Growing a membership site depends on how well you’re building your brand, utilizing social media, leveraging email, and some more tricks like these.

If you can promote your membership site, attract new members, and improve user experience,  you will get consistent revenue, a stronger community, and increased influence. But how can you do it? Is promoting a membership site similar to promoting a product? Not really.

Since the membership site is a continuous journey, you must provide ongoing value for your membership to attract and retain members. Let’s learn more about how to grow a membership site.

What Is A Membership Site?

A membership site is a special kind of website where people pay a subscription fee (monthly or yearly) to get access to exclusive content, services, or communities. Regular websites or online courses may offer one-time content, whereas membership sites offer you ongoing value by regularly adding new materials or features.

Why Should You Grow Your Membership Site?

Creating and growing a membership site offers many benefits that can level up your brand, income, and relationship with your audience. Here’s why you should consider it:

1. Generate Recurring Income

With a membership site, you’re not just relying on one-time sales. The recurring subscription model offers a steady income stream, so you have financial stability and room to grow your business.

2. Build Trust and Loyalty

Subscribers already have faith in your expertise by paying for access. If you consistently deliver valuable content, you deepen that trust and encourage them to stick around and recommend your site to others.

3. Improve Authority in Your Field

Having a membership site positions you as an expert. It shows that your knowledge or content is valuable enough to give a subscription. This improves your credibility and makes your brand stand out in a crowded market.

4. Drive Traffic and Engagement

Membership sites allow you to gather contact information, such as email addresses, which you can use for targeted marketing. Sending updates, exclusive offers, or valuable insights can increase traffic to your site.

5. Provide Growing Value Over Time

Your site should get better as it grows. The more content, resources, and members you add, the more valuable it becomes. It’s like building a library and a community that keeps attracting new members while keeping existing ones excited and engaged.

8 Easy Ways To Grow A Membership Site

Here are eight easy ways to help you grow your community, increase engagement, and boost your membership base.

1. Create a Clear and Unique Brand

Your brand is how people remember you, so make it stand out. Keep your tone, style, and visuals the same everywhere: on your website, social media, and emails. Show people what makes you special and why your membership is worth it.

2. Offer a Free Trial

Everyone loves to try before they buy. If you offer a free trial, it lets potential members explore the value you bring without any risk. You can decide what to unlock during the trial. It can be a specific blog section, video content, or even the whole site for a limited time.

3. Be Active on Social Media

Social media works like a charm for connecting. Join groups, answer questions, and share useful stuff like tips and guides. Stick to a regular posting schedule so people see you often.

4. Collaborate for Growth

Collaborate with other businesses or industry leaders to host events, share promotions, or create joint campaigns. Affiliate marketing is another win-win: others promote your membership and earn a commission for every sale.

5. Email Marketing

Emails are great for sharing updates, discounts, and behind-the-scenes content. Try to organize your email list into groups so everyone gets messages that matter to them. Offer freebies or special deals to grab their attention and make them curious about your membership.

6. Optimize Your Website

Your website should be fast, user-friendly, and visually appealing. Use clear navigation, optimize keywords for better search rankings, and ensure your site loads quickly. A well-designed membership sales page with strong CTAs (calls to action) will greatly help.

7. Host Webinars and Attend Events

Try to host webinars or speak at events. This will help you establish authority and connect with an audience that already has an interest in your niche.

For example, Peter Sage uses TED Talks and other platforms to showcase his expertise. This results in the organic drawing of new members. You can also arrange workshops, Q&A sessions, or networking mixers.

8. Invest in Paid Advertising

Organic strategies are powerful, but paid ads can level up your growth. Platforms like Facebook and Google allow specific targeting to reach people who align with your brand. Combine this with remarketing to re-engage users who didn’t convert the first time.

What Should a Membership Site Include?

If you already have a membership site, double-check if these essential parts are there on your membership site. If not, bring the necessary changes.

1. About Us

Your “About Us” section tells visitors who you are, what you stand for, and why they should care. Keep it simple and friendly, sharing your mission and what makes your community unique.

Another key step is choosing the right membership level names that connect with your audience. Need help with that? Check out our guide on How To Choose Membership Level Names.

2. Membership Information

Transparency is everything here. Clearly show your membership tiers, their prices, and the benefits each one offers. Whether it’s access to exclusive resources, networking opportunities, or premium content, let potential members see what they’ll gain by signing up.

Try to track when members cancel their subscriptions as an slow down your progress. Learn how to manage it in our guide: Everything You Need To Know About Membership Metrics.

3. Membership Application Form

The easier it is to sign up, the better. Provide a simple application form where new members can pick their preferred plan, share their details, and start enjoying the benefits of your site right away.

4. Online Payment Processing

No one likes complicated payment processes. Add a secure and easy-to-use online payment system for one-time and recurring payments. Even better, make sure it works smoothly with your membership software to track dues and update member records automatically.

5. Member-Only Area

This is where the magic happens. A members-only section gives access to premium content, courses, updates, and even community forums. It should feel like a VIP area where members get something truly unique and valuable.

If you’d like to learn more about how to create a membership site, we have a detailed guide for you!

6. Integration with Membership Management Software (MMS)

A well-connected site is a well-run site. Integrate your membership site with your MMS so you can automate tasks like adding new members, updating their details, managing payments, and sending communications like newsletters.

Which Platform Should You Choose to Create Your Membership Site?

In case you already don’t have a membership site, here are some recommended membership site builders that will make your job easier:

• Squarespace: It’s perfect for creatives, offering stunning designs to build a stylish website. However, it doesn’t offer a free plan and comes with additional costs for features like Member Areas.
• Wix: Wix is a top choice for membership websites. It offers excellent customization and management tools. To accept payments, you'll need an ecommerce plan starting at $29 per month, billed annually.
• Webflow: Webflow is ideal for advanced membership sites. You will get advanced technical control and customization from this platform. Pricing starts at $14 per month, with tools to tailor every detail to your audience’s needs.
• SureMembers: It’s a premium WordPress plugin that secures content easily, offering features like content drip scheduling and downloads. To sell memberships, integration with SureCart or WooCommerce is required for a complete solution.
• YourMembership: YourMembership offers many tools for managing members, events, and content. However, its high costs, including setup fees and estimated annual expenses, maybe a concern.

Alternative Option to Membership Sites

If you find creating a full-fledged membership site too much work, there’s an easier option: crowdfunding. The  Crowdfundly tool is made for creators who want to build a community, sell memberships, and offer digital products like ebooks, music, or videos.

This tool is simple to use; just a quick setup, and you’re good to go. Plus, you keep full control over your content and policies. No middleman is taking a cut, which means more of the earnings stay with you. 

So, if you’re looking for a simpler way to connect with fans and make money, Crowdfundly is the perfect fit.

FAQs

Are Membership Sites Profitable?

Yes, a membership site can be a fantastic way to turn your hard work into a steady income. If you’re already creating digital products, adding a membership model could be a great way to build a loyal audience while diversifying your income streams.

How Will You Attract People To Join Your Membership?

To attract people to join your membership, showcase the value they’ll receive. Highlight exclusive perks like premium content, discounts, or access to a supportive community. Use engaging social media campaigns and offer free trials or limited-time bonuses.

Verdict

And we’re done talking about how to grow a membership site. Focus on creating high-quality, exclusive content that helps your target audience. Build a strong community, provide excellent customer support, and continuously engage with members to ensure satisfaction.

By staying consistent, adaptable, and committed to your audience, your membership site can thrive.