Many companies got very successful by providing their content, service, or tools behind a subscription model. With the right idea in mind, you can create a subscription website that can become very profitable. But what exactly is a subscription website and how do you find an idea? And is it easy to create and market a subscription website?

What is a subscription-based website?

When you give restricted access to your content or tool on your website, you use a subscription service. This means only members who pay can enter and access your offer.

You have to provide something valuable so enough people would pay for it. There are many things you can sell with a subscription-based website.

Often courses and webinars, or guides are behind a membership site. But also online tools or services like graphic design tools, hosting, and online business applications (Keyword tools, Surveys, Websitebuilder…)

As well as helpful publications like reports, articles, and newsletters. Or even to receive special discounts and offers for products/equipment/services. Anything which is in a niche where people or companies are willing to purchase a subscription.

If you create a subscription website, you can save a lot of time as many administrative tasks run automatically, including processing and updating your information. For example, it helps when a new member registers on your website or handles monthly dues and setting up recurring payments. It can also send auto emails to your customers as a newsletter or invoice, or anything which benefits your subscribers. And of course, providing the applications and content you share on your website.

What ideas can you offer with a subscription model?

You can find many ideas to build a membership business. Start with making a list of what you want to offer, like a service, valuable content, or tool/application. Also, research niches to find a big enough audience you can market to.

If you need some inspiration, look into the Startup Idea Matrix full B2C matrix and full B2B matrix from Eric Stromberg (head of Google Play). There you can see what topics and business models are already existing and what could be something that people are willing to pay for.

When you know what you want to offer with a subscription model, you need to plan what time and money you want to invest. It is necessary to think about if you want to start it as a part-time business or have enough money saved to do it full-time.

What do you need to plan before yo create a subscription website?

Once you found your idea and made a plan, you can start to create a subscription website. If you want to build the site from scratch, you either need web design experience or have money to hire a web developer.

When you are comfortable building it on your own, you can use a Website builder like WordPress, which makes it quite easy to create a subscription-based website. You can also find many tutorials that can help you to design the platform you want.

You can find many themes that are fitting for a membership website. And several plugins that are useful to build this type of site. The more you automate processes the lesser time you have to invest when maintaining your online business. This will help to focus on providing valuable content, services, and tools to your subscribers.

You can also use drag and drop builders like Squarespace or Weebly to keep it even simpler. However, this website builder may not offer all the advanced tools like some WordPress Plugins you may need to automate processes fully.

Do you already have a website? Then why not integrate a subscription model if your site has fitting content? But when your niche is not similar to your idea, it is better to build a new website. Nevertheless, you can advertise for your membership platform on your already established website if it makes sense.

Step by Step Guide on How to Create a Membership Website?

1. Define Your Niche and Target Audience

Before diving into the technical aspects, it’s essential to define your niche and target audience. Identify the specific problem or need your subscription website will address. Conduct market research to understand your potential customers’ preferences, pain points, and expectations.

2. Choose a Suitable Platform

Selecting the right platform is crucial for your subscription website’s success. Consider factors such as ease of use, payment gateways, customization options, and scalability. Popular platforms like WordPress with membership plugins, Squarespace, or Shopify can be excellent choices for setting up your subscription site.

3. Plan Your Subscription Tiers

Offering different subscription tiers can attract a broader audience and cater to various needs. Determine what features and content each tier will offer and set competitive pricing accordingly. Keep in mind that your subscription tiers should provide clear value to your customers.

4. Develop Engaging Content

Compelling content is the lifeblood of any subscription website. Create valuable and exclusive content that aligns with your niche and target audience’s interests. Consider offering a mix of articles, videos, webinars, and downloadable resources to keep your subscribers engaged.

5. Design a User-Friendly Interface

A user-friendly interface enhances the overall subscriber experience. Ensure that your website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and optimized for mobile devices. Use clear call-to-action buttons to encourage visitors to subscribe.

6. Integrate Secure Payment Gateways

Security is paramount when handling financial transactions. Choose reliable and secure payment gateways to safeguard your subscribers’ sensitive information. Popular options include PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.Net.

7. Implement Membership Management

Implement a robust membership management system to handle user registrations, login credentials, and subscription details. This system will help you keep track of your subscribers and their preferences.

8. Create a Compelling Landing Page

Your landing page is your first impression on potential subscribers. Craft a compelling landing page that highlights the benefits of subscribing to your website. Use persuasive language, captivating visuals, and clear subscription options.

9. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

To attract organic traffic, optimize your subscription website for search engines. Conduct keyword research related to your niche and incorporate relevant LSI keywords into your content. Create meta-tags, meta-descriptions, and ALT tags for images to improve your website’s search engine ranking.

10. Leverage Social Media Marketing

Utilize the power of social media to promote your subscription website and engage with your audience. Share valuable content, run targeted ad campaigns, and encourage subscribers to share their experiences on social platforms.

11. Offer Free Trials and Discounts

To entice potential subscribers, consider offering free trials or limited-time discounts. Free trials give users a taste of your exclusive content, while discounts can prompt them to subscribe sooner.

12. Monitor Analytics and Subscriber Metrics

Regularly monitor website analytics and subscriber metrics to gain insights into your website’s performance. Analyze user behavior, conversion rates, and churn rates to make data-driven decisions and improve your subscription website’s effectiveness.

13. Engage with Your Subscribers

Build a strong relationship with your subscribers through personalized communication. Send regular newsletters, exclusive offers, and personalized content based on their interests and preferences.

14. Seek Feedback and Continuous Improvement

Encourage feedback from your subscribers and use it to improve your subscription website continually. Implement changes based on user suggestions to enhance the overall user experience.

15. Offer Customer Support

Provide exceptional customer support to address any queries or issues your subscribers may have. A responsive support system will foster trust and loyalty among your customer base.

16. Collaborate with Influencers

Partner with influencers and industry experts to promote your subscription website. Their endorsement can significantly increase your website’s visibility and credibility.

17. Launch Special Promotions and Events

Host special promotions or events to celebrate milestones or holidays. Limited-time offers can create a sense of urgency and drive more subscriptions.

18. Monitor and Manage Churn Rate

Churn rate refers to the percentage of subscribers who cancel their subscriptions. Keep a close eye on churn rate and take proactive measures to retain subscribers, such as offering loyalty rewards or addressing pain points.

19. Stay Updated with Industry Trends

Stay informed about the latest industry trends and developments to stay ahead of the competition. Embrace innovation and adapt your subscription offerings accordingly.

20. Offer Add-Ons and Upsells

Maximize revenue by offering add-ons or upsells to existing subscribers. These can be additional services or premium content that complements their existing subscription.

21. Utilize Email Marketing Campaigns

Leverage email marketing campaigns to nurture leads and retain existing subscribers. Send personalized and relevant content to keep your audience engaged and informed.

22. Implement Retargeting Strategies

Utilize retargeting strategies to reach out to potential subscribers who visited your website but didn’t subscribe. Tailor ads or offers to remind them of the value your subscription website provides.

23. Collaborate with Other Businesses

Explore partnerships with other businesses or complementary service providers. Cross-promoting each other’s offerings can expand your reach and attract new subscribers.

24. Monitor Competitors

Keep an eye on your competitors to understand their strategies and identify areas where you can differentiate your subscription website.

25. Evaluate and Scale

Regularly evaluate your subscription website’s performance and set new goals. Scale your business by expanding your content offerings, improving user experience, and exploring new marketing channels.

How to market your Membership Website?

As you build and run your site, you need to make sure to provide valuable offers for future subscribers. And then, you can think about how to market your membership site.

A website needs to have a high number of visitors to get people that are interested in your subscription platform. You can reach an audience if you use both Search engine optimization(Seo) and online advertising to improve your ranking on Google or bing to get seen. While you need to find fitting keywords and text, you have to know who your audience is.

This is why you have to create and identify a targeted audience. It will help to reach the right people that are interested in subscribing to your website.

You can also make use of social media platforms to reach even more targeted people. As many people use social media, you can find a lot of potential subscribers with similar interests in your niche.

The more your membership site grows, the more marketing opportunities you get.

You can get your existing members to promote your site through an affiliate or referral program. With the affiliate program, you can give people a unique link to your site, and every time someone purchases through this link, they get a commission in return from you.

Similar is referral marketing which also gives back a bonus for new members that come from your audience. Both are really useful strategies to promote your site as you don´t have to do any advertising, which makes it way easier and cheaper to get new paying customers.

Another idea is to use Influencer Marketing and work together with other companies and websites in your niche.

Making sure to keep subscribers happy

For membership, the goal is to have recurring income. This is only possible if your subscribers are happy with your offer, so they want to stay a member.

You need to ensure that you update and continuously add fresh and valuable content to your site. Another idea is to make a forum and message board so members can communicate with each other. What is also helpful to keep your members is to offer specials and monthly bonuses or leveling systems.

It takes time and works to make a membership site, but it can pay off when you have an automated process in place and make the right content.

FAQ

How can I create a subscription website?

If you want to create a subscription website, you need to choose a website builder platform like WordPress that offers membership and subscription features. With WordPress, you can easily create a membership site using plugins and themes designed specifically for this purpose.

What is the best membership website builder?

One of the best membership website builders is WordPress. It provides a wide range of plugins and themes that allow you to create a membership website with ease. Some popular WordPress membership plugins include MemberPress, Paid Memberships Pro, and Restrict Content Pro.

Can I use WordPress to build a membership website?

Yes, WordPress is a popular platform for building membership websites. With the help of membership plugins, you can easily add membership functionality to your WordPress website.

How do I create a membership site with WordPress?

To create a membership site with WordPress, you first need to install WordPress on your hosting provider. Then, choose a membership plugin that suits your needs and install it. After that, configure the plugin settings, create membership levels, set up payment gateways, and customize your site’s design to match your brand.

What are some examples of websites with WordPress membership?

Some examples of websites that use WordPress for their membership features are online courses platforms like Udemy and Coursera, fitness websites like Beachbody On Demand, and digital product marketplaces like Envato Elements.

How can I choose the best WordPress membership plugin for my subscription website?

When choosing a WordPress membership plugin for your subscription website, consider factors such as your specific requirements, available features, ease of use, customer support, and user reviews. It’s also helpful to try out the plugin’s demo or free version to see if it meets your needs.

Can I create multiple membership levels on my subscription website?

Yes, with the right membership plugin, you can easily create multiple membership levels on your subscription website. This allows you to offer different content and features to your members based on their subscription level.

Do I need to have coding skills to create a membership website?

No, you don’t need to have coding skills to create a membership website. Website builders like WordPress provide user-friendly interfaces and plugins that allow you to create and manage your membership site without any coding knowledge.

How can I monetize my subscription website?

There are several ways to monetize your subscription website. You can offer paid membership levels with exclusive content, provide access to premium features for a subscription fee, sell digital products or services to your members, and even run a subscription-based e-commerce store.

Can I offer a free trial on my membership site?

Yes, many membership plugins for WordPress offer the option to provide a free trial period for new members. This allows potential members to experience the benefits of your membership site before committing to a paid subscription.

What are some important features to consider when building a subscription website?

When building a subscription website, some important features to consider include flexible membership levels, easy payment integration, content protection, automatic recurring billing, member management, email marketing integration, and analytics tracking to monitor your site’s performance.

What is a subscription website?

A subscription website is a website where users pay a recurring fee to access its content or services.

Are there any website examples that I can refer to for creating a subscription site?

Yes, there are many website examples available in the market that you can refer to when creating a subscription site. These examples can give you ideas and inspiration for your own website.

How do membership plugins work?

Membership plugins allow you to create members-only areas on your website, manage different membership levels, and set up a subscription plan for your users.

Do I need to have coding knowledge to create a subscription website?

No, you don’t need to have coding knowledge to create a subscription website. With the right tools and resources, you can build a subscription site without any coding skills.

What is the benefit of starting a membership site?

Starting a membership site gives you the opportunity to earn recurring revenue from your audience. It also allows you to build a community and offer exclusive content or services to your members.

Can I offer a free membership on my subscription website?

Yes, you can offer a free membership on your subscription website. Offering a free membership can help you attract more users and encourage them to upgrade to a paid membership level.

Is there any dedicated membership website builder available?

Yes, there are dedicated membership website builders available that provide everything you need to create a membership website, including pre-built templates, payment integration, and membership management features.

What is the difference between a membership model and a subscription model?

The membership model typically refers to a paid access to exclusive content or services, while the subscription model often involves recurring payments for ongoing access to a product or service.