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It wasn’t long ago that if you wanted to be a member of a club, whether that be an educational establishment, a fitness center or a low-commitment hobby club, you had to be able to attend the club in physical form. Nowadays, however, thanks to advancements in technology, it’s perfectly possible to host and attend a club exclusively online. 

This article will offer step-by-step guidance on how to create a membership website. Before getting started, you may find it useful to check out these building membership website examples, which will give you a better idea of what you can expect from your membership website when it’s complete.

1. Consider membership models

First off, think about the type of membership model you’d like to offer your members. There are 6 different model types: the regular updates model; the library model; the progressive (coaching) model; the community model; the result-achieving model; and the mixed model. Each of these models offers something different for members, so it’s important to choose the right one to suit your business goals. 

2. Decide on prices

Now’s your time to decide on your pricing. How much will you charge your subscribers? Will you charge monthly or annually? Will you have a flat fee for all members or will you have different subscription offerings at different prices?

3. Create a members’ database

Your membership website can’t exist without a members’ database. If you already have interested members, that’s great, but don’t worry if you don’t yet. Still, it’s worth thinking about how you’ll manage these members when they flock in. Client Relationship Management (CRM) software is your best tool for this job. It can automate member registration and provide you with useful info about your members’ demographics, as well as handle the financial side of things. 

4. Consider website features

With the basics set up, you can now think about your membership website’s features. What will your sign-up stage look like? Will members be required to create a personal profile? And how about your home screen – what important content is needed on there? You may also need a feature for filtering and sorting through your provided content. It’s worth having a separate page for each piece of content to prevent your homepage from getting too bulky.

5. Integrate a calendar

If you’re hosting an online membership club, chances are, you’re interested in scheduling events, whether they’re in-person meet-ups or online meetings. For that reason, having a built-in calendar on your membership website is important for reminding your members about your important diary dates. 

6. Consider forums and customer support

You want your members to have the best experience they can if they’re paying money to access your website, so you need to provide everything you can to make this possible. Having a forum is a great way to enable like-minded members to connect. Customer support, such as a live chatbot and an emergency contact number, can help members who are dealing with problems. 

Setting up a membership website is a comprehensive job, so be sure to reach out to an expert if you need guidance along the way.