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justryingtohelp

posts: 22

Jul 20, 2008 9:23 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I`m interested in creating a membership site where only paying members can access things. There will be another class of user that must be registered and login to access but they don`t pay.

I`m looking for suggestions on what programs to look at for something like this.

Thank you SUN.

Webline

posts: 687

Jul 20, 2008 9:26 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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What is the overall website going to be? CMS, forum, or what?

-------------------------

M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

justryingtohelp

posts: 22

Jul 20, 2008 9:41 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I`m leaning towards forum.

RicWillmot

posts: 154

Jul 20, 2008 9:56 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I would also be interested in leaning how to do this on my CMS sites too, please?

Rgds,

Ric

-------------------------

Ric Willmot
Executive Wisdom Consulting Group
www.ExecutiveWisdom.com
info@executivewisdom.com
Blog: www.ricwillmot.com

Founder of the Society for Executive Wisdom
www.ExecutiveWisdomSociety.com

Strategy for Professionals: www.strategyforprofessionals.com

justryingtohelp

posts: 22

Jul 20, 2008 10:03 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Webline we`re like fish in a barrel tonight for you :-)

I looked at the phpbb site (a free open source), as my host supports this - but honestly couldn`t find out much there. For the none forum pages I will be using CMS as well.

justryingtohelp

posts: 22

Jul 20, 2008 10:36 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I just found this too http://cgi-central.net/ it`s some kind of script (I saw it on a site I had a trial membership of) so I gather it keeps track of who has paid, when a trial is ending, etc...don`t know how it is to work with though.

Calling it at night now.

SherylCPA

posts: 69

Jul 20, 2008 11:26 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Take a look at Extreme Member
http://www.extrememember.com/link/TSBOC

It`s based on the Wordpress platform and includes the capabilities to manage your memberships, send follow ups and broadcasts via smart autoreponders, manage your affiliate programs, create user forums and more.

Payment integration available for Paypal and WorldPay.

It`s in Beta test now and reasonably priced at $ 99/mo for ALL the features. There`s a 15-day trial for $2.95.

Webline

posts: 687

Jul 22, 2008 8:45 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Most CMS/forum types of programs have user levels, so that you can limit members of certain levels or groups to access just areas you choose.

If you have a site already made, you can implement premade membership scripts into your site. Within PHP/MySQL scripting, for example, you can easily use sessions/cookies/database information to do the same as I already mentioned, or even block the entire site until a user/member logs in. However, blocking all content to potential new users/members could very well prohibit them from wanting to join a site; if they can`t preview what your site offers, they may not pursue it.

-------------------------

M Hall
Website Critique Community
International Society of Curmudgeons

justryingtohelp

posts: 22

Jul 25, 2008 8:53 PM ET Quote Report Abuse

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Okay. I`m still working through my idea.

How does the idea of starting a blog first while I work on building the freelance base and actual paid part of the site up sound? Then I could collect information from freelancers and attorneys who are interested in the project and keep them updated on the progress.

At the rate I`m going it seems like I will be using Word Press CMS, phpBB and AMember. Then I`ll probably need some help to make sure I have everything setup right and some graphic assistance to make it nice and professional.

kathleenfasanella

posts: 104

Aug 07, 2008 8:12 AM ET Quote Report Abuse

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I think starting a blog first would be mandatory. There`s no better way to draw members than with topical free content. Besides, if you have a private forum, all that content is null because search engine spiders can`t index it. I have a private members only forum and a heavily trafficked blog. In the forum, we post sensitive information about vendors or aspects of our businesses to be kept from prying eyes. At times, I post links from the blog to the forum for premium content. This becomes an impetus for freeloaders (who really NEED to join) to push them over the edge into signing up.

-------------------------

~Nurture people, not products~
http://www.fashion-incubator.com

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