Overview
Both "Visit a URL" rewards and custom actions via the Loloyal API allow you to award points for actions beyond purchases, but they differ significantly in use case, flexibility, and technical setup.
1. Custom Action – Visit a URL
Best for: Simple, no-code engagement tasks (e.g. clicking a link to read an article, visit a landing page, or explore a collection).
✅ How it works:
You create a Custom Action in the "Ways to Earn" section.
Add a URL and button text.
When a customer clicks the button (and visits the URL), the system automatically awards points.
⚙️ Features:
Quick setup (no developer required).
Works by tracking the click — not completion of any deeper action.
No verification of what happens after the click.
🔒 Limitations:
Cannot track actual behavior (e.g. if they completed a form, watched a video, etc.).
Easy to abuse (e.g. clicking repeatedly to earn points unless frequency is restricted).
🔹 2. Custom Action – Loloyal REST API
Best for: Complex or verified behaviors (e.g. completed a survey, attended a webinar, watched a tutorial, placed a pre-order, etc.).
✅ How it works:
Your developer or app triggers the API endpoint with customer info and a custom action name.
Points are awarded only when the defined action is confirmed (e.g. API receives a signal that an event actually happened).
⚙️ Features:
Highly customizable and secure.
Can be triggered by any external app, tool, or system (e.g., survey apps, webinar platforms, quizzes, CRMs).
Ensures verified actions before awarding points.
🔒 Limitations:
Requires developer setup or use of automation tools like Shopify Flow or Zapier.
More setup time than "Visit a URL".
🔁 Summary Comparison
Feature | Visit a URL | Loloyal API |
Setup Complexity | Very simple (no code) | Advanced (requires development/API) |
Triggers | URL click | Any verified action (via code/API) |
Behavior Verification | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Abuse Prevention | Low (unless limited) | High |
Custom Integration | Limited | Full integration possible |
Ideal For | Engagement clicks, CTAs | Confirmed events or 3rd-party actions |
🚀 Pro Tip
Use "Visit a URL" for quick, low-risk engagement actions like visiting a promo page.
Use API-based custom actions when you need to reward customers for verified, meaningful behaviors.