Top Features of a WordPress Membership Plugin

Do you ever get requests from clients to add membership functionality to their new WordPress website? Businesses are increasingly turning to membership sites to cultivate communities, deliver exclusive content, and boost recurring revenue. That’s where the WordPress membership plugin comes in.

At White Label Agency, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve. Our developers have built thousands of websites over the years, and membership plugins are a frequent flier. We’ve compiled this guide to help you navigate the world of membership functionality, listing the top features to consider when choosing a plugin, along with some of our favorite options. Let’s dive in and get you up to speed on building thriving membership sites for your clients!

Must-Have Features in Membership Plugin

Choosing the right membership plugin for WordPress can make all the difference for your client’s website. Here are some key features to look for:

• Content Dripping: This feature allows you to control when members see specific content. For example, your client might want to deliver course materials on a weekly basis or release exclusive content to long-term members.
• Membership Levels: Lets your clients cater to a wider audience and offers a premium experience by creating different membership tiers. Each tier can have varying access levels and pricing options.
• Payment Gateways: Seamless integration with popular payment gateways like PayPal or Stripe is essential. This allows members to easily sign up for recurring payments.
• Content Restriction: Restricts access to specific pages, posts, or categories of a website based on membership level. This ensures that only paying members can view exclusive content.
• Reporting and Analytics: Tracks key metrics like member growth, churn rate, and revenue generated by memberships. This valuable data will help you optimize your membership strategy.

Paid Member Subscription

Paid Member Subscriptions (PMS) is a powerful and user-friendly WordPress membership plugin that equips your site with all of the features you need for a thriving membership program.

Here’s what PMS offers:

• Effortless Management: Accept payments, manage members, create subscription plans (free and paid!), and restrict access to exclusive content – all from one central hub.

• Seamless Integration: Add a simple shortcode to your website to create a dedicated member registration page.

• WooCommerce Integration: Take your membership a step further by restricting product purchases or offering member discounts based on subscription level.

• Flexible Tiers: Cater to diverse audiences by creating a plan hierarchy with varying access levels and benefits. Members can choose their plan during registration, and even upgrade, renew, or cancel their subscriptions down the line.

• Content Control: Restrict access to specific posts, pages, or entire categories based on member status.

• Payment Options: Accept secure payments through PayPal and get detailed reports on transactions and subscription plans. You can even configure free trial periods to attract new members.

Pricing: PMS offers a one-time fee structure. The Basic plan (€69) is ideal for a single website, while the Pro plan (€149) unlocks unlimited sites and nine premium add-ons for even greater functionality.

MemberPress

MemberPress isn’t your average WordPress membership plugin. It’s a comprehensive learning management system (LMS) designed specifically to create professional membership sites with online education in mind.

Getting started is a breeze with MemberPress’s streamlined setup process. Once you’re up and running, you’ll have granular control over access to every part of your site, from pages and posts to files and categories. Plus, you can customize your pricing pages with beautiful pre-built templates – no coding necessary!

MemberPress excels at drip content delivery, allowing you to control exactly when members see specific content. This is perfect for creating online courses with a planned curriculum. You can even set expiration dates to keep things fresh and add an element of urgency.

Automated billing systems streamline your operations by managing memberships based on payments. This frees you up to focus on other aspects of your membership program.

But MemberPress goes beyond transactions. It helps build a thriving community by allowing website owners to create password-protected forums through integrations with popular tools like bbPress.

MemberPress also provides growth strategies like offering coupon codes and leveraging affiliate programs through Affiliate Royale. MemberPress generates detailed reports that provide actionable insights and track the growth of your website. These features help you attract new members and expand your reach.

The real power of MemberPress comes from its Zapier integration. This lets you connect a site with various web apps for ultimate automation, unlocking a world of possibilities.

With MemberPress, you can create the best membership site possible, all for a yearly premium plan ranging from $179 to $319.

SureMembers

SureMembers is a user-friendly WordPress membership plugin that boasts a straightforward setup wizard that gets your site up and running in minutes.

SureMembers simplifies membership management. You can easily add different tiers, integrate popular payment gateways, and set access rules with clear definitions. You can create member groups, specify what content they can access, and determine pricing – it’s hassle-free for every tier you offer.

Don’t be fooled by the ease of use – SureMembers is packed with powerful features. Drip content, paywalls, and user roles give you granular control over what members see and when. You can easily add or exclude specific content to perfectly tailor the experience for each membership level.

SureMembers integrates seamlessly with SureCart, opening the door to a fully functional online store within your membership site. Up your game with eCommerce strategies – suggest related products or offer additional items to boost both membership sales and overall revenue.

SureMembers caters to businesses of all sizes. Choose from three plans: Pro for a single site at $69/year, Business for up to five sites at $99/year, or Agency for up to 10 sites at $149/year. Every plan includes all features, premium support, and regular updates. Whether you’re a solopreneur or managing a large agency, SureMembers offers a comprehensive solution for a smooth setup and flexible membership management.

Choose the Right Partner for WordPress Development

A well-designed membership program can foster a loyal community, deliver exclusive value, and generate recurring revenue – a win-win for everyone involved.

However, building a thriving site goes beyond just the WordPress membership plugin. Strategic planning, engaging content, and ongoing optimization are all crucial for success. That’s where The White Label Agency can help. We have a team of experienced developers and designers who can design, develop, and launch membership websites that achieve your client’s goals. Let’s discuss your project today!