Membership website allows users to access exclusive deals, services, or content based on the membership model.
If you want to get recurring revenue from your website, implementing a membership model is the best option.
And yes, creating a membership website will cost you and the actual cost will depend on several factors.
In this blog post, we will share the details including what impacts the cost of creating a membership model website.
Facts that impact the cost of a membership website
There are several things that are required to create a membership website. Here are the things that impact the final cost of building one.
Platform to create the website
Before you start creating the website, you need to select a platform where you will create the website. There are two ways you can go—custom code and CMS (Content Management System)
The affordable option is using a ready content management system and the best one is WordPress.
WordPress powers almost 43% of the web because of its ease of use and open source model.
If you choose WordPress, you need to spend zero at this point.
However, if you consider other platforms:
Custom Coded Website can cost you from $10,000 – $50,000
Built using PHP, Node.js, or Python, requiring a developer.
Website Builders (e.g., Wix, Squarespace) can cost you $200 – $3,000.
But there will be Limited flexibility but budget-friendly.
Domain and hosting
Any website you create regardless of the platform, you need to buy a domain which will be your brands’ or business’s identity. Typically a domain costs from $10 to $50. But the cost will increase if you choose the domain from the premium range.
Next comes the cost for hosting. Like domains, hosting cost also varies.
If you are expecting moderate traffic and have less items to host in the server, shared hosting is enough. A shared hosting package can cost you from $5 – $30/month.
If you are considering managed WordPress hosting, it will cost from $20 – $100/month. Managed WordPress hosting is recommended for a large amount of traffic and if your membership website is already popular.
If you want to have a flawless experience for hosting, the best way to go is a dedicated hosting plan. It means you won’t share the storage with anyone else. You will have full control over the storage and other stuff. Dedicated/VPS hosting can cost from $100 – $500/month depending on the hosting provider.
Basic design of the website
After buying the domain and hosting, you need to get the basic design of your website done. The good thing is, if you have chosen WordPress CMS, you can do the basic design thing yourself.
Some basic tutorials would be enough for you to learn how to control the design structure of the website.
If you hire a freelancer from a marketplace, it could cost you from $100 to $300 for the basic WordPress website design.
Membership management software
Now comes the core part—membership management software. There are options like Kajabi ($149/month), Teachable ($39/month), Thinkific ($99/month) to integrate membership model for your bi
At this point, as you have chosen WordPress, it won’t cost you much. You just need to choose the best membership plugin for WordPress.
And guess what? With the MemberHub pro plugin, you can start just at $49. It is much cheaper than similar plugins available in the market. Also, it comes with features for both WordPress and WooCommerce.
Payment Processing Fees
When running a membership website, you will need a payment gateway to process transactions. The fees typically depend on the provider-
Stripe/PayPal Fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
Subscription Management Services (e.g., Recurly, Chargebee): $99 – $499/month (for handling recurring payments, invoicing, and tax compliance)
Custom Features and Integrations
If you need advanced functionality beyond what standard membership plugins offer, you might have to invest in custom development:
Login & Authentication: $500 – $3,000 (for custom login and user verification systems)
User Dashboard & Profile Management: $1,000 – $5,000 (for personalized member dashboards and profile customization)
Content Restriction & Paywall: $1,000 – $5,000 (to control access to premium content)
Community Features (Forums, Chat, Social Groups): $2,000 – $10,000 (to enhance user engagement)
LMS (Learning Management System) Integration: $3,000 – $20,000 (for e-learning platforms with course management features)
Additional Costs
Besides the core development and setup costs, there are ongoing expenses that ensure smooth operations:
Premium WordPress Theme (Not mandatory): $50 – $200 (for a professional design and better customization options)
SSL Certificate: $50 – $300/year (to secure transactions and protect user data)
Ongoing Maintenance & Updates: $500 – $5,000/year (to keep the website secure and updated). However, if you have chosen the MemberHub membership plugin, it won’t cost you much for the maintenance.
Customer Support & CRM: $500 – $5,000/year (to manage customer relationships and support tickets). Cheaper options are also available but with limited features.
Marketing & SEO: $1,000 – $10,000/year (for search engine optimization, paid ads, and content marketing)
Final Thoughts
The cost of building a membership website varies significantly based on your requirements. If you opt for WordPress with a membership plugin, you can keep costs relatively low. However, if you need a custom-built solution with advanced features, expect to spend more.
To determine the right budget, assess your goals, audience size, and required features. Whether you choose an affordable CMS or a high-end custom build, ensure your investment aligns with your long-term business strategy.
