Posted By SPulley on 10/28/2005 10:09 AM
I've downloaded and installed the membership module.  It's a nice start.  I'll most likely use it on my homepage to get people to sign up for an account, then upgrade, and thank them for upgrading, then provide a link to a page explaining their benefits. 

I've been thinking a lot about features that you could incorporate, trying to think of items that would have appeal if I had a site about modules, model trains, golf or whatever.  Another feature that I would like is the ability to not show a module at all for paying members.  On my site, the left hand side of the pages is populated with ads from google, ebay and others.  I've built logic into my pages that does not display these ads for the paying members.   This way, they get more 'real estate' to view the forums and articles on.  My average user is in his 50s or 60s and not very computer literate.  Most run at 1024x768 or 800x600 resolution, so they like not having ads taking up screen space.  It's a good incentive for them to upgrade.  Is there a way of accomplishing this without modifying the core?

I also estimated that my paid memberships would be a lot higher if I offered the option to pay when they signed up.  I've never gotten around to implementing it.  That's a feature you should consider.

If you have any questions or comments about my site I'd love to hear them.  I understand that not everything can make it in a release.  If you held things up for new features, you'd never have a release.  If you ever have an idea and want to bounce it of of someone who is already using this membership model with some degree of success, send me an email or note.  I'd be happy to help out any way I can.  I just don't have the time to code things anymore and am happy that you're moving the direction that I was.