Creating a “Members Only” category in WordPress that is accessible only to subscribers requires setting up access controls and user restrictions. Follow these steps to create a members-only section on your WordPress site:

1. Install a Membership Plugin: To begin, you’ll need to install a membership plugin that allows you to restrict content access based on user roles or subscription levels. Some popular membership plugins include:

• MemberPress
• Restrict Content Pro
• Paid Memberships Pro
• WooCommerce Memberships (requires WooCommerce plugin)

Choose a plugin that fits your needs and budget, then install and activate it on your WordPress site.

2. Configure the Membership Plugin: Once the plugin is activated, configure it according to your requirements. This typically involves:

• Creating membership levels or subscription plans
• Setting up payment gateways (if charging for access)
• Defining the access rules or restrictions for each membership level

Refer to the documentation provided by the plugin developer for specific configuration instructions for installing a Members Only category in WordPress.

3. Restrict Access to Your “Members Only” Category: When creating a “Members Only” category, first, add a new category in WordPress by navigating to Posts > Categories, and enter the category details.

Next, you need to restrict access to this category based on the membership levels you’ve set up. The process varies depending on the membership plugin you’re using. Generally, you’ll need to create a new access rule or restriction in the plugin’s settings that applies to your “Members Only” category.

For example, with MemberPress, you can create a new rule by going to MemberPress > Rules > Add New. Set the rule to protect all posts within the “Members Only” category and select the membership levels that can access this content.

4. Add Content to the “Members Only” Category: Now that you have restricted access to the category, create and publish new posts under the “Members Only” category as you would with any other category. When a non-member tries to view the content, they will be prompted to log in or subscribe, depending on your plugin settings.
5. Test Your Setup: Once everything is configured, test your setup by trying to access the “Members Only” content using different user roles or membership levels. Ensure that access is restricted appropriately and that the subscription process works as intended.

By following these steps, you can create a “Members Only” category in WordPress that is accessible only to subscribers or specific membership levels.

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About the author

Keith Klein

Phone/Text: 262-853-7900
Founder & CEO, OnYourMark.com LLC
Organizer, Wisconsin Business Owners
Proprietor, Main Street Oil
Author, WebForging, A Practical Guide to the Art of Forging Your Web Presence