Features and Migraiton

[loyaliser]

Dear s2Member,

We are currently running a competing membership plugin on our Web site to manage user memberships and monthly/quarterly/annual subscriptions, however it is lacking some key functions that we were wondering if your tool supports:

1. Quickly allow users to update CC information and restart membership on same day instead of having to wait - in cases of a failed CC renewal, expired card etc.
2. Allow paid memberships to be downgraded to standard membership only but still have access to parts of the site that a Guest user would not have access to, AND provide some users manually a custom subscription plan using a promotion code etc. (e.g. 22 days of subscription for $50)
3. Allow users to still have up to X days of access to the site if their credit card renewal fails - or at least being able to notice them X days in advance that their account is expiring
4. Flexibility to customize your plugin so we can integrate the user account management screen for your tool, WP and vBulletin (i.e. we need access to code) - this way users will have a one-stop page to manage all their user settings
5. Migrate users/subscriptions from other membership software (e.g. Membership plugin)

Thank you.

[Jason Caldwell]

1. Quickly allow users to update CC information and restart membership on same day instead of having to wait - in cases of a failed CC renewal, expired card etc.

While it's not entirely possible yet ( see this thread ), it is possible to create an s2Member Pro Billing Modification Form, for your expired/failed Customers. If you set s2Member's Auto-EOT behavior to "demote" ( the default ), expired Customers can still log in and upgrade to the plan they *were* on before billing failed, etc. s2Member still needs more work in this area. So, it's possible, but NOT as intuitive as we'd like it to be yet, as of s2Member Pro v111017.

2. Allow paid memberships to be downgraded to standard membership only but still have access to parts of the site that a Guest user would not have access to, AND provide some users manually a custom subscription plan using a promotion code etc. (e.g. 22 days of subscription for $50)

Yes, by default, s2Member will demote expired/cancelled/failed subscriptions back down to a Free Subscriber status. This leaves them with the ability to still log into your site and view whatever content you make available for free at Level #0, or with whatever Custom Capabilities the User may have.

Coupon Codes are possible with s2Member Pro only, integrated with s2Member Pro Forms for either PayPal Pro integration and/or Authorize.Net. Yes, 22 days of membership on a fixed term is certainly possible, and this could be awarded based on a coupon code if you like.

3. Allow users to still have up to X days of access to the site if their credit card renewal fails - or at least being able to notice them X days in advance that their account is expiring

No, this is NOT entirely possible yet ( see this thread ). Though it is possible to configure Max Failed Payments if you integrate with PayPal Pro ( click to enlarge attached screenshot ).

4. Flexibility to customize your plugin so we can integrate the user account management screen for your tool, WP and vBulletin (i.e. we need access to code) - this way users will have a one-stop page to manage all their user settings

Certainly, all of s2Member's source code for both the free version and for s2Member Pro is available to you. s2Member also includes over 2000 Hooks/Filters that make hacks and/or custom code easy to integrate. Please see this article in the s2Member Codex. viewforum.php?f=40#src_doc_overview_description

5. Migrate users/subscriptions from other membership software (e.g. Membership plugin)

This is possible only with s2Member Pro's Import/Export feature.

[loyaliser]

Jason,

Thanks so much for the VERY thorough response, much appreciated...

So far looks good, but in dealing with 5,000+ subscriptions I fear the migration - it will be frightening

I did come across an interesting article comparing (at a high level) several other plugins, but not sure any of them are as user friendly and as open as s2Member... Any feedback would be helpful, if you can, to help us convince "senior management"...

http://wplift.com/create-a-membership-s ... ip-plugins
http://saasy.com/features.php
http://www.yourmembers.co.uk/
http://wp-member.com/
http://www.amember.com/p/main/features/
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/membership/

I actually started an Excel comparing them all based on features listed... Hopefully once completed, would be glad to post it here

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[Jason Caldwell]

Thanks, and you're very welcome.
I'd love to see your Excel file, please feel free to post that.

Membership plugins are VERY difficult to compare, just because the architecture behind each of them is so very different. Where one out-does the other, another one makes up for it, with flexibility; so it's hard to say which is actually better. I suppose it's a matter of opinion, and of course it also depends heavily on WHO is going to setup, configure and ultimately run the site ( i.e. a novice vs. a guru ).

I think you'll find that it's impossible to locate the *perfect* membership plugin, because each site ( particularly larger, more popular sites ), have their own unique business model. The closest you'll get to perfection (in my opinion), is having the full ability to tweak things here and there to make everything in your business model come together just the way you need it to.

I can say with confidence that s2Member has fantastic support, particularly for developers.
If you're setting up a site for a client, I would always recommend s2Member over the others. Flexibility, Hooks/Filters, and our support forum become a HUGE asset when you're dealing with the complexities associated with a membership offering. We're here to answer questions as they arise, and we may even provide you with code samples that provide specific functionality, which might be unique to your ideas ( i.e. custom code that might Hook into or Filter s2Member in creative ways ).

In other cases ( i.e. for novice users ), I would suggest choosing the software you feel most comfortable with. For instance, the more UI controls the better. Try experimenting with any of the plugins that offer a free version, and try to get a feel for how they work within your Dashboard.