Discover why launching a membership website is a lucrative startup idea in 2023. Understand the benefits, explore Scrile Connect’s white-label solution, and learn how it simplifies launching a content subscription platform. Start your successful online business journey today!
Introduction
The internet age has given rise to a multitude of opportunities to monetize content, one of the most prominent being membership websites. A membership website is a gated part of an online platform where access to certain content is restricted to subscribers. These sites are becoming an increasingly popular way for content creators to monetize their work and for consumers to access exclusive content. Perhaps the most famous for this way of functioning is Only Fans, although you can still choose one of the best free onlyfans accounts offered by this platform.
The Growth and Popularity of Membership Websites
Content subscription websites such as OnlyFans and Patreon have become mainstays in the digital world. For instance, Patreon reported more than 200,000 active creators and over 3 million active patrons in 2019. This trend continued upward, with the number of creators growing by 50,000 in 2020. OnlyFans, on the other hand, has grown even more drastically, boasting over 100,000 content creators and more than 30 million registered users as of 2020.
In 2020 alone, Patreon generated an estimated $1 billion for its creators, while OnlyFans reportedly paid out more than $2 billion to its creators since its inception in 2016. In 2022, OnlyFans had revenue worth $2.5 billion USD. That’s over one billion more than the previous year. OnlyFans revenue has grown at a CAGR of 174.3% over the past 3 years (2018-2021). OnlyFans is currently valued at ~$18 billion (8x more than in 2020) with 190 million active users (and 2.1 million of those are creators).
The success of these platforms illustrates the growing demand for exclusive content and the willingness of audiences to pay for it.
Why Starting a Membership Website is a Smart Startup Idea in 2023
Market Trends and Projections
Statista forecasts the number of digital buyers worldwide to reach 2.14 billion by 2023, presenting a massive potential audience for membership websites. Furthermore, the digital content market is projected to reach $432 billion by 2026, according to a report by Grand View Research, indicating immense growth potential for this business model.
The Gig Economy and Independent Content Creators
With the rise of the gig economy, an increasing number of people are exploring independent work, and this is where a membership website can thrive. As per the Freelancers Union, 57 million Americans worked freelance in 2019, and this number is expected to rise. The same report stated that freelancers contributed approximately $1.2 trillion to the US economy in annual earnings. This emphasizes the need for platforms that enable these creators to monetize their skills efficiently.
With the gig economy on the rise and the increasing number of internet users worldwide (4.88 billion in 2021, expected to grow even more), the potential for profitable membership websites is immense. Moreover, with advancements in technology, starting a membership website has become more accessible than ever.
Potential Profitability
By offering exclusive content behind a paywall, content creators can generate substantial revenue. As an entrepreneur, you earn a commission from these transactions, creating a win-win situation for both creators and platform owners.
Meeting the Demand of Independent Content Creators
With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok facing backlash for their controversial monetization policies, content creators are actively seeking alternative platforms that offer better monetization options. This trend makes the launch of a membership website in 2023 an appealing prospect.
Launching a Membership Website: The Traditional Route
Traditionally, building a membership website requires significant time, money, and technical knowledge, whether developing it from scratch or outsourcing its development. Challenges include coding, designing, setting up payment gateways, ensuring security, and maintaining the website.
The Turnkey Solution: Scrile Connect
For those looking to launch a membership website, Scrile Connect emerges as the perfect choice. It’s a white label solution that allows you to have a fully functional platform in just a day, thanks to its vast array of pre-built features and monetization tools. Despite the speed of deployment, it doesn’t compromise on customizability, allowing you to adapt the platform to your specific needs or niche and make it unique.
Key Features of Scrile Connect
Scrile Connect is equipped with numerous essential and advantageous features, including:
- Customization and Branding: Scrile Connect offers extensive customization options that allow you to adapt the platform to align with your brand’s identity and your business goals.
- Monetization Tools: The platform comes with a host of monetization tools, including memberships, pay-per-view, tips, and advertising revenue, ensuring diversified income streams for your business.
- Content Security and Protection: With Scrile Connect, you can ensure that your content is safe and secure, thanks to its robust content protection features.
- Multiple Content Formats: It supports multiple content formats, giving creators the flexibility to publish and monetize various types of content, from text and images to videos and audio.
- User Engagement Tools: Scrile Connect incorporates user engagement tools such as comments, likes, and shares to foster a sense of community and enhance user experience.
- Robust Support: They offer robust support to help you resolve any issues or challenges you may face along the way.
- Easy Payment Gateway Integration: Whether you prefer to use PayPal, Stripe, or other popular payment platforms, integrating them with your Scrile Connect website is straightforward and hassle-free. This ensures a smooth and easy payment experience for your users, fostering trust and encouraging retention.
In essence, with Scrile Connect, you can save money and time, and sidestep the technical challenges typically associated with launching a membership website. Its impressive features and flexibility make it a formidable player in the field of content subscription platforms.
Conclusion
Starting a membership website is an exciting and potentially profitable venture in 2023. With Scrile Connect, launching such a site has never been easier. From monetization to content protection, Scrile Connect has all the features a successful membership website requires. Check out Scrile Connect today and start your journey to becoming a successful membership website owner.
