How to Create a WooCommerce Membership Site?

When it comes to monetizing an eStore, membership sites can be a way to ensure good sales of service and loyalty. They offer exclusive content and products along with premium access and more. That encourages repeat business.

WooCommerce, being a part of the WordPress plugin ecosystem makes it easier to create a membership site. You can use the standard membership plugin, a role-based access plugin, or even create this site manually.

In this blog, we’ll discuss these methods in detail and tell you about the top plugins to go for. So let’s begin.

How to Create a WooCommerce Membership Site? (With WooCommerce Membership Plugin)

As you already know, installing plugins can help integrate all sorts of features in WordPress websites. And when it comes to turning a WooCommerce store into a membership site, some excellent options include WooCommerce Memberships, MemberPress, etc.

First off, we assume you have already installed the WooCommerce plugin and completed the setup.

Step 1: Install a Membership Plugin

There are several membership plugins available in the official WordPress repository, WooCommerce market, as well as third-party marketplaces (like Envato CodeCanyon). Research and select a plugin that fits your needs and budget. Popular options include:

• WooCommerce Memberships
• Members – Membership & User Role Editor
• MemberPress
• Paid Memberships Pro

Consider your requirements, explore the options, and then to install the plugin, follow our plugin installation guide.

Step 2: Configure Membership Plans

• In the dashboard, navigate to WooCommerce > Memberships > Membership Plans.
• Click on Add Membership Plan.
• Define the plan’s name, description, and associated products or content.

Step 3: Set Content Restriction Rules

• Within the membership plan settings, specify which pages, posts, or products are accessible to members.
• Optionally, schedule the content to be released over time.
• Decide how customers gain membership, through product purchases or other methods.

Step 4: Test the Membership Process

• Simulate a user purchasing a membership.
• Ensure that restricted content is accessible only to members.

But what if you want some custom functionality? In that case, create a new WordPress plugin customized to your requirements.

This approach is ideal for businesses aiming to offer structured membership tiers with controlled access to content and products.

How to Set Up a WooCommerce Membership Site? (Using a Role-based Access Plugin)

Another great way to set up a WooCommerce membership site is using a role-based plugin. It primarily focuses on defining different pricing tiers for different user roles. It’s suitable for basic membership functionality.

Step 1: Install a Role-Based Pricing Plugin

• Choose a plugin like Role Based Pricing for WooCommerce.
• On your dashboard, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin.
• Now upload the plugin file and then click ‘Install’ and ‘Activate’.

Step 2: Configure User Roles

• Navigate to WooCommerce > Settings > Role-Based Pricing.
• Create roles for new users or edit existing ones.
• Apply discounts or increase the markup value according to a specific role.

Step 3: Set Role-Based Pricing Rules

• Set role-based pricing rules that will allow fixed priced items or percentage discounts to selected user categories.
• Apply the stipulations to the products or categories.

Step 4: Assign Roles to Users

• Assign user roles to customers manually.
• Alternatively, allow users to select roles during registration.

This method is for stores aiming to offer varied pricing or products to different customer groups without implementing full membership functionalities.

How to Set Up a WooCommerce Membership Site Without a Plugin? (Password Protection)

It is the simplest, but least flexible method. This method is only suitable for very basic membership sites where you simply want to protect a few pages or pieces of content.

Step 1: Create the Content:

• Go to Pages or Posts > Add New.
• Develop the content you wish to restrict.

Step 2: Set Password Protection:

• In the Publish box, locate the Visibility option.
• Click Edit and select Password Protected.
• Enter a password and save your changes.

Step 3: Distribute the Password

• Share the password with your members through email or another secure method.
• Regularly update the protected content to keep members engaged.

Ideal For: Small-scale sites needing to restrict access to specific content without the complexity of additional plugins.

While all three of these processes can help with basic membership sites, they may not be suitable for more complex offerings. For that, you may hire our dedicated WordPress development company.

Best WooCommerce Membership Plugins

As mentioned earlier, plugins are an excellent way to make a membership website. But which one? Well, that depends on your site requirements. Nonetheless, here are the top WooCommerce membership plugins:

1. WooCommerce Memberships

WooCommerce Memberships is a powerful, native plugin designed specifically for WooCommerce. With it, you can create restricted content, manage user access with ease, and offer member-only discounts.

Key Features:

• Membership plans with tiered access levels.
• Restrict products, content, or pages as per membership state.
• Automate membership expiration and renewal processes.

Ideal For:

This membership site component fits perfectly into businesses that already use WooCommerce. They might just be looking for a native solution to add membership functionality into their sites. Then this plugin is perfect.

2. MemberPress

MemberPress is a premium membership plugin for WordPress that has been made to integrate perfectly into WooCommerce. Greatly flexible, it allows a user to sell a variety of products such as digital downloads, subscriptions, and online courses.

Key Features:

• Recurring payments and subscriptions are supported.
• Advanced content dripping (release content over time).
• Integrate with better payment gateways such as Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net.

Ideal For:

This plugin is suitable for entrepreneurs and educators wishing to sell online courses, digital products or absolutely anything on a subscription basis.

3. Paid Memberships Pro

Paid Memberships Pro is a very flexible and customizable membership plugin. It provides almost everything necessary to manage a membership site. Being open source and highly extensible, it is also one of the popular choices for developers.

Key Features:

• Unlimited levels of membership and prices.
• Built-in integrations with email marketing products such as Mailchimp and Constant Contact.
• Checkout and payment gateway customizable.

Ideal For:

For a small business or blogger searching for an inexpensive solution with plenty of customization options, this plugin will be suitable.

4. Restrict Content Pro

Restrict Content Pro is a lightweight membership plugin that is easy to use and works on restricting content, as well as managing members. Setting it up does not take too long and it has very powerful functionality to create membership sites from.

Key Features:

• Manage restricted content by using an easy-to-use interface.
• Accommodates one-time payments and recurring subscriptions.
• Reporting and analytics for tracking membership performance in detail.

Ideal For:

This plugin is suitable for bloggers and small companies needing very straightforward content restriction without the convolutions of complexity.

5. Role Based Pricing for WooCommerce

Role Based Pricing for WooCommerce is a plugin to help you provide different pricing and content access on the basis of user roles. It is a flexible solution to create membership tiers that manage access for products and content.

Key Features:

• Custom pricing for specific user roles or membership tiers.
• Role-specific discounts or special offers display.
• Works seamlessly with the existing product catalog of WooCommerce.

Ideal For:

This plugin is suitable for stores looking to offer varied pricing to different customer groups without full membership functionalities.

The chosen plugin has to fit in with the requirement you have in mind. These can be the type of content you are offering, desired features, and budget. So weigh the pros and cons of each plugin based on their ability to help you set up a WooCommerce membership site.

Or you may get our WordPress development services for a custom plugin for your desired functionality.

Types of WooCommerce Membership Site

When creating a WooCommerce membership site, you can choose from several types based on your business model and goals. Below are the main types of WooCommerce membership sites:

1. Content-Based Membership Sites

Content-based membership sites restrict access to exclusive content, such as blogs, courses, videos, or guides, for members only.

Examples:

• Online learning platforms (e.g., selling courses)
• Premium blogs with gated content
• Membership-based video streaming

2. Product-Based Membership

In this model, members gain access to exclusive products or discounts. It’s particularly popular among eCommerce stores looking to reward loyal customers.

Examples:

• Exclusive eCommerce stores for members
• Digital downloads (e.g., eBooks, software, templates)
• Subscription-based product deliveries

3. Service-Based Membership Sites

These sites provide access to premium services such as consulting, coaching, or support. Members pay for ongoing access to these services.

Examples:

• Paid communities with expert advice
• Coaching or consulting memberships
• VIP support services

4. Subscription-Based Membership Sites

Users pay a recurring fee (monthly, yearly) to maintain access to certain products, services, or content.

Examples:

• Magazine or newsletter subscriptions
• Recurring software or SaaS memberships
• Monthly exclusive deals for members

5. Tiered Membership

Tiered memberships allow you to offer multiple levels of access, each with its own set of benefits. This model appeals to a wider audience by catering to different budgets and needs.

Examples:

• Silver, Gold, and Platinum membership tiers
• Basic vs. premium membership with extra benefits
• Different pricing models for different levels

Each type of WooCommerce membership site serves a different purpose. Choosing the right model depends on your business goals, target audience, and content type.

When to Consider Creating a WooCommerce Membership Site?

You should consider creating a WooCommerce membership site if:

• You want to monetize exclusive content.
• you sell digital or subscription-based products.
• you want to build a community or offer vip access.
• you offer subscription-based physical products.
• you provide premium discounts & perks.
• you want to offer paid consultation or coaching.
• you need a recurring revenue model.
• you want to restrict content for specific users.

If your conditions fall into any of the above mentioned scenarios, you may consider creating a WooCommerce membership site.

FAQs About Creating a WooCommerce Membership Site

Let’s Summarize

Setting up a WooCommerce membership site allows you to offer premium content and generate recurring revenue. Choosing the right method depends on your business model and the level of control you need.

• When to use WooCommerce Membership Plugin? You need a feature-rich solution with flexible membership tiers and content restriction.
• When to use WooCommerce Role-Based Pricing Plugin? You want to offer special pricing or wholesale discounts based on user roles.
• When to Use the Password Protection Method? You need a simple way to restrict access without additional plugins.

If you are looking to build a membership website that is well-designed and robust, contact us today!