How to Create a Membership Registration Form

 

Key Takeaways:

• Most membership platforms make you stitch together separate tools for registration, payments, and communication. Activity Messenger replaces all of them in one place.
• Form-building is drag-and-drop, but the real power lies beneath: conditional logic, pre-filled returning-member data, and built-in agreement signing mean less back-and-forth with members.
• Digital membership cards in Apple and Google Wallet are not just convenient. They enable access control, discount verification, and member check-in without any extra hardware.
• Renewals, invoices, and approval workflows run automatically, which is especially important for organizations managing hundreds of members across multiple membership types.
• Built-in SMS and email tools let you target specific member groups, not just blast everyone, which meaningfully improves renewal rates and engagement.
• Everything happens on your website: members sign up, pay, and receive confirmation without ever being redirected to a third-party portal.

 

Table of Contents

• 1. Create An Online Membership Form (Drag & Drop)
• 2. Customize Membership Options
• 3. Utilize Digital Membership Cards
• 4. Offer Exclusive Member Benefits and Discounts
• 5. Set Up Membership Management Automation
• 6. Integrated Email & SMS Communication
• 7. Website Integration & Secure Payments
• Why Choose Activity Messenger for Membership Management?

 

1. Create An Online Membership Form (Drag & Drop)

Activity Messenger provides an intuitive drag-and-drop builder to customize your membership forms so they are on-brand and user-friendly.

Key Features:

• Customizable form fields – Choose what information you want to collect, from names, emails, and phone numbers to emergency contacts, date of birth, or membership type.
• Brand integration – Add your logo and colours using our Canva integration to maintain a professional look.
• Required vs. optional fields – Make sure you collect essential data while allowing users to skip non-required questions.
• Conditional logic – Display specific fields based on membership type (e.g., corporate vs. individual memberships).
• Pre-fill data – If a returning member is renewing, their existing information can auto-fill.

How It Helps:

• 🚀 Saves time by eliminating paperwork.
• 💡 Creates a professional and branded experience.
• ✅ Ensures you collect all necessary member data upfront.

2. Customize Membership Options

Every organization has its own membership structure, and Activity Messenger lets you customize membership plans to suit your needs.

What You Can Customize in Membership Plans:

• 📆 Duration – Set memberships as monthly, yearly, seasonal, or custom lengths (e.g., a 10-week membership for a sports program).
• 📌 Membership types – Offer individual, corporate, family, or partnership memberships with different pricing and benefits.
• 🔄 Automatic renewals – Enable auto-renewal options where members receive a reminder before their membership expires.
• 📑 Custom agreements – Attach terms and conditions that members must read and accept before completing registration.

Example:

An aquatic center might offer:

• Individual 12-month memberships
• Family memberships with discounts for multiple children
• Corporate memberships for company-sponsored wellness programs

How It Helps:

• ⏳ Reduces admin work with automated renewals.
• 🔁 Encourages long-term memberships with an easier renewal process.
• 📋 Provides a clear and structured pricing model for different members.

3. Utilize Digital Membership Cards

Forget printing physical membership cards — Activity Messenger generates digital membership cards that members can store in their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

Key Features:

• 📸 Upload a profile photo – Helps verify members at events and facilities.
• 🎟️ QR Code or barcode – Scan for access control at events, classes, or partner discounts.
• 💳 Membership details displayed – Shows member name, ID, expiration date, and benefits.

Example:

A Tennis Club issues digital cards that members scan at the front desk to enter the facility. They are also checked in for lessons or court bookings and offered discounts on events and programs. Front desk staff can see all the details (bookings, credits, amount owed, etc.) for that specific member.

How It Helps:

• 📱 Reduces lost or forgotten membership cards.
• 📊 Makes membership verification instant and simple.
• 💡 Encourages member engagement by offering exclusive access to perks.

4. Offer Exclusive Member Benefits and Discounts

With Activity Messenger, you can automatically apply member-only discounts for classes, merchandise, or events.

How to Offer Member Benefits:

• 🎟️ Event discounts – Example: Regular price for an annual gala is $25, but members pay $15.
• 🛍️ Merchandise perks – Offer 10% off on branded apparel for active members.
• 🏋️ Priority booking – Members get early access to sign up for popular classes or bookings.
• 🎁 Coupon codes – Automatically send discount coupons after purchase (e.g., “Sign up for an annual membership and get a free guest pass!”).

How It Helps:

• ✅ Entices potential members using exclusive member benefits and discounts.
• 📈 Encourages upsells and additional purchases.
• 🏆 Makes membership more interesting with added perks.

5. Set Up Membership Management Automation

One of the biggest challenges of membership-based businesses is keeping track of who has an active membership, who needs renewal, and who requires approval. Activity Messenger automates these processes.

Key Automations:

• 🔄 Renewal reminders – Send SMS or email notifications before memberships expire.
• 📬 Invoice management – Members receive automated invoices after payment.
• 🛑 Avoid duplicate charges – If a user already has an active membership, the system will not charge them again.
• ✔️ Pending approval workflows – Some memberships (e.g., professional associations) require admin approval before activation.

Example:

A gymnastics club requires admin approval for competitive team memberships. New applicants sign up, but their membership remains pending until a coach approves.

How It Helps:

• 🚀 Eliminates manual work and reduces human error.
• 🔄 Ensures members stay active with timely reminders.
• 📊 Provides real-time insights on membership status.

6. Integrated Email & SMS Communication

Engage with your members directly using targeted SMS and email marketing.

What You Can Do:

• 📢 Send announcements about new programs or promotions.
• ⏳ Schedule renewal reminders to prevent membership lapses.
• 🎯 Target specific groups (e.g., “Send a message to all corporate members”).
• 📝 Survey members to collect feedback and improve your offerings.

Example:

A martial arts studio can automatically send an SMS reminder to members who haven’t renewed one week before their expiration date.

How It Helps:

• 💬 Increases direct engagement with members.
• 📊 Data-driven marketing based on membership status.
• ✅ Higher renewal rates through automated follow-ups.

7. Website Integration & Secure Payments

Activity Messenger ensures that your membership process stays within your website, creating a frictionless sign-up experience.

Key Features:

• 🌐 Embed the form directly on your website or use a pop-up registration window.
• 💳 Secure payment processing via credit cards, bank transfers, Interac e-Transfer or alternative payment methods.
• 📨 Automated confirmation emails with transaction receipts.

How It Helps:

• 🔗 Keeps users on your website instead of redirecting them elsewhere to finalize the transaction.
• 💰 Boosts conversion rates by making sign-ups faster and more secure.

Why Choose Activity Messenger for Membership Management?