Neviri

Selling memberships is a fantastic way to create recurring revenue for your business. Whether you’re offering exclusive content, special discounts, or unique services, memberships can drive customer loyalty and boost your bottom line. Shopify, primarily known for e-commerce, can also support membership-based business models. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to set up and sell memberships on Shopify, covering the best techniques, tools, and strategies to make your membership program a success.

Why Sell Memberships on Shopify?

Before we dive into the how-to, let’s consider why selling memberships can be advantageous:

1. Recurring Revenue: Memberships create a steady stream of income, making financial forecasting easier.
2. Customer Loyalty: By offering exclusive benefits, you can build a loyal customer base that values your offerings.
3. Enhanced Engagement: Memberships encourage ongoing interaction with your brand through regular updates, content, or services.
4. Upsell Opportunities: Members may be more inclined to purchase additional products or services.

Setting Up Memberships on Shopify

To sell memberships on Shopify, you’ll need to use a combination of native features, apps, and best practices. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

1. Define Your Membership Model

Before you start, decide what type of membership you want to offer:

• Content-Based Memberships: Provide access to exclusive content like articles, videos, or courses.
• Product-Based Memberships: Offer discounts on products or early access to new releases.
• Service-Based Memberships: Include services such as consultations, personalized support, or training.

2. Choose a Membership App

Shopify doesn’t have a native membership feature, so you’ll need to use third-party apps to manage memberships. Some popular membership apps include:

• ReCharge: Known for its flexibility and customization, ReCharge helps manage subscription-based products and memberships.
• Bold Memberships: Allows you to create and manage membership plans with different tiers and benefits.
• PayWhirl: A user-friendly app for setting up recurring billing and membership options.
• MemberSpace: Integrates with Shopify to provide membership management, content gating, and user access control.

3. Install and Configure Your Chosen App

Here’s a general guide to installing and setting up a membership app:

1. Install the App: Go to the Shopify App Store, find your chosen membership app, and click Add app to install it.
2. Set Up Membership Plans: Follow the app’s setup guide to create your membership plans. Define benefits, pricing, and billing intervals.
3. Customize Membership Tiers: If your app supports tiered memberships, create different levels with varying benefits.
4. Configure Access Control: Set up rules for granting access to exclusive content or discounts based on membership status.

4. Create Membership Products

For many apps, you’ll need to create products in Shopify that represent your membership plans:

1. Create New Products: Go to your Shopify admin, click on Products, and then Add product.
2. Define Membership Details: Enter details such as the product name (e.g., “Gold Membership”), description, and price.
3. Set Up Variants: If offering multiple membership tiers, set up variants to represent each tier.
4. Publish Your Products: Make sure to publish your membership products so they are visible to customers.

5. Design Membership Landing Pages

A well-designed landing page is crucial for converting visitors into members. Here’s how to create an effective landing page:

1. Highlight Benefits: Clearly outline the benefits of each membership tier. Use bullet points, images, and testimonials to emphasize value.
2. Include Call-to-Actions (CTAs): Place prominent CTAs like “Join Now” or “Become a Member” to guide users towards signing up.
3. Add Pricing Information: Display pricing details clearly to avoid confusion.
4. Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your landing page is mobile-friendly as many users will access it from their phones.

6. Market Your Membership Program

Effective marketing is key to attracting members. Here are some strategies:

• Email Marketing: Send targeted emails to your existing customers, highlighting the benefits of your new membership program.
• Social Media: Promote your memberships on social media platforms with engaging posts, stories, and ads.
• Content Marketing: Create blog posts, videos, or webinars to showcase the value of your memberships and attract potential members.
• Influencer Partnerships: Collaborate with influencers or affiliates who can help spread the word about your membership program.

7. Manage and Analyze Memberships

Once your membership program is up and running, managing and analyzing its performance is crucial:

• Monitor Membership Growth: Use your app’s analytics to track the number of new members, churn rates, and overall growth.
• Engage with Members: Regularly interact with your members through email updates, exclusive content, or special events to keep them engaged.
• Gather Feedback: Solicit feedback from members to understand what’s working and what could be improved.

Best Practices for Selling Memberships on Shopify

1. Offer Value

Ensure your membership program offers genuine value to your members. Whether it’s exclusive content, significant discounts, or premium services, make sure the benefits outweigh the cost.

2. Provide Multiple Membership Tiers

Offering multiple tiers allows you to cater to different customer needs and budgets. This flexibility can attract a wider audience and increase overall membership sign-ups.

3. Ensure Easy Management

Choose an app or platform that simplifies membership management. Look for features like automated billing, member communication, and easy access control.

4. Focus on User Experience

Create a seamless user experience from sign-up to membership benefits. Ensure that the process is intuitive and that members can easily access their benefits.

5. Regularly Update Offerings

Keep your membership program fresh by regularly updating your content, offers, or services. This helps retain existing members and attract new ones.

6. Implement a Referral Program

Encourage existing members to refer friends by offering incentives such as discounts or exclusive perks. A referral program can help you grow your membership base organically.

7. Provide Excellent Customer Support

Offer robust support to address any issues or questions from your members. Providing excellent customer service enhances the overall member experience and builds loyalty.

Conclusion

Selling memberships on Shopify can be a powerful way to generate recurring revenue and build customer loyalty. By choosing the right membership app, creating compelling membership plans, and effectively marketing your program, you can set your membership business up for success.

Remember to continually assess and improve your membership offerings based on feedback and performance data. With the right strategies and tools, you can create a thriving membership program that delivers lasting value to your customers.