Membership websites are changing the way people share knowledge, build communities, and grow a steady stream of income.
If you're offering training programs, digital downloads, or a private space for members to connect, creating a membership website gives you a structured way to deliver what your audience needs.
In this article, we’ll look at membership website examples and how different businesses use this model. We'll also discover the best membership site platform that can help you build something similar without overcomplicating the process.
If you're planning to launch or grow your site, these examples will help you connect with people who are genuinely interested in the content and community you have to offer.
How Membership Websites Work
A membership website is where users pay to get access to content or features that aren’t available to the public. You can charge a one-time fee, a monthly subscription, or offer free trials that later turn into paid plans.
Here’s how the setup flows, from a visitor landing on your site to them becoming a paying member and sticking around.
Sign-Up Page
The sign-up page is where visitors decide if they want to become members. It's where you explain what your membership includes, how it benefits the user, and what makes it worth paying for.
For example, if you run a coaching business, your sign-up page might highlight access to training materials, live calls, and tools. If you manage an online course platform, you might show how your content helps users reach a specific result.
Many membership site builders include templates to make this process easier, so you can focus on writing the right message instead of learning how to design a page.
Payment and Access Setup
Once a user signs up, your system needs to handle payments and restrict access based on the plan they chose. You can connect your website to a payment processor like Stripe or PayPal and make sure only paid members can view premium content.
Most modern membership platforms include built-in access controls that let you decide which content belongs to which tier. They handle the sign-in process automatically once someone becomes a member.
If you’re offering different levels, such as monthly vs. yearly plans, or basic vs. premium access, your setup should manage those differences.
The simpler your access system is, the better your member experience will be, especially if you’re using a WordPress membership plugin that offers native tier controls.
Member Dashboard
After logging in, members are usually taken to a dashboard. This is the control center where they’ll find the content they paid for.
The dashboard should be easy to understand and designed to help users take action. It should answer key questions quickly: What’s available to me? Where do I start? What’s new since my last visit?
A well-organized dashboard improves the overall experience by helping members find their lessons, tools, downloads, or community links without effort.
It’s worth putting time into setting this up right from the beginning if you’re building on a WordPress site and need intuitive layout control.
Content Delivery
Not all membership websites give users full access right away. You may choose to release content over time, a method called “drip content.”
You might unlock one module per week, post a new download each month, or give limited-time access to certain areas.
Drip delivery can help maintain engagement by giving members a reason to come back regularly, and it also works well for structured programs that build on previous lessons.
Using only pages for restricted modules and release schedules helps simplify content control without overwhelming your backend.
Onboarding and Email
After someone signs up, it’s important to welcome them and guide them through how to use your membership site. This onboarding process is your chance to build trust and reduce cancellations.
You can use a short series of automated emails to explain what to expect, how to use the dashboard, and where to start.
Your onboarding emails might include a login link, a list of key features, tips to get started, or reminders to join the community. These messages help new members feel supported and show that your site is organized and well run.
You can also send follow-up messages to re-engage members who purchase individual courses but haven’t yet completed them.
Keeping Members Engaged
The final piece of running a successful membership website is keeping members active over time.
Even with good content and clear onboarding, people will only stay subscribed if they keep seeing value. That means updating your material regularly, sending useful announcements, and creating a sense of connection.
Depending on your business, this could involve adding new lessons, hosting monthly Q&A calls, running surveys, or starting conversations in your private group.
You don’t need to offer every feature at once, but you do need to make your members feel like your site is worth their time and payment. The goal is to create a space where members want to return, interact, and grow.
10 Best Membership Site Examples to Inspire You
Below, we explore ten standout membership website platforms, each with a unique value proposition and approach.
1. MasterClass
MasterClass is an online learning membership known for its celebrity-led courses. It operates on an annual subscription model that grants members unlimited access to 200+ classes.
World-renowned experts and celebrities across fields like cooking, filmmaking, sports, writing, and more teach it.
MasterClass markets itself as “the streaming platform where you can learn from the world’s best”, where users can “learn from the best to be your best” via bite-sized video lessons. This celebrity-driven approach scales personalized learning to a mass audience.
Members benefit from the instructors’ insider knowledge and experience, which might otherwise be inaccessible. Despite the star instructors, the content is designed for all skill levels, and many courses come with workbooks and community discussions.
The annual all-access membership encourages users to explore a wide range of topics under one plan. This makes MasterClass a versatile example of how high-profile content can drive a successful membership model.
2. Yoga with Adriene
Yoga with Adriene has built a global community through a blend of free content and an optional membership that supports her mission. Adriene Mishler offers hundreds of free, high-quality yoga videos on YouTube, which makes yoga accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.
A unique donation-based model sustains this free content. Devoted fans can choose to support the platform by joining the “Find What Feels Good” (FWFG) membership, which functions as a premium content library and a way to give back.
The FWFG membership grants access to an exclusive video library of 1000+ yoga and meditation videos, weekly or monthly practice calendars, and a private community space.
This community-focused model shows how a membership can succeed even when core content is free by offering deeper engagement and thanking supporters with bonus content. Yoga with Adriene demonstrates that people will willingly pay to support content that resonates with them.
3. Mark Manson
Bestselling author Mark Manson has transformed his personal development blog into a thriving membership platform that provides extra value to his readers.
As a writer known for “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck”*, Mark used his large audience to create a membership program on his website.
Members gain access to exclusive content that goes beyond his free blog posts, including exclusive articles, essays, videos, e-books, and online courses on personal growth. This premium library caters to the devoted followers who want to dive deeper into Mark’s life advice and philosophies.
Mark’s science-based life advice had already built a loyal community via his free newsletters and articles. The membership adds value for fans by giving them a more intimate and extensive experience of his work, essentially a VIP pass to Mark’s content.
4. Copyhackers
Copyhackers is a membership-based education platform that has become known as the go-to resource for copywriters and content writers seeking advanced skills.
Founded by Joanna Wiebe, Copyhackers offers a comprehensive online program called “Copy School”. This is a master level, full-spectrum training curriculum for writers, packed with techniques and proprietary methodologies to write high-converting copy.
Members of Copy School get lifetime access to 100+ hours of video lessons, templates, live workshops, and certifications that cover copywriting fundamentals to sophisticated conversion strategies.
Unlike generalized writing courses, Copyhackers is focused on conversion and persuasive writing, offering data-driven techniques and real-world examples that have been proven in business settings.
The membership is not cheap, but it’s framed as an investment in one’s career. Many members report increasing their freelance rates or landing better jobs after completing the program.
Another key aspect is the community and live support. Members can join Q&A sessions, get feedback, and network with other professional writers.
This combination of expert-led instruction by Joanna herself, with 20+ years of experience, and a supportive professional community sets Copyhackers apart.
5. Girls Gone Strong
Girls Gone Strong is a membership-based platform and movement that delivers women-centric health and fitness content. Its mission is to empower women through physical and mental strength with a philosophy of finding “your own version of strength and confidence from the inside out.”
GGS began as a community and information hub and has developed into a multifaceted platform offering evidence-based workout programs, nutrition coaching, and certification courses for trainers.
The platform’s content is tailored for women’s needs, including prenatal/postpartum fitness, nutrition, and mindset coaching. Girls Gone Strong runs a global community and proudly shares that it has students and certified coaches in over 125 countries worldwide.
Members can join coaching programs like 1-on-1 online coaching or enroll in the GGS Academy certifications, gaining access to exclusive curriculum and a supportive network of professionals.
Also, GGS stands out for its authoritative content as its resources and courses are developed by an advisory board of doctors, physiologists, and trainers. It builds trust with members seeking reliable guidance.
6. Sew It Academy
Sew It Academy is an online membership site founded in 2016 by DIY sewing expert Mimi G. The academy’s goal is to create an online sewing school “designed to be accessible and affordable for anyone interested in learning to sew and design.”
For a low monthly fee, members gain immediate access to a structured curriculum of 90+ step-by-step video courses. It covers everything from the basics of how to use a sewing machine to advanced pattern making, draping, and menswear sewing.
The program is self-paced, so hobbyists and aspiring fashion designers alike can follow a clear path. Mimi G’s charismatic teaching and the platform’s community features give members the feeling of being in a supportive class. Students share photos of completed projects and encourage each other.
7. Brit + Co
Brit + Co is a lifestyle and media company that has embraced membership through its online classes platform by offering creative skills training in a fun, DIY spirit.
Aimed primarily at women and young adults, Brit + Co’s membership program gives unlimited all-access to 120+ online classes on a wide variety of creative topics. This includes calligraphy, crafting, and watercolor painting, as well as coding basics, baking, and entrepreneurship.
Brit + Co positioned this as an affordable subscription. Members can access the entire library for just $10 per month with free trial options. This low price and wide range of content lowers the hurdle for people to try new hobbies.
As of 2023, they continue to offer bundles like a B+C Baking and Cooking bundle and promise more member-exclusive content in the future. Influencers or experts often host the courses in an approachable style.
8. Milestone Strength
Milestone Strength is a results-driven fitness membership that focuses on personalization and sustainable habit-building.
When you join Milestone Strength, you aren’t just getting generic workout videos, as you also receive a customized training plan and meal plan tailored to your goals and lifestyle.
This program was founded by fitness coaches Layne and Nathan and emphasizes being backed by science for real results. Members access everything through a dedicated app or members’ portal, where they can view their workouts, nutrition guidelines, and track their progress.
Milestone Strength also provides an “exclusive community group” for its members and a library of mental wellness videos that recognize mindset as a key part of fitness.
Many fitness memberships offer basic routines. However, Milestone Strength differentiates itself by treating each member like a personal coaching client. It adjusts plans for injuries or dietary needs and updates the plan monthly based on progress.
9. Peak Freelance
Peak Freelance is a membership community built for freelance writers in the content marketing and copywriting space who want to level up their careers.
Founded in 2020 by experienced freelancers Elise Dopson and Michael Keenan, Peak Freelance’s mission is to help writers reach the “peak” of their freelance business with consistent, high-paying work and professional growth.
The community offers free and paid tiers, but the premium membership unlocks a treasure trove of resources, with industry experts, templates, a library of guides and courses, and a private Slack group for networking.
Freelancing can be isolating, so having a group of like-minded professionals to bounce questions off is valuable. The founders also regularly contribute by doing Q&As, and successful freelancers in the group share their strategies, creating a rich knowledge exchange.
The membership is structured to be immediately helpful. Upon joining, writers can download proposal templates, watch a workshop on improving their LinkedIn presence, and start applying tips to increase their rates.
10. BizChix
BizChix is a membership-based business coaching platform and community tailored for female entrepreneurs. Led by founder Natalie Eckdahl, BizChix became successful from a popular podcast into a comprehensive support system for women growing their businesses.
Its primary offering is a multi-tiered membership program that provides weekly and bi-weekly group coaching calls. It also includes an archive of training content and access to a private community of like-minded women business owners.
BizChix’s unique value comes from blending coaching, accountability, and community in a structured way specifically for women.
Members benefit from Natalie’s expertise (MBA and years of coaching experience) and her team’s guidance. But equally important, they benefit from each other as a network of savvy businesswomen facing similar challenges.
The programs emphasize not just strategy and finances, but also mindset and personal development. It acknowledges that running a business as a woman often involves juggling family and confidence barriers.
What Makes These Membership Websites Work?
If you’re building or growing a membership for your own business, understanding these key traits can help you build something that attracts members and keeps them long-term.
Here are four reasons these platforms succeed and what you can apply to your own membership website.
Consistent Value Delivery
Apart from posting content on a schedule, you also need to give your premium members something they can use or learn from on a regular basis. Doing so in a way that builds trust.
For example, MasterClass keeps subscribers engaged by continuously adding new celebrity-led classes across a variety of topics. Each class meets the same standard of production and depth, so the experience feels consistent.
In a different way, platforms like Sew It Academy offer a structure with monthly or annual subscription course additions, which build a path from beginner to advanced learning.
If you’re offering a membership platform for your audience, you need to think about what “value” looks like to them. Is it information they can act on? Is it tools they need for work or personal growth?
Whatever it is, make sure your members are reminded of those membership benefits every time they log in or open an email from you.
Niche Targeting and Audience Understanding
Trying to serve everyone often leads to serving no one well. The membership sites that stand out are focused. They know who they’re for, what problems they’re solving, and how to speak to that audience.
Remember, you don’t need to reach everyone. You just need to go deep with the group you serve best.
Girls Gone Strong is a great example. Everything they offer is designed for women who want evidence-based fitness guidance. Their content is structured with that audience in mind, and it avoids the generic approach that other fitness sites often take.
Another strong example is Peak Freelance, which serves a very specific niche: freelance content writers looking to build better careers. Their tools, educational resources, and job leads are built around the day-to-day challenges those writers face.
If your membership plans are too broad, your message becomes weaker. But if you focus tightly on one group and design content for their needs, your platform becomes a trusted source.
Seamless UX and Gated Content Strategy
A great membership website not only delivers the right content but also makes it easy for your members to find and use that content.
The experience should feel smooth, well-organized, and built with the user in mind. If your community platform is hard to navigate or feels cluttered, members won’t stay long. They need to be able to log in, find what they’re looking for, and start using it without hesitation.
One of the strongest examples of this is Sew It Academy. Members are guided through a course path from the start, with lessons grouped by difficulty level and subject. The structure makes it easy for users to see their progress and stay motivated.
On the other hand, MasterClass uses a sleek, Netflix-style layout that invites users to explore topics across different industries. This kind of layout works well for content-rich membership site platforms because it encourages discovery while maintaining ease of use.
For your membership, think about how your content is grouped, how it’s accessed, and what the login experience feels like. The layout and delivery should support the flow of learning or engagement without making them stop and ask questions.
Strong Community or Expert Presence
One of the biggest reasons people stay in paid memberships is not just for the content, but for the connection it offers. A strong sense of online community or access to expert support can add value that goes far beyond a library of videos or downloads.
This is clear in membership organizations like BizChix and Peak Freelance. BizChix offers structured coaching programs for women entrepreneurs, but the real strength is the network of community members. It becomes a space for accountability, feedback, and shared experience.
Peak Freelance combines career tools with a private Slack group where freelance writers sell courses and share advice, leads, and ideas. Even a simple community website forum can make a major difference when members feel supported and heard.
If you’re building your own membership site, think about how you can create space for interaction. Whether it's virtual events, office hours, or moderated discussions, adding this layer of connection gives your members a reason to keep showing up.
How to Choose the Right Membership Website Model
If you're running a business, the goal is to create a system that delivers consistent results and builds long-term relationships with premium members. Below are the three key factors to help you choose the proper setup.
Content-Based vs. Community-Based vs. Product-Based
When building a membership website, your first decision is what kind of value your members will receive.
Content-based membership
Content-based membership focuses on access to digital resources. This could be videos, lessons, templates, eBooks, or training modules. These types of memberships are often used for online businesses or professional development.
Examples include platforms like MasterClass or Copyhackers, where members join to access high-quality, structured content at their own pace.
Community-based membership
Community-based membership centers around peer support and shared goals. Instead of focusing on what content is available, the value comes from being part of a group.
Think about Peak Freelance or BizChix, where members benefit from discussion, advice, and group coaching. This model works well if your audience needs guidance, connection, or networking opportunities.
Product-based membership
Product-based membership is tied to access to physical or digital products. This model includes memberships that offer exclusive access, early product availability, or monthly product boxes.
A creative example is Brit + Co, which has combined digital content with occasional themed kits. If you already sell products, adding a membership plugin layer can increase loyalty while giving customers a reason to keep coming back.
One-Time Fee vs. Recurring Subscription
Another decision you’ll need to make is how you want to price access to your membership.
A one-time fee can help you attract members faster, especially if you’re offering a course or digital product that doesn’t need updates.
It’s simple, and buyers understand what they’re getting. However, this model limits your long-term revenue unless you constantly launch new products or updates.
In contrast, a recurring subscription can create a steady revenue stream, which gives you room to grow and plan. It works well if you’re adding new content often or offering something ongoing, like coaching calls, regular updates, or new tools.
Platforms like Girls Gone Strong and Mark Manson offer content and experiences that evolve, which justifies their membership features and monthly or yearly payments.
If you choose this model, be prepared to deliver continued value. People won’t keep paying to stay in unless what they receive continues to be worth it.
B2B vs. B2C Membership Examples
A business-to-consumer (B2C) membership targets individuals looking for personal growth, learning, or entertainment.
Examples include Sew It Academy, where hobbyists and aspiring designers pay for structured sewing lessons. Also, Yoga with Adriene’s FWFG online platform supports individuals looking for guided yoga and mindfulness practice.
A business-to-business (B2B) membership focuses on helping professionals, teams, or companies. These memberships usually involve more structured training, certifications, or strategic tools.
Copyhackers and BizChix cater to professionals who are looking to build skills and grow their businesses.
B2B memberships often justify higher pricing because the value leads to financial return, such as better clients, higher income, or improved business performance.
Knowing who you're serving helps you decide how to structure the content, what kind of support to offer, and how to speak to your members' goals.
B2B buyers are often results-driven and want measurable outcomes. B2C members may be more focused on transformation, enjoyment, or personal growth. Both markets are valuable if you need to speak their language and solve their problems.
Common Features Found in Successful Membership Websites
If you want your own site to provide a unique experience, you need more than just content. Outstanding membership websites use a combination of tools and structure that serve you and your members well.
Here are the most common features you’ll want to include and why each one matters.
Members-Only Content
Every membership website is protected content that only paying members can access. This could include videos, articles, downloads, live event recordings, or templates.
Restricting access creates a sense of exclusivity and defines the value of joining. You should be able to tag content and assign it to multiple membership tiers or plans.
To make this work well, your platform should have the ability to tag or group content and assign access based on membership levels. For example, if someone signs up for a premium plan, they should be able to see bonus lessons or advanced materials.
CustomerHub makes it easy to manage your content without the tech headaches. You can organize everything by tags or categories, assign content to specific membership levels, and schedule when it becomes available.
Payment Gateways and Subscription Management
Smooth payment workflows are essential. Your platform needs to support the automatic generation of receipts and the purchase of individual courses, renewals, and cancellations.
A smooth checkout process helps you reduce drop-offs during sign-up, while clear account settings make it easier for members to manage their plan.
Your platform should support popular payment processors like Stripe and PayPal and handle recurring revenue billing without manual work. Members should be able to update their payment method, switch plans, or cancel without having to email support.
CustomerHub makes subscription management simple by integrating with Keap, PayPal, and Stripe to give you direct access to built-in payment tools and automation features. You can create different pricing tiers, track who’s active or canceled, and send automated reminders before renewals or failed payments.
Members can also manage their billing preferences from within their account, which improves their experience and helps you focus less on admin and more on delivering value.
Discussion Forums and Communities
One of the biggest reasons members stay is because they feel connected. That’s why many successful membership site creators include a space where members can interact.
This might be a forum, a private chat group, or even a built-in community area inside your platform. Students share questions, wins, and ideas, and they get to see that other members are going through the same process.
A strong community adds value beyond content. It also reduces pressure on you, because members start helping each other.
CustomerHub includes a private feed feature designed for this purpose.
Unlike other platforms that require separate tools to build a community, it offers a built-in environment where you can post updates, respond to questions, and create two-way conversations directly inside your site.
It’s also more secure and distraction-free than social platforms, which helps keep your members focused and engaged.
Progress Tracking or Certifications (For Course-Based Sites)
If your membership includes training or step-by-step programs, members will benefit from tracking their progress. This gives them a sense of direction and helps them stay motivated.
Being able to mark a lesson complete or see how far they’ve come adds to the learning experience.
Some platforms also include certificates when a member finishes a course. While not necessary for every type of membership, certificates can add perceived value, especially in professional or free course-based memberships.
CustomerHub makes progress tracking effortless with built-in course navigation and milestone markers. You can set prerequisites, control the content flow, and guide members step-by-step through your material.
Automated Email Funnels for Engagement
Your members need to hear from you after they sign up. A well-planned email funnel helps guide them through their first few days, introduces key content, and reminds them why your membership is valuable.
These emails can welcome new users, show them how to use the platform, notify them about new content, or check in if they go inactive.
Automation saves time and keeps your communication consistent. With CustomerHub, setting up behavior-based email automation is a breeze when paired with tools like Keap and Zapier.
If someone joins a membership, completes a lesson, or becomes inactive, their actions can automatically trigger personalized follow-up emails.
Ready to Build the Next Best Membership Website?
You’ve seen what’s possible, from expert-led platforms to niche communities. Each of these membership websites started with a specific idea and the right tools.
If you’re sitting on valuable knowledge, resources, or services, now is the time to turn that into a scalable membership business, and CustomerHub makes it easy!
With CustomerHub, you don’t need to spend weeks stitching together software or worrying about technical setup. The platform gives you everything in one place: secure content hosting, member dashboards, automated onboarding, private feeds for engagement, and seamless payments.
You can launch your membership site in minutes, grow at your own pace, and never worry about hitting limits on users or products.
If you're starting from scratch or expanding an existing brand, CustomerHub helps you build a site that looks professional and feels effortless.
Start your free 14-day trial and see how simple it is to create a membership site that stands out!
FAQs About Membership Websites Examples
What is a membership website example?
A membership website is a site where users pay to access exclusive content, tools, or experiences.
Examples include MasterClass, where members pay for access to video courses from well-known experts, and Sew It Academy, which offers step-by-step sewing lessons in a subscription format.
If you're building your own, platforms like CustomerHub give you a comprehensive solution to manage your content, members, payments, and even engagement tools like private feeds and progress tracking.
What is a membership site?
A membership site is a website that gives users access to content, services, or community features in exchange for a one-time payment or recurring subscription. Rather than selling individual products, you create an ongoing experience, like training programs that members pay to access.
Do membership sites make money?
Yes, many membership sites are profitable and often more stable than one-time product sales. When you charge members a monthly or annual fee, you're creating a predictable stream of income.
This model works well if you're consistently delivering content, support, or community interaction that members find valuable. It's also best when paired with free resources that help build trust and showcase your value upfront.
How to make a membership website?
To build a membership website, you’ll need to:
- Choose a niche and decide what kind of value you’re offering (content, coaching, community, or all three)
- Set up a structure for your content based on what members will see first, and how they will progress
- Pick a platform that lets you manage memberships, payments, content access, and communication
- Create your first batch of content and set up member access rules
- Launch with a small audience, gather feedback, and adjust before scaling
If you want to avoid technical headaches, CustomerHub makes the process easier. It combines digital product hosting, progress tracking, automated onboarding, and engagement tools like a private feed.
