Key Features To Look For In A Good Membership Site Script
Posted 21st November 2010 at 06:39 PM by Johnny Slater
Tags features, membership, script, viral
When you first start looking at setting up your first membership sites there can be tons of questions you might have. Planning your site out ahead of time can save you from several headaches, as well as save you time and money over the long term. Having at least a mental map of what features you want to offer, how you want your site layout to look, and what features you might want in the future can reduce or eliminate many potential pitfalls which could place roadblocks in the way of your sites success.
One of the first things you should look at is member registration. The method your members must use to sign up to your site can be very important. Make sure you use an automated system that gives members instant access at the time of signup. If someone has to wait hours for you to wake up and process their sign up and activate their account then they will most likely just go somewhere else.
Being able to instantly enjoy the benefits of your site will help your members feel good about their decision to join your site and will make them more willing to stick with you instead of going somewhere else. As an extension of the automated process is having an automated payment process as well. You want your members to be able to pay instantly and still get instant access after payment.
Make sure that your system sends each member an email on sign up with a welcome message as well as information about their account and login information. Make sure your email gives a link back to the member area login so it is easy for customers to find. Also, once your members reach your log in page make certain that you have a link to an automated lost password feature clearly visible. Your members should not have to search your site just to find how to access the member area if they lose their password.
If you offer affiliate commissions make sure members can clearly see the affiliate link and commission percentage for each product you pay commissions on. Some membership scripts make this hard to find so make sure the system you use puts this very important information in a place that is quick and easy to find. There should also be links to affiliate tools displayed for members as well. Your members will be more likely to promote for you if you offer them pre designed affiliate banners and email messages.
Template design options are a feature many scripts completely overlook. Make sure that the membership script you use allows for total customization of all pages inside and outside of the member area. A quality script will allow you to customize every web page that the script generates. Many programmers have a tendency to mix their php code with the html code. This may work well but doe not allow for much customization. Make sure you use a system that has the html separated from the background coding. This allows you to completely control how the site looks without having to deal with complex code.
One of the first things you should look at is member registration. The method your members must use to sign up to your site can be very important. Make sure you use an automated system that gives members instant access at the time of signup. If someone has to wait hours for you to wake up and process their sign up and activate their account then they will most likely just go somewhere else.
Being able to instantly enjoy the benefits of your site will help your members feel good about their decision to join your site and will make them more willing to stick with you instead of going somewhere else. As an extension of the automated process is having an automated payment process as well. You want your members to be able to pay instantly and still get instant access after payment.
Make sure that your system sends each member an email on sign up with a welcome message as well as information about their account and login information. Make sure your email gives a link back to the member area login so it is easy for customers to find. Also, once your members reach your log in page make certain that you have a link to an automated lost password feature clearly visible. Your members should not have to search your site just to find how to access the member area if they lose their password.
If you offer affiliate commissions make sure members can clearly see the affiliate link and commission percentage for each product you pay commissions on. Some membership scripts make this hard to find so make sure the system you use puts this very important information in a place that is quick and easy to find. There should also be links to affiliate tools displayed for members as well. Your members will be more likely to promote for you if you offer them pre designed affiliate banners and email messages.
Template design options are a feature many scripts completely overlook. Make sure that the membership script you use allows for total customization of all pages inside and outside of the member area. A quality script will allow you to customize every web page that the script generates. Many programmers have a tendency to mix their php code with the html code. This may work well but doe not allow for much customization. Make sure you use a system that has the html separated from the background coding. This allows you to completely control how the site looks without having to deal with complex code.
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