As the owner of a company passionate about eLearning and helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams, I understand the importance of selecting the right membership platform for your business.
But with countless platforms available, it’s crucial to know what features and qualities you should look for to make an informed decision…
And that can be hard sometimes!
No to worry—in this blog post, I will walk you through the essential factors to consider when choosing the perfect membership platform for your needs and discuss how we at NorthMac use the combination of WordPress, WooCommerce, and SureMembers to create an outstanding membership experience.
1. Ease of use and user experience
Choose a platform that offers an intuitive interface and clear navigation for both you as the creator and for your members.
A seamless user experience will keep your members engaged and encourage them to continue using your platform.
Over the years, we’ve used many different platforms to accomplish this.
And most of them are very, very clunky. Yuck.
SureMembers, a newer option (but backed by an experienced team), is the fastest and easiest way to protect content on your website that we’ve found.
It offers user-friendly features that streamline the process of creating a membership site—big time.
2. Customization and branding
Your membership platform should allow you to customize its appearance and features to match your brand identity.
Look for platforms offering customizable templates, color schemes, and typography, as well as the ability to add your logo and other branding elements.
By combining WordPress, WooCommerce, and SureMembers, we can create a fully customized membership experience that aligns with your brand and meets your unique needs.
Specifically, we use the Divi Theme on WordPress as it has unparalleled flexibility and customization options.
3. Integration with other tools and services
To streamline your workflow and improve efficiency, opt for a platform that integrates seamlessly with the tools and services you already use.
This could include email marketing platforms, payment processors, content management systems, and analytics tools.
All of these are vitally important, so you don’t want a system that can’t talk to them.
Because WordPress is so flexible, this is rarely a problem.
And with SureTriggers, a sister application to SureMembers, connectivity is even easier than ever.
4. Pricing and scalability
Consider your budget and the platform’s pricing structure.
Many platforms offer a tiered pricing model, with features and capabilities that increase as you move up the tiers.
Ensure that the platform you choose is scalable and can grow with your business, allowing you to add more features and accommodate more members as needed.
SureMembers offers various pricing plans, ensuring that you can find a plan that fits your budget and requirements.
(And if you choose to work with us, it’s included in the price).
How’s that for a deal?
5. Payment processing and security
A good membership platform should offer secure and reliable payment processing options for your members.
Look for platforms that support multiple payment methods, such as credit cards, PayPal, and other digital wallets.
Additionally—and this is important—ensure that the platform complies with security standards such as SSL encryption and PCI compliance to protect your members’ sensitive information.
WooCommerce handles payment processing and security, working seamlessly with SureMembers to provide a safe and secure membership experience.
6. Content hosting and delivery
Depending on the type of content you plan to offer your members, make sure the platform can support your needs.
This may include hosting video and audio content, offering file downloads, or providing access to live events.
Consider the platform’s content delivery capabilities, such as drip content, content scheduling, and user access controls.
SureMembers comes loaded with features like easy content paywalls, drip feed content, custom access rules, and secure digital downloads, making it an ideal choice for content hosting and delivery.
The owner of SureMembers also owns Presto Player, a fantastic video plugin that has the ability to integrate with hosts like Bunny.net that make video hosting and delivery effortless.
We have experience setting this up across multiple installations at this point, and would love to show you how easy it is!
7. Community and engagement features
One of the main benefits of a membership platform is the ability to foster a sense of community among your members.
Look for platforms that offer features such as discussion forums, private messaging, and social sharing options.
These tools can help you create an engaging and interactive experience for your members, encouraging them to stay active and connected.
With SureMembers, you can easily create a Patreon-like experience for your most loyal fans and offer private community features to your members.
And with great social options being added to WordPress regularly, it’s a no-brainer to consider creating a community right on your own website.
8. Analytics and reporting
To track the success of your membership site and make data-driven decisions, choose a platform with robust analytics and reporting features.
These tools should provide you with insights into member engagement, content performance, and revenue generation, allowing you to monitor your platform’s growth and make improvements as needed.
While SureMembers does not have any build in reporting as of the time of this writing, when integrated with other analytical tools, it can help you gather valuable data about your members and their interactions with your content.
We also proudly support privacy and free speech, and are proud partners with Fathom Analytics (affiliate link).
Fathom provides robust reporting in a friendly way and has made user engagement tracking a breeze for us.
9. Support and documentation
A platform with comprehensive documentation, tutorials, and support forums can be invaluable, especially if you’re new to the world of membership sites or encounter issues during the setup process.
Look for a platform with an active and engaged user community, offering resources to help you troubleshoot problems and get the most out of your membership site.
SureMembers prides itself on providing detailed documentation, video tutorials, and world-class support to its users.
It even has a Facebook community where the owner hangs out and chats with people to get feedback, provide answers, and preview upcoming new features.
That is hard to come by and makes a huge difference for us, and we think it should for you too.
10. Migration and compatibility
If you’re considering switching to a new membership platform or starting from scratch, it’s essential to choose a platform that offers compatibility with your existing systems and content.
The platform should provide tools or support to help you migrate your content, members, and settings from your current platform to the new one without disrupting your members’ experience.
SureMembers is designed to work seamlessly with WordPress and WooCommerce, making it an excellent choice for businesses looking for a membership platform that’s compatible with their existing website and eCommerce systems.
(That’s right, no complicated rule creation. It just works.)
Feeling a little overwhelmed?
We understand that choosing the right membership platform and setting up your membership site can be a daunting task. If you’re feeling unsure or overwhelmed by all the options, we’re here to help.
At NorthMac, our team of experienced developers and designers can guide you through the process of setting up and customizing your membership platform, and provide ongoing support and maintenance as needed.
We’d be happy to schedule a discovery call with you to discuss your specific goals and requirements, assess your needs, and recommend a solution that fits your vision and budget.
This is NO obligation, NO strings attached, and we won’t even discuss money on the call 🙂 If you want to want to work with us, we’ll schedule a second call to go over those details.
If you decide to move forward, Our team will work closely with you to create a membership site that not only meets but exceeds your expectations, ensuring that you can focus on what matters most: delivering valuable content and fostering a strong community for your members.
Don’t hesitate to reach out and take the first step toward creating a successful membership site using WordPress, WooCommerce, and SureMembers.
Schedule your discovery call and get started on your journey to achieving your goals.
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