Are you looking for a new way to earn extra income? If yes, then you should consider starting a membership site. In fact, membership sites are becoming very popular because they offer great flexibility and high profits.
Membership websites allow you to create a membership area where visitors can pay a subscription fee or purchase a premium service. The benefits of membership sites include increased sales, higher conversion rates, and better customer retention.
Membership websites are growing at a rapid pace. They are now being used by companies to build their brand, sell products, and generate leads. There are several ways to start a membership website, such as WordPress, Wix, and Squarespace.
However, if you want to make the most out of your membership website, it’s best that you use a membership platform that is easy-to-use and allows you to customize everything from design to functionality.
Membership vs. Subscription Websites
A subscription website is similar to a membership website, but with one major difference: A membership website offers paid access to content and services while a subscription website provides only free access.
For example, an online magazine may have both a subscription model and a membership model. With a subscription model, readers can read all the articles for free without any limitations. However, when someone signs up for a membership, he/she will be able to view 10 articles per month.
The main benefit of using a membership website over a subscription website is the ability to charge members for something other than just reading content. For instance, you could provide a special discount on certain items, give away exclusive content, or even sell merchandise.
How to Create a Membership Website
If you decide to launch a membership website, there are many things that you need to keep in mind before doing so. Here are some tips to help you get started.
1) Choose Your Niche.
Before launching your membership website, it is important to choose a niche that is likely to attract customers. You don’t want to start a website that no one wants to visit.
2) Research Competitors.
It’s also important to do extensive research into competitors who already have a successful membership website. This will help you avoid making costly mistakes.
3) Find a Good Hosting Provider.
You can host your membership website on your own server, but this option isn’t recommended since it requires technical expertise. Instead, look for a web hosting provider that has excellent support and reliable servers.
4) Choose a Content Management System (CMS).
When creating a membership website, you will need a CMS that is easy-to use and lets you easily manage content. Some good options are WordPress, Wix, SquareSpace, and Weebly.
5) Consider Using a Payment Processor.
When setting up your membership website, you should think about how you will process payments. It’s not always possible to accept credit cards directly through your website. That’s why you should opt for a payment processor like Stripe.
6) Set Up Email Marketing.
Email marketing is another effective way to promote your membership website. To set up email marketing, you can use Mailchimp, Constant Contact, Campaign Monitor, or GetResponse.
7) Choose a Great Domain Name.
Your domain name plays a crucial role in building trust and credibility among potential visitors. If you pick a generic domain name, people might find it difficult to remember.
8) Decide Whether to Use SSL Certificate.
SSL certificates protect your website against identity theft and prevent hackers from stealing information from your site. Make sure that you purchase an SSL certificate if your website receives sensitive data such as credit card numbers.
9) Start Building!
Don’t forget to add value and benefits to your membership website. Remember that users will return to your website because they want to receive more value from their membership fee.
10) Promote Your Membership Site.
Once you have launched your membership website, make sure to promote it everywhere possible. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube are great places to do this.
11) Keep Improving!
In order to stay ahead of competition, be sure to constantly improve your membership website. Add new features to increase user engagement and drive traffic back to your website.
Best Membership Website Platforms
Here are the top 11 best membership platforms available today:
Memberful
Memberful offers an all-inclusive solution for building a membership site. You get access to the Memberful dashboard which includes tools like email marketing, lead capture forms, automated emails, and more. This makes it easier than ever before to set up and manage a successful membership business.
MemberPress
If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful membership platform, then Memberpress is the right choice for you. It has been designed with simplicity in mind. All you need to do is enter your domain name and choose a plan that meets your needs.
Wistia
Wistia provides a complete suite of features for creating membership sites. These include video hosting, live chat, social media integration, and much more. With this platform, you can easily add videos, images, and other content to your site.
Wix
Wix is one of the most popular membership website builders on the market today. Not only does it have a free option, but it also offers paid plans that come with unlimited pages and monthly traffic. However, the downside is that there are no templates included in the standard package. But, if you don’t mind paying $49 per month, then you’ll be able to enjoy over 30 professionally designed templates.
MemberSpace
With MemberSpace, you can launch a membership site within minutes. You get full control of the look and feel of your site. Plus, you will be able to customize every aspect of your membership site including pricing, payment options, and more.
Fluid Pro
Fluid Pro is a fully responsive membership website builder that comes with a drag & drop editor. This means that you won’t have to worry about coding anything. Instead, you can just focus on designing your membership site.
Wild Apricot
Wild Apricot is a good choice for those who prefer not to code. Wild Apricot offers a step-by-step process for setting up your membership site. Once you sign up with them, you will receive detailed instructions on how to set up your membership site.
YourMembership
YourMembership is a web development company that specializes in customizing membership websites. If you would rather let someone else handle the technical side of things, then this might be the perfect fit for you. YourMembership offers a variety of packages starting at $99 per month.
Morweb
Morweb is another great alternative to Wix. Similar to Wix, Morweb offers a free account that includes limited functionality. But, once you upgrade to their premium service, you will be able pay as little as $39 per month depending on what type of membership site you create.
Weebly
Weebly is a great choice if you want something easy to use. Weebly offers a free version that allows you to create a basic membership site. The drawback here is that you cannot customize the design or layout of your site. But, its ease of use makes up for this shortcoming.
Webflow
Webflow is a solid option if you want to build a professional membership site without having to learn any programming skills. Webflow offers both free and paid memberships. For example, the free version lets you host as many pages as you like while the paid version gives you access to advanced features such as analytics and email marketing.
Subhub
SubHub is an all-inclusive solution for building membership sites. SubHub integrates with various third party services so you can leverage their expertise. In addition, SubHub has a wide range of different membership site designs available.
MembershipWorks
If you need help creating a membership site from scratch, then MembershipWorks is the best place to start. They offer a free 14 day trial period where you can try out their platform before committing to a long term contract. After the trial period expires, you will be charged $199 per month.
WishList Member
Another great option for those looking for a simple way to build a membership site. WishList Member offers a free plan that allows you to create unlimited pages and posts. The downside is that there are no customization options. So, if you want to add additional features to your site, you will have to pay extra.
Bold Memberships
Bold Memberships is yet another tool that helps you build a membership site quickly and easily. Bold Memberships is a bit more expensive than some other platforms, but they do include lots of helpful resources and tools. For example, you get access to templates, themes, plugins, and much more.
Conclusion
There are plenty of membership website builders and platforms out there. While we tried to provide you with the most comprehensive list possible, it’s important to remember that every single one of these solutions has pros and cons. So, take your time and make sure you find the right one for your needs. Also, don’t forget to check out our list of the top 10 WordPress membership plugin reviews. You may also want to read about the best membership websites for 2022.
FAQ
What Is A Membership Site?
A membership website is a web property that provides content (usually text) to visitors and also requires them to register in order to view the content. Once registered, users gain access to exclusive content not otherwise accessible to non-members. Memberships usually cost either a monthly fee or a one-time payment. Either way, membership websites provide ongoing revenue streams through advertising and/or subscription fees.
How Do I Create A Membership Website?
Creating a membership website is relatively straightforward. It involves three main steps: 1) selecting a hosting provider; 2) choosing a domain name; 3) installing WordPress on the chosen domain.
Membership Sites Are Easy To Set Up
Setting up a membership website is easy to do. However, it does require some technical knowledge. If you don’t know how to code HTML and CSS, you may find yourself struggling when setting up your own membership website. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable membership website builders to choose from. All you have to do is decide which builder works best for you.
Why Should I Use A Membership Website?
You should use a membership website because it’s easy to set up and maintain. Also, with a membership website, you can make money online without having to worry about SEO, design, or coding. Finally, membership websites are ideal for bloggers who want to turn their blogs into businesses.
How Much Does It Cost To Start A Membership Website?
Setting up a membership website doesn’t come cheap. Depending on what type of membership website you’re building, you could spend anywhere between $50-$1000. There are many different factors that determine this price, including whether you select an inexpensive starter package or go all-in with premium services.
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