What is a Membership Website?

Membership websites are specialized platforms where you offer exclusive content or valuable resources to members, typically in exchange for a one-time or recurring subscription fee. They are becoming a popular way to generate income by providing members-only content that can’t be found elsewhere.

Why Every Content creator / Entrepreneur Need a Membership Website

1. Recurring Revenue Stream: Establish a stable and predictable income by charging for access to your content on a regular basis.
2. Build a Like-Minded Community: Create and nurture a community where members can interact, share knowledge, and provide you with feedback that can help refine your offerings.
3. Stay Competitive: Constantly update your expertise and stand out by offering unique content tailored specifically for your audience.

Membership websites are a powerful tool for anyone looking to monetize their content while fostering a sense of community. By choosing the right monetization methods and pricing structures, you can ensure sustainable income and a loyal member base. Ready to start your membership journey?

1. Create a Server with Latest Version WordPress (Clean, No WordPress Optimization)

I recommend you to go for Clean WordPress as Cloudways will install their In-house Breeze Plugin and Bot protection plugin which is not at all efficient at all. Breeze will not make your website pass the Web Core Vitals. We should go for WP-Rocket or Flying Press Caching Plugin to make your website loads fast and pass Google’s Web Core Vitals

If you are just starting out, then DigitalOcean 1 GB is enough. You can upscale your Server Size anytime within a few clicks on Cloudways.

Choose the Location where your targeting Audience is. It is crucial if your business is location specific so that your Audience will experience the Blazing Website Loading within a second.

After few minutes, your Server is ready and WordPress is also installed under their Cloudways Sub domain that you need to change it next with your Custom Domain

2. Add your Domain Name

You can Go to your Application Settings by selecting your WordPress Application (Image is attached below for reference)

To Change Domain Name, Go to Domain Management → Add Domain → Make Primary (below Image is for reference)

You Should point the Cloudways Server IP Address to your Domain name (gocreatemembership.com) from your DNS Provider. If you want to redirect WWW extension to your Primary domain, then point the same IP address to WWW using A records.

Type	Name	Content
A	@	Server IP Address here
A	www	Same IP Address here

Once You make your Domain Primary, now you will see your Custom Domain name instead of Cloudways sub Domain.

3. Access WordPress Admin Dashboard from Cloudways

Go to Access Details on the Left side Application Management where you will find the Public IP address you need to point your domain name to. You will find your Admin panel section where you will find your WordPress Admin Username and Password and Admin Dashboard link to login

4. Add SSL Certificate on Your Domain Name

Cloudways by default provide Free Let’s Encrypt SSL Certificate for your domain to enable https. Go to Application Management → SSL Certificate

Just submit your email address and Domain name to include generate SSL Certificate from Let’s Encrypt.

Now, you are ready to go to your WordPress Admin Dashboard to start editing your Membership Website

Install Kadence Theme

Install Necessary Plugins

Install ARMember Membership Plugin

Install ARMember Membership Plugin

1. Managing Your Members

2. Managing Membership Plans

3. Configuring Membership Plans + SignUp Page

4. Managing Forms

5. Setting Content Access Rules for Members

6. Managing Subscriptions for the Members

7. Managing Subscriptions for the Members

8. Payment History

9. Email Notification

10. General Settings

11. In-built Addons (Free to Activate if having ARMember Pro Plugin)

12. External Add-ons (Need to Buy for both ARMember Free & Pro Plugin as well)

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