How to Create a Membership Site for Digital Art Tutorials

Updated 2026-06-28 · Hosting Reviews

Want to create membership site digital art tutorials without spending a fortune or wrestling with code? You’ll need three things: a reliable host, a domain name you own, and a platform that lets you lock video lessons behind a paywall. Below is a no‑fluff roadmap that takes you from idea to a live online course site, with cost‑effective choices for beginners and small businesses.

Pick the Right Hosting Plan

Hosting is the foundation. For a membership site you’ll be serving video files, PDFs, and possibly live streams, so you need decent bandwidth and solid uptime. Here are three common tiers:

• Shared hosting – cheapest option, usually $3‑$8 / month. Good for under 100 active members and low traffic. Look for plans that include SSD storage and a free SSL certificate.
• Cloud hosting – a step up in performance, typically $10‑$20 / month. Resources scale automatically, which helps when a new tutorial drops and traffic spikes.
• VPS (Virtual Private Server) – gives you dedicated CPU/RAM slices, starting around $15‑$30 / month. Ideal if you plan to host high‑resolution videos or run multiple courses.

Hostinger offers shared and cloud plans that hit the sweet spot for most art instructors. Their servers are fast, the control panel is beginner‑friendly, and you get a free domain for the first year plus a free SSL certificate.

Secure a Domain Name You’ll Keep

Your domain is your brand’s address. Choose something short, memorable, and relevant – e.g., arttutorials.com or drawwithme.net. Register it through your host (Hostinger includes a free domain for the first year) or a registrar like Namecheap. Remember that renewal rates are higher than the introductory price, so budget for the second‑year cost.

Choose a Platform and LMS Plugin

Two main routes exist:

1. WordPress + LMS plugin – WordPress powers about 40% of the web, so you’ll find plenty of tutorials and support. Popular LMS plugins include LearnDash, LifterLMS, and Tutor LMS. They let you create courses, drip content, manage payments, and protect videos.
2. All‑in‑one website builder – platforms like Kajabi or Teachable host everything for you, but they charge $50‑$150 / month and lock you into their ecosystem.

For cost‑conscious creators, WordPress on Hostinger is the clear winner. One‑click WordPress installs take seconds, and you can add a free or low‑cost LMS plugin to start selling immediately.

Set Up Your Course Structure and Drip Content

Once WordPress is installed, follow these steps:

• Install your chosen LMS plugin and activate the required add‑ons (payment gateway, video protection, etc.).
• Create a “Course” and break it into “Modules” or “Lessons.” Most LMS tools let you schedule when each lesson becomes available – perfect for drip feeding new tutorials each week.
• Upload video lessons to a video‑hosting service (YouTube unlisted, Vimeo Pro, or a private cloud bucket). Then embed the protected URL in the LMS lesson so only paying members can view it.
• Set up a payment gateway – Stripe and PayPal are the most common and usually cost 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. Connect it to the LMS so members get instant access after checkout.

Test the flow with a dummy account before you launch. Check that the video player is secure (no right‑click download) and that the drip schedule respects the dates you set.

Speed, Security, and Ongoing Maintenance

Even a low‑budget site can feel fast and safe if you follow these basics:

• Cache plugin – WP Rocket or the free LiteSpeed Cache (often pre‑installed on Hostinger) reduces load times dramatically.
• Image optimization – compress thumbnails with ShortPixel or Smush.
• Regular backups – enable daily backups through Hostinger’s control panel or a plugin like UpdraftPlus.
• Security – keep WordPress core, theme, and plugins updated. Install a firewall plugin (Wordfence or Sucuri) and enforce strong passwords for all user accounts.

These steps keep your site running smoothly for members and protect your content from piracy.

Launch Checklist – From Zero to Live in One Day

When you’ve finished the technical setup, run through this quick checklist:

1. Domain points to your Hostinger server (DNS update may take up to 24 hours).
2. SSL certificate active (Hostinger provides it for free).
3. All course pages publish and are password‑protected.
4. Payment gateway test transaction successful.
5. Responsive design check on mobile and desktop.
6. Backup schedule enabled.

Hit “Publish,” announce the launch on social media, and start collecting email leads for future tutorials. You’ll be earning from day one while keeping 100% of the revenue because the host doesn’t take a cut.

FAQ

Do I need a separate video‑hosting service?

Yes, unless you want to stream directly from your web server, which can slow down performance and increase bandwidth costs. Services like Vimeo Pro or a private Amazon S3 bucket let you embed protected videos safely.

Can I upgrade my Hostinger plan later?

Absolutely. Hostinger lets you scale from shared to cloud or VPS with a few clicks. Your WordPress site and LMS data move with you, so you won’t lose content.

What’s the typical monthly cost for a small art tutorial membership site?

Starting at $5‑$10 / month for shared hosting, plus $0‑$30 for an LMS plugin (many have free tiers), and transaction fees from your payment processor. Expect total recurring costs under $50 / month until you outgrow the plan.