How to Create a Members Area on WordPress Using Paid Memberships Pro
If you’re looking to build a secure members-only section on your WordPress website, Paid Memberships Pro is one of the best plugins available. It allows you to create gated content, accept recurring payments, and manage member access with ease. Whether you’re offering premium content, online courses, downloadable resources, or exclusive member forums, Paid Memberships Pro makes it possible without needing to write code.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to create a members area on WordPress step by step using Paid Memberships Pro — from installation to managing subscriptions and protecting content.
Why Use Paid Memberships Pro for WordPress?
Paid Memberships Pro (PMP) is a free, flexible membership plugin for WordPress with powerful paid add-ons. It’s ideal for businesses, coaches, online communities, and content creators who want to monetise their content or offer tiered access.
Some of the key features include:
- Unlimited membership levels
- Recurring and one-time payments
- Content restriction rules
- Member dashboard and login system
- Integration with major payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Authorize.net)
- Detailed reporting and member management
The core plugin is free to use, which is perfect for getting started. You can then purchase add-ons individually or opt for a support licence for more advanced features like email marketing integration, drip content, or WooCommerce sync.
With a clean admin interface and strong community support, PMP is one of the most user-friendly options for building a members area on WordPress.
Step-by-Step: Setting Up a Members Area with Paid Memberships Pro
Setting up your members area only takes a few steps. Here’s how to do it:
1. Install the Plugin
Go to your WordPress dashboard, navigate to Plugins > Add New, and search for Paid Memberships Pro. Install and activate the plugin.
Once activated, you’ll be prompted to run the Initial Setup. This will automatically create essential pages like:
- Membership Levels
- Checkout
- Confirmation
- Account
- Billing Information
- Cancel
You can customise these pages later to match your site’s branding and tone.
2. Create Membership Levels
Navigate to Memberships > Membership Levels to define access tiers. For example:
- Free
- Basic (£10/month)
- Premium (£30/month)
Each level can have its own pricing, billing cycle, content access rules, and upgrade/downgrade paths.
3. Configure Payment Settings
Head to Memberships > Payment Settings to connect your payment gateway. PMP supports:
- Stripe
- PayPal Standard
- PayPal Express
- Authorize.net
You can also configure tax rates, currency, and test mode here.
4. Protect Content
To restrict content, simply edit a post or page and scroll down to the “Require Membership” box. Tick the membership level(s) that can access the content. You can protect:
- Blog posts
- Pages
- Custom post types
- Categories
- Files or downloads via add-ons
5. Add Login and Account Pages
Your users will need an easy way to log in and manage their accounts. Use the [pmpro_login] shortcode to create a custom login page. Similarly, [pmpro_account] shows users their current membership details, payment history, and account options.
6. Test the Workflow
Use a test member account to walk through the signup and payment process. Make sure the right content is being restricted and the user journey is smooth.
Tips for Managing and Growing Your Membership Area
Once your members area is live, it’s important to keep it active, engaging, and valuable. Here are some ideas:
Add Drip Content
Using the PMPro add-on or integration with WP Fusion or MailPoet, you can schedule content delivery over time to keep users coming back.
Offer Discount Codes or Free Trials
Encourage sign-ups with promo codes or limited-time free access. This works well for product launches or newsletter subscribers.
Send Member Emails
Send welcome emails, renewal reminders, and engagement updates using integrations with Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, or other email marketing tools.
Track Member Activity
Use PMP’s reports or connect Google Analytics to track who’s logging in, what pages they visit, and when they cancel or upgrade.
Add Community Features
You can enhance your members area with BuddyPress (social profiles), bbPress (forums), or other community tools for interaction.
Common Use Cases for Paid Memberships Pro
Paid Memberships Pro is highly flexible and can power a wide range of membership-based businesses, including:
- Online learning platforms and digital courses
- Premium blogs and gated content
- Private coaching portals
- Professional organisations or directories
- Download libraries (PDFs, templates, video content)
- Exclusive podcasts or video series
If your business relies on recurring value and user trust, having a gated members area can help build loyalty and revenue long-term.
Should You Use a Developer or DIY?
Paid Memberships Pro is beginner-friendly, especially for those comfortable with WordPress. But if you want a fully branded experience, advanced integrations, or a seamless ecommerce setup, it might be worth hiring a developer.
An experienced WordPress developer can help:
- Customise the look and feel of your members area
- Create a branded login flow and onboarding
- Connect third-party tools like CRMs or booking systems
- Optimise for speed, SEO, and mobile use
If you’d like help setting up a professional members area, get a quote from the team at InfaCloud. We specialise in building scalable WordPress membership systems that deliver a great user experience and strong ROI.
Create Your WordPress Members Area Today
Building a membership area on WordPress doesn’t have to be complicated. With Paid Memberships Pro, you can start offering premium content, paid access, or exclusive member services within hours. The plugin gives you full control, flexibility, and room to grow — whether you’re building a learning portal, a digital subscription, or a private community.
Need help getting started or want it done professionally? Contact InfaCloud today and let’s build a WordPress members area that works for your business.
