Membership Site: A Guide to Creating and Launching Your Video Subscription Platform
Creating a membership site for your content is a popular way to make a sustainable income. Setting up a space where members pay for videos, courses, or something similar to make money off your expertise. Most Membership Sites are valuable content with user-friendly platforms that help creators and members manage user subscriptions and management.
Most entrepreneurs have questions about selecting the platform to create their membership site. As a result, options range from the WordPress plugin MemberPress to all-in-one solutions like Kajabi or Teachable, which have different features for hosting videos, receiving payments, managing members, and more. It depends on your needs, tech-savviness, and budget.
To build a membership website, you will want to pick the right software, make videos, price your offering, and market it to subscribers. With proper planning and execution, a content creator can turn their knowledge into a subscription-based business model that generates a steady revenue stream.
What Is A Video Membership Website
A video membership website is where creators offer paying subscribers various types of video content. Subscribers pay recurring fees for access to the content. These are nimble digital sites where video content remains hidden behind a paywall.
Membership sites run by creators are not public video platforms like YouTube. They allow creators to obtain direct revenue from their audience rather than through ad monetization. This business model will enable you to earn money while building a community around a niche.
Video membership websites typically include features such as:
- Secure content delivery with protected streaming
- Subscription management tools for billing and access control
- Member engagement features like comments and forums
- Analytics to track viewership and member behavior
These platforms are most suitable for educational content, professional training, fitness programs, and entertainment series. Video content producers may create courses or program series on a video-sharing platform.
Successful video membership sites have multiple pricing models.
This method lets subscribers choose from different access levels, depending on their requirements and budget.
The technology that powers such systems is becoming easy to access. Specialized membership software and modern website builders allow creators to launch without robust technical knowledge.
More and more creators are selling video content via membership websites. Creators can build a sustainable business and deliver their best video content to their most avid fans.
Why Having Your Video Membership Website Is A Good Idea
If you are a content creator looking to build a sustainable business, you will find many benefits to creating a video membership website. Having your own platform gives you control over your content while generating a predictable income and building up your audience.
Earning Recurring Revenue
Subscription-based video platforms earn consistent revenue each month or year. This brings financial security, unlike ad-supported platforms. We can count the revenue generated from subscribers, which has been retained over the years.
Many successful video membership sites have a tiered pricing structure, which lets viewers opt for plans they need and can afford. You can make more money with this flexibility.
A COMPLETE STEP-BY-STEP CHEATSHEET
TO CREATING, LAUNCHING & GROWING A SUCCESSFUL MEMBERSHIP WEBSITE
Statistics indicate that membership sites generate around 2-3 times more revenue per viewer than ads. You can serve smaller audiences looking to engage with your content rather than having to make sure you get large view counts.
The subscription model will protect you from algorithm changes, like those seen on YouTube, which can wipe out ad revenue overnight.
Provide Value To Your Audience
A membership site helps creators connect with their audience and provide premium content. This exclusive access makes members feel more a part of a community.
Video membership sites make it easy to talk to your subscribers. You can get feedback and keep improving.
Many successful membership sites include a forum or comment section where members can converse.
Types of value-added content that work well:
- Behind-the-scenes footage
- Extended interviews
- Ad-free viewing experience
- Early access to new videos
- Downloadable resources
- Live Q&A sessions
People who charge for a service have better relationships with their audience because they are focused on value. In contrast, free platforms offer too many distractions, and all the other free content is being offered.
Ownership
Running a video membership site means you completely control the content, branding, and user experience. With your video membership site, you have control over the content and branding of your site.
You will not find your audience’s relationship as valuable as your own. You have full ownership of your subscriber list and can communicate with them directly without the influence of algorithms.
Being platform-independent allows you to change your business model when necessary. Successful creators often connect their membership sites with other income sources, such as merchandise and live events.
Data protection becomes easier when you own the platform, helping you comply with rules like GDPR while gaining trust from your audience.
What Do You Need To Start A Video Membership Website On WordPress
You’ll need several different things to set up a video membership site on WordPress. Video membership sites must be functional, secure, and easy to use. Every component plays a vital role in organizing and delivering video content effectively and monetizing it effectively.
Domain Name
Your video membership site needs a professional domain name as a foundation. It should be easy to remember, relate to your content niche, and spell. You usually pay $10-15 a year for a domain name from Cloudflare (highly recommend), GoDaddy, or Namecheap.
When choosing a domain, use keywords related to your offer or brand. You must also consider the extension (.com, .net, .org, etc.), with .com being the most recognized and trusted.
When you buy a domain, think of it in the long term. Changing it later is a hassle that will impact your SEO efforts. It will also confuse your old members. Many hosting service providers also offer free domain registration and hosting packages suitable for beginners.
A Hosting Account
Video membership sites need the right hosting to ensure speed, uptime, and interactions with great users. You can use hosts like WP Engine, Kinsta, or WP-Tonic, which host WordPress..
For video-heavy sites, look for hosting plans with:
- High bandwidth allowances
- SSD storage
- Good server response times
- 99.9% uptime guarantee
- Daily backups
If you run a small website, shared hosting (starting at $5-10 a month) may be enough for you. But if you need better performance and support, managed WordPress hosting (anywhere from $25-100 a month) is a better choice. You may want to scale to VPS or dedicated as your membership site grows.
Using an SSL certificate is essential for taking payments and protecting member data. Most reputable hosts now include free SSL with their plans.
LMS Or Membership Plugin
A robust plugin forms the core functionality of your WordPress video membership site. Popular options include:
Membership Plugins:
- MemberPress ($359-799/year) is not recommended
- Restrict Content Pro (Free – $99/year)
- Paid Memberships Pro (Free – $597 )
Learning Management System Plugins:
These plugins manage the registrations, content access, and payments of members. Plugins that deal with course-based content that will help track progress, make quizzes, and get certificates.
When choosing a plugin, consider your exact requirements for drip content, various membership tiers, and compatibility with other tools. Many paid plugins offer a demo version for testing purposes.
Flexible Monetization Options
Providing different ways for people to pay will help you earn more. Most membership plugins support payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net for transaction processing.
Consider offering multiple pricing models:
- Monthly subscriptions
- Annual memberships (with discounts)
- One-time purchases
- Tiered membership levels
- Bundle packages
Recurring subscription models provide predictable revenue, but companies must deliver value that customers can rely on to minimize cancellations. Some membership plugins allow access to limited or trial content to convert skeptical potential customers.
Payment gateways tend to charge around 2.9% + $0.30. Make sure to factor these costs into your pricing strategy. If going international, consider payment restrictions based on geographic location.
Video Hosting Platform
Even if WordPress technically hosts videos, video platforms do a better job. Integration options include.
Self-Hosted Solutions:
- VideoPress ($10 +/month)
- Bunny.net ($5 +/month)
Third-Party Platforms:
These platforms offer dependable streaming, adaptive playback quality, thorough analytics, and prevention against unauthorized downloads. They also lessen the bandwidth burden on your central hosting server.
Playback speed control, interactive elements, captions, and private video sharing are advanced characteristics to consider. Most solutions use plug-ins or embed codes for WordPress integration. Some membership plugins already have specific integrations with popular video platforms.
Robust Marketing Tools And Analytics
Your video membership website needs practical marketing tools to attract and retain members. Essential components include.
Email Marketing Integration:
- MailChimp, ConvertKit, or ActiveCampaign for automated email sequences
- Abandoned cart recovery emails
- Membership renewal reminders
Analytics Solutions:
- Google Analytics for visitor tracking
- Membership plugin analytics for subscription metrics
- Video platform analytics for engagement data
Elements displaying social proof, like testimonials or member counters, help convert visitors. Think about creating an affiliate program for existing members to promote your platform.
You can use the tools that conduct A/B tests for landing pages and sign-up forms. You can gain insights into how your visitors interact with your site with heat mapping software to offer enhancements. Through Facebook Pixel or Google Ads, you can recapture visitors who didn’t sign up in the first place.
First, Choose The Right Video Hosting Platform
Selecting the appropriate video hosting platform is critical for the success of your membership site. Each platform offers distinct features that cater to different needs, from customization options to analytics capabilities.
Vimeo
Vimeo video hosting is a premium option for membership sites with its professional look and strong privacy features. Video sites offer paid plans containing customizable players that remove distracting branding and suggested videos.
Vimeo provides detailed data to see how long people watch. This data helps the content maker to see which video performs best and why.
It easily integrates with popular membership platforms such as MemberPress and Kajabi. Vimeo has a special video feature that works with any internet speed.
There is a need for security features such as domain-level privacy and password protection for paid content. The pricing starts at $7/month for basic needs, with various tiers for growing businesses.
Wistia
Wistia provides excellent video hosting with practical marketing tools for enhancing engagement and conversion. Their adjustable player keeps your brand identity intact and has advanced features like email capture forms in videos.
You can see when people tune in and tune out with heat maps. It helps them create content at the maximum retention point.
Wistia connects with big tools, helping you get more leads and boost your sales capabilities. You can test different video thumbnails to see which one gets the most plays.
Wistia’s customer service is better than most options. Based on the number of videos used, the platform charges on a tiered basis. You can get 10 videos and all premium features for a starting price of $99/month.
Bunny.net + Presto Player
This combo makes for an ideal choice for membership sites on WordPress needing low-cost video hosting. Bunny.net offers video streaming services through CDN at low prices.
Presto Player connects to Bunny’s Stream service and integrates with WordPress and membership plugins. This setup provides all the functionality to control the viewing experience, including video chapters and custom branding.
Users love the pay-as-you-go pricing model, which is usually 80% cheaper than Vimeo or Wistia for high-volume creators. The platform itself takes care of adaptive bitrate streaming.
Performance metrics tell us that it loads faster than other services worldwide. This option is best for users who are comfortable with technology and want low-cost control.
YouTube
YouTube has a free hosting option that could work with membership sites using unlisted or private videos. Since it is reliable and familiar, creators who are just starting can easily use it.
YouTube has downsides and limits that could harm your membership site. When you embed videos on your site, they come with the YouTube branding and suggested videos to take viewers away from your site.
Privacy controls are less robust than paid options. Any member can share it, while private videos require email permission.
Membership plugins like MemberPress and LearnDash also have YouTube integration and control access. If you are a creator who has a limited budget but doesn’t mind some branding and control compromises, this option is best for you.
Getting Started With Bunny.net + Presto Player
Many creators looking for a great video hosting solution use the Bunny.net and Presto Player combo. This combo offers an outstanding performance, security, and price balance for membership sites.
You will create a Bunny or Presto Player account and a video library to implement. The process is easy and takes only a few minutes to register and set basic settings.
Then, install the Presto Player plugin on the WordPress site. This premium plugin can be configured with Bunny.net for professional use.
Key Setup Steps:
- Sign up for Bunny.net and create a video library
- Generate and copy your API key from the Bunny.net dashboard
- Install Presto Player on your WordPress site
- Connect Presto Player to Bunny.net using the API key
- Upload your first video to test the connection
The integration provides essential membership features, including:
- Video watermarking for content protection
- Bandwidth optimization
- Adaptive streaming across devices
- Viewership analytics and engagement data
Many creators find that the pricing of Bunny.net is cheaper than other options. Their pay-as-you-go system means you only pay for the actual storage and bandwidth.
Once connected, you will drag and drop to upload your videos through the editor. The background processing of video content also prepares it for delivery with Bunny.net’s CDN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the steps to creating a video membership site?
A: Choose a website platform suitable for your video membership site. WordPress is a good option. The next step is to select your membership website platform. After that, you must define your membership plans and options, set up your video files and player, and promote your membership to launch your new membership site.
Q: How can I create a membership website for video content?
A: To make a membership site for access to video content, you can use a WordPress membership plugin to build your site. This will help set up a subscription site for exclusive videos.
Think about a free trial to get new members. You should base your membership pricing on the value of your content.
Q: Are there any successful membership website examples I can refer to?
A: Membership websites have achieved massive success, like Masterclass, which offers online courses, and Patreon, which allows creators to monetize their video content. You can learn about pricing, membership plans, community engagement, and more by looking at the above examples.
Q: What is the best way to build my membership site?
A: The ideal membership site creation method is using a website builder to support membership feature integration. Select a membership site platform that makes adding videos, getting paid for subscriptions, and managing membership users easy. Make user experience a priority to navigate the content smoothly.
Q: What membership options can I offer on my video membership site?
A: You can offer various types of memberships with tiered access, pay-per-view options for particular videos, or all-access passes for premium content. Every Membership Plan Should Mention Benefits And Available Content.
Q: How do I promote my membership site effectively?
A: You can use social media to promote your membership site. Make a great YouTube channel that links back to your membership site. Launch a free trial on your membership site. Email marketing campaigns and collaborating with influencers can improve visibility and help you find new members.
Q: What is the importance of a subscription plan for my video membership site?
A: A subscription plan is essential for your video membership website; it will determine how your members will access and pay for content. A subscription plan generates a predictable revenue stream and can encourage member retention.
Q: Can I create a video subscription website without technical skills?
A: Using website builders and membership site platforms, you can make a video subscription website without much technical know-how. Many of these tools come with templates and step-by-step instructions, which make building your membership site easier.
Q: What are the benefits of using a WordPress membership site for video content?
A: WordPress membership site for video content comes with several advantages. You can easily design it according to your choice. You get several plugins to use for your site. Also, it has a strong community for solving issues or errors. Besides, video files can be easily integrated, and payment plans can be set up securely.
Final Thoughts
Creating a membership site is an excellent opportunity for content creators and businesses to earn passive income. The process of putting an idea to action does require a solid plan, but thanks to the tools available today, this is something almost anybody can do.
Choosing the right platform is key – whether WordPress with membership plugins or all-in-one solutions like Kajabi or Mighty Networks. What you choose depends on which you are comfortable with, your budget, and which features you want.
The success of your membership site is based on content quality. Members typically pay for some value out of access to exclusive videos or courses, community access, or special knowledge.
Pricing strategy deserves thoughtful consideration. Many successful membership sites offer users a choice of membership levels. Many succeed with freemium models that convert free users to paid users over time.
Member retention requires ongoing attention. Consistent content, community interaction, and quick help make members feel special and give them a reason to continue paying.
Analytics plays a vital role in optimization. It is essential to analyze data such as customer interactions and payment cancellations.
The membership model keeps changing with advancements. Video memberships are growing as bandwidth improves and production tools become cheaper.
For those ready to start, the most important thing is to begin. First things first… get started.
