A membership website is a specific format that allows you as the owner to add exclusive goods onto a protected gate of your website. These “goods” - whether they come in the form of educational content, online services, downloadable products, physical products or forums - are guarded for special audiences (a.k.a. members).

While there are a variety of membership site models to choose from, the common goal is to turn audiences into customers by getting them to pay a membership fee (one-time, monthly or yearly). In exchange, your members will gain special access to the valuable material you have to offer. These offerings live on a password protected page of your site, kind of like a virtual VIP lounge for your members.

A membership site is also important for community building on both business and nonprofit sites, like on a school website for example.