The rise of the creator landscape has opened doors for innovators to monetize their unique ideas. With tools like WishList Member, launching a membership site is more accessible than ever.

Having a comprehensive set of membership site statistics can give you the confidence to navigate the evolving landscape.

There's a vast array of membership sites out there. In this article, we zoom in on three defining categories in the industry:

• Educational Platforms (Learning Management Systems)
• Association Membership Models
• Subscription-Based Platforms

This information will not only guide your marketing efforts but also offer a peek into future trends in your niche.

Ready to get going? Let the numbers commence!

Learning Management Systems (LMS) Stats

An increasing number of companies are turning to learning management systems (LMS) to develop online educational platforms or incorporate educational elements into their membership sites. It's an effective strategy to enhance your business's value and expand its offerings.

CourseCure, the integrated LMS within WishList Member ensures a seamless and efficient setup. It's backed with features to help you quickly and easily set up an engaging course to add to your membership site.

Now, let's delve into the LMS platform market.

• A 2023 market research report by Fortune Business Insights revealed that last year the global LMS market size was valued at $16.19billion. This year it's expected to grow to $18.26 billion.
  
  
• By 2030, that number is projeced to grow to a massive $47.47 billion.
  
  
• The fastest growing market is Europe while the largest market is North America according to a report by Straits Research.
  
  
• Growth is attributed to improved internet connectivity, higher adoption of smartphone technologies in educational institutions and the increasing preference of consumers for LMSs.
  
  
• Over 40% of Fortune 500 companies use elearning or LMSs to onboard and train employees according to eLearning Industry.
  
  
• LMS users use the following devices to access their online courses: desktop (89%),  laptop (76%), tablet (25%), and smartphone (19%). This suggests a necessity for LMSs to be responsive in order to cater to the various preferences of students.
  
  
• The top-requested LMS functionalities between 2022-2023 were certification and compliance management (53%), content authoring (15%) and course libraries (15%). (Capterra)
  
  
• The average LMS software budget ranges between $15-$40 per user.
  
  

Association Membership Statistics

Associations typically represent smaller entities dedicated to a specific profession, trade, or philanthropic cause. They often collaborate with individual member organizations, trade collectives, or a blend of both.

The primary purpose of these associations is to foster knowledge exchange, promote best practices, expand member networks, and champion their members' interests.

Unlike mainstream businesses, association membership organizations cater to a distinct audience with specialized needs.

The ethos of each association is often shaped by its industry or cause. Now, let's explore some valuable insights to enhance association marketing and bolster member recruitment.

• The top reasons people join associations are: networking opportunities (64%); continued education (39%) and learning best practices in their profession (33%).
  
  
• 49% of associations reported an increase in membership in 2023, up from 38% in 2022, and 26% in 2021, showing a sharp upward trend in membership uptake over the past 3 years.
  
  
• In 2023, used the following channels to recruit new members: email (85%), organic social media (67%) and association-sponsored events (66%).
  
  
• The top reasons associations believe prospects are not signing up for membership are: lack of perceived value (60%), lack of brand awareness (39%), lack of financial support from employers (29%).
  
  
• 34% of associations invite members to join their online community as a way of engaging existing members.
  
  
• 48% of associations give members a 2-3 month grace period for accessing benefits after their membership expires.
  
  
• Engagement is the most common challenge for associations with 51% equating lack of engagement with the reason why members failed to renew.
  
  
• Innovation is key when it comes to member attainment and retention. However, only 25% of associations reported as very or extremely innovative. (Marketing General)
  
  
• 13% of associations that added, altered, or canceled events observed an increase in member engagement, indicating that it's important to adjust your strategy. (GrowthZone)
  
  
• 60% offer their members automatic annual payments, 14% offer automatic monthly payments, but only 26% offer both options in 2023.
  
  
• Only 38% have a process in place to reengage churned members.
  
  

Subscription Model Statistics

Subscription businesses and services are popping up everywhere, and for good reason. Who doesn't love predictable cashflow and customer loyalty?

Not only that, but consumers are also fast catching on to the convenience of subscriptions over outright ownership. It's no wonder this model is catching on big time.

Let's delve into some pivotal statistics defining the subscription economy. These numbers will show you why everyone's hopping on the subscription train and why it's poised to dominate over the coming years.

• A report early this year valued the digital subscription market at $650 billion.
  
  
• By 2025 it's set to grow to $1.5 trillion according to the latest estimates. (Lineup)
  
  
• 205 million Americans report using at least one subscription service, marking a 23 million increase since 2020.
  
  
• By the end of this year, three quarters (75%) of direct-to-consumer brands are projected to offer subscription services. (RetailDive)
  
  
• Millennials and bridge millennials lead the way in subscribing to retail products, with 39% subscribing to at least one.
  
  
• The average growth of subscription billing vendors stands at between 30% and 50% annually. (The Paypers)
  
  
• According to a survey by Global Banking and Finance, 70% of senior business leaders in key industries including retail and finance believe subscription models are key to growth.
  
  
• 53% of senior finance executives surveyed by the CFO reported hat 40% of their business revenue comes in via a subscription product or service.
  
  
• Over three quarters of businesses say that their subscription service improves customer retention and builds loyalty.
  
  
• Global adoption of the subscription economy is at about 16%, targeted to grow at 30%. (Citi)
  
  
• By 2027, a projected 83% of U.S. households will no longer subscribe to a traditional television service. (Leichtman)
  
  

Tips & Best Practices: What Have We Learned?

Alright, that wraps it up! Hopefully, you've picked up some solid info on the membership game by checking out those three membership types.

There are also plenty of insights to help you switch up your strategy and make better decisions and optimize your membership site. Here are just a few of the tips and best practices we've uncovered:

1. LMS (Learning Management Systems) Best Practices:

• Gamify Your Content: With the rise in popularity of e-learning, it's essential to stand out. Incorporate gamification features like points, badges, and quizzes to make your courses more engaging and interactive. Choose a course builder that incorporates these features (such as CourseCure for WishList Member)
  
  
• Maintain Content Control: Ensure your LMS gives you full control over your content. Being able to make real-time updates, additions, or changes is crucial to adapt to the evolving needs of your audience.
  
  
• Prioritize Responsiveness: The statistics show a diverse range of devices being used to access courses. Opt for LMS solutions that are responsive, ensuring a seamless experience whether your members are on desktops, laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
  
  

2. Association Membership Best Practices:

• Value-Driven Engagement: Given that networking opportunities are a top reason people join associations, consider hosting regular webinars, virtual meet-ups, or forums to facilitate this need.
  
  
• Tailored Marketing: With a sharp upward trend in membership uptake over the past 3 years, it's essential to understand your audience. Use targeted marketing strategies based on the specific needs and preferences of your potential members.
  
  
• Re-Engagement Strategies: Since only 38% have a process to reengage churned members, develop a strategy to bring back those who've left. This could be through special offers, feedback surveys, or highlighting new benefits.
  
  

3. Subscription Model Best Practices:

• Diversify Payment Options: Given the varied preferences for payment frequencies, offer multiple subscription payment options, from monthly to annually, to cater to different member needs.
  
  
• Stay Ahead with Trends: With the digital subscription market projected to grow immensely, keep an eye on emerging trends. This will help you adapt your offerings and stay competitive.
  
  
• Focus on Retention: With over three-quarters of businesses saying subscription services improve customer retention, invest in strategies that boost loyalty. This could be through exclusive content, member-only discounts, or regular feedback loops.

By implementing these best practices, you'll be better positioned to maximize the potential of your membership site, whether it's an LMS, an association membership, or a subscription-based platform.

In Summary

It's clear as day: the subscription world is booming and shows no signs of slowing down. Thinking of launching an online course or adding some steady cash flow to your shop? There's no better time than now.

Remember, it's all about offering a quality service that makes life easier for your members. Do that, and you'll see your profits climbing each year.

And hey, start with the right tools to make setting up and managing your membership site a breeze.

Found this blog useful? Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn for more tips and best practices to make the most of your WordPress membership site.

But a well-structured website is essential if you aspire to run a successful dog-walking business independently.

Well, do we have some good news for you!

The world’s most commonly used content management system, WordPress, when paired with a cost-effective and user-friendly tool like WishList Member, can help you realize your dog-walking business dreams.

In this blog post, we'll guide you on transforming a basic WordPress website into a fully fledged, professional platform for your dog-walking business. 

So, fasten your shoelaces, and let's embark on this exciting journey!

What You Need

If you're new to building websites, you’re probably getting tangled up in research about what’s the best way to go about it. 

Well, we’ve got the low down on exactly what you need to build a professional website where your clients can manage their bookings and payments.

And all you need are four primary tools:

WordPress 

This robust and intuitive platform will form the backbone of your online presence. 

WordPress offers a vast selection of themes and plugins, equipping you with all the necessary tools to craft a visually appealing and highly functional website.

WishList Member

If you're considering a tool to streamline your membership site, look no further than WishList Member. 

This comprehensive and user-friendly plugin integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It provides all the necessary features to create a members-only section on your page, and manage membership tiers and subscriptions effectively. 

Zapier

When it comes to automating tasks and streamlining your workflows, Zapier is a game-changer. 

This powerful and intelligent tool connects with a multitude of apps, facilitating smooth and efficient processes. 

Whether you're looking to synchronize data between different platforms or automate repetitive tasks, Zapier is your go-to solution. 

Later, we’ll show you one specific way to use Zapier for your dog-walking business. 

Calendly

Calendly excels as the perfect assistant for your dog-walking business, managing appointments with precision and convenience. 

This accessible and adaptable tool takes the stress out of scheduling, allowing you to focus more on your furry clients. 

With real-time availability tracking, it ensures you never double-book or miss an appointment.

Its automatic reminders keep you and your human clients on the same page, and its effortless rescheduling feature handles any unexpected changes with ease. 

Delivers a hassle-free scheduling experience to your clients, and set the stage for their satisfaction and your business's success.

Later in the blog, we'll guide you through how to set up each of them. 

Launching Your Dog Walking Website With WordPress

Now, let's delve into how to start your dog-walking business using WordPress in four simple steps.

Step 1: Set Up WordPress

WordPress is a powerful content management system (CMS) that powers over 40% of all websites worldwide. 

A CMS is just a platform through which you can upload and manage things like users, written copy, images, and any other content on your website. 

With a CMS you can create and control your website without having to know any code. That’s right zero coding skills necessary! 

Here's why WordPress is the go-to CMS for aspiring dog walkers planning to start an online venture:

Ease of use: If you're more familiar with dogs than digital technology, that's perfectly fine. WordPress simplifies the site creation process, making it easy for beginners to build a site using a visual editor.

Professional templates: With a pre-made theme you can create a professional-looking website in no time. Many of these themes are free, too.

Cost-effectiveness: Starting a new business often implies working within a tight budget. WordPress is free! 

All you need to do is buy a domain and hosting provider, which is a fraction of the cost of services like Wix and Squarespace. We’ll go over how to do that now!

Purchase a Domain Name & Hosting Service

Get set up with a web host (a web host connects your site to the internet).

Many hosting providers offer package deals, providing a domain name and taking care of the setup process for you. For a high-quality and affordable host that's beginner-friendly. Our star choice is DreamHost.

DreamHost, recommended by the WordPress team, is reliable and offers plans as low as $2.95 per month. 

This includes a free domain for the first year, added security features like a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate, and they will even install WordPress for you.

Choosing a Theme:

If you're not particularly tech-savvy, we suggest selecting a WordPress theme. You'll be surprised at the wide array of industry-specific themes available.

One example is the free WordPress theme Pet Business by Theme Palace.

Step 2: Install WishList Member

Once your WordPress site and theme are set up, it's time to install the WishList Member tool on your new dog walking website. 

WishList Member is a WordPress plugin that enables you to create a members area on your website. Here are just some of the things you can offer on your website with WishList Member:

• Allow pet owners to schedule and pay for ongoing or one-off dog walking services
• Set up recurring billing for your regular clients
• Offer membership tiers depending on what kind of services your clients want
• Sell online courses and consultations such as dog and puppy training tips. 
• Offer 1:1 dog training consultations
• Provide premium content related to pet ownership or adoption
• And more!

Setting Up WishList Member

Here’s a video showing you exactly how to install and activate WishList Member in WordPress:

Once you’ve done that, you'll need to set up your membership tiers.

Here’s how to do that:

Schedule Walkies With Calendly & Zapier

So, you're rocking it with your dog walking website, and you've got Wishlist Member up and running. That's pawsome! 

But are you tired of the constant back-and-forth trying to schedule appointments? Wish there was a way to spend less time managing calendars and more time playing fetch? We've got just the treat for you!

Calendly lets your clients book their dog's next adventure with you through your website. Your clients can pick a time, pay for the service, and boom, it's walkies time! 

To integrate Calendly with WishList Member, you’ll need to use Zapier, a tool that lets different apps share data and automates processes between them.

Here’s how it’s done:

1. Create a Zapier Account: Sign up for Zapier. The free plan should suffice for starters, but you may want to consider upgrading if you require more advanced features or higher usage.
2. Create a Calendly Account: If you haven't already done got one, create a Calendly account!
3. Connect Calendly to Zapier: In your Zapier account, click on Make a Zap to start a new Zap. Under Choose App & Event search for and select Calendly as your trigger app.
   Choose the trigger event, which might be Invitee Created or Invitee Canceled depending on your needs.
   Click Continue and then Sign in to Calendly to connect your Calendly account to Zapier.
4. Set up the Calendly Trigger: Follow the prompts to set up the Calendly trigger. For example, if you want a new Wishlist Member user to be created whenever someone books an appointment, you'd choose the Invitee Created trigger.
5. Choose Wishlist Member as your Action App: In the Do this… step of creating your Zap, search for and select Wishlist Member as your action app. You'll need to connect your Wishlist Member account to Zapier by following the prompts.
6. Set up the Wishlist Member Action: Depending on your specific needs, you may want to create a new user in Wishlist Member or update an existing user. Follow the prompts to set up the action.
7. Test Your Zap: Once everything is set up, it's a good idea to test your Zap to make sure it works correctly. Click the Test & Continue button. If everything works correctly, you'll see a Test Successful message.
8. Turn On Your Zap: Finally, don't forget to turn on your Zap! It won't work unless it's turned on.

Step 4: Start Marketing Your New Dog Walking Website!

Before you can walk the walk, you’ve got to talk the talk! Get the word out there about your new business.

Create business accounts on major social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, post about your daily walks, engage with potential clients, and network with other local businesses to extend your reach.

Focus on spreading the word in areas where dog owners hang out. It could be leaving posters at veterinary surgeries or flyering dog parks.

Given the nature of your business, it’s important to focus your marketing efforts locally. Use hashtags with your location on social media, add your business to Google Maps via Google My Business. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, if you're an animal lover looking to embark on a new career or side gig, dog walking can be a great way to profit from your passion.

Using WordPress and WishList Member, you can showcase your services and create a seamless experience for clients to subscribe to your services.

To recap, here are four steps for launching a dog walking website using WordPress:

• Set up WordPress.
• Install WishList Member and build your membership site.
• Integrate WishList Member with Calendly via Zapier
• Promote your new dog walking website.

You’re now armed with all the knowledge you need to get your dog walking business up and running online.

All that’s left is to let your love for dogs and passion for the outdoors shine through your new website. 

Remember, one of the keys to running a successful business is excellent customer service. Go the extra mile for your clients (and their furry friends) and you'll be on your way to building a successful dog walking business in no time.

So, what are you waiting for? Strap on those walking shoes, round up some pups, and start your dog walking website today!

Got any questions about starting a website for your small business? Reach out to our support team.

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