How to Build a Membership Site with Divi – Part 1

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of building a membership site using Divi and MemberPress. You'll learn how to set up a site that allows you to sell online courses or products, create custom registration pages, and manage membership levels with content dripping. This step-by-step guide is perfect for anyone looking to monetize their expertise online.

Step 1: Install Necessary Plugins

To start building your membership site, you'll need to install and activate the following plugins:

• Divi: A powerful WordPress theme for designing your site.
• MemberPress: A plugin that helps you create and manage your membership site.

Action Steps:

1. Purchase and download the Divi theme from Elegant Themes.
2. Install Divi:
   • Go to your WordPress dashboard.
   • Navigate to Appearance > Themes > Add New.
   • Upload the Divi theme zip file and activate it.
3. Purchase and download the MemberPress plugin.
4. Install MemberPress:
   • Go to Plugins > Add New.
   • Upload the MemberPress plugin zip file and activate it.

Step 2: Configure MemberPress Settings

After installing MemberPress, configure the basic settings to suit your membership needs.

Action Steps:

1. Go to MemberPress > Options.
2. Set up the following tabs:
   • General: Configure your currency and payment gateways.
   • Pages: Set up the default pages for registration, account, and thank you.
   • Emails: Customize email notifications for new sign-ups and renewals.

Step 3: Create Membership Levels

Define different membership levels that offer varying access to your content.

Action Steps:

1. Navigate to MemberPress > Memberships.
2. Click on "Add Membership" and fill in the details:
   • Name your membership level (e.g., Basic, Pro, Premium).
   • Set the pricing and billing type (one-time or recurring).
3. Save your membership levels.

Step 4: Set Up Content Dripping

Content dripping allows you to release content gradually to your members.

Action Steps:

1. Go to MemberPress > Rules.
2. Click on "Add Rule" to create a new content drip:
   • Select the content you want to drip (posts, pages, etc.).
   • Choose the membership level that will get access to the content.
   • Set the drip settings to specify when members will receive access.

Step 5: Design Membership Pages Using Divi

Now it’s time to design your membership site pages using the Divi Builder.

Action Steps:

1. Create a new page for your membership site.
2. Enable the Divi Builder on the page.
3. Use MemberPress shortcodes to add functionality:
   • Use [mepr-account-form] for the account page.
   • Use [mepr-membership-registration-form id="YOUR_MEMBERSHIP_ID"] for registration.
4. Customize the layout and design to match your brand.

Step 6: Test Your Membership Site

Before launching, it’s crucial to test the functionality of your membership site.

Action Steps:

1. Create a test user account.
2. Sign up for a membership level and check:
   • Registration process.
   • Access to content based on membership level.
   • Email notifications.
3. Make adjustments based on your findings.

Conclusion

You have now set up the foundational elements of your membership site using Divi and MemberPress. You can create membership levels, configure content dripping, and design custom pages. As a next step, consider exploring additional features of MemberPress or enhancing your site with more Divi modules. This will help you provide even more value to your members and improve their experience on your site.