How to Create A WooCommerce Members Only Store: A Complete Instructions

Debating creating a WooCommerce members-only store?

Giving members exclusive perks is an increasingly popular strategy for e-commerce, with some well-known examples including Amazon Prime ( shipping advantages) as well as Costco ( restricted purchasing club).

When To Consider a Members-Only Store

A members-only WooCommerce store is a good option in a variety of situations.

Before you begin setting up your retail store, it's crucial to determine which strategy you want to employ since these options will dictate the best approach to your shop.

There are two buckets of members-only functionality:

1. Content restriction
2. Special offers

Only Members can access content

By restricting content it is possible to limit those who are able to view or purchase some or all your merchandise.

Here are some instances of situations where you can make use of this kind of member-only function:

• Wholesale stores where only eligible customers have access to wholesale goods.
• Purchasing clubs where only members can shop (e.g. Costco).

Members-Only Special Offers

Another type of member-only feature is the ability to provide special discounts for members.

Here are some typical examples:

• Offering members discounts on all or a portion of your items. You could, for example, provide them with 10% discount. It's similar to many rewards programs that reward customers.
• Offering lower fixed prices for customers who are members. This also works well in wholesale shops.

There is the option to combine and match the two approaches - several members-only WooCommerce stores restrict access to certain areas and provide special deals or delivery methods.

Three Ways to Create A WooCommerce Members-Only Store

If you are looking to set up a WooCommerce members-only store, there are a few ways you could apply:

• WordPress/WooCommerce membership plugin
• WooCommerce's role-based pricing plugin
• The built-in WordPress password function is built-in to WordPress.

The most effective method to run your store will depend on the kind of membership-only store you're planning to set up.

For example, whether you want to restrict access to your products or simply give customers special perks, like product discounts.

1. WooCommerce Membership plugin

The plugins manage everything connected to the membership function which includes creating free and paid membership levels, registering customers to those levels, and using these levels to block access to your store and/or give members only perks.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The benefits of using a WooCommerce Membership plugin

• Flexible content restrictions - you can easily restrain your product or service according to a user's subscription level.
• Discounts and shipping options - beyond restriction, you are also able to offer members-only discounts or shipping options.
• Member managementYou'll have tools to control all of your members that go beyond WordPress's built-in features.

Some drawbacks to the WooCommerce membership plugin

• Increases the complex For simple usage cases, a full membership plugin could provide more features than you'll need.

Four Top WooCommerce Membership plugins

If you want to use a membership plugin to create an exclusive store for members Here are a few of the top options:

1. WooCommerce Memberships

WooCommerce Memberships is a membership plugin designed specifically for WooCommerce that helps give the best flexibility in setting up a members-only store ( though it works on non-WooCommerce-related content too).

You can create unlimited pay-per-use or free membership levels and utilize the membership levels in many methods:

• Restrict access to viewing or purchasing products.
• Members can enjoy special discount offers.
• Give members free shipping or shipping discounts.

2. Paid Member Subscriptions

Paid Member Subscriptions can be a great alternative to create a members-only store.

It allows you to set up unlimited paid or free membership levels , and limit the ability to view or purchase your products.

Additionally, you can create rules for discounting products that give your members discounts on some/all of your products.

However, there's no way to offer shipping perks to the members.

If you're ok with that restriction, this is the most affordable alternative on this list, as it's priced at EUR69. You can also get a version for free but the free one isn't able to offer members-only discounts.

3. Restrict Content Pro

Restrict Content Pro is a full-featured membership plugin which lets you simply restrict access to certain or all of your offerings with unlimited paid or free membership levels.

In addition to product restrictions Additionally, you can create perks for members only by linking a WooCommerce coupon to a membership degree.

This gives you a lot flexibility as you make use of all the coupon options, including product discounts and shipping discounts.

The WooCommerce feature, Restrict Content Pro costs $99 for use on a single site. You can also download a version for free.

4. Paid Memberships Pro

Paid Memberships Pro is yet another full-service membership plugin with strong WooCommerce features.

You can also create unlimited free or paid membership levels that you can utilize to...

• Restrict access to watching or buying products.
• Offer special discounts.
• Offer free shipping.

The plugin is available in a cost-free version. the plugin that offers the core features, and a no-cost WooCommerce integration that offers members-only discounts.

In order to offer complimentary shipping and gain access to more advanced membership features Premium memberships start at $247.

The WooCommerce Member Plugin Comparison

Below is a short overview of the main WooCommerce members-only features in every plugin.

2. WooCommerce Role-Based Pricing Plugin

If you'd like to make the members-only section of your store to offer various prices for customers based on their membership status, you can utilize a pricing plugin.

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For some members-only stores that are members-only, it's possible to utilize simply the pricing plugin. In other situations there is a possibility to integrate a price plugin and a membership plugin to gain even more freedom.

Advantages and drawbacks

The benefits of a pricing plugin

• more flexible pricing policies as well as pricing changes based on the role of the user, you may also add in other conditions for example, offering role-based bulk discounts. This can make this method an ideal choice in wholesale stores and other setups for members only that require greater flexibility in pricing.
• Make use of existing user role functionality- if you've already given members a specific WordPress user role These plugins make it easy to target the user role. This means that you don't have to create any additional membership levels like you would with a membership plugin.

Drawbacks of a WooCommerce pricing plugin

• Only works for free membershipsand a pricing plugin alone wouldn't allow you to charge a one-time or recurring charge for members-only access, like a membership plugin.
• No restriction on contentIt is not a common practice to be able to limit access to any content/products on your site using this method.
• A lack of a separate manager for membersThere isn't an individual area for managing the members of your organization and manage membership levels. Instead, you have to use the built-in WordPress user roles system that can be a hassle if you have a lot of users.

3 Top WooCommerce Pricing Plugins

If you want to use the pricing plugin for your members-only store Here are a few of the top options:

1. Coupons, Fees and WooCommerce

WooCommerce Fees and Discounts is a premium plugin that lets you set up all types of role-based pricing adjustments. This includes the ones listed below:

• Adjust prices up or down to some or all your products. E.g. 10% discount.
• Set fixed product prices.
• Discounts on bulk orders.
• Tax exclusion.

It costs $59.

2. Discount rules for WooCommerce

Discount rules for WooCommerce can be downloaded in a free version and a paid version, but you must purchase the paid version to access the user role-based pricing adjustments.

The program is very flexible it allows you to create any discount rule that you want to make the user's role an entitlement to the discount.

If you're looking for the maximum versatility in establishing special members-only deals, this is one of the best alternatives.

Pro version costs $59. Pro version retails for $59.

3. Role-Based Pricing for WooCommerce

Role Based Pricing in WooCommerce is yet another option of high quality. You can choose from a range of ways to adjust pricing:

• Fixed price based on users job
• Percentage increase or decrease
• Increase or decrease in fixed amounts

If you'd like only users to be able to purchase items, you could conceal the cost and use the add it to the cart until users log into the site, adding fundamental content restrictions.

WooCommerce's Role Based Pricing is $79.

3. Password Protection without a plugin

The last method for how to create the WooCommerce stores for members is the simplest strategy but also the least flexible.

This feature lets you restrict access to certain products on your store using the use of one or more passwords. You would then share these passwords with members that you would like to gain access to the restricted product(s).

Advantages and drawbacks

Advantages of password security:

• Essential feature - there's no need to install plugins.
• Very simple - all you need to do is add the password and distribute it to members.

The drawbacks of protecting passwords:

• A very limited feature You can restrict access to products - there are no other benefits you can offer.
• A poor user experienceand requiring users to enter a password is an awkward thing to do when it comes to the user experience.
• There are no restrictions on usersAnybody with the password can access the products, which is a problem if someone shares their passwords with unauthorized buyer.

How Do I Add WooCommerce Password Security

For password protection to protect your password, you must open the editor of the product you wish to block access to.

Then, click then the Edit button next to the word "Visibility.".

The following should provide some fresh possibilities:

1. Pick a the password that is secure.
2. You must enter the password you would like to use on that product.
3. Hit "OK.".
4. Update or publish the product in order to store your modifications.

If someone attempts to access this product, they'll be prompted to enter the password.

A great benefit of this method is that you are able to use the same password for many different products. When you do this shoppers will only require entering the password one time to access each product with the same password.

However, if you use various passwords for every product and the buyer has to input the unique password to each item.

How To Choose the Right Approach for Your Members-Only Store

Choosing the optimal approach for your WooCommerce store that is members-only will depend on your unique situation.

Here are 5 things to be aware of when choosing your retail store's strategy...

1. The type of benefits offered by membership

Are you looking to allow members access to certain products ( content restriction) and are you looking to provide exclusive perks like product discounts or free shipping?

If you're trying to limit access to products, you'll usually need a WooCommerce member plugin. For very basic use cases, you could make use of the built-in password security option.

If you wish to provide special discounts or shipping perks You can use an membership plugin or pricing plugin.

The pricing plugin will give users more freedom if they want to also use non-membership pricing rules, while the membership plugin gives you the ability to manage your membership more effectively as well as content restrictions, along with the ability to charge for the membership.

2. The number of members

Another factor is the number of customers your shop has.

Let's take an example. you want to restrict access to a certain or all of your items.

If you're going to have five members it's possible to utilize the built-in password protection option and call it a day.

But If you're planning to include 500 members, then you'll definitely want the more powerful member management features that comes with a specific membership plugin.

3. The number of membership levels

Beyond the membership level there are membership levels. The amount of levels could also impact your decision.

If you only have one or two membership levels, working with the existing WordPress user role system may be ideal.

If you're hoping to have three or more membership levels, which could be overlapping restrictions rules or benefits, you'll be more satisfied with the simpler level of management of a membership plugin.

4. Free vs Paid Memberships

If you plan to charge for access to your memberships (e.g. Amazon Prime), then you'll usually need a membership plugin.

However, that won't work for paid memberships because the system of roles alone has no way to distinguish between free and paying members.

5. Public vs Private Content

If you're looking to limit access to specific products or web-based content, you'll almost certainly want to utilize a membership plugin.

One exception is if your store's needs are very simple or minimal, and in that case, the password protection built into your store might work.

Summary

If you are looking to set up an WooCommerce stores that are members-only, you have 3 main alternatives:

• Membership plugin
• Pricing plugin
• Built-in WordPress password feature

In the case of many shops, the membership plugin will work best for many stores. The other approaches also might work better for your store in some circumstances.

Finally, it's worth noting that in some situations, you might want to use both an membership plugin as well as a pricing plugin. You can use the Membership plugin to handle membership levels, members, and content restriction, while you still use the price plugin to get greater control over your exclusive members pricing guidelines.

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