Creating Membership Sites with WordPress
Chapter 6: How to Brew a Perfect Membership Site with WordPress
Have you ever sipped on a cup of perfectly brewed coffee and wondered, “Wow, how did they make this?” That’s exactly how users should feel when they visit your WordPress Membership site – spellbound and curious! Let’s put on our nerdy glasses and embark on this thrilling journey of brewing the perfect WordPress Membership Site, one step at a time.
Before we start, let me reassure you, just like making coffee, it’s more about the process than the end product. Your skills will get polished over time. So sit back, take a deep breath, and let’s start brewing!
You Gotta Start Somewhere: WordPress Basics
Before entering the vast universe of WordPress, you need to remember the immortal words of the late Douglas Adams, “Don’t panic!” And no, there is no WordPress version of a towel. Or is there?
The ABCs of WordPress
To create a membership site, you need to familiarize yourself with WordPress basics such as handling the dashboard, manipulating post forms, and managing themes and plugins. Think of these as magic wands. Wiggle them properly, and they will bring your thoughts to life.
The Game of Templates
Now, I could joke about how templates take after their name (they’re a “tempt”-ation, get it?). But the fact is, templates are crucial. They are pre-packaged blueprints behind the aesthetic appeal and ergonomics of your website.
Brewing your Template
If you’re into DIY, you can build your own template using HTML, CSS, and PHP. But who are we kidding? Why do it the hard way when you have pre-prepared delicious templates?
Remember, just like in a coffee shop menu, WordPress gives you a multitude of choices. Pick one that aligns with your grand vision and start pouring in content.
The Secret Sauce: Plugins
Now comes the fun part! Just as brew coffee has extras, websites have plugins. They are the special ingredients that can transform a regular cup of membership website into a delectable espresso shot of user engagement!
Choosing the Right Plugin
You can select from a variety of plugins such as Membership & Content Restriction, Profile & User Registration, and even Content Dripping (Yes, we are still talking websites, not coffee!). Make sure the plugins match the requirements of your Membership site.
Building Blocks: HTML, PHP, CSS, and JS
To tweak your Membership website to perfection, you should roll up your sleeves and work on codes. WordPress uses languages such as HTML, PHP, CSS, and JS. Think of it as your secret language, your decoder ring. Once you speak it fluently, making changes to your website is a breeze.
Creating a WordPress membership site is not rocket science. It’s simply about getting your hands dirty, brewing a couple of wrong cups of coffee, and learning from it. With each mistake, you learn something new. And soon, you will be brewing your perfect cup!
So pull up your socks and start your journey in the tantalizing world of WordPress!
