Haiden Hibbert
Building a membership community is one of the best ways entrepreneurs and creators can monetize their expertise online. A membership site allows you to sell offerings like online courses, private community access, videos, downloads, and exclusive access to you and other members. WordPress makes it easy to create a fully-functioning membership site all on your own, with no web development required.
In this post, we’ll walk through a step-by-step process that covers how to create a WordPress membership site from scratch using MemberSpace. We’ll cover choosing a theme, configuring membership levels and payments, and adding exclusive content for paying members. Let’s get started!
Create a WordPress membership site!
The easiest way to accept membership payments or one-time charges for digital products like communities, online courses, content libraries, and more — all from your own website!
Get started for free! 5 minutes to set up.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Build a simple website for your membership business
The first step in creating a WordPress membership site is to build a simple website that will house your membership program. You don’t need to spend too much time creating an elaborate site right off the bat. The purpose here is just to establish a basic online presence and have a place to direct people when you start promoting your membership.
Start by picking a clean, professional theme (we have a blog post outlining the best WordPress membership themes if you need some ideas!).
Once you have a theme installed, add some basic pages to your site. These might include an About page telling visitors who you are and what value you provide, a Contact page with your email and social media links, a Blog page where you’ll publish free content, and a Membership page that will house your signup form and membership details. We’ll talk about how to add more members-only content once your membership program is set up.
Step 2: Install the MemberSpace Plugin on WordPress
Next, install the MemberSpace plugin on your WordPress site.
- Log into your WordPress admin
- Go to Plugins → Add New
- In the search bar, type “MemberSpace”
- Find MemberSpace – Membership Plugin and Paid Subscriptions
- Click Install Now, then Activate
Once installed, your MemberSpace button will automatically appear in the bottom-right corner of your site. This handles signup, login, and account management for your members.
You can customize or disable this button anytime from your MemberSpace settings.
After installation:
- Visitors can join your plans and access members-only content
- You can manage access, billing, and design directly from your MemberSpace dashboard
Step 3: Create Your First Space
Now it’s time to add your membership content directly to your MemberSpace account! You’ll do this by creating your first collection of exclusive content (we call this a Space!). Your content hub will automatically appears on your site once everything is set up.
This makes it easy for your members to access and navigate everything you offer in one place.
Inside your Spaces, you can add files, videos, articles, links, and gated pages.
You can also:
- Organize content using folders and multiple Spaces
- Let members bookmark their favorite content
- Enable search so members can quickly find what they need
- Lock pages of your WordPress site
Once your Spaces are set up, you’ll assign them to pricing plans to control who gets access — we’ll cover that next.
Membership Tip: Get creative with different types of members-only content so there’s plenty of value for each tier of your program. This gives members incentives for upgrading their accounts to higher levels later on.
Step 4: Set up your pricing plans
A major advantage of MemberSpace is flexibility in how you charge for membership access. Think about how you ideally want to monetize your expertise and community.
You can choose a recurring, one-time, or multiple payment, or go with a free plan for your membership! You can also set up free trials, set billing dates, have a signup fee and more.
Most membership site owners bill monthly as it creates reliable, recurring income. But test different models and see what resonates most with your audience!
Launch and promote your WordPress membership site!
Once you’ve set up your spaces and pricing plans, your WordPress membership site is ready to launch! You’ll get a unique signup link from MemberSpace that you can share anywhere to recruit members. The link opens up a signup form where visitors can create a member account and submit payment in just a few clicks.
Start promoting this link on your contact page, blog page, and dedicated membership page. Also consider adding it in your navigation menu and site footer, in email newsletters, on social media, and where ever else you have a following!
Why Use MemberSpace Instead of a Other WordPress Membership Plugins?
WordPress has a lot of membership plugins — but many of them can feel limiting or overly complex as your business grows.
MemberSpace gives you a more flexible way to run memberships directly on your site.
Designed for non-technical users
You don’t need to hire a developer or deal with complicated setups.
No platform lock-in
Unlike most plugins, you’re not tied to WordPress forever. You can switch platforms without losing your members or billing setup.
Everything happens on your website
Signup, login, payments, and content access all happen seamlessly on your site.
More flexibility in how you sell
Create multiple plans, bundle content, and offer subscriptions, one-time payments, or trials.
Built-in features to grow your revenue
Things like:
- Free trials
- One-click Google signup
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Abandoned signup reminders
- Cancellation alternatives
These features help you convert more members and keep them longer.
Frequently Asked Questions about WordPress Membership Sites
How do you create a WordPress membership site?
To create a WordPress membership site, you’ll need a plugin that handles payments, member access, and content protection. With MemberSpace, you can install the plugin, create Spaces for your content, set up pricing plans, and assign access — all without coding.
What is the best platform for a membership site?
WordPress is one of the best platforms for a membership site because it gives you full control over your design and content. When paired with a flexible plugin like MemberSpace, you can create a fully customizable membership experience without being locked into one system.
Are WordPress membership sites profitable?
Yes — membership sites can be very profitable because they generate recurring revenue. Instead of selling one-time products, you can charge monthly or yearly subscriptions for access to your content, community, or services.
Is there a free membership plugin for WordPress?
There are free WordPress membership plugins available, including basic options like Simple Membership or Ultimate Member. However, many free plugins have limitations when it comes to payments, flexibility, or scaling your business. Tools like MemberSpace offer more advanced features for selling and managing memberships.
What is the best membership plugin for WordPress?
The best WordPress membership plugin depends on your needs. Popular options include MemberPress, Ultimate Member, and Simple Membership. If you’re looking for flexibility in pricing, content access, and user experience, MemberSpace is a strong alternative.
Can I create a WordPress membership site for free?
You can create a basic membership site for free using WordPress and a free plugin, or by testing out MemberSpace’s free trial. However, if you want to accept payments, offer subscriptions, or scale your site, you’ll likely need a paid solution and a Stripe account to process payments.
How do I create a subscription website on WordPress?
To create a subscription website on WordPress, you’ll need to set up recurring pricing through a membership plugin. With MemberSpace, you can create subscription plans, assign content access, and accept recurring payments through Stripe.
What are some WordPress membership site examples?
WordPress membership sites can include:
- Online course platforms
- Content libraries (videos, templates, resources)
- Private communities
- Paid newsletters
- Coaching programs
These types of sites use memberships to provide ongoing value and generate recurring revenue.
What’s the difference between MemberPress, Ultimate Member, and other plugins?
Plugins like MemberPress and Ultimate Member are popular for building membership sites on WordPress. However, they often require more setup and can be tied closely to WordPress. MemberSpace offers a more flexible approach that works across platforms and focuses on simplifying payments, access, and member experience.
What is the easiest WordPress membership plugin for beginners?
If you’re just getting started, look for a plugin that’s easy to install and doesn’t require coding. MemberSpace is designed for non-technical users, making it simple to launch and manage a membership site without a complicated setup.
Final Thoughts
Create a WordPress membership site!
The easiest way to accept membership payments or one-time charges for digital products like communities, online courses, content libraries, and more — all from your own website!
Get started for free! 5 minutes to set up.
