Paid Memberships Pro – Sponsored Members Add On

Understanding the Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On

In the turbulent world of online membership management, the Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On stands out for its functionality and convenience, allowing organizations to easily set up and manage sponsored memberships. This Add On provides unique scenarios for administrators and users alike, enhancing the overall membership experience through various tailored features.

Development

Key Features of the Add On

The Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On introduces several pivotal features that enhance user experience and facilitate flexible account management. Here are the primary elements of how this Add On operates:

1. Discount Code Generation: When a primary account holder (the sponsor) checks out, a discount code is automatically generated. This code permits sponsored members to register at no cost for the specified sponsored membership level. This aspect makes it easier for sponsors to share memberships conveniently.

2. Membership Visibility: Users who have been assigned discount codes can see these codes on their membership account and verification pages. This feature ensures transparency in account management and enhances user comprehension of their membership status.

3. Linking Sponsored Members: Sponsored members are directly tied to their sponsors through the underlying database table known as pmpro_discount_codes_uses. This structure maintains a clear relationship between accounts, promoting accountability and streamlined management.

4. Account Management Dynamics: If a sponsor’s account is canceled, all related sponsored members will simultaneously have their accounts disabled. Conversely, if a sponsor’s account is reactivated, all sponsored members’ accounts are re-enabled accordingly. This automated system simplifies management tasks for administrators and supports keeping track of active members effectively.

5. Purchase Limitations: An important rule within the sponsored accounts framework is that sponsors cannot use their own discount codes to obtain a membership. This restriction helps maintain the integrity of the sponsored membership process.

Installation and Configuration

To fully utilize the Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On, the initial requirement is to have the Paid Memberships Pro plugin installed and activated. Here’s how you can install the Add On:

• Within your WordPress admin panel, navigate to the Memberships > Add Ons section.
• Locate the Sponsored Members Add On and click the ‘Install Now’ button.
• Alternatively, if manual installation is preferred, download the Add On as a .zip file. You can then upload this compressed directory under Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin in the WordPress admin dashboard.
• After installation, activate the plugin through the Plugins screen.

Initial Configuration

Setting up the global $pmprosm_sponsored_account_levels array is essential for customizing the Sponsored Members Add On’s functionalities. Critical array parameters you must set include:

• main_level_id: This is the membership level ID for the primary or parent account. Ensure this ID matches your defined index for proper referencing.
• sponsored_level_id: Defines the membership level ID for the sponsored memberships. This can either be a single integer or an array of integers for additional levels.
• add_code_to_confirmation_email: Determines whether the discount code should appear in the confirmation email sent to the main member post-checkout.

Within the billing framework, you have the opportunity to dictate how seat costs are applied during transactions:

• apply_seat_cost_to_initial_payment: Decides if the cost associated with each sponsored membership is charged at the point of checkout.
• apply_seat_cost_to_billing_amount: This controls whether the recurring charge for sponsored memberships is applied to the primary account holder’s future payments.

Advanced Settings for Seat Management

The Add On also features flexible settings that allow you to manage sponsored seats effectively:

• seat_cost: This parameter defines the price for each sponsored membership seat. Setting this to zero establishes that the sponsored memberships are complimentary.
• max_seats: Establishes the ceiling for the number of sponsored memberships that can be associated with a parental account.
• min_seats: Similar to max_seats, this parameter indicates the minimum number of sponsored memberships allowable.

Child Accounts Without Email Addresses

A common hurdle in membership setups is the requirement for unique emails for every user account, especially for child accounts without personal email addresses. Paid Memberships Pro offers a straightforward workaround: by appending a plus sign and unique identifiers to a valid email address format. For instance, users could register child accounts under [email protected] or [email protected].

Practical Use Cases

The Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On can be employed in various scenarios. Here are some popular use cases to illustrate its effectiveness in real-world applications:

• Parent-Sponsored Memberships: A parent account can complete the checkout process and receive a discount code, which comes with a specified number of uses that can be shared with child accounts. Each child account can register independently at the designated membership level for free or at a specific charge.

• Bulk Child Account Purchases: The parent account can select the number of additional child accounts to purchase during the checkout process. This action adds the collective price to the primary membership, which is then charged accordingly.

• Direct Entry at Checkout: If desired, the parent account holder can enter all relevant information for each child account directly at checkout. Upon successful payment, both parent and child accounts are activated seamlessly.

Importing Members

With the right configuration, existing members can be imported into the system, establishing parent-to-child relationships. Using the CSV import feature ensures that you’re able to manage large membership volumes efficiently.

To implement this correctly:

1. Ensure your Sponsored Members Add On settings are in place.
2. Import parent accounts before child accounts. The import process relies on existing parameters such as User ID, Email Address, or unique User Login.

This function can save significant time and effort for large organizations transitioning to the Paid Memberships Pro system.

Conclusion

The Paid Memberships Pro Sponsored Members Add On is an invaluable tool for organizations seeking to manage memberships and foster further engagement among their users effectively. With features such as dynamic discount code generation, seamless linking of accounts, and flexible pricing options, this Add On brings a remarkable level of customization and automated functionality that caters to both sponsors and their sponsored members alike. Adopting this tool not only enhances user experience but also optimizes management tasks, allowing organizations to focus on growth and member satisfaction. Embrace the potential of this robust Add On and ensure your membership management practices are both efficient and user-friendly!