Set Up Paid Subscriptions on WordPress Like Substack

If you’re managing a WordPress site, you already understand the value of owning your platform. But what if you could bring Substack’s paid newsletter model directly into WordPress? Sounds too good to be true, right?

With full control over your subscriber data, integration with your site, and the scalability to grow alongside your audience, WordPress makes this all possible and, better yet, profitable. We’re going to show you how to replicate Substack’s features using plugins, set up paid subscriptions, and explore how Multidots can help you migrate your newsletter!

Create a Profitable Substack Alternative on WordPress Using Plugins

Building a professional newsletter system on WordPress starts with three core components: 

• A reliable email delivery system.
• Secure payment processing.
• Subscriber management tools. 

Together, these tools allow you to create a Substack alternative that keeps your content and revenue fully under your control.

Step 1: First, solid payment processing makes it easier to hold on to more of your profits. Payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal integrate with WordPress and charge far less than Substack’s 10% fee, directly impacting your revenue. For email marketing, businesses can achieve an ROI of $40 for every $1 spent, making cost efficiency essential.

Step 2: Next, establish enterprise-grade email delivery infrastructure using plugins like Newsletter, MailPoet, or MemberPress. These tools handle subscriber segmentation, automated workflows, and delivery tracking – all important for building and maintaining an engaged audience.

Step 3: Lastly, use advanced subscriber management tools to create gated content, control access levels, and integrate with your existing WordPress setup. This allows for streamlined operations and opportunities to scale as your newsletter grows.

The best thing about WordPress? Everything’s in one place. You don’t need to juggle platforms or deal with messy syncing issues. WordPress lets you do more than Substack, giving you greater flexibility, full control, and a bigger slice of the profits!

Top 3 Plugins for WordPress Paid Newsletters

The Newsletter Plugin

The Newsletter Plugin homepage

Trusted by over 400,000 users, the Newsletter Plugin offers powerful tools to build a loyal audience without sacrificing flexibility or profitability. This feature-rich plugin is designed for effortless email creation and management, helping you organize mailing lists with customizable subscription forms and advanced targeting. It also allows you to:

• Create stunning emails with a drag-and-drop composer featuring over 25 customizable blocks.
• Track opens, clicks, and campaign performance to continuously improve engagement.
• Integrate with external mail delivery services, helping you save on overhead costs, unlike Substack’s 10% fee. 

MailPoet

MailPoet homepage

With over 600,000 users globally, MailPoet stands out as a powerful yet user-friendly solution for managing newsletters at scale. Built exclusively for WordPress, it seamlessly integrates with your site’s infrastructure, offering optimized performance and fast functionality. With the plugin, you can also:

• Organize your email strategy with tools like welcome emails, post notifications, and abandoned cart reminders.
• Gain valuable analytics on engagement to tailor your content and boost conversions.

MemberPress

MemberPress homepage

MemberPress gives creators the tools to manage subscriptions, drip content, and provide a premium experience to their audience – all while keeping costs under control. It goes beyond email marketing by offering full membership site capabilities, making it perfect for paid newsletters. With this plugin, you can set paywalls and create gated content to monetize your newsletter effectively. You can also: 

• Offer multiple pricing levels to cater to different audiences.
• Accept payments via Stripe, PayPal, and other gateways, including Apple Pay and Google Wallet.

How to Set Up Substack-like Subscriptions on WordPress with a Plugin

Setting up subscriptions on WordPress

Setting up a subscription-based newsletter in WordPress using the Newsletter plugin is straightforward and packed with customization options. While this guide focuses on the Newsletter plugin as an example, many of the steps can be adapted to other suitable plugins that integrate with WordPress. Here’s how to get started:

1. Create a Subscription Form

Your subscription form is the first point of contact with potential subscribers. Use the Newsletter plugin’s drag-and-drop tools or shortcodes to place forms anywhere: landing pages, posts, widgets, or even popups! 

Customization in the Newsletter plugin

You need to: 

• Choose between single opt-in (instantly subscribes users) or double opt-in (requires email confirmation for added security).
• Organize subscribers into lists based on preferences, enabling targeted content delivery.
• Include privacy policy links, like GDPR and opt-in checkboxes, to meet data protection standards.

2. Set Up Automated Onboarding

First impressions count. Configure automated welcome emails to thank subscribers, share any promised freebies (like discount codes or exclusive content), and provide options to update their preferences. 

Here, you need to use the {profile_url} tag to let users manage their details easily!

3. Configure Subscription Management

Managing your subscribers doesn’t have to be complicated. Use autoresponders to send follow-up emails that keep new subscribers engaged automatically. You can also enable repeated subscriptions with merged data to avoid duplicates and keep everything tidy. This way, your subscriber list stays organized and runs smoothly without extra effort on your part.

4. Optimize Revenue Strategies

Maximize the profitability of your newsletter by:

• Creating gated content for premium subscribers.
• Offering tiered subscriptions with enticing benefits.
• Tracking performance with built-in analytics to refine your approach.

The Newsletter plugin’s extensive documentation and flexibility make it an excellent choice for building a strong subscription system directly in WordPress.

Migrating From Substack Without Losing Subscribers With Multidots

Worried about losing subscribers when moving from Substack to WordPress? With Multidots, you don’t have to. Our team specializes in migrations, meaning your entire subscriber base transitions without a problem.

Substack’s closed system can make migrations feel stressful, but Multidots has the know-how to handle every technical challenge. We’ll transfer your subscriber data, email templates, and content to WordPress’s open architecture while maintaining the relationships you’ve built with your audience. From advanced email list segmentation to GDPR compliance, we cover every detail so your readers won’t even notice the switch. 

Our proven track record speaks for itself. Publishers trust us to deliver flawless migrations, and we’ve actually helped businesses grow by moving to WordPress. Plus, leaving Substack’s 10% fee structure behind means more revenue goes straight to your profits – a huge advantage for paid newsletters! 

At Multidots, we make sure your migration is a chance to build a system designed for growth and increased revenue. With a focus on scalability and performance, we’ll help you create a solid foundation! 

Move to WordPress Today!

Substack is a great starting point for your newsletter – but want to build and gain uncapped revenue? Then, you’re going to need to move to WordPress. This platform gives you more flexibility, functionality, and control. With Multidots, migrating your newsletter is smooth and stress-free. Our process offers painless and safe subscriber data transfer, consistent engagement rates, and reliable deliverability from start to finish. 

Don’t let Substack’s limitations hold you back any longer. Take charge of your newsletter with a platform built for growth. Contact Multidots today to start your migration with our vetted professionals!