which have been well-received as they allow players to test their knowledge and luck, rather than simply spinning for rewards.
Wheel of Fortune: Available every 12 hours with jackpots reaching up to €500,000.
Bonus Shop: Players can exchange points earned for prizes and bonuses.
Since the launch of these new games, engagement with traditional tools has not diminished; in fact, it has increased by 17–22% depending on the geographical area.
For instance, daily quizzes have increased average session duration by 12–15 minutes and boosted return visits by 18%.
We are committed to continuing this trend by offering personalized promotions, exclusive tournaments, and even offline events for top players to enhance loyalty.
Mares: We seamlessly incorporate bonuses into the gameplay.
For instance, users earn bonuses for:
These small incentives foster loyalty and encourage ongoing activity.
Our reward system operates through a VIP program: the more active and dedicated the player, the more substantial the rewards.
Mini-games are also part of the bonus framework, with prizes available every 12 hours reaching up to €500,000.
The VIP Program includes detailed bonus information at each tier and options for transferring VIP status.
Mares: At one point, we reached a limit with premium-quality traffic and found it challenging to scale.
That prompted us to broaden our approach; we now engage with nearly all traffic sources that meet our ROI criteria.
Currently, we are open to partnerships with various traffic types.
Our top three markets maintain a Reg2Dep rate of 37–55%, which ranks among the industry’s best.
Mares: We accommodate all of these options.
Traffic from Facebook/ASO can yield a CPA of €350–400.
SEO/PPC can reach up to €800+ after initial testing.
Personally, I favor hybrid deals (CPA + RevShare) – Stars Partners manages product retention, while partners focus on delivering quality traffic.
This model creates a mutually beneficial situation where average FTD values can reach €1200–1500.
We are amenable to prepay or spend-based arrangements, typically following a successful trial or if supported by a third-party guarantee (usually from another trusted partner).
Our managers will provide the current list of accepted geographical areas – please feel free to reach out!
Looking for a premier affiliate program with exceptional products and adaptable terms?
Stars Partners is the ideal choice for you.
Register today and start earning!
You can also meet us in person at the following upcoming events:
We look forward to connecting and exploring new partnership opportunities!