Best Membership Software Solutions For Associations

November 1, 2023

Best Membership Software For Small Staff Organizations

In today’s fast-paced world, organizations are constantly seeking efficient solutions to manage their memberships and improve overall performance. Management software, membership software, and association management software like MemberClicks, YourMembership, and more have emerged as powerful tools to meet these needs. These all-in-one systems have been designed specifically for the unique challenges faced by member-based organizations and are suitable for smaller staff to mid-sized organizations, offering versatility and ease of use.

This comprehensive software (Swiss Army Knife) solution provides a myriad of features geared towards streamlining the day-to-day operations of the organization, including member management, CRM functionality, event ticketing, and much more. With a user-friendly interface and easy-to-use features, these systems aim to make the process of managing members, events, and overall performance both intuitive and efficient.

However, these “all in one” SaaS solutions have a semi-dark side connected to being expensive and limiting in functionality.

Membership Software For Small Staff Organizations

Membership Software For Small Staff Organizations

Membership software plays a crucial role in streamlining operations and enhancing member engagement for small and mid-sized organizations. For these member-based organizations, adopting a comprehensive, easy-to-use management system is essential.

An all-in-one membership software solution, like Wild Apricot and EZSignUp, provides a range of functionalities tailored to meet the unique needs of smaller staff to mid-sized organizations. Some of these key features include CRM, event management, and performance management.

With an integrated CRM, organizations can efficiently manage member data and track interactions, enabling better communication and relationship building. Event management functionality allows for seamless planning, promotion, and tracking of conferences and gatherings, making it simpler to coordinate and organize events.

Explaining the Importance Of Association Management Software

Association management software (AMS) plays a vital role in streamlining operations for member-based organizations. It simplifies tasks such as membership management, event registration, and communication, allowing smaller staffed to mid-sized organizations to focus on their core objectives.

Utilizing AMS saves time and resources by consolidating various functionalities into an all-in-one solution. Features like CRM integration, performance management, and event ticketing ensure that organizations can effectively manage their member data and engagement.

A COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP CHEATSHEET
TO CREATING, LAUNCHING & GROWING A SUCCESSFUL MEMBERSHIP WEBSITE

 

In conclusion, association management software is a valuable tool for member-based organizations, offering comprehensive solutions to improve efficiency and communication. By adopting AMS, these organizations can focus on what truly matters – advancing their missions and serving their members. However, like all these platforms, we have found a lot of functionality of these off-the-shelf AMSs are not used by the association, which makes them expensive, connected to paying for features that are not used.

Cost Of AMS Software

Cost Of AMS Software

Association Management Software (AMS) is an essential investment for member-based organizations. The cost of AMS software varies depending on factors such as the size of the organization, the features required, and the level of support needed.

Generally, AMS software providers offer tiered pricing plans catering to different organizational needs. These may include basic, intermediate, and advanced packages. The basic plan typically covers core membership management functionalities such as member registration, member database management, and event management. As the plans advance, additional features and capabilities like CRM integration, financial management, and advanced reporting become available.

It is important to gauge the return on investment (ROI) of implementing an AMS system. Countless benefits can be reaped, such as improved member engagement, streamlined operations, and better member retention. Choosing the right AMS software based on cost and feature requirements may lead to significant long-term growth and success for the organization.

Popular Association Management Software Options

MemberLeap

MemberLeap is a cloud-based association management software that provides powerful features for member-based organizations. This comprehensive solution offers membership management, event registration, communication tools, and reporting functionality to help organizations streamline their processes. MemberLeap is designed to be easy to use, making it suitable for smaller staff to mid-sized organizations.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members start from $140 to $360 for the Copper level plan. Unfortunately, MemberLeap has a 5-level semi-complicated pricing structure, in our opinion.

Final thoughts: MemberLeap is an established player with powerful functionality; however, it is dated (UX design), and we feel you can find better value with one of the other platforms listed here.

Wild Apricot

Wild Apricot is an all-in-one membership software designed to help associations manage their members, events, and website. With its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set, it caters to various sizes of member-based organizations. Some of its notable features include automated membership renewals, event registration, and an integrated website builder.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members start from $140 to $440 Wild Apricot is one of the bigger players in this sector and is now part of the Personify family of products and services.

Final thoughts: because Wild Apricot is now part of Personify, the family of software, they have lost some of their focus over the last couple of years however, it’s still a solid product.

ZohoCRM

ZohoCRM is a popular CRM software that can be tailored to suit the needs of member-based organizations. Its flexible, easy-to-use features make it an excellent choice for managing both members and events. ZohoCRM offers an all-in-one solution with customizable modules for contact management, sales, marketing, and customer support.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members start from $14 to $52 per user yearly plan however, do take this in context as you are only paying for your staff who use the backend of the platform its pricing structure isn’t based on membership levels.

Final thoughts: this makes it one of the more affordable solutions. However, it wasn’t built for the association market, and because of this, it will take some customization however it is very powerful and flexible. One of the major problems is unless you buy their semi-expensive extra support package from ZohoCRM, the normal support you get from them isn’t that great, based on our experience.

MemberClicks

MemberClicks is an association management software tailored specifically for small to mid-sized organizations. Its features include membership management, event registration, and a website builder. This software allows organizations to streamline their processes through an all-in-one platform while maintaining a comprehensive set of easy-to-use features.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members start from $4,500 per year. unlimited users

Final thoughts: the Personify family of products and services owns both Wild Apricot MemberClicks, This means that MemberClicks seems to be pitched as an enterprise-level marketplace.

Association DNA

Association DNA is an all-in-one performance management system designed for member-based organizations. This cloud-based software offers a suite of integrated services, including CRM, AMS, and event management. Suitable for smaller staff to mid-sized organizations, its easy-to-use features provide a robust solution for managing members, events, and more.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members Prices on Request (that normally means it is expensive.)

Final thoughts: powerful but expensive!

EZSignUp

EZSignUp is a simple and straightforward membership management software that offers easy-to-use features for small to mid-sized organizations. Its functionality includes member database management, event registration, and communication tools for the efficient management of member-based organizations.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 member Prices on Request (that normally means it is bloody expensive.)

Final thoughts: It isn’t a full-stack solution it’s more focus on the registration.

WordPress

WordPress

WordPress, although primarily known as a content management system, can be extended with plugins to create a fully functional association management platform. With a wide variety of plugins available, organizations can customize their membership management, event registration, and association website to meet their specific needs.

LifterLMS

LifterLMS is a robust membership management system that offers a comprehensive solution for creating and managing online engagement. With its user-friendly interface and extensive features, it has become a preferred platform for educators and associations looking to deliver high-quality online membership experiences.

The platform allows you to easily create and organize membership content, track progress, and facilitate communication between members. LifterLMS supports a variety of content types, including videos, quizzes, and community building, making it easy to create an engaging and interactive experience.

Additionally, it offers customizable membership levels and pricing options, allowing you to generate more subscription revenue.

The platform also provides powerful analytics tools, enabling you to gather valuable insights about your members’ engagement patterns and make data-driven decisions to enhance your website content. LifterLMS offers integrations with popular payment gateways and email marketing services, streamlining the process of accepting payments and communicating with your members.

The platform is also highly customizable, with a range of themes and add-ons available to personalize the look and functionality of your online content. Its extensive documentation and dedicated customer support ensure that you have access to the resources and assistance you need to utilize LifterLMS and deliver an exceptional online experience effectively.

Overall, LifterLMS is a reliable and feature-rich learning and community-focused management system that empowers you to create and manage your association’s website with ease and efficiency.

Kadence WP

Kadence WP is a popular WordPress theme designed to provide an easy-to-use platform for creating websites. It is known for its:

  • Responsiveness
  • User-friendly customization options
  • Integration with popular WordPress plugins

With Kadence WP, membership management software can be integrated seamlessly, allowing member-based organizations to benefit from its features.

WP-Fusion

WP-Fusion is a powerful WordPress plugin built to connect various management, membership, and CRM tools. Key features include:

By implementing WP-Fusion, organizations can streamline their management process and improve member experiences.

FluentCRM

FluentCRM is an all-in-one communication management system for WordPress. It offers a variety of features, such as:

  • Email automation
  • Segmenting members into groups
  • Detailed analytics and reporting

It is ideal for smaller staff to mid-sized organizations looking to manage member communication efficiently.

Fluent Forms Pro

For organizations seeking a user-friendly form builder for WordPress, Fluent Forms is an excellent option. It is known for its:

  • Drag-and-drop form builder
  • Integrations with popular CRMs and email service providers
  • Advanced conditional logic capabilities

Fluent Forms can collect valuable member information, helping organizations in making informed decisions.

FluentBooking

FluentBooking is an event ticket management system designed for WordPress. It helps membership management, and member-based organizations sell and manage event tickets with ease. Notable features include:

  • Easy creation and customization of event tickets
  • Attendee tracking and management
  • Automated event reminders

By utilizing FluentBooking, organizations can streamline event organization and improve the overall event experience for its members.

Prices: between 500 to 5,000 members based on our experience, this is going to be much better valued than the other “Swiss Army Knife” SaaS solutions listed in this article.

Final thoughts: It’s initially a bit messier to set up if you don’t have a trusted partner like WP-Tonic compared to the “all in one” solutions listed however when it comes to power, flexibility, customization, and “value for money“, WordPress can’t be beaten.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the purpose of the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations?

A: The Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations is designed to help smaller staff to mid-sized organizations manage their member-based organizations more efficiently.

Q: How does the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations benefit nonprofits?

A: The Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations can help nonprofits centralize their member management, streamline their productivity, and empower their member communities.

Q: Can I use different software for different functions in my organization?

A: Yes, the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations allows you to use different software that fits your organization’s requirements.

Q: What are some easy-to-use features of the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations?

A: The Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations provides easy-to-use features such as blog subscriptions, event tickets, and real-time notification.

Q: Can the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations help manage fundraising campaigns?

A: Yes, the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations helps nonprofits with fundraising campaigns by providing management features and generating reports.

Q: What is the significance of the YourMembership (YM) software?

A: YourMembership (YM) software is an all-in-one membership management system that helps nonprofits and small staff organizations with member management and performance management.

Q: Can the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations be integrated with Salesforce CRM?

A: Yes, the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations can be integrated with Salesforce CRM to further enhance the management features for nonprofit organizations.

Q: How does the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations save staff time?

A: The Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations helps save staff time by centralizing member management, streamlining productivity, and automating processes.

Q: Can the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations help with document management?

A: Yes, the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations includes document management features that allow nonprofits to store and organize their files easily.

Q: Is the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations easy to use?

A: Yes, the Membership Software for Small Staff Organizations is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, even for users with limited technical skills.

Final Thoughts

Management software, membership software, and association management software are crucial tools for member-based organizations. They enable smaller staff to mid-sized organizations to efficiently handle their management and membership needs. Popular solutions in the market, such as MemberClicks and YourMembership, offer a range of easy-to-use features tailored for these organizations.

An all-in-one management software solution often combines the functionality of a CRM, membership management system, and event ticketing system. This integration saves time and ensures a seamless experience for the organization’s members. It streamlines processes like member registration, event management, and performance management.

In summary, if you want to go the SaaS route, we would look at Wild Apricot however, if you are looking for a more extenable and better value solution, have a look at WordPress and what it can offer.

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