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Desired Features For Membership Software

By Bob J. Sorin


Not many new entrepreneurs starting an online business understand the benefits of using membership software or its implementation process. It's far easier to sign up with an online mega-store, add a few products and copy-paste the widget code on to the website template. But webmasters who do this will miss out on the possibilities that become available with a member area, which is one of the most powerful monetization tools for websites.

One of the best things about this implementing this tool is that sellers can receive payments directly and instantly to their own bank account without having to pay a percentage of it to the megastore. It also means the seller avoids paying the yearly fees charged by many such virtual store providers. The list of additional benefits includes being able to offer customers multiple payment options, use of a powerful control panel for member management, and integration of affiliate programs, email lists, newsletters, etc.

One of the main benefits or desired features in membership software is the ability to add an unlimited number of items and subscription levels. Members can choose which level to subscribe to, since each one may offer different types of content or a differing amount of content than other levels. Some levels may even offer incremental content, where subscribers can be billed on a daily or weekly basis.

The ability to offer a wide range of payment options to customers is also another big advantage. Using an online store from a third-party provider limits these options to a couple of payment gateways and credit cards. Installing software allows sellers to integrate any and all payment processing options, including mobile phone payments and COD if the product has to be delivered to the customer's address.

It makes things a lot easier if the content delivery mechanism (as in CMS) and other scripts used to attract and track visitors can be integrated with the member areas. For instance, if an affiliate program and CMS are integrated with the member log-in system, referred visitors seeking a specific product can be sent to their own special landing page. A free preview is available on this page, and members can log in to the member area to see the full product, while visitors can sign up to become new members and gain access to the content.

For webmasters, the administration is much easier and more powerful. The control panel can be securely accessed online using a web browser. Administrators just have to log in a couple of time a day using an admin password and manage users. This may include deleting users, changing passwords, sending newsletters and notifications, going through daily reports, and so on.

It may also be possible to install the administrative control panel on a local computer. The rest of the member-area functionality for customers is handled through scripts installed on the web server. The control panel script is linked to the server via an FTP connection, so that the admin can issue commands remotely as required from the local computer and upload/download data.

In addition to all the benefits described above, the right choice of membership software will also make the website and its owner seem like a more professional outfit. Of course, all this ultimately depends on the availability of exclusive and original content which users find useful or interesting enough to renew their memberships. Once the site is capable of this, it becomes a self-sustaining growth engine as old members renew and new ones add to the revenue.




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