Members-only websites...The best Internet business model today.

Most Internet business websites generating income involve selling products or services. You may sell ebooks, DVD's, courses, video training, or many different types of services.

This business model forces you to continually search for new customers after you have made the initial sale. You also always continue to market to your customers who have purchased in the past to offer them more of your products. But usually, these sales are a one-time only purchase.

A membership business website offers you recurring income on a monthly and yearly basis for a one-time sale. A members-only website can be about any subject. It should be targeted to a specific group of people who need information about their business, hobbies, interests, or causes they love. You could begin one for automotive sales people, home builders, retail store managers, computer buyers, hang gliders, chihuahua lovers, pilots, people who love gardening, or any other subject where people are searching for more information to make their life better or easier.

Let's take a look at how a members-only site works...

Let's say you offer unique, innovative, and unusual sales training geared to commission sales people. Your methods have worked for you and could really help commission salespeople in all types of sales work increase their income. You have a valuable 'information product.'

You offer a twice-monthly email newsletter to your members along with access to a password-protected website crammed full of valuable free information, along with products such as ebooks, DVD courses, audios, videos, etc. for sale to your members in that particular niche. You can partner with affiliate businesses to earn money from the sale of these products in addition to your monthly membership fees.

To gain access to this valuable information and products you charge a small monthly fee of $9, billed automatically to the member's credit card each month. You don't require any long-term commitments and the members can cancel at any time. Anyone can afford $9 for information that will make them more money and increase their sales skills. And they will gladly pay this small amount to increase their knowledge of their hobbies and interests.

You will market to a worldwide audience. Getting back to our example, there are millions and millions of commission salespeople worldwide who want something different to help them make more money. When you reach the small members number of 750 your income will be $6750 US per month. That is a substantial income from one website.

Depending on your niche, it could take a couple months, 6 months, or a year to reach 750 members. So what? You are building a REAL business with regular monthly income from a 'one-time sale.' Once you reach 750 members you know you have a good niche market with growth potential. At this point you set the monthly fee at $15 for all new members who sign up. Getting 750 more members at only $15 per month gives you a monthly income of $7500. Add that to the original $6750 and your site is generating $14,250 per month.

You may think these numbers are too high and unattainable. Believe me, if you do some research you will find that $14,250 is only middle-of-the-road of what successful membership websites generate in income. This Internet business model is only now generating more publicity because the people doing this haven't wanted to saturate the market. But this model could never be saturated if your information is good.

And with the powerful membership website management software on the market today 10-15 different membership websites can be run by one person on a monthly basis. What do you think of that potential?

And another huge benefit of beginning, and building, a members-only website in a targeted niche of people who need your information, is that a membership site builds EQUITY. Most Internet business websites do not build much equity. But when you show potential buyers your monthly income figures you can sell your membership site outright for substantial amounts. And it can be sold easily and quickly.

In my opinion, membership websites are the #1 best business model for a person with specialized knowledge that other people would want, to start a small Internet business. We all have knowledge of our jobs, hobbies, and interests that others would like to learn. Some will always know more than you, and many will always know less. You don't have to sell products for $25, $50, $100, $500, or more on an on-going basis as a one-time sale. You build your member base with small fees that anyone can easily afford.

Your membership site management software package will cost you about $100-$150 per month. And this takes care of absolutely everything you need from building the actual site, marketing it, managing all functions, and getting paid. With only 20 members you are in profit. And if your information is valuable and you take the time to market, you will build your customer base very quickly.

There are so many qet-rich-quick systems on the Internet today. And the majority just want your money. It's how the 'gurus' make their living. We all want to be able to work from home and really make an honest living. And it is possible if you find the right people to help you and the right business model. Sure it takes work. But a membership site can be started on a part time basis and built over time to become a REAL business for you. I'm building my own membership site now and I'm excited. And I don't get too excited about anything.

I would like some opinions and comments about what you think of this Internet business model. Have I opened any eyes? Are those wheels in your mind turning? Any of you currently have a membership site? I would like to hear from you...

If you're interested in finding out more about this great Internet business model you can contact me at coachdoug60@comcast.net with your questions and comments. I will personally, and privately, answer all emails.

What software would you need Doug? There is scads of free information on the Internet why pay a monthly fee?

Good question Thomas...

Yes, there are 'scads' of free information on the Internet, but membership sites contain specialized, sub-niche information that is unique. Usually it's hard-to-find information that isn't like all the other information out there, but not always. It can also be simple, easy-to-find information. It's directed to certain people that don't want to search and search for all the free information that is re-hashed over and over.

But even if the information is available with some research, membership sites are successful because they are 'convenient.' It's the same with a lawn care service, window washing service, or any other task that people don't want to do on their own. If we all cut our own lawns and washed our own windows their would be none of those businesses in existence. But there are plenty of them aren't there? If you check the Yellow Pages you will be amazed at how many there are.

Life is so fast-paced, complex, and time-crunched in today's world that people just don't have time to sit down and do research to find the information they want. They have disposable income and they want it done for them. They want the information 'now.'

A membership website is a 'service' Thomas, just like any other service business. Hope that helps answer the excellent question you asked...Coach Doug

What kind of software would you use Doug? How long do you think people would pay the membership fee? Is $9 a special number for these sites?

Thomas...

There are specific software packages available for membership sites that I can direct you to if you are serious about this. And you could find these packages on your own with a little research. If you want more information email me privately at my email address above.

As far as the $9 figure, it depends on the specialization and value of your site information and subject. There are membership sites that charge several hundred dollars per month for access. There is no single answer to this. The $9 figure represents a good start for a beginning membership site operator.

If you have a membership site directed at nuclear power plant operators, obviously you will be charging a whole lot more than $9 per month. If your site is geared for owners of auto dealerships you will charge more. It all depends on the value of your knowledge, the market you are targeting, and how much these people want your help...Coach Doug

Originally Posted by Dougd55 There are specific software packages available for membership sites that I can direct you to if you are serious about this. And you could find these packages on your own with a little research.

I searched google and found a few programs. I wouldn't say I'm serious but I am curious. Thanks for bringing this up.

Originally Posted by Thomas I searched google and found a few programs. I wouldn't say I'm serious but I am curious. Thanks for bringing this up.

amember(dot)com has a free trial if you want to try one.

It really depends what you need the script to do. If you
are serious about starting a membership site figure out
what you want to base one on first. Then research scripts
from there.