One-time course sales are limited. The fastest way to grow revenue is to monetise with subscriptions and bundles. These models increase lifetime value, reduce churn, and turn your course business into a predictable revenue engine. This guide shows how to do it on WordPress.
Why subscriptions and bundles work
- Predictable revenue: Monthly recurring revenue stabilises growth.
- Higher lifetime value: Members stay longer when the value is ongoing.
- Lower acquisition pressure: You do not need new sales every day.
- Better retention: Bundles encourage continued engagement.
Subscription models to consider
1) All-access membership
One monthly fee unlocks the entire course library. Great for broad content hubs.
2) Tiered memberships
Offer multiple levels with different access and perks.
3) Cohort or cohort-plus-community
Charge a premium for access to live support and groups.
Bundle strategies that boost conversions
- Beginner-to-advanced course packs
- Role-based bundles (marketer, developer, designer)
- Certification paths with assessments
- Limited-time bundles for launches
How to implement subscriptions on WordPress
- WordPress core: Foundation for full ownership.
- LearnDash: Course structure and gating rules.
- Membership plugin or WooCommerce: Subscription payments.
- BuddyPress: Add community to reduce churn.
- Reign theme: Member-first UX for retention.
Pricing tips for subscriptions and bundles
- Start with a low-friction monthly price, then add an annual option.
- Use bundles as a premium upsell from single courses.
- Offer a free trial only if onboarding is strong.
- Add community and live support to justify premium tiers.
Sample pricing ladder
- Starter course: one-time purchase
- Bundle: discounted pack of 3 to 5 courses
- Membership: all-access with monthly billing
- Premium tier: cohort access and coaching
Content strategy for retention
Subscriptions work when students keep seeing value. Plan monthly content drops, live sessions, and community challenges. The more active your community, the lower your churn.
Upsell paths that increase revenue
- Starter course to full bundle upgrade
- Membership to the coaching program upsell
- Bundle to the certification track
- Annual upgrade for higher cash flow
Retention tactics that reduce churn
- Welcome sequences that drive early activation
- Weekly learning prompts inside the community
- Progress milestones with badges or certificates
- Re-engagement campaigns for inactive members
Metrics to track
- Monthly recurring revenue (MRR)
- Churn rate and retention by cohort
- Bundle conversion rate
- Average revenue per user (ARPU)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Launching a subscription with no content roadmap
- Pricing bundles too low and devaluing courses
- Skipping member onboarding and activation
- Offering too many tiers that confuse buyers
FAQ
Do subscriptions work for small audiences?
Yes, if the value is ongoing and the community is active. Even a small engaged audience can sustain MRR.
Should I bundle everything?
No. Keep some courses standalone to create entry points, then upsell into bundles.
Can I combine subscriptions and one-time sales?
Yes. Many platforms use both to maximise revenue.
Launch with Reign + LearnDash + BuddyPress
Subscriptions and bundles work best with strong UX and community. Reign, LearnDash, and BuddyPress give you the tools to build a platform that retains members and grows recurring revenue.
CTA: Monetise with subscriptions and bundles using Reign + LearnDash + BuddyPress.