Thinking about launching a partner program? You’re not alone. Whether you’re at a SaaS startup or a scrappy scale-up, setting up a program that actually helps both you and your partners is a lot harder than it looks in pitch decks. If you’re trying to do this in Getcabal, this guide will walk you through every step—what works, what to watch out for, and what you can safely ignore.
This isn’t a quick “click here, click there” walk-through. It’s a real-world, step-by-step guide for teams who want to get a partner program actually running, not just “launched” for the CEO’s next update.
Step 1: Get Clear On What You Want From a Partner Program
Don’t even open Getcabal yet. First, get your goals straight. A partner program can mean a dozen different things—referrals, resellers, integrations, agencies, or just “people who like us and tell their friends.” If you’re not clear, you’ll set up a mess.
Ask yourself: - What’s the main goal? (More leads, more revenue, more reach, or all of the above?) - Who do you want as partners? (Agencies? Consultants? Tech vendors? Influencers?) - What will you actually offer partners? (Commissions, co-marketing, early access, support, badge for their website?) - Who’s going to run this day to day? (If it’s just “whoever has time,” stop now and fix that.)
Pro tip: Write this down. You’ll thank yourself in three months when people ask why you set things up this way.
Step 2: Getcabal Account Setup & Access
Assuming you’ve already chosen Getcabal (if not, check if it does what you need—don’t just buy what your competitor uses), here’s what you need to get started:
- Admin Access: You’ll need admin rights to actually set up and configure programs. If you don’t have this, get whoever controls your SaaS tools to sort you out.
- Partner Program Module: Make sure you have the right module or plan. Some features may be behind higher tiers—don’t waste hours clicking around only to find a paywall.
- Integrations: List out what other tools you’ll need to connect. CRM? Slack? Email? You’ll save time later if you know this upfront.
Step 3: Define Your Partner Tiers and Benefits
Most partner programs flop because they’re either too simple (“everyone gets the same badge”) or too complicated (nobody understands the tiers). Getcabal lets you set up partner tiers, but you need to decide what makes sense for your business.
How to not mess this up: - 2-3 Tiers is Enough: Start with “Standard” and “Premier,” or similar. Don’t get fancy out the gate. - Benefits Should Be Real: Don’t promise co-marketing if you’re not ready to actually do it. - Eligibility Rules: Make the rules clear—number of referrals, revenue generated, or something easy to track.
Setting up in Getcabal: 1. Go to the Partner Program section. 2. Click “Create New Program.” 3. Name your program (keep it simple—“Acme Partner Program” is fine). 4. Add your tiers with the benefits and criteria for each.
Pro tip: If you’re making up benefits just to fill the page, stop. It’s better to offer one real perk than five you can’t deliver.
Step 4: Build the Partner Application and Onboarding Flow
The worst thing you can do is make your partner application process slow or confusing. Getcabal lets you create custom application forms and onboarding workflows. Use them, but keep it tight.
What to include: - Short Application Form: Name, company, why they want to partner, basic contact info. - Auto-Responder Email: Set up so partners know their application was received (and when they’ll hear back). - Internal Review Flow: Decide who reviews and approves applications. Automate as much as possible.
How to set it up: 1. In Getcabal, go to “Applications” under your program dashboard. 2. Use their form builder to keep it to 5–7 fields max. 3. Set up automated emails for “received” and “approved/rejected” statuses. 4. Assign reviewers if needed (don’t make this just one person, unless you want bottlenecks).
Don’t: Ask for a ton of information upfront. You can always ask for more after you know they’re a good fit.
Step 5: Set Up Partner Tracking and Attribution
If you can’t tell who sent you what business, your partner program is just a spreadsheet with a logo. Getcabal’s tracking and attribution tools are what actually make the platform useful.
What you need to track: - Leads and signups per partner - Deals won, revenue, or whatever your “success” is - Which tier partners are in, and when they qualify for upgrades
How to do it: 1. In your program dashboard, go to the “Tracking” or “Attribution” section. 2. Create unique referral links, codes, or tracking IDs for each partner. 3. Integrate with your CRM/sales tools so data flows automatically (manual updates get forgotten, trust me). 4. Set up basic reports—monthly is fine at first. Don’t overthink dashboards.
Pro tip: Test your tracking before you go live. Have someone sign up with a test link and make sure it all flows through. Nothing kills trust like missed payouts because the tracking broke.
Step 6: Set Up Communication Channels
You’ll need a way to talk to your partners that isn’t just email blasts. Getcabal lets you connect Slack, create partner portals, or send targeted updates. Decide what fits your partners and how much effort you can really give.
At minimum: - Welcome email with next steps (automated) - Monthly update or digest (can be a template) - Dedicated Slack/Discord channel or private forum (optional, but helpful if you have a tight group) - Clear support contact (not just “contact us at info@”)
Setting it up: 1. In Getcabal’s communications/settings area, connect any integrations (Slack, email, etc.). 2. Load up your welcome and update email templates. 3. If you plan on using a forum or Slack, seed it with FAQs or helpful resources before inviting partners.
Don’t: Overcommit. If you’re not planning to run a super-engaged community, don’t pretend you are.
Step 7: Launch (Softly), Get Feedback, and Fix What’s Broken
Don’t do a big, splashy launch until you’ve tested everything with a handful of trusted partners. You will have missed something—everyone does.
How to do a soft launch: - Pick 3–5 partners you trust. Invite them first. - Ask for honest feedback on the application, onboarding, and tracking. - Fix any issues. Update your docs. Only then, roll it out wider.
What to watch for: - Confusing instructions or broken links - Tracking not working (again, test it!) - Partners who are unclear about what to do next
Pro tip: Keep your first batch close—offer them something extra for being guinea pigs (even just public thanks).
Step 8: Maintain, Measure, and Iterate
A partner program isn’t “set it and forget it.” The hardest part is keeping it alive after the first month. Here’s what works (and what doesn’t):
What works: - Monthly check-ins or updates (short, useful, not just fluff) - Clear, fair commissions/payouts delivered on time - Recognizing top partners publicly (but don’t go overboard)
What doesn’t: - Complicated tiers nobody understands - Leaving partners in the dark, waiting for months to hear from you - Tracking everything in spreadsheets outside Getcabal (defeats the point)
Keep an eye on: - Are partners actually sending leads, or just signed up and gone quiet? - Is your “Premier” tier too hard or too easy to reach? - What feedback are you getting, and are you actually acting on it?
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Your first partner program in Getcabal doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, it won’t be. The trick is to start small, focus on what actually helps partners, and keep improving as you go. Don’t drown in features or try to copy someone else’s gold-plated program. Get the basics right, listen to feedback, and tweak as you learn.
And remember: most partner programs fail because they’re too complicated for the team (or the partners) to use. Keep it simple, fix what breaks, and you’ll be ahead of 90% of the competition.