What Are Memberships?
Memberships let you offer clients a recurring package of services at a locked-in rate. They pay monthly (or yearly), and in return they get service credits, exclusive discounts, and VIP treatment.
✨ Best for:
Business owners curious about memberships, or staff who want to understand how they work before enrolling clients.
The Simple Explanation
Think of a membership like a gym membership, but for your services:
- Client pays a monthly fee (e.g., $99/month)
- They get credits for services (e.g., 1 facial per month)
- Plus discounts on everything else (e.g., 15% off products)
- Billing happens automatically (no chasing payments)
That’s it. The client gets great value. You get predictable income.
Why Memberships Matter
For You (The Business Owner)
| Without Memberships | With Memberships |
|---|---|
| Revenue changes month to month | Same income every month |
| Clients come when they remember | Clients come to use their credits |
| Empty chairs during slow periods | Members fill your schedule |
| Chasing payments and invoices | Automatic billing runs itself |
| Clients try competitors | Members stay loyal |
For Your Staff
- Easy checkout — System applies credits automatically
- Clear answers — “Yes, your membership covers that” or “That’s 15% off for members”
- Commission opportunities — Enrolling members means more consistent clients
For Your Clients
- Real savings — Members pay less than drop-in prices
- Convenience — No thinking about payments each visit
- Flexibility — Pause when life gets busy, resume when ready
- VIP treatment — Exclusive discounts and priority booking
What’s Included in a Membership?
Every membership you create can include:
1. Service Credits
A set number of services each billing cycle.
Example: 1 signature facial per month
The credit applies automatically at checkout. No math, no guessing.
2. Member Discounts
Percentage off additional purchases.
Example:
- 15% off additional services
- 20% off retail products
Discounts apply automatically when you ring up a member.
3. Billing Cycle
How often the client is charged.
Options:
- Monthly — Most popular, lower barrier to entry
- Yearly — Higher commitment, often with a discount
4. Credit Policies
What happens to unused credits.
Options:
- Expire — Credits expire after X days (you choose)
- Rollover — Unused credits carry forward (optional, you set limits)
Real Example
“Glow Monthly” — $99/month
| What’s Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Service credit | 1 Signature Facial ($130 value) |
| Product discount | 15% off all skincare |
| Service discount | 10% off additional treatments |
| Credit expiration | 60 days |
| Rollover | Yes, up to 1 month |
Member value: They save $31+ every month, plus discounts on everything else.
Your value: Guaranteed monthly revenue and a client who shows up every month.
[Screenshot: Example membership plan in the catalog]
How It Works Day-to-Day
When a member arrives:
- You see their member status in their profile
- The system shows their available credits
- At checkout, credits apply automatically
- Member discounts appear on products and add-ons
- Any remaining balance is charged to their card (or they pay the difference)
When billing runs:
- System charges the card on file automatically
- New credits are issued for the next cycle
- Member gets a receipt via email
- If payment fails, system retries and notifies them
You don’t have to do anything—it just happens.
What Happens Next?
- ✅ Now you understand what memberships are
- ✅ You know what’s included (credits, discounts, billing)
- ✅ You understand the value for you and your clients
Common Questions
How is this different from a package?
Packages are one-time purchases with a set number of services (e.g., “Buy 5 facials, get 1 free”). Once used up, the client buys again.
Memberships are recurring—the client pays every month and gets fresh credits every cycle. It’s ongoing, not one-time.
What if a client doesn’t use their credits?
You decide! Credits can either expire (after 30, 60, 90 days) or roll over to the next month. Most businesses set some expiration to encourage regular visits.
Can members pause if they travel?
Yes! Members can pause their membership, which freezes billing. Their existing credits stay intact. When they’re ready, they resume and billing starts again.
Do I need to chase payments?
No. Billing runs automatically. If a payment fails, the system retries and sends the member reminders. You only step in if they stay past due.
How do I price my membership?
A good starting point: price your membership at 70-80% of the regular service price. Members get a deal, you get guaranteed visits.
Example: If a facial is $130, a membership at $99/month is a 24% discount—a great value that still protects your margins.
Pro Tips
💡 Start with one plan: Don't overcomplicate it. Create one simple membership, enroll a few loyal clients, and see how it goes. You can add more tiers later.
📊 Track your numbers: After a few months, look at member retention, visit frequency, and revenue. Memberships usually outperform by 3x on lifetime value.
🎯 Pitch it as value: Don't focus on the commitment—focus on the savings. "You come every month anyway. This saves you $30 and guarantees your spot."