Subscription Site Help

[c39b7]

Hi,

I currently run a weight loss forum, but I'd like to offer more services
to my members and the many more members that will join this year.

The services involve helping the members in big ways personally,
and I know that this has been done before, just not specifically
for my target audience.

I'm going to promote the new site heavily using various techniques
on my weight loss forum, but yeah.. the forum will remain free.

So, my question is... How do I get started? I've designed the
site already and made the index page, but I'm kindof stuck before
I know what subscription software I can use.

I barely have any money, so I can't get a programmer to do it.
What options are out there, and what would you use?

 

[jdk]

If you know PHP I would create a member system and allow access to your protected pages that way. If you want to go an unexpensive route to start off you can include all your subscription pages in one directory called i.e.) members and in Cpanel you can password protect that directory. Then you would use Excel to keep track of member names and pw's and their subscription date. Once they cancel their subscription you can delete their login name in cpanel for the protected directory. Only problem I see doing is this way would be the limit of Cpanel and the # of logins you can create for that directory.

If you have a budget we may be able to work out something and I could program you a system that would meet your requirements. Including automated payments, member accounts that expire, etc.

 

[c39b7]

I do not want to start out with something limited, and with this business,
I won't have time to keep track of member data.

I need software that is simple and automated, and I need something
to take care of credit card processing.

Should I just use PayPal? Do I have to spend $$$ on a merchant account?

P.S. I am a bit interested in your services. PM me more including cost, etc.

 

[dotDan]

PayPal is good and they also offer merchant services now. Most merchants such as CDGCommerce.com charge $25/mo ($15 to them, $10 to authorize.net), though 2CheckOut.com is $49 one-off.

If you get a forum such as vBulletin, it already has mods created to allow for a portal-type site, paying to register, et cetera, so the $160 for it could save you money in the long run.

 

[jdk]

Paypal subscriptions is what I would suggest.

MOD - Can we merge these threads in the Subscription Sites Forum? Will be easier for the initial poster to keep track of the answers received.

http://www.dnforum.com/threadedpost615780.html#post615780

 

[c39b7]

Ok, I may use paypal then. Do I need anything else?

I found this software and I checked out the demo and it looks good:

http://www.membershipsiteadvisor.com/

Should I use this software to set up my subscription site?

What about this software?

http://www.amember.com

 

[jdk]

Paypal go under Merchant tools and you can create your subscription buttons on their site.

 

[blindchild]

Health is a very good topic to work on. Why dont you start a site with a forum? That will attract more and more people as for useful information, People do not want to search in where the articles are.

For php costs, It will take around $75 to $300.

If you just want to start a forum, it wont take any investment apart from vbulletin if you want.

For merchant account if you really want it try www.2checkout.com .

 

[c39b7]

Thanks WebmasterNet, but I already have a forum that is free, and a marketing vehicle
for my new site, as well as a bonus for the subscription package on the new site.

Since my new site is, well.. new, here's what the plan is:

Weight Loss Forum = Free
Members from weight loss forum see banners for my new site
that gives them many customized, personal services to help
them lose weight healthily and stop yo-yoing with diet pills.

I signed up for paypal for my new site, and I guess I'll use
their website payments pro feature ($20/month), which
I can integrate into my site so they never see the paypal
website while subscribing.

Hmm... Wait a sec, after reading more about this PayPal service,
it seems that I'll still need something to keep track of my
memberships and all.

Maybe I do need some of that software I mentioned in
previous posts, like www.amember.com, etc.

Man, this is so confusing.