Building a Membership Website on Squarespace
A membership website on Squarespace monetises content, builds community, and provides exclusive resources.
Building a membership website on Squarespace is a great way to earn money from your content, create a community, or provide exclusive resources. Whether you want to start a paid subscription, an online course, or a private blog for members, Squarespace has the tools you need to get started. This guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of building a membership site on Squarespace.
Step 1: Plan your membership site
Before diving into the technical setup, outline your membership model. Consider:
What type of content will members get? (exclusive articles, videos, courses, discounts, etc.)
Will you have free and paid membership tiers?
How will you price your memberships? (one-time fee, monthly, annually)
Do you need a members-only forum or discussion space?
Having a clear vision will make the setup process smoother.
Step 2: Choose the right Squarespace plan
To create a membership site, you’ll need a Business or Commerce plan to access Squarespace’s Member Areas feature. This allows you to restrict content and charge for access.
Step 3: Set up member areas
In your Squarespace dashboard, go to Member Areas (available under "Commerce" in some templates).
Click Create Member Area and name your area (e.g., "Premium Content" or "VIP Community").
Choose how you want to restrict content (entire pages or specific sections).
Set up pricing for your membership (free, one-time fee, or recurring subscription).
Customise the checkout process and confirmation emails for new members.
Step 4: Add exclusive content
Now that you have a member area, start adding content:
Restrict blog posts, videos, or pages to members only.
Use Squarespace's Blogging and Video Blocks for premium content.
Embed downloadable resources like PDFs or exclusive guides.
You can also create drip content by releasing new material weekly or monthly.
Step 5: Customise the user experience
A smooth user experience is key to keeping members engaged.
Set up a welcome email that guides new members on how to access their benefits.
Create a custom login page with clear instructions.
Use navigation menus to highlight member-only content.
Add a forum or discussion area using third-party tools like Circle or Disqus.
Step 6: Market your membership site
To attract members, promote your site using:
Email marketing: Send newsletters with teasers of member content.
Social media: Share behind-the-scenes content to entice potential members.
SEO optimisation: Optimise your site with relevant keywords to attract organic traffic.
Discounts and trials: Offer limited-time discounts or free trials to encourage sign-ups.
Step 7: Manage & grow your membership
Once your site is live, focus on member retention:
Regularly update content to keep members engaged.
Gather feedback to improve the experience.
Offer incentives for long-term subscribers.
These steps will help you build a successful membership community on Squarespace. Whether you create content, teach, or run a business, a good membership site can connect you with your audience and provide ongoing income.
