So, you’ve got your LearnDash courses all set up and ready to roll. But now you’re thinking, “Hey, wouldn’t it be cool to turn these courses into a membership site?” Well, you’re in luck.
LearnDash stands out as one of the best Learning Management System plugins for WordPress, allowing educators to create and manage online courses effortlessly. However, for content creators and eLearning professionals looking to offer a more comprehensive learning experience, integrating membership plugins is paramount.
In this article, we will take a look at the reasons why you might consider using a membership plugin with LearnDash and look at some of the top options for doing so.
Why Do You Need A Membership Plugin For Your LearnDash Site?
A significant chunk of LearnDash users are relying on membership plugins to manage access to their LearnDash Courses. The question is, why?
For people whose main business focus is selling e-learning content and courses, using an LMS like LearnDash, with quiz creation, certificate awarding, and reporting features is a lot more convenient than using a membership or content restriction solution. However, that doesn’t mean that LearnDash alone will cut it for everyone, especially for those who have an offer that extends well beyond simple courses.
Truth be told, LearnDash’s built-in “membership” capabilities are very limited, meaning that those looking to monetize on added value on top of their courses, such as forums, private communities, members-only pages or articles, exclusive webinars, and events, private coaching and more, will be better suited by using a membership plugin along with their LMS.
Membership websites are generally the best solution for limiting access to different parts of the website and a wide variety of content types. Exclusive content and pages can only be accessed after purchasing a membership plan and you can give different levels of access according to the purchased plan.
With a dual approach, users purchase a membership which then mediates course access. This has all the benefits of using a third-party e-commerce system, with more extensive features than those built-in with LearnDash and more content restriction features. Additionally, memberships allow you to make tweaks to your offerings over time, as you can continuously change the rules regarding what courses and content will be included in each membership level, without having to change your actual courses.
But, if you need a membership plugin why use an LearnDash too?
Some users might find it convenient to simply present video lessons as gated content, however, this option will work for very simple courses only. Any course creator requiring extensive evaluations and advanced quizzing to evaluate students will immediately require an LMS.
This is also the case for those who want to include assignments, award certificates when certain requirements are completed, or track and report grades. The more complex the learning experience, the greater the dependence on an LMS.
Key Features to Look for in a Membership Plugin
Accessibility and Ease of Use
You want a membership plugin that’s as easy as pie for both you, the admin, and your members. Look for something intuitive, where you can manage memberships and content without pulling your hair out. For your members, it should be easy to sign up, log in, and access their content without needing tech support.
Integration Capabilities
If you’re using LearnDash for your online courses, you need a membership plugin that plays nice with it. Integration is key here. You want seamless compatibility so that your courses and memberships work together. Plus, it’s handy if the plugin can also mesh well with other essential tools and plugins you might be using, like email marketing or payment gateways.
Subscription Management
You want a plugin that lets you create different tiers of memberships, each with its own perks and pricing. Whether it’s a basic, premium, or VIP level, you should be able to customize it to fit your business model. And don’t forget about subscription management – being able to handle upgrades, downgrades, trials, and cancellations smoothly is a must.
Content Protection
Your course content needs to be under lock and key, accessible only to paying members. That means robust content protection features to keep freeloaders at bay. And if you’re planning to release content gradually over time (aka drip-feed), make sure your plugin can handle it without breaking a sweat.
Analytics
Knowledge is power, right? You’ll want insights into how your memberships are performing – who’s signing up, who’s sticking around, and who’s jumping ship. A solid reporting and analytics tool gives you the lowdown on your membership metrics, so you can make informed decisions to grow your business.
Community Features
A thriving community is the heart and soul of a membership site. Look for features like discussion forums, member profiles, private messaging, member directories, groups and sub-communities, events and meetups, and gamification. These features foster interaction, engagement, and a sense of belonging among your members, making your community a vibrant hub of activity.
Best Membership Plugins For LearnDash
Paid Memberships Pro
With the Paid Memberships Pro LearnDash integration, you can create different membership levels and associate each one with one or several LearnDash courses and restrict access to specific pages, posts, categories, or custom post types at the same time.
It allows you to create multiple membership levels with different access levels and pricing structures. This flexibility enables you to cater to various audience segments and monetization strategies. You can use it to set up recurring subscription plans, facilitating automated billing and renewals.
Additionally, PMPro provides customizable email templates for various membership-related notifications, such as welcome emails, renewal reminders, and account notifications. This helps you maintain communication with your members and enhance the overall user experience.
For Online Learning sites, it’s community building features like member forums and restricted discussion boards are a great plus.
However, you should keep in mind that PMPro allows students to have only one active membership at a time, so if a user buys one membership and later purchases a different one, the first will be annulled.
Restrict Content Pro
Restrict Content Pro is another WordPress plugin designed to help website owners easily create and manage membership-based content restrictions.
It also offers an integration with LearnDash, allowing you to create membership levels and associate them with LearnDash courses.
Like with PMPro, it allows you to create multiple membership levels and subscription plans, restrict various content types, and set different access restrictions and pricing options.
MemberPress
MemberPress is a WordPress plugin designed to help website owners create and manage membership sites with ease. It provides a range of features to control access to content, accept payments, and engage with members.
MemberPress stands out with its advanced rules engine and conditional access control features. It allows you to create complex membership rules based on a variety of criteria, including user roles, membership levels, and even user behavior. In integration with LearnDash it allows you to combine membership functionality with course content, providing a seamless experience for users who are both members and learners. You can restrict access to courses and educational content based on membership levels, manage subscriptions for course access, and offer discounts or promotions to member
Best Practices for Integrating a Membership Plugin with LearnDash
Choose the Right Plugin
First things first, you need to pick the perfect membership plugin for your LearnDash setup. There are tons out there, each with its own set of features and quirks. Take some time to research and find one that aligns with your needs and budget. Whether it’s Paid Memberships Pro, MemberPress, or something else entirely, make sure it not only plays well with LearnDash but also has the specific features you’re looking for.
Plan Your Membership Levels
Before you dive headfirst into integration, take a step back and think about your membership structure. What kind of content will each membership level get access to? Are there different pricing tiers or subscription plans you want to offer? Mapping out your membership levels and access permissions beforehand will save you a ton of headaches down the road.
Sync Up Your Content
Once you’ve got your memberships all sorted out, it’s time to sync up your LearnDash courses with your membership levels. Most membership plugins have built-in features or add-ons that allow you to do this seamlessly. Whether it’s auto-enrolling members into courses or restricting access based on membership level, make sure everything is synced up and working smoothly.
Offer Value-Added Benefits
Make your membership site irresistible by offering value-added benefits beyond access to courses. Consider including perks such as exclusive content, member-only webinars, discounts on additional courses or products, and access to a supportive community of like-minded learners. These extras can help differentiate your membership offering and increase its perceived value.
Conclusion
Selecting the right membership plugin is crucial for those looking to add membership features to their courses and enhance the functionality of the LearnDash platform. By choosing a plugin that seamlessly integrates with LearnDash and aligns with your specific needs and goals, you can create a more robust and engaging learning experience for your members. Whether it’s streamlining the signup process, providing value-added benefits, or offering more options to your users, the right plugin can make all the difference in the success of your membership site.
We encourage you to explore and test different options to find the perfect fit for your online course platform (or get our LearnDash experts to select the best plugin stack for you). Take the time to evaluate each plugin’s features, customization options, and user experience to ensure it meets your requirements and resonates with your audience. By investing in the right membership plugin, you can elevate your LearnDash platform to new heights and create a thriving community of engaged learners.
