Membership plugins for WordPress allow users to join different membership groups or roles, manage membership renewals and expirations, and protect content based on groups. They commonly offer features like creating and managing roles, protecting pages and posts for certain roles, and supporting free or paid signups. However, they may not include a membership directory, special user profiles, import/export tools, or integration with specific payment gateways.

1. Membership Plugins
In WordPress
Peter Baylies aka
@pbaylies on Twitter
Semper Fi Web Design

2. What Do They Do?
• Allow people to join a membership group (or role
http://codex.wordpress.org/Roles_and_Capabilities#Summary_of_Roles )
• Manage membership renewals or expirations
• Protect content based on that group
• Allow for free or paid groups(?)
• e-Commerce features?(!)

3. What It Might Not Do:
• Membership directory
• Special user profile pages
• Member import / export
• Specific payment gateway integration
• Event management
• Downloads area

4. Common Features
• Create and manage roles in WordPress
• Protect pages + posts based on roles + categories
• Protect content on a page with shortcodes
• Support for free or paid signups
• Payment gateway support, recurring subscriptions?

5. eCommerce + Membership
• iThemes Exchange - has a paid membership add-on
• WooCommerce - integrates with Groups
• Easy Digital Downloads - Restrict Content Pro integration
• s2Member - support for PayPal subscriptions

6. Special Needs
• Payment Gateway Support
• eCommerce Features
• Multiple Memberships / Subscriptions
• Associations of users
• Prorating charges
• Dripping content
• See http://chrislema.com/best-wordpress-membership-plugin-2014/
http://chrislemacom.c.presscdn.com/wp-content/uploads/
MembershipPluginComparison2014.gif

7. Demo & Questions
• ...and, thank you!