How to Set Up a Membership Store Using WooCommerce

Updated 2026-06-30 · Hosting Reviews

What You Need Before You Start

To setup membership store woocommerce you’ll need three core ingredients: a domain name, a web host that can run WordPress, and the WooCommerce plugin (plus the WooCommerce Memberships extension if you want recurring access). All of these can be obtained within a single dashboard on Hostinger, which offers low‑cost plans, free SSL, and one‑click WordPress installation.

Choosing the Right Hosting Plan

For a brand‑new membership store the traffic will be modest, so a shared hosting plan is usually enough. Hostinger’s shared plans start around $3‑$5 per month and give you enough CPU and RAM for a few hundred active members. If you expect rapid growth or need more control over server settings, consider a cloud or VPS plan; these typically run $10‑$25 per month and let you scale resources without moving to a new provider.

• Shared hosting: cheapest, managed environment, ideal for beginners.
• Cloud hosting: pay‑as‑you‑go resources, better uptime, good for medium traffic.
• VPS: dedicated virtual server, full root access, best for high‑traffic stores.

All three options on Hostinger include SSD storage, free daily backups, and a built‑in CDN that speeds up product pages and membership content.

Installing WordPress and WooCommerce

Once your hosting account is active, use Hostinger’s one‑click installer to launch WordPress. After WordPress is running:

1. Log in to the WordPress dashboard.
2. Navigate to **Plugins > Add New**.
3. Search for “WooCommerce” and click **Install Now**, then **Activate**.
4. Run the WooCommerce setup wizard – it will ask for basic store info, currency, and payment gateways.
5. Install the “WooCommerce Memberships” extension (paid) to turn products into membership plans.

The wizard also creates default pages (Shop, Cart, Checkout, My Account) and sets up essential tax and shipping settings.

Configuring Membership Products

With WooCommerce installed, you can create membership plans that grant access to exclusive content, downloadable files, or private forums.

• Go to **Products > Add New**.
• Enter a product name (e.g., “Premium Monthly Membership”).
• Set the price and choose a subscription interval (monthly, yearly, etc.).
• Under the “Product data” panel, select **Membership** and define which content is restricted to this plan.
• Publish the product and add it to a page or menu for easy access.

WooCommerce Memberships works seamlessly with the built‑in “My Account” area, so members can see their status, renewals, and restricted content in one place.

Payments, Shipping, and Security Basics

Even if you’re only selling digital memberships, you still need a reliable payment gateway. Stripe and PayPal are both free to install and work out‑of‑the‑box with WooCommerce. Enable SSL (free on Hostinger) to encrypt customer data – the platform automatically redirects HTTP to HTTPS.

Shipping isn’t required for pure membership products, but if you plan to sell physical goods later, configure Flat Rate or a real‑time carrier rate in the WooCommerce shipping settings.

Security doesn’t have to be complicated: keep WordPress, themes, and plugins updated, use Hostinger’s built‑in malware scanning, and limit login attempts with a free security plugin.

Going Live: From Staging to First Sale

Before you announce your store, run a quick checklist:

1. Test the checkout flow in sandbox mode (Stripe test cards or PayPal sandbox).
2. Verify that membership‑only pages are truly hidden from non‑logged‑in visitors.
3. Check page load speed with Google PageSpeed Insights – aim for a score above 80.
4. Enable email notifications for new orders and membership activations.

Once everything passes, disable the sandbox mode, launch your domain (or point an existing domain to your Hostinger account), and start promoting your membership store. With the free SSL and automatic backups already in place, you’ll have a solid foundation for your first sale and beyond.

FAQ

Do I need a separate server for a WooCommerce membership store?

No. For most new stores, a shared hosting plan from Hostinger provides enough resources. Upgrade only when you consistently exceed the plan’s CPU or RAM limits.

Can I accept recurring payments with WooCommerce?

Yes. The WooCommerce Subscriptions extension (a paid add‑on) lets you set up recurring billing, and it works with Stripe, PayPal, and many other gateways.

How much will my domain cost?

Hostinger includes a free domain for the first year on most plans. After the introductory period, typical .com domains renew for $10‑$15 per year, but exact rates vary by registrar.