Initially, when we launched our free video membership site on CanadaCreate, we explored various costly platforms. Many of them were overly complex or offered limited control over our videos and members.
That’s when we decided to use WordPress combined with MemberPress. Building our site on this platform provided us with complete ownership, an enhanced experience for our members, and significant cost savings.
If you’re considering starting your own video membership site, it might seem daunting with so many components involved. Fortunately, WordPress simplifies the process more than you might expect.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through the steps to create a professional video membership site using WordPress. We’ll address everything from member registration and content protection to payment processing and seamless video delivery.
What Do You Need to Launch a Video Membership Website and Why Should You Create One?
The most effective way to establish a video membership site is through WordPress, as it offers all the essential tools. To get started, you will need:
- A domain name.This will serve as your website’s address, such as
CanadaCreate.com. - A website hosting account.This is where all your website files will be stored.
- A membership plugin.This feature allows you to create subscription plans and limit access to premium content.
- A platform dedicated to hosting videos.This ensures that videos are delivered securely to paying subscribers only.
Before diving into how to create a video membership website, it’s essential to recognize the benefits of this approach.
Firstly, a video membership site enables you to engage with your audience on a more personal level.
Instead of depending on advertisements that can disrupt your videos, you’ll have a dedicated space where your subscribers can enjoy your content uninterrupted. This fosters a loyal community that genuinely values your work.
Another significant advantage of establishing a membership site is the opportunity to generate a consistent income. By implementing subscription plans, you can receive recurring payments, allowing you to invest in high-quality equipment or fresh content ideas.
This financial backing makes it easier to maintain your creativity and experiment with new concepts. Additionally, by providing exclusive content, your subscribers will feel valued and appreciated, increasing their likelihood of remaining loyal.
For more information on how to offer exclusive content, check out our guide on protecting content in WordPress.
You can create a fully functional video membership website in under an hour, and we’ll guide you through each step of the process.
Here are the steps we will cover to help you build a powerful membership website using WordPress:
- Introduction to Building a Video Membership Website
- Selecting the Right WordPress Video Membership Plugin
- Setting Up Your WordPress Video Membership Website
- Integrating Payment Methods
- Creating Subscription Plans for Your Video Membership Site
- Establishing Access Rules for Membership Plans
- Adding Exclusive Content in MemberPress
- Uploading Exclusive Videos in MemberPress
- Designing a Pricing Page for Your Membership Plans
- Embedding Login and Sign-Up Forms for Your Video Membership Site
- Personalizing Email Templates for Your Membership Site
- Bonus Tips for Expanding Your Video Membership Website
- Frequently Asked Questions: Building a WordPress Membership Website
- Additional Resources for WordPress Membership Websites
Are you ready? Let’s begin.
Step 1: Introduction to Building a Video Membership Website
Building a video membership website is easiest with WordPress, the leading website builder that enables you to create virtually any type of site.
Before you begin, it’s important to choose the right version of WordPress. There are two main types available.
The first option is WordPress.com, a hosted platform ideal for basic blogs. The second is WordPress.org, also known as self-hosted WordPress, which offers complete flexibility to create any website, including a robust membership site. This tutorial will focus on using self-hosted WordPress.org.
For more information, check out our comparison between WordPress.com and WordPress.org.
We will use self-hosted WordPress.org because it provides full control and immediate access to all WordPress features right from the start.
Next, you’ll need to secure a domain name and a hosting account for your self-hosted WordPress site.
A domain name usually costs around $14.99 per year, while web hosting plans start at approximately $7.99 per month.
If you’re just starting, it’s wise to minimize expenses wherever possible without sacrificing the quality of your business.
Great news! Bluehost is offering CanadaCreate users an exclusive discount on hosting, including a free domain. You can get started for just $2.99 per month.
Bluehost is among the top hosting providers in the industry and is officially recommended for WordPress hosting.
After signing up for your hosting account, Bluehost will automatically set up WordPress for you.
You can easily access your WordPress dashboard directly from your hosting account by clicking the ‘Edit Site’ button.
If you require further assistance, check out our WordPress installation tutorial or follow our comprehensive guide on starting a blog.
Step 2: Selecting a WordPress Video Membership Plugin
There are various WordPress membership plugins available that enable you to create a membership site, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
For more information, refer to our detailed comparison of the top WordPress membership plugins.
Before selecting a membership plugin, it’s important to determine the type of video membership site you wish to create.
If your goal is simply to allow users to register and download a few short videos, WPForms is a great option. It supports popular payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe.
Additionally, you can set up redirects for users to download files or visit any URL after they submit a form.
For more advanced features like access control, subscription plans, and multi-tier memberships, you’ll need a comprehensive WordPress video membership plugin such as MemberPress.
At CanadaCreate, we rely on MemberPress to create our free video site. It provides all the necessary tools to ensure smooth operation, and you can read more about it in our in-depth MemberPress review.
MemberPress is the leading WordPress membership and content protection plugin available. It enables you to accept payments, establish membership tiers, restrict access to video content based on these tiers, and much more.
You can also utilize it to sell online courses. Furthermore, if you opt to host your videos on AWS (which will be discussed later), MemberPress offers an extension for hosting your video files in the cloud.
It includes all the essential features needed to operate a video membership site and integrates seamlessly with various tools to help grow your business.
ℹ️Alternative Options:If you’re seeking alternatives, we recommend Thrive Apprentice or AccessAlly. These are top-notch LMS plugins for selling online courses and include membership features to safeguard your content from non-members.
Step 3: Setting Up Your WordPress Video Membership Website
We will use MemberPress to create a video membership website on WordPress.
Begin by installing and activating the MemberPress plugin. For detailed instructions, refer to our step-by-step guide on how to install a WordPress plugin.
After activation, navigate to theMemberPress » Settingspage to configure the plugin settings.
We will guide you through the essential settings to configure in the following steps.
Step 4: Adding Payment Methods
On the settings page, you will find various tabs.
The first task is to set up a payment gateway, which enables you to accept payments on your membership site.
MemberPress supports PayPal (Standard, Express, and Pro), Stripe, and Authorize.net by default. To configure a payment method, simply select it and enter the required credentials.
You can enhance user experience by offering multiple payment options. For example, you might include Stripe for credit card payments and PayPal for those who prefer not to share their credit card information.
After configuring your payment options, make sure to click the ‘Update Options’ button to save your changes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 5: Setting Up Subscription Plans for Your Video Membership Site
Now, it’s time to establish various subscription tiers that users can choose from.
You can design plans that offer different benefits, access levels, and features. Additionally, consider creating a free membership option that allows users to view demo videos and access complimentary content.
To create a new membership plan, navigate to theMemberPress » Membershipspage and click the ‘Add New’ button located at the top.
On the following screen, you will need to enter a title for the membership plan and provide details in the post editor.
Next, set the pricing, billing type, interval, and expiration for this plan in the ‘Membership Terms’ section on the right side.
For example, in the screenshot above, we established a video membership plan with recurring monthly payments.
Scroll down to the ‘Membership Options’ section located below the editor to customize your plan permissions and membership settings.
Once you are happy with the membership plan, proceed to publish it.
To create additional membership levels, simply repeat the process to establish more membership plans as needed.
Step 6: Establishing Access Rules for Video Membership Plans
With your membership levels configured, the next step is to establish access rules.
MemberPress offers robust access control rules that enable you to restrict content access on your website based on a user’s membership plan.
To configure these rules, navigate to the MemberPress » Rules page and click the ‘Add New’ button to create a new access rule.
On the rule edit page, you can select and associate various conditions with any membership plan.
For example, you can designate all content tagged with a specific label or category to be accessible only to members with the ‘Plus’ plan.
You can also specify individual posts, pages, particular URLs, and more.
Configuring Drip Content Rules
MemberPress includes a drip content feature that allows you to release access to your videos gradually, ensuring that users receive content on a set schedule instead of having all premium content available immediately upon signing up.
This drip content feature enhances user engagement and helps prevent overwhelm. For instance, you can set a rule to automatically release your ‘Week 2’ course videos exactly 7 days after a member registers.
Once you are happy with the settings for your rules, click the ‘Save Rule’ button to implement them.
Feel free to create additional rules for your video membership plans as needed.
Step 7: Adding Exclusive Content for Members in MemberPress
MemberPress simplifies the process of adding exclusive content for members on your website.
Begin by creating a post or page to host your video and set access restrictions as necessary.
Next, we will guide you on how to embed exclusive videos securely, ensuring they are protected from unauthorized access.
To begin, create a new post or page in WordPress and add the tag or category that you defined in Step 6.
Once everything is set up, you can go ahead and publish your restricted post or page.
Step 8: Uploading Exclusive Videos for Members in MemberPress
A major challenge for video subscription websites is providing an optimal viewing experience while maintaining control over access to paid content.
We highly advise against simply uploading videos to your WordPress media library and linking them in your posts and pages.
Firstly, this method lacks security and privacy. Additionally, video files consume significant bandwidth, storage, and server resources, which can lead to slow performance or even crashes of your website.
For further information, check out our article on the reasons to avoid uploading videos directly in WordPress.
We suggest two reliable solutions for your video membership site: Vimeo or AWS.
Method 1: Embedding Exclusive Videos via Vimeo
The first option is Vimeo. Their paid plans provide enhanced privacy controls and allow for easy embedding of videos on your membership site.
With Vimeo Plus, you can:
- Keep your videos private.
- Make videos inaccessible on Vimeo itself. You can still upload and manage videos from your Vimeo dashboard, but they won’t be viewable on Vimeo by others.
- Implement domain-level restrictions so that your exclusive videos can only be embedded and viewed on your own website.
- Secure your videos with password protection and additional features!
In addition to privacy and security, Vimeo provides your users with an enhanced streaming experience.
Embedding Vimeo videos on your exclusive members-only site is straightforward. Simply copy the video URL and paste it into your content; WordPress will automatically retrieve and embed it.
ℹ️Alternative:Thinking about using YouTube? Explore our detailed comparison of YouTube versus Vimeo for valuable insights!
Method 2: Upload Exclusive Videos Using AWS
In this method, you will host your videos on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This approach integrates MemberPress with Amazon’s secure cloud storage, allowing you to deliver your private video files exclusively to paying members without making them publicly accessible.
Keep in mind that Amazon Web Services operates on a pay-as-you-go pricing model.
After utilizing the limited free tier, AWS will charge you for the storage used by your videos and the data transferred when viewers watch them. We recommend regularly checking your billing dashboard to manage your expenses effectively.
To begin, visit the Amazon Web Services (AWS) website and create an account.
Amazon Web Services (AWS) offers a variety of cloud services that can be utilized for your video membership site. For hosting video files, we will use Amazon S3 cloud storage.
To get started, click on the ‘Services’ menu at the top of the page and select S3 from the list.
This will take you to the S3 cloud storage dashboard, where storage is organized into buckets. You can create multiple buckets for different websites or projects.
Now, let’s create a bucket specifically for storing your exclusive member-only video files.
On the next screen, you will need to enter a name for your bucket and select a region.
Ensure that your bucket name is entirely in lowercase and choose a region that is geographically close to the majority of your users.
You can keep the default settings for the rest and click the ‘Create Bucket’ button to proceed.
AWS will create your bucket, allowing you to upload files. Click on the bucket name to access it, then click the ‘Upload’ button to add your first video.
You can repeat this process to upload additional files now or at any later time.
Once your video files are uploaded to AWS, they won’t be publicly accessible. To enable MemberPress to securely display these videos to your members, you’ll need to create specific security credentials that connect your WordPress site to your AWS account.
Click on the ‘Account’ link located in the top right corner of the screen, then select ‘Security Credentials.’
On the following screen, click on the ‘Access Keys’ tab to reveal more options.
To generate new keys, click on the ‘Create New Access Key’ button.
A popup will appear; click on the ‘Show Access Keys’ link.
Make sure to copy your ‘Access Key ID’ and ‘Secret Access Key’ into a text file for future use.
Next, navigate to the admin area of your WordPress site and go to theMemberPress » Add-onspage.
Scroll down to the Amazon Web Services (AWS) section and click on the ‘Install Add-on’ button.
After that, connect MemberPress to your AWS account.
Go to theMemberPress » Settingspage and select the ‘AWS’ tab.
Here, paste the ‘Access Key ID’ and ‘Secret Access Key’ that you copied earlier.
Check the box next to the V4 Signature option and select your AWS region, which should match the region you chose when setting up your ‘S3 Bucket.’
Remember to click the ‘Update Options’ button to save your settings.
Having successfully linked MemberPress to your AWS account, you can now start adding videos to your exclusive members-only posts and pages.
To embed a video, use a shortcode formatted like this:
[mepr-s3-video src="your-bucket-name/your-video-filename.mp4"]
Ensure that thesrcvalue is accurate: bucket name + forward slash (/) + exact file name of your video.
You can locate your video in the S3 dashboard of your Amazon AWS account. Click on your bucket and then select the file name to view its location.
🚨Note: Avoid using the complete ‘Object URL’ from the AWS dashboard. The shortcode will not function if you paste the entire URL. Only include the bucket and file name.
Once you have added the shortcode, save your post or page.
Next, preview it to see your embedded video displayed.
You can continue this process to add additional members-only videos to your site.
Step 9: Creating a Pricing Page for Your Membership Plans
If you provide various subscription options, it’s beneficial to create a pricing page that allows users to compare them easily. With MemberPress, you can utilize the Groups feature to showcase multiple membership plans in a sleek pricing table.
This page will also serve as the destination for users attempting to access restricted content.
To begin, navigate to MemberPress » Groups and click the ‘Add New’ button.
On the following screen, you’ll need to enter a title for your pricing page, which will also be used in the URL for your group pricing page.
Next, select the membership plans you wish to include.
You can also choose a theme for the pricing table. Fortunately, MemberPress offers several pre-designed templates for your convenience.
Once everything is set, click the ‘Publish’ button to make your pricing plans publicly accessible.
To view your pricing page, simply click on ‘View Group’ after publishing.
Redirecting Users to Your Membership Plans Page
Now that your pricing page is ready, you can configure MemberPress to automatically redirect
unauthorized users to this page.
To do this, first, go to MemberPress » Groupsand copy the URL associated with the group you created earlier.
Next, navigate toMemberPress » Settingsand select the ‘Pages’ tab.
Scroll down to the ‘Unauthorized Access’ section.
Check the box for ‘Redirect unauthorized visitors to a specific URL’ and paste the group URL you copied earlier.
Remember to click the ‘Update Options’ button to save your changes.
Now, unauthorized users will be redirected to the pricing plans page when they attempt to access your members-only content or videos.
Step 10: Adding Login and Sign-Up Forms to Your Video Membership Site
With everything set up, let’s simplify the process for users to log in or sign up.
MemberPress allows you to easily incorporate login forms into your website. Just go toAppearance » Widgetsand add the ‘MemberPress login’ widget to a sidebar.
Don’t forget to click the ‘Update’ button to save your widget settings.
The next step is to include a link to the pricing page in your website’s navigation menu.
To do this, head toAppearance » MenusClick on the ‘Groups’ tab to expand it. Next, select the pricing plan group you created earlier, then click the ‘Add to Menu’ button.
Remember to click the ‘Save’ button to apply your changes.
You can now log out of the admin area and visit your website to see everything in action.
🔗Related:To prevent users from sharing passwords, check out our guide on restricting user login to a single device in WordPress.
Step 11: Customizing Email Templates for Your Membership Site
Your video membership site will send emails to users when they sign up, reset their password, or when their membership is nearing expiration.
You can customize these email templates in MemberPress.
Simply navigate to MemberPress » Settings and switch to the ‘Emails’ tab. Here, you’ll find a list of emails your video membership site will send, and you can edit any of them.
This will open the email template in a simple text editor.
Utilize the smart tags below to personalize messages and align them with your brand’s tone and messaging.
🚨ImportantRemember to send test emails to ensure they are functioning correctly. For additional assistance, refer to our guide on resolving the WordPress email sending issue.
Essential Tips for Expanding Your Video Membership Website
With your video membership site set up, let’s explore strategies to attract more visitors and encourage them to register.
Fortunately, using MemberPress alongside WordPress provides you with powerful tools to enhance your business. Here are some essential resources:
- OptinMonster – The leading tool for lead generation and conversion optimization, designed to help you turn website visitors into paying subscribers effortlessly.
- All in One SEO – The top WordPress SEO plugin that enables you to optimize your videos and entire site for search engines without requiring technical expertise.
- SeedProd – The premier WordPress page builder plugin for easily designing stunning custom landing pages for your video membership site.
- WPForms – The best WordPress form builder available, allowing you to create contact forms, login and signup forms, user registration forms, and more.
- MonsterInsightsEasily monitor your website’s performance with Google Analytics. It provides beginner-friendly reports that highlight your top content and track conversions to enhance sales.
Looking for more suggestions? Check out our curated list of essential WordPress plugins for every website.
Frequently Asked Questions: Creating a WordPress Membership Website
Let’s explore some of the most frequently asked questions regarding the creation of a video membership site.
What is the best platform for hosting my membership videos?
For exclusive, members-only videos, we recommend using specialized video hosting platforms like Vimeo or AWS. These services provide advanced privacy features, including domain-level restrictions, which prevent your videos from being embedded on unauthorized websites.
Although YouTube is widely used, it is not the best option for premium content due to limited control over monetization and the viewing experience. For more details, check out our comparison of YouTube and Vimeo.
What are the costs associated with building a video membership site?
The costs can vary depending on your specific requirements, but you can get started at an affordable price. The primary expenses include a domain name (approximately $14.99 per year), web hosting (starting at just $2.99 per month with our Bluehost offer), and a membership plugin like MemberPress.
Consider the expenses associated with a private video hosting service, such as Vimeo, which offers various plans tailored for content creators.
Is it possible to provide a free trial for my video membership site?
Yes, offering a free trial is a great strategy to attract new subscribers. Plugins like MemberPress include features that make it easy to set up trial periods for your subscription plans.
What are the best ways to promote my new video membership site?
Effective promotion is essential for your site’s success. Start by building an email list using tools like OptinMonster, optimizing your site for search engines with All in One SEO, and creating targeted landing pages with SeedProd.
Additional Resources for WordPress Membership Websites
We hope this article has assisted you in creating a video membership website using WordPress.
If you found this information useful, you might also be interested in our guides on:
- Creating a Client Portal in WordPress: A Simple Guide
- Hosting Members-Only Events in WordPress
- Building Your Own Private Community in WordPress
- Creating a Searchable Member Directory in WordPress
- Adding a Forum in WordPress: Simple Methods
- Restricting User Login to a Single Device
- A Comprehensive Guide to Selling Group Memberships for Corporate Teams
Enjoyed this article? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for insightful WordPress video tutorials. Connect with us on Twitter and Facebook for more updates.
