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WooCommerce Memberships integration

Overview​

Free Downloads for WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WooCommerce Memberships and WooCommerce Subscriptions, allowing you to restrict free downloads to members or subscribers.

The integration allows you to:

  • Restrict free downloads to specific membership plans
  • Require active subscriptions for downloads
  • Display membership messages to non-members
  • Combine with login requirements for additional security
  • Track member downloads (Pro feature)

Prerequisites​

To use membership features, you need:

  • WooCommerce Memberships plugin (by SkyVerge/WooCommerce)
  • Or WooCommerce Subscriptions plugin (by WooCommerce)
  • Or both for full functionality

These are separate premium plugins available from WooCommerce.com.

How It Works​

With WooCommerce Memberships​

  1. Create membership plans in WooCommerce
  2. Restrict products to specific membership plans
  3. Non-members see a membership message instead of download button
  4. Members see the download button and can download immediately

With WooCommerce Subscriptions​

  1. Create subscription products in WooCommerce
  2. Restrict free downloads to active subscribers
  3. Non-subscribers see a subscription message
  4. Active subscribers can download

Combined​

Use both plugins together for maximum flexibility:

  • Offer free downloads as membership benefits
  • Require active subscriptions for premium free content
  • Create tiered access levels
  • Offer free trials with limited downloads (Pro feature)

Setting Up Membership Restrictions​

Step 1: Create Membership Plan​

If using WooCommerce Memberships:

  1. Go to WooCommerce > Memberships > Membership Plans
  2. Click Add Membership Plan
  3. Configure your plan (name, slug, access length)
  4. Save the plan

Step 2: Restrict Product to Members​

  1. Edit your free download product
  2. Scroll to Product Data > Memberships
  3. Check Restrict to members
  4. Select which membership plans can access
  5. Update the product

Step 3: Test​

  1. Log out or use incognito mode
  2. Visit the product page
  3. You should see a membership message instead of download button
  4. Log in as a member
  5. Download button should appear

What Non-Members See​

When a non-member visits a restricted product:

  • Download button is hidden
  • Membership message is displayed
  • Link to purchase membership is shown
  • Product is still visible and browsable

Default message:

"This product is only available to members. Purchase a membership to access."

Customizing Membership Messages​

WooCommerce Memberships provides options to customize messages:

  1. Go to WooCommerce > Settings > Memberships
  2. Find Restriction Messages section
  3. Customize messages for:
    • Products
    • Product categories
    • Custom messages per plan
  4. Save changes

You can use these placeholders in messages:

  • {products} - Links to purchase membership
  • {login} - Link to login page
  • {plan_name} - Name of required membership plan

Example custom message:

"This free download is exclusive to {plan_name} members. {products} or {login} if you're already a member."

Membership Levels and Tiers​

Create tiered access to free downloads:

Example: Basic, Premium, VIP​

Basic Members:

  • Access to 10 free downloads
  • Restrict products to "Basic" plan

Premium Members:

  • Access to 50 free downloads
  • Restrict products to "Premium" plan

VIP Members:

  • Unlimited free downloads
  • Restrict products to "VIP" plan

Configure by:

  1. Creating three membership plans
  2. Restricting different products to different plans
  3. Using categories to organize by tier

Combining with Login Requirements​

For maximum security, combine membership restrictions with login requirements:

  1. Enable Require login to download in plugin settings
  2. Restrict products to membership plans
  3. Non-logged-in users must log in first
  4. Then membership is checked
  5. Only members with active plans can download

This prevents:

  • Guest downloads
  • Expired member downloads
  • Unauthorized access

Subscription-Based Downloads​

With WooCommerce Subscriptions​

Restrict downloads to active subscribers:

  1. Create a subscription product
  2. Create free download products
  3. Restrict free downloads to subscribers
  4. Subscribers get access while subscription is active
  5. Access is removed when subscription expires or is cancelled

Subscription Renewal​

When subscriptions renew:

  • Access continues automatically
  • No action needed from customer
  • Downloads remain available

When subscriptions expire:

  • Access is removed automatically
  • Download button is hidden
  • Membership message appears

Pro Features with Memberships​

The Pro edition offers additional membership features:

Membership-Specific Download Limits​

Set different download limits for different membership plans:

  • Basic: 5 downloads per day
  • Premium: 20 downloads per day
  • VIP: Unlimited downloads

Free Trial Limits​

Restrict downloads during free trial periods:

  • Set limits for trial members
  • Different limits after trial ends
  • Encourage upgrades to paid plans

Member Download Tracking​

Track which members download what:

  • See member download history
  • Analyze popular content by plan
  • Export member download data

Upgrade to Pro to access membership-specific limits, trial limits, and download tracking.

Use Cases​

Content Library for Members​

Create a members-only content library:

  1. Create "Content Library" membership plan
  2. Create multiple free download products
  3. Restrict all to "Content Library" plan
  4. Organize with categories (eBooks, Templates, Guides)
  5. Members get access to entire library

Tiered Resource Access​

Offer different resources at different membership levels:

  • Free Members: 5 basic templates
  • Pro Members: 20 advanced templates + guides
  • Enterprise Members: All templates + custom resources

Subscription Perks​

Add free downloads as subscription benefits:

  • Monthly subscription includes 10 free downloads
  • Quarterly subscription includes 35 free downloads
  • Annual subscription includes unlimited downloads

Course Materials​

Restrict course materials to enrolled students:

  1. Create course as subscription product
  2. Create course materials as free downloads
  3. Restrict materials to course subscribers
  4. Students get access while enrolled

Troubleshooting​

Members Can't Download​

If members can't download:

  1. ✅ Verify membership is active (not expired)
  2. ✅ Check product is restricted to correct plan
  3. ✅ Ensure user is logged in
  4. ✅ Check membership plan includes product access
  5. ✅ Clear all caches

Non-Members See Download Button​

If non-members see the button:

  1. ✅ Verify product restriction is saved
  2. ✅ Check membership plan is active
  3. ✅ Ensure WooCommerce Memberships is active
  4. ✅ Clear caches
  5. ✅ Test in incognito mode

Membership Message Not Showing​

If the message doesn't appear:

  1. ✅ Check WooCommerce Memberships settings
  2. ✅ Verify message is configured
  3. ✅ Ensure product is properly restricted
  4. ✅ Check for theme conflicts
  5. ✅ Test with default theme

Expired Members Still Have Access​

If expired members can still download:

  1. ✅ Check membership expiration date
  2. ✅ Verify membership status is "Expired"
  3. ✅ Clear all caches
  4. ✅ Check for caching plugins
  5. ✅ Test in incognito mode

Best Practices​

Membership Structure​

  • Clear tiers: Make membership levels obvious
  • Logical restrictions: Restrict content that matches plan value
  • Consistent naming: Use clear, descriptive plan names
  • Document benefits: List what each plan includes

User Experience​

  • Clear messaging: Explain why content is restricted
  • Easy upgrades: Make it simple to purchase membership
  • Grace periods: Consider grace periods for expired members
  • Support: Provide help for membership issues

Content Organization​

  • Use categories: Organize downloads by membership level
  • Tag appropriately: Use tags for easy filtering
  • Featured content: Highlight premium member content
  • Regular updates: Add new content regularly

Communication​

  • Welcome emails: Send download access info to new members
  • Renewal reminders: Remind members before expiration
  • New content alerts: Notify members of new downloads
  • Upgrade prompts: Encourage upgrades with exclusive content

What's Next​

Upgrade to Pro for membership-specific download limits and tracking.