I’ve been part of several membership models inside my business over the years—and every single one has been set up a little differently. If you’re thinking about creating a membership site of your own, I’m breaking down three common setup options so you can figure out what makes the most sense for your business.
Whether you’re aiming for something super simple or want to build a full-on digital library for your members, there’s a setup here for you.
1. Add the Membership Area to Your Website
This option is the most hands-on, but it gives you the most control. You can either:
- Build the membership area directly into your existing site, or
- Create a separate website just for your membership
I’m not just talking about adding a sign-up page. I mean a full member portal where people can log in and access trainings, videos, templates—whatever you’re offering.
If you’re using WordPress, you’ll need a plugin to handle access and payments. Two popular options I recommend are MemberPress and Access Ally (links below the video, if you’re watching this on YouTube).
2. Use a Membership Platform Like Thinkific or Teachable
If the thought of tech setup makes your eye twitch, this might be the route for you. Platforms like Thinkific or Teachable make it easy to:
- Host trainings and resources
- Sort and organize content
- Process payments without needing separate tools
This is actually one of my favorite options. It’s easier to manage than building everything into your website—and the platforms handle all the backend stuff for you. The trade-off? You’ll likely pay a monthly fee, and they usually take a small percentage of each payment.
3. Keep It Simple with a Facebook Group or Slack Channel
Want the lowest-tech, lowest-maintenance membership option? Skip the member portal altogether and run your membership through a Facebook Group or Slack channel.
This is actually how I run my own membership. Here’s how it works:
- We use a private Facebook Group
- I host a live workshop once a month
- Throughout the month, I share prompts and discussion threads related to that topic
- Members also get email prompts on the same theme
There’s no separate member dashboard, login, or course portal—just the group and the live training. And that’s plenty for the kind of support my members need right now.
Could I add a members-only area on my website down the line? Totally. But this simple setup works really well at the moment.
Pros and Cons of Each Membership Site Option
Let’s break it down:
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Your own website | Full control, fully branded experience | Higher setup time and/or cost, plugins required |
| Thinkific/Teachable | Minimal tech setup, easy to organize content | Monthly fee, small cut of your payments |
| Facebook/Slack-only | Easiest to launch, minimal tech | You still need to set up payments, and not everyone uses Facebook |
No matter which direction you go, you’ll need some way to accept payments. Even my Facebook-only membership still uses my website to process subscriptions. Thankfully, I already had that set up—but it’s something to plan for either way.
Also: if someone doesn’t use Facebook, they can’t participate in my membership right now. That’s something I may have to rethink as it grows.
Final Thoughts on Setting Up a Membership Website
There are so many ways to build a membership site—these are just a few to get you started. You can also use platforms like Mighty Networks or even set one up through Squarespace, depending on your tech stack and preferences.
If you’re brainstorming your own membership, I’d love to hear what you’re planning.
