Setting Up WordPress Membership Sites

This article shows you how to create a membership site where visitors pay to access special content or services.

Step 1: Install a Membership Plugin

You need a plugin to handle memberships. Log into your WordPress admin dashboard and go to Plugins > Add New.

Search for "MemberPress" or "Restrict Content Pro". These are the most reliable options. Click "Install Now" then "Activate". If you're new to plugins, read our guide on how to set up WordPress plugins.

Step 2: Create Membership Levels

Go to your membership plugin's settings. You'll see options to create membership levels like "Basic", "Premium", or "VIP".

For each level, set:

The membership name
Monthly or yearly price
How long access lasts
What content members can see

Start with one or two levels. You can add more later.

Step 3: Set Up Payment Processing

Your membership plugin needs to collect payments. Go to the plugin's payment settings.

Connect either:

Stripe (takes card payments directly)
PayPal (members pay through PayPal)

You'll need to create accounts with these services first. Stripe works well for Irish businesses - it handles EUR payments and follows EU regulations.

Step 4: Protect Your Content

Decide which pages or posts are for members only. When editing a page, look for your membership plugin's settings box. Tick which membership levels can see this content.

You can protect:

Individual blog posts
Entire pages
Downloads like PDFs
Videos or audio files

Your plugin creates special pages automatically, but you need to add them to your website menu. These pages include:

Member registration
Login page
Account dashboard
Password reset

Add these to your navigation menu so visitors can find them easily. Our guide on creating WordPress menus explains how.

Step 6: Set Up Email Notifications

Configure your plugin to send emails when:

Someone joins
Payments succeed or fail
Memberships expire

Test these emails by creating a test membership for yourself.

Step 7: Create a Members-Only Area

Make a special page that only members can see. Include:

Welcome message
Links to premium content
Member directory (optional)
Support contact details

This gives new members a clear starting point.

If you're still stuck, contact Web60 support through your account portal. Include details about which membership plugin you're using and what specific step isn't working.

FAQ

Q: Which membership plugin should I choose?

A: MemberPress is easiest for beginners but costs extra. Restrict Content Pro is also user-friendly. Both work well on Web60 hosting.

Q: Can I offer free trials?

A: Yes, most membership plugins support free trials. Set this up in your membership level settings - you can offer 7, 14, or 30-day trials.

Q: How do members cancel their subscriptions?

A: Members can cancel through their account dashboard on your site, or directly through PayPal/Stripe if they prefer. Always provide clear cancellation instructions.

Q: What happens if a payment fails?

A: Most plugins automatically retry failed payments and send reminder emails. You can set how many times to retry before cancelling the membership.

Q: Can I import existing members from another system?

A: Yes, most membership plugins have import tools. You'll need a CSV file with member details like names, emails, and membership levels.

Q: Do I need to handle VAT for Irish customers?

A: If your annual revenue exceeds €37,500, you must register for VAT. Consult an Irish accountant for advice specific to your business situation.

Q: Can members access content on mobile devices?

A: Yes, membership sites work on all devices. Make sure your WordPress theme is mobile-friendly for the best member experience.