Summary

Just like baking a cake, there is a recipe for building a successful membership site. Like that cake, some ingredients can be swapped out to get marginally different results. Still, the basic recipe remains. In this post, Jonathan explores the key ingredients of the membership recipe. 

 

Membership Site Blueprint: Build and Customize Your Platform with WordPress

Creating a membership site on WordPress involves several key steps. From choosing a domain to selecting quality hosting, each decision impacts the success of your site. Building your site with the right core tools like LifterLMS, WooCommerce, and FluentCRM can make managing memberships simpler and more efficient.

Customizing your site is crucial. Tools like Kadence WP and WP-Fusion help effortlessly create and manage different membership levels. This customization lets you control who sees your content and creates a personalized experience for your members. Plugins and additional features like WooCommerce Subscriptions ensure seamless subscription management and payment processing.

Providing exclusive content and integrating practical marketing tools like Fluent Forms and Fluent Booking enhances user experience and drives engagement. Whether you’re offering online courses or recurring subscriptions, a well-built membership site can generate steady revenue and foster a thriving community.

Key Takeaways

• Building a successful membership site requires choosing the right core tools and plugins.
• Customization and quality hosting play a vital role in managing memberships efficiently.
• Effective marketing and exclusive content drive member engagement and revenue.

Essential Steps For Creating Your Membership Site On WordPress

1. Choose a Hosting Provider

Select a reliable hosting provider that supports WordPress. Look for good speed, security, and customer support. Consider providers like Bluehost or SiteGround.

2. Install WordPress

Install WordPress on your hosting account. Many hosting providers offer one-click WordPress installation.

3. Select a Membership Plugin

Choose a membership plugin to add membership functionality. Popular options include MemberPress, Restrict Content Pro, and Paid Memberships Pro.

4. Configure Your Plugin

Set up your membership plugin. Define membership levels, pricing, and access rules. Customize the settings to match your needs.

5. Create Members-Only Content

Develop exclusive content for your members. This could be articles, videos, or downloadable resources. Ensure it’s high-quality and valuable.

6. Design Your Site

Use a WordPress theme or website builder to design your site. Customize the layout and appearance to match your brand.

7. Set Up Payment Gateways

Integrate payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe. Ensure they are secure and reliable. This allows you to collect subscription fees.

8. Add Member Registration

Create a registration form to allow users to sign up. Collect necessary information and set up welcome emails.

9. Test Your Site

Check all features and test different membership levels. Make sure everything works smoothly before launching to the public.

10. Launch and Promote

Launch your membership site and start promoting it. Use social media, email marketing, and other tools to attract new members.

Buying A Domain

Buying a domain is the first step to building a website. A domain is the address people type in to visit your site, like www.example.com.

Steps to Buy a Domain:

1. Choose a Name: Think of a name that’s easy to remember and type.
2. Check Availability: Use a domain checker tool to see if your name is available.
3. Select an Extension: Common ones include .com, .net, and .org.
4. Register the Domain: Use a domain registrar like GoDaddy, Namecheap, or Google Domains.
5. Provide Contact Info: Enter your details for domain registration and security.

Tips for Choosing a Domain:

• Keep it short and straightforward.
• Avoid numbers and hyphens.
• Consider keywords related to your content.
• Ensure it’s easy to spell and pronounce.

Most domain registrars offer additional services, like privacy protection and email accounts. It’s essential to read the terms of service and understand the costs.

When you buy a domain, it usually comes with annual renewal fees. Make sure you set up automatic renewal to prevent your domain from expiring.

Example Domain Registrars:

Registrar	Features
GoDaddy	Large selection, easy to use
Namecheap	Affordable privacy protection
Cloudflare Registrar	Powerful and fair pricing

Buying a domain is straightforward and essential for creating a professional online presence.

Quality Hosting

Quality hosting is crucial for a successful membership site. Reliable hosting ensures your website runs smoothly and stays up even during high traffic times.

Features to Look For:

• Uptime Guarantee: Choose a host with at least 99.9% uptime.
• Speed: Fast servers improve user experience.
• Security: Look for SSL certificates, firewalls, and regular backups.

Good hosting services offer excellent customer support. This can be through live chat, email, or phone. Make sure they respond quickly.

1. Read reviews.
2. Check the support response times.
3. Look for features that meet your needs, like easy WordPress installation or no-code website builders.

The Right Building Core Tools

Choosing the proper core tools is crucial for building an effective membership site. These tools help with different tasks and make the process smoother.

Website Builders: Popular options like WordPress and Webflow offer flexibility and ease of use. They come with a variety of templates and drag-and-drop features.

Membership Plugins: MemberPress and Paid Memberships Pro are designed to create and manage membership levels. They can also handle subscriptions and restrict content.

CRM Tools: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) tools, like HubSpot, help keep track of user data. They play a significant role in customer support and personalized marketing.

Analytics Tools: Analytics tools such as Google Analytics provide insights into user behavior. They enable you to track members’ engagement and optimize content accordingly.

Email Marketing: Email marketing tools like Mailchimp and ConvertKit are vital. They help manage email lists and automate communication with members.

Customization Tools: Tools for customizing your site are essential, too. These include CSS editors and design software, enabling you to personalize the look and feel of your site.

Content Management Systems (CMS): A robust CMS like WordPress or Webflow CMS provides the backbone of your site. It helps organize and manage content efficiently.

These core tools are the foundation of any successful membership site. Using these tools correctly makes managing a membership site much more accessible.

LifterLMS

LifterLMS is a powerful tool for creating online courses and membership sites. It integrates smoothly with WordPress and allows users to build engaging learning experiences.

Key Features:

• Course Builder: Use drag-and-drop tools to create courses.
• Quizzes: Add quizzes to test knowledge.
• Progress Tracking: Monitor student progress.

Pricing:

• Free plan available.
• Paid plans offer more features.

Customization: LifterLMS supports templates and design options. You can personalize the look of your courses and membership site.

Tools for Marketers:

• Email Marketing: Send emails to your members.
• Analytics Tools: Track user engagement and performance.

Membership Levels: Create different membership levels to offer various content access.

Support: LifterLMS provides customer support and extensive documentation to help users.

LifterLMS is a versatile and user-friendly tool for anyone looking to teach online or manage a membership site. Users can create, manage, and monetize their content all in one place.

Prices Free | Earth Bundle $299 | Universe Bundle $249.50 | Infinity Bundle $1,499 per year

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular WordPress plugin designed specifically for eCommerce. It lets users quickly set up an online store, offering various features to support business needs.

Key Features:

• Flexible Product Types: Physical, digital, or even subscription-based products.
• Payment Gateways: Supports payment methods like Stripe, PayPal, and direct bank transfers.
• Shipping Options: Offers multiple shipping methods, including flat rate and free shipping.
• Inventory Management: Tracks stock levels and automates inventory management.

Customization: WooCommerce allows users to customize their store with drag-and-drop builders and pre-made templates. Thanks to its open-source nature, it offers more advanced customization options through coding.

Marketing Tools: It integrates well with many marketing tools. Users can implement email marketing, add discount coupons, and utilize analytics tools to track sales and customer behavior.

Membership Integration: With the right plugins, WooCommerce can handle membership websites. It allows users to create membership levels, restrict content, and manage subscriptions seamlessly.

Ease of Use: WooCommerce’s no-code solutions and user-friendly interface make it accessible for beginners. Yet, it has enough depth for experienced developers to craft highly tailored eCommerce experiences.

Support and Community: WooCommerce boasts a strong community and extensive documentation. Support options include forums, tutorials, and direct customer service from third-party providers.

Pricing: WooCommerce itself is free, but users may incur costs for additional plugins, themes, and payment gateway extensions. Many options are available, from free to premium, giving users flexibility based on their budget.

Prices Free

WooCommerce Subscriptions

WooCommerce Subscriptions is a powerful tool for setting up and managing subscription services on a WordPress website.

It allows businesses to offer products or services regularly. It integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce, making it easy to manage orders and payments.

Key Features:

1. Recurring Billing: Automate payments for subscriptions.
2. Flexible Plans: Offer daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly subscriptions.
3. Free Trials: Attract customers by offering trial periods.
4. Sign-Up Fees: Charge an initial fee for subscriptions.
5. Variable Subscriptions: Provide different product options in one subscription.

Benefits:

• Easy Integration: Works smoothly with WooCommerce.
• Customer Management: Keep track of subscribers efficiently.
• Analytics: Access detailed reports on subscription performance.
• Control: Pause or cancel subscriptions without hassle.

Examples of Use Cases:

• Online Courses: Charge students every month.
• Membership Sites: Offer exclusive content for members.
• Product Subscriptions: Deliver monthly boxes with products like snacks or beauty items.

WooCommerce Subscriptions is flexible and powerful. It’s ideal for businesses looking to add subscription services to their WordPress sites.

Prices $279 per year

CartFlows

CartFlows is a tool designed to optimize your checkout process. It helps businesses create custom sales funnels with ease. Compatible with WordPress, it streamlines the entire checkout experience for users.

Key Features:

• Custom Checkout Pages: Easily design unique checkout pages.
• Sales Funnels: Create multi-step sales funnels without coding.
• Upsells and Downsells: Offer additional products after the initial purchase.
• Pre-built Templates: Use pre-designed templates to save time.

Customization: CartFlows supports drag-and-drop functionality, making it user-friendly. Users can personalize each element to match their brand.

Integration: It integrates with popular plugins and tools like WooCommerce, enabling a seamless workflow.

Analytics: Track conversions and analyze customer behavior with built-in analytics tools.

Mobile Friendly: Built to ensure that all pages look good on mobile devices, enhancing user experience.

Free Plan: CartFlows offers a free version with basic features. This allows businesses to test its functionality before committing to a paid plan.

Whether you’re an online marketer or a business owner, CartFlows can help optimize your sales process.

Prices Starter $99 | Plus $249 | Pro $449 per year

Kadence WP

Kadence WP is a popular WordPress theme known for its flexibility and ease of use. It helps users build custom websites without needing coding skills.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Easily design pages using a simple interface.
• Customizable Templates: Choose from various templates and personalize them to fit your brand.
• Performance Optimization: Fast loading times for better user experience.

Why Choose Kadence WP:

1. Flexible Customization: Change colors, fonts, and layouts without touching a single line of code.
2. Responsive Design: Sites look great on both desktop and mobile devices.
3. Integration with Popular Plugins: Works well with plugins like WooCommerce for eCommerce sites.

Benefits:

• No-Code Required: Perfect for beginners who want to create professional websites.
• Built-In SEO: Improves search engine visibility.
• Strong Community Support: Active user community and forums.

Pricing:

• Plans range from free to premium options, offering different levels of features and support.

Kadence WP gives users the tools they need to create stunning websites, making it a solid choice for anyone looking to build a WordPress site.

Prices Free | Essential Bundle $149 | Full Bundle $219 per year

FluentCRM

FluentCRM is a powerful email marketing plugin for WordPress. It helps you manage your email campaigns directly from your WordPress dashboard. This makes it easy to keep everything in one place.

FluentCRM supports unlimited contacts and lists. This ensures you can grow your email list without any restrictions. It is also easy to segment your audience for targeted marketing.

One of the standout features is the automation builder. With a simple drag-and-drop interface, you can create sophisticated email sequences. This ensures your audience receives timely and relevant content.

FluentCRM also includes detailed analytics. You can track open rates, clicks, and other metrics. This data helps you understand the performance of your campaigns and improve them over time.

You can integrate FluentCRM with a variety of other tools. These include WooCommerce, LearnDash, and more. This makes it perfect for eCommerce stores and online course providers.

The plugin also supports email templates. You can customize these templates to match your brand. This helps ensure your emails look professional and consistent.

FluentCRM offers a range of subscription plans. They have options for both small businesses and larger enterprises. There is also a free plan available for those just starting.

Customer support is another strong point. FluentCRM provides extensive documentation and responsive support. This ensures any issues or questions are resolved quickly.

For anyone using WordPress to manage their website, FluentCRM is an excellent choice for email marketing. It combines powerful features with ease of use, making it a top pick.

Prices $129 per year

Fluent Forms

Fluent Forms is a powerful form builder tool for WordPress. It helps users create different types of forms with ease.

Fluent Forms offers a drag-and-drop builder, meaning users can design forms without coding knowledge. They can add fields like text boxes, radio buttons, and checkboxes.

Customization is critical with Fluent Forms. Users can change the look of their forms to match their website. This means they can adjust colors, fonts, and layouts.

For marketers, Fluent Forms includes email marketing integrations. These allow users to connect their forms with email services like Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign.

Fluent Forms also provides payment gateways for users who need to collect payments. They can accept PayPal, Stripe, or other payment methods through their forms.

Critical features of Fluent Forms include:

• Conditional logic: Show or hide fields based on user choices
• Multi-step forms: Split long forms into smaller, manageable steps
• Spam protection: Tools to prevent spam form submissions

Users can also access analytics tools to track form submissions. This helps in understanding how well a form is performing.

Fluent Forms supports PDF generation. This allows users to generate PDF copies of their form submissions.

It has a free plan with essential features and premium plans for advanced options. This makes it suitable for both small and large websites.

Customer support is available through documentation, forums, and dedicated support teams. This ensures users can get help when they need it.

Fluent Forms makes managing forms on a WordPress site simple and efficient.

Free | Pro $79 per year

Fluent Booking

Fluent Booking is a powerful tool for managing appointments and reservations. It offers a range of features designed to streamline scheduling processes.

Key Features:

• Easy Setup: The setup process is straightforward and user-friendly.
• Customizable Booking Forms: Customize forms to collect essential information from clients.
• Calendar Integration: Syncs with popular calendar apps for seamless management.

Functionality:

Users can create booking pages that integrate directly with their websites. These pages can include available time slots, service descriptions, and pricing details.

User Access:

Administrators can control who has access to which booking schedules. This ensures that only authorized personnel can edit or view specific appointments.

Automated Notifications:

Automatic email and SMS notifications keep clients informed about their bookings. These can include reminders, confirmations, and updates.

Analytics Tools:

The platform includes tools to track booking trends and customer interactions. This data can help businesses optimize their booking strategies.

Mobile Access:

A mobile app is available to manage bookings on the go. This makes it convenient for both clients and administrators.

Support:

Fluent Booking offers customer support through various email and live chat channels. This ensures users can resolve any issues promptly.

In summary, Fluent Booking is a versatile tool that simplifies appointment management for businesses of all sizes.

Prices $79 per year

WP-Fusion

WP-Fusion is a powerful tool that connects WordPress to CRM and marketing automation platforms. This helps site owners manage member data more effectively.

WP-Fusion syncs user data with services like ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, and Salesforce. This integration allows for automated emails, tagging, and other marketing actions.

One of the critical features of WP-Fusion is its ability to control access to content. It can restrict posts, pages, and products based on CRM tags.

Key Features

• CRM Integration: Sync user data with 50+ CRM and marketing tools.
• Access Control: Restrict content based on user tags.
• Automated Workflows: Trigger actions like emails and tagging.

Benefits

Using WP-Fusion simplifies member management by connecting WordPress with other tools. It can also improve user engagement through personalized emails and content.

In summary, WP-Fusion offers robust features for those looking to integrate WordPress with CRM and marketing systems. It helps automate processes and provides advanced control over membership sites.

Prices Free | Personal $297 | Plus $427 | Professional $647 per year

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What core tools do we use to build every membership site?

A: We primarily use webflow, membership website platforms, and frequently asked questions to create personalized membership experiences.

Q: How can I create a membership site with WordPress?

A: You can create a membership site with WordPress by using membership plugins or themes that offer the functionality you need to manage your memberships.

Q: What are the five steps in building an online course membership site?

A: The five steps typically include choosing a platform, creating content, setting up membership plans, designing your website using tools like Webflow or WordPress, and marketing your courses to attract members.

Q: Can I monetize my WordPress site with a membership paywall?

A: You can monetize your WordPress site by creating a member-exclusive area using membership plugins that allow you to set up a paywall for premium content.

Q: How do I personalize the customer experience on my membership site?

A: You can personalize the customer experience by using tools provided by platforms like WordPress and membership software to tailor content and offerings based on member preferences.

Q: What tools are commonly used to manage a thriving membership business?

A: Membership software such as WebFlow, WordPress membership plugins, and open-source platforms like Shopify are commonly used tools to build and manage a successful membership business.

Q: Why is creating personalized experiences for members on a membership site important?

A: Creating personalized experiences helps build engagement and loyalty among members, leading to higher retention rates and satisfaction with the membership service.

 

Final Thoughts

Creating a membership website has never been easier with the right tools. Users can customize and manage their sites efficiently using WordPress, Webflow, or other platforms. The no-code approach allows marketers and developers alike to build a site without extensive technical knowledge.

Membership Levels
Different membership levels can offer exclusive content, creating value for users. Tailoring these levels ensures everyone finds something that fits their needs and budgets.

Customization
Customizable templates and drag-and-drop website builders provide the flexibility to design a unique site. Personalization features enhance the user experience, making the site more engaging and user-friendly.

Analytics and Tools
Analytics tools like Google Analytics help track user behavior and engagement. These insights can improve marketing strategies and increase subscriber retention.

Monetization
Recurring revenue models, such as subscription fees, create a steady income stream. Platforms offer various monetization options, making generating revenue from exclusive content simple.

Customer Support
Quality customer support can make all the difference. Membership management software often comes with robust support options, ensuring help is readily available.

Additional Features
Look for features like mobile apps, CRM integration, and email marketing. These tools provide additional ways to interact with and retain members.

Members can enjoy a better experience with easy site navigation, personalized content, and responsive design. Online courses and other exclusive content make membership valuable and engaging.

There are plenty of options out there, so choose the tools that best suit your needs.