Trying to wrap my head around membership site procedure

[Lisa Gergets]

I'll be going into my second month of my membership site and I'm having a hard time trying to figure out how to deliver the second months product. The first month was a no-brainer (haha) as I simply had the client directed to the login page after payment was made.

But now that the second month is coming up, well, I'm unsure of how to get this done.

I'm not using a membership script, I'm just using password-protected posts within a blog-type format.

I'd sure welcome solutions or suggestions!

[Michael Mayo]

Hi Lisa,

If you're not planning on purchasing a membership script at this time then
the following WP Plug-in does what you're doing but it automates the
process.

EasyPayPal WordPress Plugin | Shannon Whitley

Hope that Helps,
Have a Great Day!
Michael

[Lisa Gergets]

Thanks Michael - I'm checking it out now!

[Lisa Gergets]

Originally Posted by Michael Mayo

Hi Lisa,

If you're not planning on purchasing a membership script at this time...

Hope that Helps,
Have a Great Day!
Michael

So then, a membership script would solve this problem?

[Michael Mayo]

I assumed that you're using Word press as your site. Correct?

Yes a Membership script like Memberwing/Paid version would solve your
problems and automate the monthly payment process by using a recurring
billing cycle.

You set up the frequency of the payments and the rest is automated
for you.

Have a Great Day!
Michael

[Lance K]

Just put all your posts for paid members into a password protected category. Change the password every month (so those that cancel don't keep access) and email it to your list.

It's not the most advanced. And you'll have to hope your emails all get through (make sure they whitelist your email addy). But it will work.

[Lisa Gergets]

Originally Posted by Lance K

Just put all your posts for paid members into a password protected category. Change the password every month (so those that cancel don't keep access) and email it to your list.

It's not the most advanced. And you'll have to hope your emails all get through (make sure they whitelist your email addy). But it will work.

See, this would be the easiest option IF everyone got access at the same time. BUT, everyone gets their second month access after payment, and Paypal does recurring payment monthly. SO, each member needs access at a different time. LOL

And therein lies my problem.

Aweber says you can integrate Paypal with its autoresponder, but has a warning that states, "For recurring payment or subscription products, a web form will need to be placed somewhere in the order process instead." I don't know exactly what that means, and can find no further explanation on Aweber.

[Lance K]

Yea, sorry. I didn't catch on that you were dripping time released content.

Are you set on doing it with WordPress, or are you open to other membership scripts?

[Lisa Gergets]

Well, I started it off with WP, because that's all I know right now, and I went with something familiar. I'm totally open to other platforms if it's more convenient and still allows dripped content.

I sent an email off to Aweber support to ask them if it's possible to do what I want using Aweber.

If you've got ideas though, I'm all ears.

[Johnny Slater]

Many people talk about doing things the easy way and just password protect a directory, but if you really think about it that is one of the hardest ways to do a membership. Using that method you have to constantly change passwords, keep up with who is paying and who isn't, and constantly deal with the headache of uploading and maintaining content.

The best advice I can give you is take the plunge and spring for a decent membership script. There are several options and you need to research which is best for you personally, but having a fully built solution installed on your site allows you to concentrate on what content to deliver and not worry about how it will be delivered or who should have access.

Any decent script will handle content delivery, keep track of who is paying and who isn't and remove non paid member access automatically, and allow you way more control and freedom than what you can do with a simple password protected directory.

For what you are trying to do you best bets would probably be Rapid Action Profits with the membership addon, Simple Member Pro, or Easy Member Pro. Those three solutions will do what you are trying to do and are not so expensive that they will put you in the poor house before you even get started.

[Lisa Gergets]

Yes a Membership script like Memberwing/Paid version would solve your
problems and automate the monthly payment process by using a recurring
billing cycle.

Looks like the Professional Unlimited version would be the best for me, because of course, this ISN'T going to be my only membership site.

Hmmm...have to see how the finances go.

[Johnny Slater]

Although many people have had success using Wordpress as a membership platform it really isn't the most secure option available. Wordpress has many known issues with being hacked. If you have content you want secured it would be best not to rely on unstable software with security issues as the backbone of your site.

Having add ons such as the different membership plugins available for Wordpress does offer security from the vast majority of people, but just having Wordpress on a site does open up several security holes on your server and becomes an open invitation for hackers.

Originally Posted by Michael Mayo

Yes a Membership script like Memberwing/Paid version would solve your
problems and automate the monthly payment process by using a recurring
billing cycle.

[Lisa Gergets]

The best advice I can give you is take the plunge and spring for a decent membership script.

Yup, I totally agree with you. Will figure out a way to get it done!

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by Johnny Slater

<snip> but just having Wordpress on a site does open up several security holes on your server and becomes an open invitation for hackers.

Someone gave a tip in the WordPress thread that admin (Allen) started about how to take the "Powered by WordPress" out of your footer. That way the spam bots that are crawling for that don't pick it up on your site. There are all sorts of plugins listed in that thread as well. It probably even has a few membership plugins listed.

But I agree, WordPress (while it's an option) is at the bottom of my list for membership sites.

[sbucciarel]

I use WishList Member for Wordpress for my membership blog. It's really an awesome plugin ... not free, but well worth the cost.

[Lance K]

Originally Posted by TinkerAndPo

Yup, I totally agree with you. Will figure out a way to get it done!

I recently bought this one ----> Php Membership Script : Create Membership Sites and Affiliate Sites On The Fly

and I'm having it installed now. I believe it drip feeds content in the manner you want. I'll let you know for sure once I've had a chance to put it through the paces.

Or you can PM Bryan Zimmerman. I think he's been using it for a short while and really likes it.

[Lisa Gergets]

Originally Posted by Lance K

I recently bought this one ----> Php Membership Script : Create Membership Sites and Affiliate Sites On The Fly

and I'm having it installed now. I believe it drip feeds content in the manner you want. I'll let you know for sure once I've had a chance to put it through the paces.

Or you can PM Bryan Zimmerman. I think he's been using it for a short while and really likes it.

It does drip feed, but doesn't support multi levels of membership, and I have two different levels.

[Lisa Gergets]

So, assuming that Memberwing and RAP/Member Plus And Wishlist do pretty much the same thing, what are the major differences between the three?

[512 Designs]

I've been using Extreme Member since March and I like it a lot.

It's based on Wordpress so you already know the platform. It does everything you're talking about including reoccuring paypal payments, drip emails, secured content, multiple membership levels and even being able to secure downloads.

They charge a monthly fee instead of a one timel purchase of a script. But you don't have to worry about installations or keeping up with upgrades. They do all that for you.

Also, the support is amazing. Even though they are located in Australia (I'm in the US), I usually get a reply to my email questions within a few hours.....sometimes minutes depending on what time it is.

Mike

[Wade Watson]

There have been some really useful threads here on starting a membership site. I found the first link the most useful, but check them all out if you haven't already:

Building a membership site? Here's exactly how I built mine.

My $15 Membership Site Blueprint..

How I Make $40k/mth From My Membership Site

[Lisa Gergets]

Originally Posted by mrcouchpotato

I've been using Extreme Member since March and I like it a lot.

It's based on Wordpress so you already know the platform. It does everything you're talking about including reoccuring paypal payments, drip emails, secured content, multiple membership levels and even being able to secure downloads.

They charge a monthly fee instead of a one timel purchase of a script. But you don't have to worry about installations or keeping up with upgrades. They do all that for you.

Also, the support is amazing. Even though they are located in Australia (I'm in the US), I usually get a reply to my email questions within a few hours.....sometimes minutes depending on what time it is.

Mike

Actually, Mike, this looks like exactly what I need. And I like that it's billed monthly and that I can upgrade. If you have an affiliate link, could you please PM it to me? I'd love for you to get credit for my sign up!