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9 Best Website Builders for Membership Site in 2024
Discover the 9 best website builders for membership sites in 2024, offering powerful features, ease of use, and scalability to grow your online community.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Do you want to share exclusive content with your audience? Looking for a way to diversify or increase your income? Are you hoping to build a thriving online community? A membership website builder is the perfect way to boost engagement and brand loyalty.
A membership site can help you create a steady income stream, offer exclusive content, and build a close-knit community around your brand. Let’s explore the top membership website builders that can help you create a membership site.
TL;DR
What is a Membership Site?
- Definition: A gated platform providing exclusive content accessible only to logged-in users.
- Content Types: Includes blogs, videos, webinars, courses, forums, and member discounts.
- Target Audience: Popular among nonprofits, associations, clubs, and businesses for enhanced member engagement.
4 Essential Steps to Build a Membership Website
- Determine Membership Model:
- Decide on fees (one-time or recurring) and benefits.
- Consider multiple membership levels.
- Clean Contact Database:
- Standardize data and remove duplicates for efficient management.
- Choose the Right Software:
- Select a builder with features like analytics, marketing tools, and payment processing.
- Recommended platforms include Wild Apricot and Bullet.so.
- Include Must-Have Pages:
- Essential pages: About Us, Gated Content, Community, and Payment/Join Page.
9 Best Membership Website Builders in 2024
- Bullet.so: Best for simplicity; starts at $9/month; offers password protection and easy member management.
- Wix: Best overall; free plan available; drag-and-drop builder with extensive app market.
- Squarespace: Best for online courses; beautiful templates; integrated course features; starts at $18/month.
- GoDaddy: Easiest to use; quick setup; free plan available; ideal for beginners.
- Webflow: Best for complex features; highly customizable; starts at $12/month.
- Kajabi: Best for education; all-in-one platform for courses; starts at $149/month.
- MemberSpace: Versatile plugin for any website; starts at $29/month; great for existing sites.
- Wild Apricot: Best for nonprofits; robust features for event and membership management; free plan available.
- Simvoly: Best for professionals; includes a sales funnel builder; starts at $12/month.
Building a successful membership site enhances member engagement and offers exclusive content. Selecting the right platform is crucial for managing memberships effectively.
What is Membership Site?
A membership website is a gated platform offering exclusive, members-only content. Users log in with a password to access materials like blogs, videos, webinars, learning modules, podcasts, discussion forums, and discounts. These sites are popular among nonprofits, associations, clubs, and businesses, providing a sense of exclusivity and enhanced member engagement.
Creating a membership website not only enhances member engagement but also provides an effective way to deliver exclusive content that adds value to the membership experience.
How to build a Membership Website: 4 Essential Steps
Creating a successful membership website can be simplified with the right membership website builder. Whether you're using a free CMS like WordPress or an all-in-one platform, these 4 steps will guide you through the process:
1. Determine your Membership Model
Start by deciding the type of membership structure that aligns with your goals. Ask yourself:
- What will our membership fees be (one-time or recurring, monthly or yearly)?
- What exclusive content or benefits will we offer?
- Will we have multiple membership levels?
2. Clean your Contact Database
A clean contact database ensures smooth membership management. Fix spelling errors, standardize data formats (e.g., dates, tiers), and remove duplicate entries to keep things running efficiently.
3. Choose the Right Membership Software
Selecting the best membership website builder that integrates with your membership management system is key. Look for platforms with drag-and-drop builders, like Wild Apricot, that offer seamless WordPress integration and robust features. The best membership site platforms include:
- Analytics tools to track member engagement
- Marketing tools for email and social media outreach
- Payment processing for fees and donations
- Event management for listing and customizing event forms
4. Include Must-Have Pages
Ensure your membership site has these essential pages:
- About Us: Explain your mission and values.
- Gated Content Pages: Provide members with exclusive, protected content.
- Community Pages: Foster engagement through forums and discussions.
- Payment and Join Page: Make it easy for users to join and pay for memberships.
9 Best Website Builders with Membership feature for 2024
1. Bullet.so - Best for Simplicity and Speed
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Starts by $9/month
Bullet.so is a Notion-based website builder made for creators and communities who want a simple way to build a membership site. It’s user-friendly with built in membership features help you manage member access and protect your content. If you’re looking for a straightforward solution, Bullet.so is a fantastic choice!
What makes Bullet.so best website builder for membership site?
Bullet.so provides three main types of membership controls:
- Password Protection: Secure your content with a password, so only paying members can access it. This feature not only protects your exclusive content but also makes members feel valued, encouraging them to stay subscribed.
- Email Confirmation Access: Require members to confirm their membership via email. This helps ensure that only real members access your content, reducing unauthorized access and building a trustworthy community. This fosters better relationships with your audience.
- Segment-Specific Content Restriction: Tailor your content for different membership levels or segments. For example, premium members might get access to exclusive courses, while basic members see different content. This customization makes members feel like they’re getting benefits that match their level of support.
What users say about Bulle.so:
💡 Create and manage your membership site easily with Bullet.so—secure your content. Get started today!
Other Features of Bullet.so
- User-Friendly Interface: Bullet.so, built on Notion, allows you to quickly set up your membership site with ease, making member engagement straightforward.
- Custom Domain Integration: Enhance your brand identity with a custom domain, giving your membership site a professional look that sets it apart.
- Effortless Content Management: With Notion as your CMS, you can update content in real-time, making content creation and organization a breeze.
- SEO-Optimized & No-Code Customization: Attract organic traffic with SEO-friendly features, and customize your site's design without any coding, making it easy to tailor your site to your needs.
2. Wix – Best for Membership Options
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Free plan, paid plans start at $16/month
Wix offers an exceptional range of membership options, making it the best for creators looking to build and manage membership sites. With its highly intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Wix is perfect for users who need flexibility without the complexity of custom coding.
What makes Wix unique?
- Extensive App Market: Choose from a wide variety of apps to extend your site’s functionality, including member management, gated content, and subscription features.
- Customizable Membership Plans: Easily create tiered membership options to cater to different audience segments.
- Built-In Email Marketing: Engage your members with integrated email marketing tools.
- Fully Responsive: All membership sites on Wix are mobile-friendly, ensuring a great user experience on any device.
What users say about Wix:
“It is great for anyone who needs to get experience managing a website for their small business. The biggest issue I have is the fact that it is very difficult to block bot accounts and scammers and spammers from becoming members of your site and filling the inbox with spam”-Caitlyn R, Editor-In-Chief (Capterra)
3. Squarespace – Best for Online Courses
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Paid plans start at $18/month
Squarespace is the top choice for creators focused on offering online courses. Known for its visually stunning designs, Squarespace makes it easy to build and showcase your membership content in a sleek, professional manner.
What makes Squarespace unique?
- Beautiful Templates: Choose from a range of professionally designed templates tailored for online courses and membership sites.
- Integrated Course Features: Squarespace provides built-in tools for creating, selling, and managing online courses.
- Subscription and Membership Options: Offer recurring memberships or one-time payments for courses and exclusive content.
- Marketing Tools: Use email campaigns and SEO tools to reach a broader audience and grow your membership.
What users say about Squarespace:
4. GoDaddy – Best for Ease of Use
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Free plan, paid plans start at $6.99/month
GoDaddy is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use, making it the best choice for beginners or users who want to quickly create a membership site without much hassle. The platform offers essential tools for setting up and managing a membership site with minimal technical knowledge.
What makes GoDaddy unique?
- Quick Setup: GoDaddy's easy-to-use interface allows you to launch a membership site in minutes.
- Integrated Membership Tools: Manage members, subscriptions, and gated content effortlessly.
- Pre-Built Templates: Get started with customizable templates designed for membership and community sites.
- Built-In Marketing Tools: Promote your site with GoDaddy’s email marketing and SEO tools.
What users say about GoDaddy:
5. Webflow – Best for Complex Membership Areas
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Free plan, paid plans start at $12/month
Webflow is the go-to platform for users who need more complex membership functionalities. It’s highly customizable and perfect for designers and developers who want to create a bespoke membership site with advanced features.
What makes Webflow unique?
- Complete Design Control: Webflow offers extensive design capabilities, allowing you to create custom layouts and user experiences.
- Advanced CMS: Manage dynamic content and create highly customized member areas with Webflow’s powerful content management system.
- Membership Logic: Control access to content based on complex membership rules and conditions.
- No-Code Platform: While Webflow offers advanced features, it remains accessible to non-developers with its no-code interface.
What users say bout Webflow:
6. Kajabi – Best for Coaching and Education
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Starts at $149/month
Kajabi is an all-in-one platform that excels in offering online courses, coaching programs, and memberships. It’s the top choice for educators and coaches looking to monetize their expertise through premium content and membership programs.
What makes Kajabi unique?
- Course Creation: Build and sell online courses with built-in tools for quizzes, certificates, and drip content.
- Marketing Automation: Automate email campaigns, sales funnels, and customer follow-up to grow your membership business.
- Advanced Analytics: Track student progress and engagement, allowing for better member management.
What users about Kajabi:
7. MemberSpace – Best Membership Plugin for Any Site
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Starts at $29/month
MemberSpace is a versatile membership plugin that can be added to any website builder, including WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Webflow. It’s perfect for users who already have a website and want to add membership functionality.
What makes MemberSpace unique?
- Works with Any Platform: Easily integrate MemberSpace into your existing site without needing to switch platforms.
- Flexible Membership Controls: Offer one-time payments, recurring subscriptions, or free trials for members.
- Gated Content: Restrict access to specific pages, posts, or files for paying members.
- Member Management: Track and manage your members directly from the plugin dashboard.
What users says about Memberspace:
8. Wild Apricot – Best for Nonprofits and Associations
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Free plan, paid plans start at $48/month
Wild Apricot is a robust platform tailored for nonprofits, associations, and clubs that need to manage memberships, events, and communications. It’s ideal for organizations looking for a comprehensive solution.
What makes Wild Apricot unique?
- Event Management: Organize events, set up registration, and track attendance—all from one platform.
- Automated Membership Renewals: Simplify your membership management with automated renewals and notifications.
- Email Marketing: Engage with your members using Wild Apricot’s integrated email marketing tools.
- Member Database: Manage and segment your member database with powerful filtering options.
What users say about Wild Apricot:
9. Simvoly – Best for Professionals
Membership score: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pricing: Free plan, paid plans start at $12/month
Simvoly is a professional-grade website builder that excels in creating membership sites with high-end functionality. It’s particularly useful for freelancers, agencies, and small businesses looking for a polished platform.
What makes Simvoly unique?
- Sales Funnel Builder: Simvoly offers an integrated sales funnel builder, allowing you to convert visitors into paying members.
- Drag-and-Drop Simplicity: Build professional membership sites with an easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface.
- White-Labeling: Agencies and professionals can white-label the platform for their clients, offering a customized experience.
- Custom Membership Areas: Restrict content based on membership tiers, ensuring that users only access content relevant to their level.
What users say about Simvoly:
Conclusion
In conclusion, building a membership website is a powerful way to engage your audience and offer exclusive content that adds value for your members. With the right tools, this process can be seamless and efficient.
Bullet.so stands out as an exceptional solution, offering simplicity, speed, and robust membership features. Whether you’re a creator, coach, or business owner, Bullet.so makes it easy to set up and manage your membership site without any coding.
💡 Ready to get started? Sign up with Bullet.so today and take your first step to building a thriving membership site!
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is a membership site?
A membership site is a gated platform that offers exclusive, members-only content like blogs, videos, and webinars. Users access it by signing in.
2.How do I create a membership website?
Start by determining your membership model, clean your contact database, choose the right membership software, and include essential pages like About Us, Gated Content, and Payment.
3.Which is the best membership website builder?
The best membership builder depends on your needs. Bullet.so is great for simplicity, Wix for overall flexibility, and Squarespace for online courses.
4.Do I need coding skills to create a membership site?
No, most membership website builders like Bullet.so and Wix offer no-code platforms for easy setup.
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