
Creating and maintaining a membership website is getting easier by the day, especially with all-in-one platforms now available, like Brilliant Directories.
The biggest benefit provided by these website management systems is that the website owner doesn’t need to be tech-savvy to own, maintain and profit from a membership website… This can all be done without having to write a single line of code.
There are many different strategies to get your membership website launched and live online. But what comes next is the need to outperform your competition by converting your website visitors into paying members. Here are a few tips to help you do this successfully:
1. Have a Clear Vision for Your Website
Start by setting attainable goals for yourself when just starting out and focus down on a specific niche that your website is going to target. You should be sure that you have a clear idea of what you want to do before starting.
Have a clear understanding of your target demographic and the problem in which they are seeking a solution for – you want to address this directly and focus your website’s verbiage and messaging around it.
2. Make Your Website Accessible
During the early stages when your website visitors are trying to assess your website and determine whether or not it addresses their needs and if it’s worthwhile for them to purchase a membership, you want to be sure that your site is easily comprehensible and not overbearing.
Try to look at your website through the eyes of a brand new visitor…
- Does the messaging make sense and is it straight to the point?
- Does the website address your needs without being excessively wordy?
- Is the design simple and welcoming without being overbearing?
- Do you feel welcomed and get a sense of community?
- These are questions to consider when reviewing your website’s visual impact.
The other aspect of making your website accessible is to make it as easy as possible for users to join. Try to avoid any obstacles or hurdles that users would need to make their way through while navigating your website or trying to sign up.
According to a college paper at online assignment help, the key is to make a great first impression with a simple design and clear messaging – make it as easy as possible for your visitors to find what they are looking for.
3. Provide High Quality Content
It’s one thing to attract members with free content or a free trial, but maintaining them as a member afterward – and increasing their lifetime value – depends on what benefits they are continuously receiving from your website.
One of the simplest ways to constantly supply value to your members is by publishing high quality content, whether this be in the form of articles, videos or any other medium.
There are other ways to provide value to your members such as managing a private group on Facebook, hosting live webinars online or even in-person meetups.
The value you’re providing will depend on who your target audience is and what they are looking for. But the thing to remember is that in order to keep them as a paying member, you need to constantly be providing them with value.
4. Offer a Free Trial Period
Offering things to people for free is one of the best ways to attract their attention. This is a popular strategy and it works best for new businesses and brands. Since you just created the website and are trying to break into the market, offering free trials could just be your best bet to get the ball rolling.
One strategy you can adopt is to offer your new members with a 14-day free trial period. This will allow them to truly assess what your website has to offer without them needing to make a commitment today.
If the user is convinced, they will pay your membership fee to continue having exclusive access to your website and offerings.
And if they don’t immediately upgrade to a full membership, you at least have captured their email address and can periodically send them emails to try to pique their interest once again.
5. Offer Long-Term Membership Discounts
Long-term subscriptions are a great way to generate more revenue from a member up-front and keep them as a part of your community for longer. Instead of only offering a monthly subscription, try offering them a yearly option or even a one-time payment instead.
The best way to make this work is to offer meaningful discounts for the long-term membership when compared to the monthly membership plan you’re offering.
For instance, if membership to your website costs $10/month, provide an option to instead pay $90 for an annual membership. Or you may also want to consider providing a one-time payment option of $180 that will provide the customer with a lifetime membership.
Offering these longer-term memberships keeps the member in your community longer and also provides them with a discount upon signup which may give them that extra little incentive to buy.
6. Stay in Touch with Your Members
Attracting new members and maintaining members are equally important. When you gain a new member that is just the beginning of your relationship with them.
Ensure that they are satisfied with the services you offer. Stay in touch by sending periodic newsletters and maintaining your social media profiles. Let them know if you’re planning to roll out any updates to your website that will benefit them or if you’re about to release an eBook with exclusive tips that are sure to benefit them.
Try to build a relationship based on trust with your members through regular contact and by staying top of mind.