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Which Plugins Should You Choose to Use With a Membership Plugin? -

Apr 4, 2022

If you are creating an online course with WordPress you'll find that numerous paths to the desired destination.

WordPress is the ideal platform for creating and selling online courses since it's flexible and it you own the platform. Yet there are so many available plugins that it is sometimes quite overwhelming.

Maybe you're facing this dilemma in relation to your online course , and aren't sure of what to do. In the event that you choose to host your own WordPress website, you'll eventually have to make the following choice regarding your course:

  1. Make sure you only use it for your classes.
  2. Only use a membership plugin
  3. Use both

The answer to this question is dependent on the particulars of your work, therefore it is not possible to provide a definitive guidelines on when you should use every. But let's look at some common examples.

1. Utilizing Only

If you're considering it, the truth is that you don't require a membership plugin to protect your content. Our LMS will safeguard your content and not require the help for a membership plugin by using Our Access Settings.

For example, let's say you're trying to sell three different classes. Content of the classes (lessons or quizzes.) can not be seen by those who are not yet enrolled. Only registered users to take the course have access to the content. When someone buys a course, they do not have access to the others. They only have access to the one.

If the course you are taking isn't cost-free, you might be thinking about how you can add the option of paying for your course. It is compatible with these popular shopping carts:

  • Simple Digital Downloads
  • SamCart
  • ThriveCart (beta)

It is important to note that the WordPress shopping carts (1 and 2 above) connect to many payment gateways. The carts include the following payment gateways , if you choose to use no shopping cart:

  • PayPal
  • Stripe
  • 2Checkout

It is very easy to use one of these methods to take payments. will protect your course contents without having to use an additional membership plug-in. People who choose this approach benefit from the speedier process when designing their courses since it reduces the need for learning a new solution.

2. Using a Membership Plugin (Only)

It is important to note that there are certain instances where using an LMS plugin isn't required.

If your work only requires protection of a few pages, articles or even assets that are within your WordPress site, then a membership plugin is all you really need. Using a learning management plugin in this case would be excessive.

One example would be if there is a website that has a forum for community members and perhaps some valuable downloads for your members. If this is the case it is not necessary to install plug-in like this because there isn't a need for courses, or quizzing. badges, certificates, points, and learner report.

3. Using Both and a Membership Plugin

Though a membership plugin isn't essential, there can be advantages to using with a membership plugin depending on your requirements.

For instance, if you're looking to add additional metrics on your members , then installing an member plugin is a nice value-add. Many membership platforms come with reports built-in to them. Used in conjunction with this gives you more insight into the users you have.

Another common scenario for using each is when you own already a membership-based website, but you would like to add some course capabilities in a more formaland organized fashion. The addition of a plugin makes it simple to enhance your membership website through the creation of courses for your members to learn. It is not necessary to alter how you manage the members, as it's the same with your membership plugin.

has direct integration with these membership services:

A word of warning Beware of vendor lock-in!

Learning programs can vary in the requirements, and occasionally these demands alter. You can begin your program with any option above, and freely switch as needed.

What I have learned after over a decade in the field of e-learning is that learning courses and online courses are not one-size-fits all. Learning evolves and so do demands.

No matter if you are using or not, I highly suggest that you stay clear of any method that focuses on using one e-commerce platform, or method for content protection. Also, be cautious of solutions that are advertised by the name of "all-in-one". This is rarely the case and if it's the case, then that means you're locked-in too. You don't want to take on this kind of risk. I have seen this cause people major headaches throughout the years.

Still confused? Take a look at this webcast!

This webinar will cover common use-cases where using a membership plugin and in conjunction could make sense.