Ever wondered how to create an effective website for your organization, club, or community group? Wild Apricot is a popular choice for people who want to manage members and events with ease—without needing to be a tech expert.
Understanding how to use Wild Apricot to build and run your website is key to reaching more members and staying organized.
In this article, you’ll find clear steps, practical tips, and valuable insights to help you get started with Wild Apricot and make the most of its features.
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Understanding Wild Apricot: The Website Builder for Membership Organizations
If you’re running a club, nonprofit, association, or any type of membership-based organization, managing members, events, payments, and a website can become overwhelming. That’s where Wild Apricot comes in! Wild Apricot is a specialized platform designed to make running your membership organization smoother—and building a professional website easier than ever.
In this guide, you’ll find a clear explanation of what the “Wild Apricot website” is, how it works, its core features, practical setup steps, benefits, challenges, and insider tips for getting the most out of your experience.
What Is a Wild Apricot Website?
A Wild Apricot website is more than just a regular site—it’s an integrated membership management platform. Wild Apricot’s website builder is tailored for organizations that rely on memberships, offering not just web hosting, but also tools to manage:
- Online registrations
- Member directories
- Event calendars and registrations
- Payment processing
- Communication tools (newsletters, announcements, emails)
- Members-only pages and access
In essence, Wild Apricot helps you consolidate everything in one place, making it easier to run your organization and engage with your members.
Key Features of a Wild Apricot Website
Here’s what you can expect when you use Wild Apricot as your website solution:
1. Easy Website Creation
- Drag-and-drop website editor—no coding needed
- Mobile-friendly (responsive) templates
- Custom pages for events, directories, and more
- Ability to restrict certain pages to members only
2. Membership Management
- Online member applications and renewals
- Automated member payments and reminders
- Custom membership levels and pricing
- Self-service member profiles
3. Event Management
- Create customizable event pages
- Accept online event registrations and payments
- Set member or public event pricing
- Automate event reminders and follow-ups
4. Payment Processing
- Accept credit card, PayPal, or offline payments
- Automated invoicing and receipts
- Secure transactions with up-to-date standards
5. Communication Tools
- Built-in email marketing system
- Member newsletters, announcements, and updates
- Contact database linked to memberships
6. Reporting & Analytics
- Track member counts, event attendance, and finances
- Generate custom reports for your board or team
Step-by-Step: How to Build Your Wild Apricot Website
Building your Wild Apricot website is simple, even if you have never managed a website before. Here’s an overview of the process:
1. Start with a Free Trial
- Sign up for a free Wild Apricot trial account (no obligation).
- Explore the platform’s features before committing.
2. Set Up Your Website Structure
- Choose from various professional website templates.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to add or rearrange pages (home, about, contact, events, membership, etc.).
- Customize your branding—add your logo, colors, fonts, and images.
3. Configure Membership Settings
- Set up different membership levels (e.g., Regular, Student, Corporate).
- Decide on pricing, renewal terms, and application requirements.
- Design public or members-only content and directories.
4. Add Events and Calendar
- Create an events calendar.
- Add upcoming events with details, images, and registration forms.
- Set registration types and fee structures for each event.
5. Enable Payments
- Link your payment processor (like Stripe or PayPal).
- Configure automated invoices, receipts, and payment tracking.
6. Launch and Communicate
- Publish your website.
- Use the email system to notify members and contacts about the new site, upcoming events, or changes.
7. Maintain and Grow
- Keep content updated—add news, photos, events, or resources regularly.
- Monitor analytics and reports to better understand your members’ engagement.
- Update memberships and events as your organization grows and changes.
Benefits of Using Wild Apricot for Your Organization
Wild Apricot’s website and management tools offer a number of advantages, especially for organizations looking for a comprehensive, user-friendly solution.
Centralized Operations
- Manage your website, membership, events, and payments in a single platform.
Save Time
- Automation of renewals, communications, and payments reduces manual workload for you and your volunteers.
Enhanced Member Experience
- Easy online registration, a clean member directory, and secure payment options all improve the experience for your members.
Professional Appearance
- Modern, mobile-friendly website templates ensure your organization always looks its best, with no web design experience needed.
Scalable Solutions
- Whether you have 50 members or 5,000+, Wild Apricot adapts to your size.
- You can add new features as your organization grows.
Common Challenges When Using Wild Apricot (And How to Overcome Them)
Every platform comes with a learning curve. Here are some challenges you might encounter, with practical tips to overcome them.
1. Customization Limits
While Wild Apricot’s drag-and-drop editor is powerful, those seeking extremely customized designs may find it limiting compared to fully custom websites.
Tip: Take advantage of the template settings and custom HTML sections to tailor your site where possible. For more advanced needs, consult with a designer familiar with Wild Apricot.
2. Initial Setup Takes Time
With so many features, the initial setup can feel overwhelming.
Tip: Start with the basics—set up your homepage, membership levels, and your first event. Add new features gradually, rather than all at once.
3. Learning New Workflows
If you’re new to membership software, understanding how everything connects (memberships, events, payments, emails) may take a bit of patience.
Tip: Make use of Wild Apricot’s extensive help guides, tutorials, and support forums when you have questions.
4. Data Import Challenges
Migrating existing data (like members or past events) from other platforms can be tricky.
Tip: Clean up your old data before importing, and use Wild Apricot’s import tools or seek assistance from their support team for smooth migration.
Best Practices for a Successful Wild Apricot Website
Here’s how to make your Wild Apricot site not just good—but great:
Keep Content Fresh
- Regularly update your news, resources, and events to keep members engaged.
Use Members-Only Areas Wisely
- Offer exclusive resources, discounts, or directories to encourage member retention.
Automate Where Possible
- Take full advantage of automated reminders, renewals, and invoices.
Encourage Self-Service
- Let members update their own profiles and contact details.
Train Your Team
- Make sure all admin users are comfortable with the platform’s features to reduce bottlenecks.
Collect Feedback
- Regularly survey your members for feedback on the website and adjust as needed.
Understanding Costs for a Wild Apricot Website
Wild Apricot’s pricing is based on the number of contacts (not just paid members) stored in the system. Here are some key cost considerations:
Pricing Tiers
- Packages scale with your organization’s size (e.g., up to 100, 250, 500, 2,000 contacts, and beyond).
- All plans include website hosting, membership management, and support.
Payment Processing Fees
- Online payment processors (like PayPal or Stripe) charge separate fees per transaction.
Free Trial
- Wild Apricot offers a risk-free trial so you can test features without financial commitment.
Cost-Saving Tips
- Regularly review and clean your contact list to avoid moving into a higher, unnecessary tier.
- Take advantage of the free trial to fully prepare and set up your system before going live.
Practical Tips for Maximizing Your Wild Apricot Website
- Start simple and build complexity as you learn.
- Test your registration and payment processes as if you were a new member.
- Use built-in help and the active user community to overcome specific challenges.
- Schedule regular “admin days” to keep your member data and site content up to date.
- Consider showcasing your accomplishments (like event highlights or member testimonials) right on your homepage.
Wrapping Up
Using a Wild Apricot website can transform the way your membership organization operates. From managing memberships and events to automating payments and communications, everything is designed to save you time and stress. While there’s a bit of a learning curve, the benefits far outweigh the initial effort—leaving you more time to focus on your mission and your members.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How easy is it to build and edit my website with Wild Apricot?
Wild Apricot provides a user-friendly drag-and-drop site editor. You don’t need to code or have previous website experience. Pre-made, mobile-friendly templates are available, and you can create or modify pages with just a few clicks.
Can I integrate my current member list and event data into Wild Apricot?
Absolutely! Wild Apricot has import tools for member and event data, usually via spreadsheets (like Excel or CSV). It’s important to clean up your data beforehand to ensure a smooth transition.
How secure is a Wild Apricot website, especially for processing payments?
Security is a priority. Wild Apricot uses secure hosting and adheres to industry standards for payment processing. Transactions are encrypted, and you can safely accept payments via credit cards or services like PayPal.
Can I restrict certain pages or resources to members only?
Yes. Wild Apricot allows you to create members-only areas on your website. These can include event information, directories, or special resources—visible only to logged-in members.
What happens if I outgrow my current Wild Apricot pricing plan?
Plans are designed to scale as your organization grows. If your contact base increases beyond your current plan’s limit, you can easily upgrade to a higher tier to access more features and storage.
Whether you’re a volunteer running a local club or a staff member of a national organization, Wild Apricot’s website builder and management suite can help your group thrive in the digital age. Start small, experiment, and leverage all its features for lasting organizational success!