18 Best Membership Site Examples That You Should Check Out in 2025

You’ve got a great idea for a membership business, but how do you turn that idea into a website that people will actually pay to join?

It’s one thing to dream up exclusive content, community perks, or online courses. It’s another to build a WordPress site that converts visitors into paying members and keeps them coming back.

The smartest move? Learn from websites that are already doing it right. 💡

For this roundup, we’ve handpicked 18 membership site examples that show you exactly what works in 2025. We’ll break down the key elements that make them successful and show you how to add similar strategies to your membership site.

What Do You Need to Build a WordPress Membership Website?

Here’s what you’ll need to build a WordPress membership site: a domain name, web hosting, and a WordPress plugin that adds membership features. These are features like content restriction, user registration, and payment options.

Now, if you haven’t launched your membership site yet, then you might be wondering what you need to build one. Well, we always recommend WordPress for building any kind of site because it’s beginner-friendly and super customizable.

Plus, when it comes to membership sites, WordPress and its plugins give you plenty of flexibility.

For example, you can:

Put content like blog posts, videos, or downloads behind a paywall.
Run an online community with member profiles and discussion forums.
Sell pay-per-view content like webinars or exclusive tutorials.
Offer tiered membership levels with different access and pricing.
Drip content over time to keep members engaged.
Bundle and sell online courses as part of a membership package.

Nutrition coaching using MemberPress CoachKit

As you can see, WordPress can power just about any type of membership model. Whether you want to add memberships to an existing WordPress blog or build a standalone online business, it all starts with a few essential tools.

To get started with your own membership site, you’ll need three main things:

A domain name: This is the address for your website (ours is wpbeginner.com).
Web hosting: This is where you’ll store your website files so that visitors can access your site.
A membership addon: This will add membership functionality to your WordPress site, from creating the content and access rules to setting up the membership plans and client portal.

Usually, a domain name will cost around $15-20 per year, and web hosting starts from $7.95 per month. When you’re just starting, this can be a big investment.

Luckily, Bluehost has agreed to offer our readers a huge discount on web hosting, along with a free domain name and a free SSL certificate.

→ Click Here to Claim This Exclusive Bluehost Offer ←

Next, you need to make sure you’re using the right version of WordPress. We recommend using the self-hosted WordPress.org version because it gives you access to all the features you need right out of the box.

For more details, see our comparison of WordPress.com and WordPress.org.

You also need a high-quality WordPress membership theme and membership plugin.

If you want to sell subscriptions, paid content, or digital downloads, then a feature-rich membership plugin like MemberPress is a great option.

We use MemberPress to host our video membership site and we couldn’t be happier with it. Curious about our experience? Dive into our detailed MemberPress review for more insights.

To have your site up and running as fast as possible, check out our ultimate guide to creating a WordPress membership site.

If you’re considering alternatives, you can check out our expert picks of the best membership plugins for WordPress.

In the following sections, we’ll look at some of the best membership site examples that you can use as inspiration when building your own membership site.

We’ve grouped these examples into categories so you can easily find the type of site that fits your goals. In each section, you’ll see what makes the site work and get helpful guides to build something similar:

Educational Platforms
Online Marketing
Travel and Lifestyle
Food and Nutrition
Art and Crafts

That said, we recommend checking out all of them since each has something unique to offer.

Educational Platforms

Let’s start with membership website examples designed to make learning more accessible and engaging.

1. The Measured Mom

The Measured Mom helps parents and educators support early learning for children in PreK to Grade 3. It offers over 2,000 printable resources covering literacy and math activities. All are available for instant download, and users don’t even need to submit an email address.

The site also offers a premium membership through MemberPress. This gives access to professional development tools like Science of Reading roadmaps, recorded webinars, and 250 no-print digital resources.

Want to learn more about this plugin? Check out our detailed MemberPress review.

Members also enjoy perks like 50% savings on products, exclusive freebies, and access to The Literacy Circle Facebook group. There are group membership rates for schools and districts, too.

What We Liked About The Measured Mom:

Members-only tools, resources, discounts, and freebies
The exclusive Facebook group
Group membership rates for schools and districts

What to Learn From The Measured Mom:

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: While The Measured Mom doesn’t require an email address to download their files, we don’t necessarily recommend this.

You can ask people for their contact information in exchange for downloads to build an email list. This allows you to collect emails while still providing easy access to most of your content.

To learn more, see our guide on how to require an email address to download a file in WordPress

2. Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine is an educational website that offers online herbalism courses. They provide resources and training for those interested in plant-based medicine and sustainable practices, whether for personal use or as a profession.

Their membership program is managed through AccessAlly. It provides access to course materials, career resources, student certifications, and legal information for herbal businesses.

This membership website also has several video courses. Plus, the Student Herbal Business Directory highlights the experiences of current and former students.

We noticed that the site is very media-rich, with a photo slider as the hero image, video uploads, and an embedded Instagram feed. But it still loads quickly. This shows that it’s been optimized for speed and performance.

What We Liked About Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine:

Video courses are available to supplement learning
Student Herbal Business Directory showcases diverse ventures of current and former students, which is great social proof
Comprehensive resources in herbalism and sustainable practices
Fast site performance despite being media-rich

What to Learn From Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine:

3. Lifetime Investor

Lifetime Investor gives members access to exclusive content, such as premium articles, audio, courses, and eBooks, to help improve their trading skills. Powered by WishList Member and WordPress, this membership site focuses primarily on stocks.

Before launch, LifeTime Investor set up a waiting list to build excitement and notify people automatically once everything was ready.

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: Building a waiting list is a smart pre-launch strategy. For this, we recommend using a page builder like SeedProd to create a Coming Soon page with an email opt-in form.

When new members join, they’re directed to a quiz funnel that suggests courses and products based on their needs.

To keep things running smoothly, Lifetime Investor uses SamCart and AWeber to automate campaigns, track customer activity, and handle cancellations. By sending daily emails tailored to their audience’s preferences, they’ve managed to significantly cut cancellations.

What We Liked About Lifetime Investor:

The waiting list before the launch
Quiz for personalized course and product recommendations
Automated campaigns, with activity tracking and cancellation management

What to Learn From Lifetime Investor:

4. SkillCrush

Skillcrush focuses on helping people build tech skills for higher-paying, fulfilling jobs. The platform is meant especially for people marginalized by gender, race, and/or age.

The website offers paid online courses and educational programs via a membership academy. This academy provides access to various tech-related courses, including web development, design, coding, and digital marketing.

Members also receive career guidance, mentorship, and access to a supportive community to help them pursue their career goals in tech. Plus, the Tech Job Database page helps connect learners with job opportunities in the tech industry.

The site features testimonials from successful graduates, offering social proof that inspires and motivates others on their tech journey.

What We Liked About SkillCrush:

Members-only career guidance and mentorship
Private community
Tech Job Database for job opportunities
Inspiring testimonials from successful graduates

What to Learn From SkillCrush:

How to create a custom page in WordPress

How to add rotating testimonials in WordPress

5. BiteSize Bio

BiteSize Bio is an online hub for biology and research insights. It offers guidance on grant writing, communication, lab techniques, and work-life balance to support career growth.

Managed through MemberPress, BiteSize Bio is a free community offering researchers practical advice, educational resources, and professional development tools.

Members receive weekly updates that include step-by-step guides for lab techniques and tips for managing research. Plus, there are community events like webinars, workshops, and online conferences.

The platform also requires users to sign up to access downloadable materials, such as eBooks, webinars, and podcasts, which is a great way to grow an email list.

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: Requiring an email address for a download (also known as a lead magnet) is one of the most effective list-building strategies. We use OptinMonster to create these content gates on our sites.

It lets us deliver the file automatically after a user subscribes via a popup or inline form, which has been key to growing our email list.

What We Liked About BiteSize Bio:

Weekly updates with practical tips, step-by-step guides, and professional advice
Access to members-only events for skill development
Email sign-up requirement for downloadable materials

What to Learn From BiteSize Bio:

Online Marketing

Next, let’s check out some examples of membership websites in the online marketing space. They showcase how to connect with audiences and grow a brand.

6. Coffee and Contracts

Coffee & Contracts is a marketing platform tailored for real estate agents. It offers a comprehensive toolkit that includes Canva templates for social media and print marketing, copy, video scripts, training materials, and a referral network.

The platform uses MemberMouse to manage its membership site. It’s a popular membership plugin that lets you sell unlimited memberships and create exclusive content for subscribers.

Considering using this plugin? Then, you’ll want to see our extensive MemberMouse review.

With MemberMouse, Coffee and Contracts created 2 membership levels, automated billing and renewals, and content access management. Now, it has grown into a successful membership site, providing resources to real estate agents all over the world.

What We Loved About Coffee and Contracts:

Canva templates for quick, stylish creations
A comprehensive media kit for all your needs
Automated billing and renewals for smooth operations
A clean, simple design with a soft color palette

What to Learn From Coffee and Contracts:

7. Copyblogger

Copyblogger is a long-running WordPress blog that offers all kinds of valuable articles on content marketing. This includes improving writing skills, growing an online business, and much more.

For anyone on a tight budget, the Copyblogger Academy provides access to a wide range of courses and resources.

They also offer more personalized support through coaching. Anyone can get expert advice tailored to their needs, whether it’s personal branding, blogging, or SEO.

Another interesting thing we found on the Copyblogger site was this copy: “Enter your email and get it for $0 now before we turn into a paid product later this year.”

This is a great example of using FOMO to create urgency. Offering the product for free now and hinting that it will soon be a paid service encourages people to act quickly and sign up.

Copyblogger also uses MemberPress to offer its membership services.

What We Liked About Copyblogger:

Comprehensive content about marketing and business
Flexible plans for different audience groups
Clever use of the FOMO approach

What to Learn From Copyblogger:

8. Toolshero

Toolshero is a global online community dedicated to helping its users learn new skills. It offers valuable resources, such as articles, original research, and videos, to support professional development.

This WordPress website offers a premium membership plan that gives users access to professional articles, worksheets, templates, questionnaires, and an ad-free reading experience.

Managed through MemberPress, their membership program offers multiple tiers, with flexible subscription options for individuals and teams. Subscriptions are available monthly, annually, or weekly, and auto-renew until canceled.

What We Liked About Toolshero:

Ad-free reading experience
Flexible, multi-tier subscription options for individuals and teams
Easy subscription cancellation and auto-renewal feature

What to Learn From Toolshero:

Travel and Lifestyle

Now, let’s explore travel and lifestyle websites that inspire adventure and better living. From stunning visuals to creative layouts, these membership site examples offer some great ideas.

9. Nomadic Matt

Nomadic Matt is a very popular travel blog for people looking to travel longer while on a budget. The site provides valuable travel tips, resources, virtual events, and more.

Beyond free content, Nomadic Matt features a paid membership community that provides exclusive access to courses, guidebooks, discounts, giveaways, and more.

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: Offering members-only giveaways is a fantastic way to boost engagement. We do something similar for our own annual birthday celebration here at WPBeginner, and it’s always a huge hit.

We use RafflePress to manage our giveaways because it makes it so easy to run viral contests that grow our email list and social media channels.

These resources offer additional value for those who want to dive deeper into travel planning and maximize their travel experiences.

The site is powered by MemberPress, which helps manage its membership system effectively.

What We Liked About Nomadic Matt:

A wealth of free content offering valuable travel tips and resources
Paid membership community with access to premium guidebooks, members-only giveaways, and more
A well-organized, user-friendly site that makes travel planning easier

What to Learn From Nomadic Matt:

10. Book Riot

Book Riot is one of the biggest and most popular book blogs in the world. It offers book recommendations, reviews, news, and discussions on various genres, along with content about the literary world.

Powered by MemberPress, this site allows readers to join a membership program called Book Riot Insiders. This online book club offers access to exclusive podcasts, email newsletters, deals, giveaways, and more.

One clever strategy we noticed was Book Riot’s integrated online shop.

Unlike other online stores, this shop page doesn’t sell products. Instead, it features blog posts with affiliate links to books, accessories, and other reading- and writing-related products.

What We Liked About Book Riot:

Great membership perks, from exclusive podcasts to giveaways
Affiliate marketing to boost revenue
A sleek magazine-style design with a dark mode option

What to Learn From Book Riot:

11. Mark Manson

Mark Manson is a popular personal development blogger with millions of monthly readers. The blog’s popularity led to multiple New York Times and Amazon best-selling books.

Alongside the free blog content, Mark Manson offers a paid membership with deeper insights and valuable tools for personal growth. This includes premium articles, audio, courses, and eBooks, all organized for easy filtering by year.

Plus, the website’s copy is especially compelling.

For example, the newsletter sign-up form reads, “14,989 people have shared breakthroughs so far. Will the next one be you?” This serves as a key part of the sales funnel, motivating visitors to sign up and be part of the experience.

What We Liked About Mark Manson:

Extensive library of premium content, filterable by year
Strong and engaging website copy

What to Learn From Mark Manson:

12. Be More with Less

Be More with Less is a blog and online community dedicated to minimalism. The website provides valuable content like blog posts, podcasts, and courses, all designed to help people simplify their lives.

It also offers a membership program: Tiny Step Simplicity. It’s a twice-monthly email program that helps you take small, manageable steps to improve your life.

Instead of big changes, Be More with Less focuses on making lasting improvements that fit into your current lifestyle.

Other than that, it includes access to an exclusive online community, a resource library, virtual calls, and more. For non-members, it provides multiple ways to connect through various channels, including emails, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

What We Liked About Be More With Less:

Email membership program
Multiple ways to connect on social media

What to Learn From Be More With Less:

Food and Nutrition

Up next are examples of membership websites that focus on balance and well-being.

13. 40 Aprons

40 Aprons is a high-traffic food blog that offers a wide range of delicious and approachable recipes for home cooks of all skill levels. It focuses on flavorful dishes that are easy to prepare, catering to different dietary needs such as keto, vegan, and gluten-free.

Powered by WordPress and MemberPress, 40 Aprons has transformed from a food blog into a thriving membership business. The platform has built a dedicated community by offering a premium membership with exclusive content and an ad-free experience.

In addition to recipes, they provide exclusive resources like meal plans, grocery lists, and eBooks. They also have a members-only ‘Sustainable Clean Eating’ online course, which is a self-paced guide to adopting and maintaining healthy eating habits.

Readers can explore their recipes and resources on their website, and they also share content on Instagram and YouTube.

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: Tools like Smash Balloon let you embed your Instagram or YouTube feeds directly on your site. This creates a seamless connection between your content and social media profiles, making it easier for users to interact with you across platforms.

What We Loved About 40 Aprons:

An ad-free experience that keeps members focused on the content
A huge collection of exclusive recipes
Social media marketing to connect with the audience
Stunning design and visuals that instantly showcase what the site’s all about

What to Learn From 40 Aprons:

14. Dance Nutrition

Dance Nutrition focuses on giving dancers certified nutrition education that helps them build a better relationship with food and their bodies.

The founder switched from Thinkific to AccessAlly to get more control over her membership site, making it easier to add new features and create a smooth experience for her members.

The Healthy Dancer® program helps dancers fuel their bodies for better performance while developing a healthy relationship with food.

Members get step-by-step nutrition guidance, meal plans, recipes, weekly tips, coaching, and a supportive community to help them along the way.

What We Liked About Dance Nutrition:

Membership plans with helpful resources and a coaching program
A supportive and engaging community
A strong hero image that makes a great first impression

What to Learn From Dance Nutrition:

Art and Crafts

And finally, let’s dive into membership website examples that focus on art and crafts. Whether it’s for showcasing creativity or selling handmade items, these sites are sure to inspire.

15. Booooooom

Booooooom is one of the best online platforms for emerging artists to get discovered. Known for its supportive and inclusive community, it has played a key role in launching the careers of many artists across the globe.

The platform is committed to showcasing fresh, innovative art, from photography and illustration to design and multimedia works.

Through Booooooom’s MemberPress membership program, artists gain access to exclusive opportunities. They include applying for open calls, submitting their work to be featured on the platform, and enjoying discounts in the online store.

What We Liked About Booooooom:

Exposure opportunities for artists through open calls and submissions
Exclusive discounts in the online store
Distinctive and creative font choices

What to Learn From Booooooom:

16. Makers Gonna Learn

Makers Gonna Learn provides resources for crafting enthusiasts, especially those who use cutting machines like Cricut.

The site offers a range of tutorials, design files, and digital content for both beginners and advanced crafters. It focuses on helping users create unique handmade projects with step-by-step instructions and access to a library of downloadables.

Additionally, Makers Gonna Learn offers a membership program built on MemberMouse.

The program provides access to a vast library of cut files, fonts, and tutorials, with up to 1,000 new cut files and 20+ fonts released monthly. Members can find everything from simple quotes to intricate 3D projects.

The membership also includes a Cricut reference guide, monthly masterclasses, and access to a supportive Facebook community.

What We Liked About Makers Gonna Learn:

Extensive tutorials, design files, and digital content for all skill levels
A vast range of design files
Monthly masterclasses
A welcoming Facebook community for members

What to Learn From Makers Gonna Learn:

17. Graphic Change

Graphic Change specializes in visual communication training and offers online courses for individuals and organizations. They use AccessAlly to manage both individual and group training programs effectively.

Unlike mass online courses, Graphic Change provides personalized, hands-on learning with expert tutors. Students can learn at their own pace, from anywhere, with flexible lessons that fit their schedules.

For longer courses, there’s a supportive community forum where learners can connect and receive feedback. Plus, the Gallery page showcases students’ outcomes, giving a glimpse into their success.

What We Liked About Graphic Change:

Flexible, self-paced courses that fit into any schedule
Supportive community, fostering peer connection and feedback
The Gallery page, which serves as social proof
Hand-drawn hero image showcasing expertise

What to Learn From Graphic Change:

18. Bulletproof Musician

Bulletproof Musician helps musicians perform confidently under pressure. They offer free resources like articles and intro courses to improve mental strength and performance.

Using MemberPress, their membership program gives access to one-on-one and group coaching. Plus, it offers in-depth courses focused on managing performance anxiety and building resilience.

A key feature is the Mental Skills Audit, a quick 18-question quiz that identifies your strengths and areas for improvement. Participants receive a PDF of their results and gain access to a free 7-day email course.

Another standout feature is the Client Testimonials & Successes section, where musicians share how the program helped them land jobs with top orchestras and opera companies. It shows how well the program helps performers succeed.

What We Liked About Bulletproof Musician:

Comprehensive support with one-on-one coaching, group sessions, and in-depth courses
An insightful 18-question quiz to identify strengths and areas for improvement, with a PDF of results
Proven success, with musicians using the program to land top orchestral and opera positions

What to Learn From Bulletproof Musician:

Bonus Tip: Creating a Successful Membership Site

As you draw inspiration from the best membership site examples, here are some expert tips to ensure your site stands out and thrives:

Target Niche Communities: The more specific your audience, the better you can tailor your content to their needs, helping build stronger loyalty. Focus on creating content that speaks directly to their interests.
Offer Tiered Membership Plans: Consider offering multiple membership levels with unique perks. This not only appeals to a wider range of users but also helps maximize your site’s revenue potential.
Encourage Interaction with Engaging Content: Interactive content like quizzes, webinars, and discussion forums helps keep your members engaged. Creating a sense of community adds significant value to the membership experience.
Optimize for Mobile Devices: Ensure your site is mobile-friendly. Many users will access your content on smartphones or tablets, so a smooth mobile experience is essential.
Provide Continuous Value: Keep your members engaged by consistently adding fresh content, tools, or resources. The more value they see, the longer they’ll stay and continue paying for their membership.

When you apply these strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building a membership site that attracts and delights your audience.

For more information, check out our ultimate guide on how to create a membership site.

FAQs: Building a WordPress Membership Site

Still have questions about launching your own membership site? Here are some quick answers to help you move forward with confidence:

What makes a membership site successful?

A successful membership site consistently delivers value to its members. That might mean offering exclusive content, building an active community, or providing a smooth, user-friendly experience. The best sites, like the ones we’ve featured, also focus on a specific niche and regularly update their content to keep members engaged.

What is the best plugin for a membership site?

We recommend MemberPress as the best all-in-one membership plugin for WordPress. It’s beginner-friendly yet powerful, with features to create membership levels, restrict content, accept payments, and manage subscriptions. We even use it ourselves for the WPBeginner video membership area.

How much does it cost to start a membership site?

Costs vary, but here’s a basic breakdown:

Domain name: ~$15/year
Web hosting: starts around $7.95/month
Membership plugin: premium options like MemberPress start at $179/year

For a more detailed look, check out our guide on how much it costs to start a membership site.

Can I build a membership site for free?

Yes, it’s possible using free WordPress plugins. Just keep in mind that free versions often have limitations in features, payment integrations, and support. If you’re serious about growing your site, investing in a premium plugin like MemberPress provides the tools and flexibility you’ll need in the long term.

Next Steps to Build and Grow Your WordPress Membership Site

We hope this article helped you find some of the best membership site examples using WordPress. If you found this helpful, then you may also want to see our articles on:

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for WordPress video tutorials. You can also find us on Twitter and Facebook.

2 CommentsLeave a Reply

Jiří Vaněk

Aug 31, 2024 at 4:26 am

Since I’ve been using the PRO version of the MemberPress plugin for several months, I’ve started working on a membership site to expand my existing blog and community environment. Thank you for this list, as it includes many great websites that I can draw inspiration from. I’ll definitely go through them one by one to learn how professional membership sites operate.

Moinuddin Waheed

Dec 29, 2023 at 11:47 am

I have saved this article to explore further every single membership website mentioned here.
This will give me a road map for making my dream course website that I am currently working on.
Thanks for this list of websites where I will be getting inspiration for my website.

18 Best Membership Site Examples That You Should Check Out in 2025

What Do You Need to Build a WordPress Membership Website?

Educational Platforms

1. The Measured Mom

2. Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

3. Lifetime Investor

4. SkillCrush

5. BiteSize Bio

Online Marketing

6. Coffee and Contracts

7. Copyblogger

8. Toolshero

Travel and Lifestyle

9. Nomadic Matt

10. Book Riot

11. Mark Manson

12. Be More with Less

Food and Nutrition

13. 40 Aprons

14. Dance Nutrition

Art and Crafts

15. Booooooom

16. Makers Gonna Learn

17. Graphic Change

18. Bulletproof Musician

Bonus Tip: Creating a Successful Membership Site

FAQs: Building a WordPress Membership Site

Next Steps to Build and Grow Your WordPress Membership Site

About the Editorial Staff

2 CommentsLeave a Reply

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About WPBeginner®

What Do You Need to Build a WordPress Membership Website?

Educational Platforms

1. The Measured Mom

2. Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine

3. Lifetime Investor

4. SkillCrush

5. BiteSize Bio

Online Marketing

6. Coffee and Contracts

7. Copyblogger

8. Toolshero

Travel and Lifestyle

9. Nomadic Matt

10. Book Riot

11. Mark Manson

12. Be More with Less

Food and Nutrition

13. 40 Aprons

14. Dance Nutrition

Art and Crafts

15. Booooooom

16. Makers Gonna Learn

17. Graphic Change

18. Bulletproof Musician

Bonus Tip: Creating a Successful Membership Site

FAQs: Building a WordPress Membership Site

Next Steps to Build and Grow Your WordPress Membership Site

About the Editorial Staff

Reader Interactions

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