Build a More Robust Membership Site With Restrict Content Pro
It’s easy to see why people have jumped on the membership bandwagon. Anyone can build and manage a membership site. With membership plugins integrated into a WordPress site, you don’t need special skills or coding knowledge.
We’ve already covered the six steps to building a membership site as a foundation to get you started. In this post, we’ll show you how to make use of the Pro version of Restrict Content Pro to maximize the capability of your membership site. Let’s begin!
What you’ll need to get started
- A WordPress site and a domain name.
- An SSL certificate for secure connections and transactions.
- A web hosting account to store files and data. We like using Nexcess. You’ll get automated backups and a managed platform. When you sign up for a Nexcess plan, WordPress comes preinstalled with a free SSL certificate. Steps 1 and 2 are done!
- The Pro version of Restrict Content Pro.
Get Started with Restrict Content Pro
Setting up Restrict Content Pro is as simple as installing a plugin and configuring a few settings. Check out our Beginner’s Guide first to see a complete walkthrough. You’ll need to configure your memberships, connect a payment gateway, check which content to restrict, and you’re on your way!
For a visual walkthrough, check out our complete video guide on setting up and customizing Restrict Content Pro:
Unlock the power of pro
Now, let’s move on to the powerful stuff. Did you know that Restrict Content Pro has 34 add-ons that are only available with the Pro version of the plugin? Let’s explore how to build a more robust membership site with the Pro version of Restrict Content Pro.
Here are a few of the features you’ll unlock with Pro:
- Coupon or Discount Codes: Use a discount code to provide a percentage or flat rate discount on a membership tier. Each discount code has a name, description, maximum uses, and optional expiration dates.
- Alternate Payment Options: Accept payment with PayPal and Braintree instead of Stripe.
- Free Trials: Allow prospective members to try a membership before they buy. Send emails to free trial users when their free trial is about to end.
- Detailed Reporting: Elegant reports to show you exactly how your membership site is performing. Easily see the current month’s performance or any other time period.
- Member Email Customization: Add a personal touch to all your member emails and automate reminders about expiration.
Additional Pro Must Haves
Want more? The Pro benefits don’t stop there. Membership sites rely on content that keeps members coming back. Here are some additional ways Pro maximizes your site’s content:
Drip Content
Drip Content lets you schedule the release of content instead of being available immediately. You define the schedule and Restrict Content Pro releases content based on the member’s join date. If a member tries to view the content early, they’ll see a restricted message.
This feature has numerous applications. Let’s say you write tutorials that teach people how to play the guitar and lessons typically take three months to complete. Without drip, your members could sign up, download all the content, and cancel their membership the next day. With drip, you can release each lesson on the schedule you want and retain your members for the full three months.
Group Accounts
This Group Accounts add-on allows you to sell group memberships with multiple members. For example, a school teacher might register a group account for a class. They can then add each student as a member of the group, granting each student access to members-only content and resources on the website.
Billing and account control (cancellations, upgrades, etc) is limited to group owners as well. Organizations and other multi-member groups can manage access for their members without requiring that each member maintain their own account.
Restrict Past Content
The “restrict past content” feature lets you prevent members from seeing anything posted or published before their join date. You can enable the feature on any or all subscription levels if you prefer. This can be a helpful tool for creating a membership tier: create a premium level that allows members to see past content for an easy up-sell.
Membership Plugins Make Restricting Content Easy
When you add the Restrict Content Pro plugin to your existing WordPress site, you control your content. The Pro version of Restrict Content Pro adds powerful features designed for membership sites. Plus, at $99 for a full year, Restrict Content Pro pricing is perfect for those on a budget.
If you’re ready to explore how to make a membership site a source of income, check out the RestrictContentPro live demo. A membership site may be the solution you’ve been searching for!