Image of a conference for members who would benefit from a membership app

Web

Scoping out a membership web app

Tim Bowerbank - 10 Mar, 2020

Director

1. Background

As a web developer it’s good practice to have side projects to further develop your skills. I am currently mapping out a project that will support business networks. We already have a strong interest in membership type business models for two reasons.

If you haven’t already, then have a read about our education membership web app - Club Roy.
I used to look after the marketing for a thriving business network. I did this for 12 years. I was part-time and coding interactive education apps during the rest of my week.

During this marketing role, I managed many aspects of running a busy business network. Some of my tasks included organising:

Conferences
Workshops
Networking events
Public relations
Directories (online and printed)
Social media broadcasts
Email marketing
Recruiting for members
Marketing coaching

The main challenges of any paid-for business network include…

Awareness: Creating awareness of the network and its benefits to recruit new members
Conversion: Converting prospects into members
Engaging members: Ensuring that members engage with activities. Disengaged members are always more likely to drop-off the radar and not renew.
Networking and collaboration: Encouraging members to network and collaborate with each other.
Identifying disengaged: so communication can focus on them and encourage future participation.
Reporting on engagement so that members can see their return on investment
Offering tools that will benefit the membership
Profit: Creating value for the members whilst creating profit to ensure sustainability. And minimizing the admin overheads along the way!

Using my coding skills, and first hand knowledge, I am going to build a solution to tackle these issues.

It’s going to use the best of the modern web. So, that will include a front-end framework and a serverless approach.

2. Membership web app wish-list

Awareness:

SEO optimized front-end (high performance and accessible)
Embedded social media

Network Management Features:

Top level super administrator
Network staff logins for viewing member info
Quick and easy sign-up process
Automated subscription payments (monthly or annual)
Searchable directories: businesses, events and jobs
Discussion forum
System notifications, e.g. when staff post an activity. Or when a renewal is due.
Member dashboard with engagement reporting
Member profile management with admin moderation
Messaging (member to all members, member to member)
Chat with network staff
Tendering management
Event management (promotion, sign-up, automated remind, attend and post-event follow up). Paid for option.
Assets for sale board
Recruitment board
Member only content areas
Data management for app

Reporting

Surveying services needed by the membership
Recently viewed content by member
Engagement levels
Surveys for tracking satisfaction

Profit

Advertising banners for members and others
Sponsorship management
Event management for associates
Paid-for listings for members within directory
E-commerce - sell products

I’m sure this list will grow!

Customization for the network business will include:

Logo
Colors
Content

Development specific features

Mobile first!
Built as a progressive web app, i.e. with offline capability
Log in authentication with Google or Facebook account - forgot password functionality
Static site pages generated with the Scully static site generator
Scalable
Serverless architecture
Bespoke content management or via a headless CMS
Recurring payments through Stripe