The Different Types of Membership Sites
There are membership sites and then there are membership sites. There is an old
saying that nobody knows exactly where it originated that says, “Different Strokes for
Different Folks”.
The old saying simply means that as individuals we have different
needs and different expectations for most situations in life and membership websites
aren’t an exception.
That principle applies to both membership website owners and membership website
members. There are many different kinds of membership websites. Some will appeal to
some people and others will appeal to other people no matter which side of the fence
you are standing on. There really isn’t a one-size-fits-all membership website. Let’s
discuss the various options for membership websites.
Web 2.0 Websites
One type of membership website that you are very likely familiar with is the Web 2.0
sites like YouTube and MySpace. These are social networking sites that provide tools for
an interactive network of friends and include such user-submitted things as personal
profiles, blogs, groups, photos, music and videos.
Some of these social networking membership websites have come under fire recently
because they have been shown to be play grounds for predators. Since these problems
have arisen there is more scrutiny of members than there has been in the past. These
sites are not likely to just ‘go away’ any time in the foreseeable future because they are
very, very popular…not to mention profitable.
Playing on Exclusivity
Then there are paid exclusive sites like the NicheEmpires.com (an undisputed industry
leader when it comes to delivering info products with PLR and Master Resell Rights),
Golf sites (which are owned by professional golfers and offer instruction that isn’t readily
available free on the Internet), etc.
These exclusive membership websites are designed for specific people and appeal to a
group of like-minded individuals who are seeking instruction or information that can only
be had on exclusive membership websites.
They call the Internet the ‘information super highway’ but these exclusive membership
websites really do make the information super and the information that is provided is far
superior to just the regular stuff that everybody gets for free.
Getting Free Members – Going for Volume
Not all membership websites are not paid-for membership sites. Another kind of
membership website is a membership that is free.
The objective of a free membership website is to acquire the names and email
addresses of people who are interested in a specific topic in order to build an opt-in list.
Still this IS a membership website and unless a visitor joins the site, they do not have
access to some really good information that is not otherwise available.
Community-Driven Membership
Yet another kind of membership website is what is known as a “community site”.
Sometimes membership in a community site is free and sometimes it is paid.
The idea of a community website is that there are a group of people who are all
interested in the same basic topic but who go about accomplishing success in various
ways. They get together at a community website and exchange information and ideas.
Sometimes community websites will offer one-on-one training above and beyond the
cost of membership in the community website.
One Thing All Membership Sites Have in Common
Membership websites of all kinds have one thing in common. They allow for interaction
between members. The old Web 1.0 was a one-way street but in this brave new world,
communication flows in both directions.
You will notice that on all of the various types of membership websites there is a blog or
a forum that affords a place for members to communicate not only with the owner of the
membership website but also with other members.
The communication opportunities afforded by membership sites is one of the biggest
reasons that membership sites are so very popular today and probably will be popular as
far as the eye can see. People want to hear but they also want to be heard. They want to
learn but they have information to share with others as well. Membership websites
provide a place for the sharing of ideas and information.
There are different kinds of membership sites and different people will like different kinds
of membership sites. If you are considering starting your own membership website, the
good news is that there will be people who will like it and want to be members.
Membership websites are popular and membership websites are profitable. Recurring
income is a very good thing!
