Elementor Membership Plugin: How to Choose and Use One
An Elementor membership plugin adds what Elementor doesn’t have on its own: member registration, recurring payments and rules that decide who can see each page, section or widget. You design the pages in Elementor, and the membership plugin locks them for the right members and charges for access.
Using a membership plugin for Elementor makes building membership sites in WordPress even easier. And with membership sites growing in popularity, you have every reason to consider building one, for your business or as a business that brings in recurring income.
This guide covers why Elementor works well for membership sites, how to choose an Elementor membership plugin, and how to set one up step by step.
Why Use Elementor for Your Membership Site?
Pairing Elementor with a membership plugin has several advantages when you build a membership site in WordPress:
User-Friendly Interface
Elementor makes it easy to create pages without any coding knowledge. With its drag-and-drop interface and visual design tools, you can customize your sales pages, member dashboards and course pages yourself. Just check that your membership plugin officially supports Elementor, so its access rules work on the pages and widgets you build.
Advanced Features
A good Elementor membership plugin brings the features Elementor lacks: membership management, payment gateway support, reports and member emails. You keep designing in Elementor while the plugin handles sign-ups, billing and access.
Easy Integration With Other Platforms
Many membership plugins also connect to WooCommerce, forums and email marketing tools. This lets you extend your site further, for example with member-only products, discounts or a members-only forum.
Cost-Efficiency
The core Elementor plugin is free, and Elementor Pro is a paid yearly plan with extra widgets and features; current prices are listed on the vendor’s site. Either way, building pages yourself saves you from paying a developer for every design change or new landing page.
Responsive Design
Elementor allows you to create membership sites that look great on any device. Its responsive design tools make sure your membership site looks perfect, regardless of the device it’s being viewed on.
How to Choose and Use an Elementor Membership Plugin
If you want to build a membership site on WordPress, you have to install a membership site plugin, as it will give you access to features such as:
- Secure membership registration and login
- Access control for members-only content
- Integration with payment gateways for membership payments
- Membership management tools
- Member communication tools
- Analytics and membership reports
- Integrations with various tools, including email marketing tools
How to Find the Best Membership Plugin for Elementor
When selecting a membership plugin for Elementor, there are several factors to consider. Here are some key criteria to keep in mind when choosing the right membership plugin:
Compatibility
The membership plugin should be compatible with the latest version of Elementor so that it works smoothly and reliably. Check to make sure it is up-to-date and has been tested with your version of WordPress as well.
Security
Secure membership sites are essential to protect your data and members’ information. Look for membership plugins with built-in security features such as two-factor authentication, login rate limiting, protection against shared logins and reCAPTCHA on sign-up forms.
Pricing
The membership plugin should be affordably priced for your budget. Many membership plugins offer free basic plans that provide the essential features you need to get started, with additional advanced features available in higher-priced plans.
Support
Look for membership plugins that come with helpful customer support to assist you if you encounter any issues. Support options can include email, live chat, phone, and tutorials. Clear documentation matters too, because you will set up access rules yourself.
Restriction Depth
Check how fine-grained the access rules are. Some plugins only lock whole pages, while others can also show or hide individual Elementor sections and widgets, so one page can serve visitors and members with different content.
How Ultimate Membership Pro Works with Elementor
Ultimate Membership Pro is a WordPress membership plugin that you can use as an Elementor membership plugin without writing code. Here is what it does on Elementor-built sites:
- Lock whole pages in every plan: the Locker box works on any page, post or custom post type, including pages built with Elementor. Only active Memberships open a locked page, so access ends when a Membership expires.
- Lock content in bulk: one rule can lock every post of a type, a category, files by URL or any URL that contains a keyword. See the full list of content restriction options.
- Release pages on a schedule: open a locked page right away, a set time after someone joins, or on a date you choose with drip content. Drip works on whole pages and posts, not on single widgets.
- Design member pages in Elementor: sign-up, login and account pages are placed with shortcodes, so you can drop them into pages you design in Elementor. Learn more about the registration and login features.
- Lock single widgets and sections: the Elementor Widget Lock add-on, one of the Pro add-ons, adds an access option to every widget and lets you restrict a section so only the Memberships you choose see what’s inside it. It comes with the Full Package and Agency plans.
If you build with Elementor containers, ask the support team before you buy. Ultimate Membership Pro is sold as annual plans, and you can compare what each one includes on the pricing page.
How to Build a Membership Site with Elementor, Step by Step
- Install Elementor and your membership plugin. Start with a theme that works well with Elementor, then add the membership plugin.
- Create your membership levels. Decide what each level includes and whether it is free, one-time or recurring.
- Connect a payment gateway. Set up Stripe, PayPal or another supported processor so members are charged automatically.
- Design the member pages. Build the pricing, sign-up, login and account pages in Elementor and place the plugin’s forms on them.
- Lock your content. Restrict whole pages, categories or files, and, if your plugin supports it, individual Elementor sections and widgets.
- Plan the release schedule. Decide what new members see right away and what unlocks over time.
- Test as a member. Sign up with a test account at each level, check what is visible, and run a test payment before you launch.
The Basics of a Membership Site
A successful membership site requires more than just a membership plugin – it needs thoughtful design, membership tiers, and membership options. Here are the primary components of a membership site:
Types of Membership Sites
Essentially, membership sites are divided into two primary types:
- Subscription membership sites that offer recurring payments for membership access
- Product membership sites that charge a one-time membership fee and allow access to membership content
The great news about membership sites is that they can be used in virtually every industry. So if you have expertise or interest in a specific niche, you can turn it into a side business, or even a full-time occupation.
Some examples of membership sites you can build include (for more, browse these membership site ideas):
- Courses and webinars in a specific niche
- Fitness membership sites
- Online book clubs
- Trade membership sites
- Professional networking membership sites
- Cooking classes online
- …And more. Every hobby, passion, or know-how category can be turned into a membership site.
Membership Tiers
When creating your membership tiers, consider what exclusive content or add-ons you can offer at each tier to encourage members to upgrade. Consider offering different access levels, such as full membership, community membership or VIP membership. If you are unsure whether you need several levels, read about the pros and cons of tiered levels on membership sites.
Content Strategy
You will need to create content strategies for both free and paid memberships. Developing engaging content is key to keeping users engaged with your membership site. Consider creating exclusive content for premium members that encourages them to stay active on the site and upgrade their membership in order to gain access.
Membership Options
You should also determine how membership options are presented to potential members. Consider offering monthly or annual membership plans, as well as trial membership packages. You may even want to consider discounted membership prices for new customers.
Payment Options
Choose a membership plugin that supports multiple payment methods, such as PayPal or Stripe. This allows your membership site to accept payments from around the world. You may also want to consider offering discounts for bulk membership purchases.
Member Retention
Retaining members is just as important as gaining new ones. A membership plugin that lets you adjust plans, offers and release schedules helps keep your site fresh for existing members. For more ideas, see these strategies to boost member retention.
Conclusion
Creating a membership site to grow your business takes planning, but with the right membership plugin for Elementor, you can cover the technical side easily. Remember, though: a membership site’s success doesn’t lie in the membership plugin alone. To make the most of your membership site, you need to develop content strategies, consider membership tiers and options, and work on ensuring your members are always engaged.
Frequently asked questions
Can you build a membership site with Elementor?
Yes, but not with Elementor alone. Elementor designs your pages, while a membership plugin adds registration, payments and access rules. Together they let you build sales pages, sign-up forms and member-only content visually, without code. Check that the membership plugin supports Elementor so its rules work on the pages and widgets you build.
Does Elementor have a built-in membership feature?
No. Elementor is a page builder, so it does not handle member accounts, recurring payments or content restriction on its own. You need a membership plugin for that. Elementor still matters, because it is where you design the pricing page, the sign-up and login pages and the member area your visitors see.
Can I restrict individual Elementor widgets or sections?
It depends on the membership plugin. Many only lock whole pages. With Ultimate Membership Pro, every plan locks whole Elementor pages, and the Elementor Widget Lock add-on, included in the Full Package and Agency plans, adds an access option to every widget and lets you restrict sections to the Memberships you choose.
Do I need Elementor Pro for a membership site?
Not necessarily. The membership plugin provides the forms, access rules and payments, and you can place its sign-up, login and account forms on pages built with the free Elementor plugin. Elementor Pro adds more widgets and design features, so whether you need it depends on how you want your pages to look.
Can I drip content on an Elementor membership site?
Yes. Drip content releases pages over time, for example a new lesson each week after someone joins or on a fixed date. In Ultimate Membership Pro, drip content works on whole pages and posts, including pages built with Elementor, but not on single widgets inside a page.
Ready when you are
Turn visitors into paying members with Ultimate Membership Pro
Launch your membership website, protect exclusive content and automate subscription payments, all in one WordPress plugin.
- 14-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited members
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