| One thing that makes your membership site | | | | PayPal, or major credit cards. The website should |
| stand out from all the rest is your combination of | | | | be able to integrate a shopping cart as well as a |
| features that you have to offer to your | | | | forum so that the members can interact with |
| members. There are certain features that are | | | | each other. |
| pretty standard for most membership site and | | | | Your shopping cart should have features that |
| then there are advanced features that may be | | | | your membership will need especially if you have |
| unique to your membership site. Features can | | | | an international membership such as flexible tax |
| create the atmosphere of your membership site. | | | | models, the ability of members to manage their |
| Standard features are those features that most | | | | User Accounts, having the ability to manage their |
| membership sites have because they carry with | | | | shipping address, and have the shopping cart in |
| them common needs of all membership sites such | | | | multiple languages. |
| as having Login ID or passwords to protect | | | | Since most membership sites have content in |
| certain areas of the site that are private and for | | | | various formats, products, tools and resources it |
| members only, or automated renewal reminders | | | | is important to have catalog features that can |
| that go out so that members won't be surprised | | | | encompass all that your membership will utilize as |
| by the arrival of the date to renew their | | | | they grow as well as the things that |
| membership, and also content formats and | | | | administration will need as the membership site |
| membership subscription types, as well as the | | | | grows. These features may be the capability to |
| ability to handle account suspension and | | | | have an unlimited number of products and |
| cancellations. Other standard features include the | | | | categories, the ability to search for products, |
| ability to handle data exports and reports. | | | | resources and tools, the ability to handle |
| Advanced features include the ability to have Real | | | | downloadable products. |
| Time member tracking, and the ability for | | | | There are also membership sites that offer both |
| members to be able to initiate account creation | | | | free and paid memberships so this is a unique |
| and a responsive shopping cart system. | | | | feature. Free members can start to use and |
| Payment features should include the ability to | | | | understand the value of the site before deciding |
| accept payment from payment services such as | | | | to become a paid member. |