Beginners guide to membership websites

What is a membership website and why would you want one?

A standard website is often compared to a printed brochure. It presents information on your product or service and it uses words and pictures to make it easy for your visitors to understand.

By comparison, a membership website is more like a bank vault. Content is private to keyholders only.

So as well as having a public face, a membership website has a private area that cannot be accessed by unauthorised visitors. The website will stop visitors from accessing specific content unless they have been approved or they have paid to gain entry.

Traditionally, membership content was managed manually, a very time-consuming process.

So to answer the question raised at the very start, the main reason for having a membership website, or indeed, a membership area on your existing website, is:

1. It saves you a huge amount of time.
2. It makes specific content private.
3. It makes it easy to monetise your content (if you want to do that).
4. It gives 24/7 access to authorised people only.
5. It keeps you in control of your assets.

In essence, this type of website is great for companies wanting to provide access to private information in a controlled way. From a commercial view point, it also offers the ability to sell access to site content if that is part of your business offering.

Membership website examples

Below we have listed three types of membership websites to give you an idea of what is possible:

• Document Library – This is a great example of a basic membership website. Users register to gain access to the documents on your website. Once you approve their access they can use this resource simply by logging in via your website login page.
  
• Paid Membership – This is a more advanced membership site, which not only protects content but requires payment to gain access. The major benefit of this kind of membership website is the ability to charge monthly or annual fees to gain access to content. Also, the number of members is limitless making this a popular choice for companies that create private content as a service.
  
• Online Training – Online training is one of the most advanced types of membership website. As well as charging for access to the members area, users may be limited to a specific course and associated materials. As well as controlling access, an online training website can also track the progress of the member, showing which courses have been taken.

What are the benefits of a membership website to a business owner?

There are three main benefits to adding membership features to your website:

1. Control access to content – Whether the membership is free or paid, you have full control over who can gain access to your website content.
   
2. Recurring income – If you do choose to charge for access to your website content you do not have a limit to how many members can sign-up. Also with recurring payments your new membership website can manage payments and renewals for you.
   
3. Day to day management – A membership website can be configured to allow visitors to register or pay for access automatically. Issues like resetting account passwords or reminding members to update their card details can be handled by the website system, saving hours of admin time.

Final thoughts…

Whether you are storing shared documents or creating complex training materials, a members area will make your website an essential resource for your customers. Operating 24/7 a membership website can be a great asset for your business or can even be developed into a business in its own right.

Next Steps…

With over 20 years of experience building membership websites, our website design team in Exeter knows how to create a website that will look fantastic from day one.

Our friendly Exeter based team would love to discuss your next membership website.

So give us a call today at 01392 980012 or 01494 730000 to arrange a site visit or video call.