Free Gifts Incentives Websites – Do They Work?

By: Allan Scott


A number of so-called free gifts websites have appeared on the scene, boasting offers of free gifts in the form of Playstations, Xboxs, and HDTVs amongst other Hi Tech goodies. Such websites require subscribers to register, complete from one of a number of partnered offers, then refer a number of others to do the same. The gift you qualify for depends on the number of people you refer who then go on to complete an offer. A Playstation 3, for example, requires upwards of 13 such referrals, plus your own completed offer.

The websites offering these free gifts are affiliated with a number of partnered websites, and make their money through providing an incentive – i.e., the free gift – for people to complete these affiliate offers. A cursory glance at affiliate portals such as Tradedoubler.com, reveals that the website can receive up to £20 for offers completed on affiliated sites. Lovefilm.com for example, a popular choice amongst free gifts websites, pays £17.50 for each person referred who completes a free trial of their DVD subscription service.

It would seem from this system that the companies involved in providing such free gifts would operate at a loss, considering the money they make from their referral requirement is often significantly less than the gifts on offer. A Playstation 3, for example, requires 14 such affiliate offers to be completed in order to qualify for the gift. If 14 people complete the Lovefilm free trial, the free gifts website stands to make only £245, whereas a Playstation 3 can cost upwards of £400 – a substantial loss for the company.

However, this is only part of the story. In reality, the free gifts websites would continually lose money if every person could successfully complete the requirements. In actual fact, only a small number of people manage to do so, and this is where the company makes its money.

The key to successfully completing the process is to choose a website which offers a number of gifts for a variety of credits. Many sites offer gifts from between 3 and 24 referrals, so the trick is to choose a site which offers a range to choose from. By all means go for the bigger gifts, but at least you can go for a smaller gift should you fail to meet the referral quota – better to leave with something than nothing at all!

There are a variety of methods of getting the referrals you need for your gift. Recruiting friends and family to complete offers for you should be your first port of call, as they should be the easiest to convince. Social networking sites are also a valuable promotional tool and offer the potential for referring large networks of people if used properly.

You can also try using websites and forums set up to facilitate the referral process. By posting in forums, for example, you can promote your website to large audiences of people. Similarly, some websites allow you to promote your own advertisements in order to get the referrals you need to put towards your gift.

The whole process is a tricky one, and can be quite time consuming, however it is possible to obtain your free gift. Choose a realistic goal and be creative in getting referrals, and you may reap the rewards sooner than you think!


Allan Scott is as a web journalist for Gimme4free.co.uk, a website specialising in affiliate marketing through incentivised free gifts programs, offering a range of free gifts, such as a free Wii, and a free Xbox 360