SureMembers

Create Your Yearly Membership Site with SureMembers

In the modern digital landscape, creating a membership site is no longer just the domain of big businesses. With powerful tools like SureMembers and SureCart, individuals and small businesses can easily set up their own subscription-based platforms. Let’s examine how you can establish a yearly membership site using these two plugins on WordPress.

Getting Started with SureMembers and SureCart

To kick off the process, the initial steps are installing and activating both the SureCart and SureMembers plugins on your WordPress site. SureCart offers a free version, making it accessible to anyone looking to dip their toes into e-commerce without an upfront investment. However, SureMembers is a premium plugin, requiring a purchase for full access to its features.

After acquiring SureMembers, follow the activation instructions that come with your purchase. You’ll want to ensure both plugins are fully operational before moving forward.

Setting Up Access Groups with SureMembers

One of the core features of SureMembers is its ability to create access groups, which allow you to control who sees what on your website. Once you’ve installed and activated both plugins, you’ll need to create an access group.

1. Navigate to SureMembers: Open the SureMembers section in your WordPress dashboard and look for the option to create a new access group.
2. Configure the Group: When creating your access group, specify which members will have access and what content will be restricted. This setup allows for flexible membership options based on various criteria, such as subscription level or user role.
3. Restrict Content: After establishing the access group, you can designate specific pages, posts, or other content types that should only be viewable by users within that group.

Following these steps allows you to ensure your content remains exclusive to paying members, providing value to your offerings.

Creating a Subscription Product in SureCart

Now that your access group is set up, it’s time to create a product in SureCart that will allow users to subscribe to your membership.

1. Add New Product: In the SureCart section, click on “Products” and find the option to add a new product. Provide a clear and enticing name for your membership product.
2. Set Pricing: You’ll need to configure the pricing by clicking the “Add a Price” button:
3. Payment Type: Choose “subscription” since we’re creating a yearly membership plan.
4. Price: Input the price you wish to charge for the annual subscription.
5. Repeat Payment: Set the frequency of payments to annually, ensuring subscribers are billed each year.
6. Compare at Price: If you’re running a special promotion or discount, you can enter the regular price here. Otherwise, this is optional.
7. Pay What You Want Option: You can allow customers to choose their payment amount, giving them flexibility (and possibly increasing conversion rates).

8. Free Trial: If your budget permits, consider offering a free trial to attract new members.

9. Save the Product: Click on the “Create Price” button to save these payment terms.

With your product created, the next step is connecting it to the access group you set up earlier in SureMembers.

Integrate SureApart with SureMembers

To seamlessly link your subscription product with the access level you created in SureMembers, follow these simple instructions:

1. Add New Integration: Click on the “Add New Integration” button within the product setup.
2. Select SureMembers: From the drop-down list, select SureMembers.
3. Pick Your Access Group: Choose the previously created access group from the list. This ensures that anyone who purchases the subscription will automatically be granted access to the restricted content.

To finalize, review the purchase limits per customer, ensuring you set appropriate boundaries on how many subscriptions a single user can buy, if necessary. Once complete, hit the “Save Product” button to store your configurations.

Alternative: Using WooCommerce with SureMembers

You may wonder if it’s possible to implement a similar membership setup using WooCommerce along with SureMembers. The answer is yes, but it requires a bit more work. Unlike SureCart, WooCommerce does not provide built-in subscription options out of the box. Instead, you would need to add on the WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin, which comes with an annual fee.

Here’s a quick rundown of how to set up a WooCommerce product with SureMembers:

1. Create a Product: In the WooCommerce section, create a new product as you normally would.
2. Access Group Settings: Go to the product settings. Here, you will add access groups by selecting the relevant membership from SureMembers.
3. Ensure Integration: Make sure that you have linked the product to the right access group, just as you would in SureCart.

It’s important to consider the costs associated with using WooCommerce as opposed to the more straightforward and cost-effective method with SureCart, especially if you’re just starting.

Tips for Successful Membership Sites

While the technical steps to set everything up are essential, there are additional strategies you might want to consider when running your membership site:

1. Content Exclusivity

Deliver high-value content that can only be accessed by your members. This could be in the form of exclusive articles, videos, webinars, or downloadable resources. Having premium content will enhance the value of your membership.

2. Regular Communication

Keep your members engaged and informed. Regular updates via email and social media can help maintain interest levels. Consider creating a community forum or social media group where members can interact.

3. Feedback Loop

It’s crucial to receive feedback from your members regarding the content and features they value the most. Use surveys and analytics to gauge what works and what may need enhancements.

4. Marketing Strategy

Don’t forget to market your membership site effectively. Utilize SEO strategies, social media marketing, and email campaigns to draw in prospective members. Consider running promotions when launching to increase initial sign-ups.

5. Provide Excellent Customer Support

Ensure that your members can easily reach out for help or questions. Quick and effective support can help retain customers and improve overall satisfaction with your membership site.

Conclusion

Establishing a yearly membership site using SureMembers and SureCart can be a straightforward process. With a little technical know-how and some strategic planning, you will be able to launch a membership platform that not only generates revenue but also provides real value to your audience. The ease of use of these tools can save you time and hassle, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: creating amazing content for your members. Expand your reach, build your community, and grow your business with SureMembers!