Choose from Perch’s three core integration models - from simple referrals to full API control.
Perch offers three core integration models, grouped by reporting capabilities and technical requirements. These models help partners understand the trade-offs between simplicity and control, with each offering progressively deeper insights into client mortgage journeys. While partners can combine approaches or customize beyond these models, these represent our primary integration paradigms. Choose the model that best fits your business needs and technical capabilities.Before choosing your integration option, it may be beneficial to learn about how Perch has structured our core API resources (Leads & Plans) to help facilitate your decision.
Aggregate ReportingDrive referrals to Perch by sharing your Referral Link on your website, social media, in your email signature, etc., or by embedding one of Perch’s embeddable tools to earn a commission on each funded deal.
Best for: Partners who want to earn commissions, but don’t need intimate insights into client deal progress and tracking.
Referral Links & Widgets direct users to Perch’s customizable signup page with your referral code, company logo (or photo), and a customizable welcome message.
2
Client Signs Up
Users sign up and are automatically tagged with your referral attribution. You’re notified via email when a client signs up and when their deal funds. In addition to email alerts, you can also track your referrals via API and through our lead submission tools.
Referral Tracking Tool - List deals where you're tagged as the referral source (no PII)
When users simply click through widgets or referral links, there’s no established data sharing relationship. The client hasn’t explicitly consented to share their personal information with the referring partner beyond basic attribution.
Light Reporting, Control & InsightsPerch’s Lead Submission tools can be accessed via URL or embedded directly into your CRM for a more seamless submission experience.
Best for: Non-technical partners who need deeper insights into client deal progress.
Submit client details and financing needs through the lead submission form
3
Track Progress
Monitor the client’s mortgage journey from pre-approval through funding
4
Earn Commission
Receive commission payments on successfully funded deals
The Key Difference: Unlike referral codes where clients sign up independently, submitting structured lead data establishes you as the originating partner with explicit consent. This creates a direct business relationship that grants you ongoing access to client information and deal progress through our authenticated tools and the API.
Simplified data submission - provide the basics like name, email, deal purpose and notes (to submit a richer client profile (assets, debts, employment, etc.), consider using our API integration)
Full lead tracking - monitor conversion from referral to funding
Application status visibility - see where clients are in the mortgage process
Plan details access - view pre-approval amounts, application stages
Email notifications - get alerts when leads convert and reach milestones
Deep Reporting, Control & InsightOur direct API integration gives you full control over your lead submission and monitoring experience. Unlike simpler integration options, the API allows you to submit a complete client profile including items like assets, debts, residence history, employment details, and more—helping your clients expedite their mortgage journey to get pre-approved faster.
Best for: Technical partners who need deeper insights and want full control over their client experience. Check out our quick-start guide to learn how to submit and track leads through the Perch API.
Perch’s Zapier integration (available via invite only) enables automated lead submission from your Zapier-compatible CRM systems directly to our platform. Use Zapier’s visual workflow builder to create automated workflows that sync leads without writing any code, while maintaining full access to Perch’s lead tracking and management tools.
Zapier Workflow - Automated lead submission from CRM to Perch
Note: Zapier integration enables one-way lead submission from your Zapier-compatible CRM to Perch. Contact your Perch representative to request access to our lead submission Zap.
While it might seem logical that referring a client should grant full data access, privacy regulations and client expectations require explicit consent for data sharing. Simply clicking a referral link doesn’t establish this consent—submitting a structured lead with client details does.
