Five Reasons Why You Should Restrict Your Store to Members Only
Offering members-only shopping perks is a popular ecommerce strategy. We’ve already mentioned the benefit of locking down ticket sales to members-only as a way to create excitement and intrigue around the purchasing experience. This idea can be extended to your entire store.
It might seem counter-intuitive at first to make it more difficult to purchase on your website. After all, you’re trying make more sales, right? But, if implemented correctly, a members-only store can both boost sales and drive new memberships. As e-commerce sales are expected to hit over $6 trillion by 2024, there’s no slowing down in online purchasing power.
Let’s take a look at why you should restrict your store, or part of your store, to members only.
You can sell wholesale or at a discount to members
Wholesale shopping is a common member perk. Buying products in bulk is a primary selling factor for many members-only shopping clubs (think Costco). This same idea can apply to your webstore if you have a product that makes sense to sell in bulk or at a premium discount.
Selling in wholesale has many advantages for both you and the consumer. Your members are seeing a discount by buying your product in bulk. Plus, you still build profit from both the product markup as well as the cost of the membership.
You can sell special products or limited-time goods
If there’s a limited release of a product or a rare piece of brand swag, it’s perfect for a member’s section of your store. Think early logos or limited-release products that you know your oldest fans would love to see again.
Special products that are only available to members can encourage sign-ups. Fans will want to get their hands on the exclusive goods. Focus on offering a high-value product rather than offering tons of options. It makes the catalog feel select and keeps members feeling like part of an exclusive club.
You can drop early releases
Many people are willing to pay to be the first to experience or receive something, especially if others are waiting in the wings. This is especially true for folks who like to write reviews. Those early reviews can guide future purchases and make members feel more like product ambassadors than customers.
Members can also test-run new products and features before anyone else. Offer members early beta access to new features or products, knowing that those most loyal will be happy at the chance to give input. Not only will this give a sense of exclusivity to a membership, but it can be an important way to gather feedback. Make sure to offer those beta testers a coupon to come back and make a purchase after release.
Shipping can always be free
An easy win for members is to offer special shipping perks, such as free or fast shipping (e.g. Amazon Prime). Make sure this strategy makes sense for you and that you won’t spend more on shipping fees versus membership revenue coming in.
But if this perk is a no-brainer for your business, then make it clear to anyone who visits your store that shipping is included in a membership. You might see a quick boost in member sign-ups by adding a shipping discount.
Restricted sections can tease non-members
Let a non-member see what they’re missing by letting them know that they have to be logged in to see a members-only store. A pop-up can stop non-members and give them the scoop on what they’re missing out on, such as shipping and discount features and VIP products in the members-only store. A hesitant shopper may instantly feel compelled to know what’s behind the paywall and make take the plunge to feel included. Make sure there’s a handy link to the membership registration page in your pop-up to capture impulsive shoppers.
Do More With Your Store With Restrict Content Pro
Restrict Content Pro is a full-featured membership plugin that lets you restrict access using free or paid membership levels. With Restrict Content Pro as your membership solution, you can implement all the above strategies.
While you can use WooCommerce to build your store, we recommend using a separate plugin like Restrict Content Pro to gate your storefront to members. Restrict Content Pro has all the features of a WooCommerce membership at an affordable annual price.
Try setting up a members-only store in our demo first to see if this is the right solution for you.