Membership Sites Using WordPress

[The Anti Hype]

I'm toying with the idea of starting a membership site and recall seeing somewhere (probably an email promotion) that there is a script / plugin that can be used to create a paid membership site using WordPress.

Does anyone have any information on this and maybe more importantly any feedback regarding useability / reliability etc?

[Scott Frangos]

Hi There -

We build WordPress sites, and offer related services, but have not actually built a paid membership site yet. Here are some plugins that might help you, though:

• Easy PayPal: This one has some flexibility to it including charging to publish (a visitor is charged to write a post on the page -- the opposite of paying writers, instead the writers pay you), subscriber only content, and more. Looks like you might have to modify your theme files a tweak or two to get it set the way you want it.
• WordPress Membership Plugin: This plugin is commercial, but for $5 you can afford to try it out. It offers a comprehensive feature set including different subscription types (one-time and recurring), up to three different subscription packages, and tools to manage user accounts.
• aMember Professional - Here's a well-respected membership script that will integrate with WordPress (among others) and has all the features you could every want -- for $179 (PHP script, install it at your site).

My suggestion is that you try the first two during concept testing, and if you don't find they offer all you need, then consider the aMember script.

I will look forward to learning about your experience.

Best -
Scott
WebFadds.com - Blog & CMS Website Solutions with WordPress

[The Anti Hype]

Hi Scott

Thanks for your full reply and comments - very helpful. I'll take a look and follow your suggestion of trying the first two during testing phase.

[Alex Sysoef]

Best one that seamlessly integrates with WordPress is this one:

http://www.gootix.com/

Not an affiliate link but I recommend you have a look at it. It is a plugin with advanced capabilities that turns WordPress into membership site or rather allows you to create paid content that is accessed only by paying customers (users created on your blog).

I haven't played around with latest version but when I tested it a while back - it was best one I seen...

Forgot to mention - it is a commercial plugin but beats the complexity of working with aMember and such ...

[The Anti Hype]

Hi Alex

Thanks very much for your response. I'll take a look - uncomplicated = good (for me)

All the best

[Jason Hulott]

Thanks for this! It has come just at the right time!

Jason

[internetgenius]

Here is a WordPress plugin that will allow to create a membership site ...

I have not used this plugin before, but I do know that it allows for recurring fees and restricted access of your WordPress site:

http://www.gootix.com/

I would also recommend that you look into amember, which can be used to protect WordPress blogs:

http://www.amember.com/

[The Anti Hype]

Hi, thanks for your help. I'm testing the first plugin (call me cheap!) but if it doesn't perform I'll consider taking the plunge (& learning curve) with amember.

[The Anti Hype]

Hi Diane

That's really helpful. Thanks. Mark

[Rick Butts]

I have created a membership site using wordpress as the CMS but using www.Amember.com as the membership management system.

When I looked at that plugin and played with it - it just didn't have the protection and membership management features of Amember.

[The Anti Hype]

Thanks Rick - I'm drawing the same conclusion - I guess you get what you pay for!