How to Build a Course or Membership Site Like Amy Porterfield’s
If you’ve spent any time in the online business world, you probably know Amy Porterfield.
She’s one of the most recognized leaders in digital marketing, teaching entrepreneurs how to create powerful courses, grow email lists, and market with confidence.
Amy has helped over 100,000 students through her flagship program, Digital Course Academy, and reached hundreds of thousands more entrepreneurs through her chart-topping podcast, Online Marketing Made Easy.
Her work has guided countless business owners in building profitable online businesses and creating more freedom in their lives.
Here’s something you might not know: Amy is now on the Membership.io (M.io) Advisory Board, bringing her expertise in digital courses directly into the platform she trusts.
All of her current programs now run on Membership.io — including The Online Business Starter Suite, List Builder Society, Digital Course Academy, The Milly Club, Made to Scale Mastermind, and The Momentum Membership Experience.
That means the same system powering Amy Porterfield’s membership and course sites is available to you.
Amy Porterfield’s Digital Course Academy on Membership.io
“But I Could Never Build Something Like That...”
I get it. You might look at Amy Porterfield’s membership site and think: She must have an army of designers and tech experts on speed dial. You’d be right!
Amy does have a team behind her, and together with Membership.io they created a polished, custom-built example of what a world-class membership, course, or mastermind site can look like.
But here’s the good news: you don’t need a full-time design staff or a seven-figure budget to build a professional site.
Membership.io gives you powerful tools right out of the box.
With my VIP Intensive (done-for-you course and membership builds), you can create a site that delivers an incredible user experience without needing Amy’s level of resources.
Membership.io Features That Drive Retention
Membership.io isn’t just pretty templates. It includes features designed to make your content accessible, engaging, and personalized:
Automatic transcription & captions → Make your content accessible to all and easy to repurpose.
AI-powered search → Members can instantly find exactly what they need, when they need it.
Smart automations → Personalize experiences and upsells without complexity.
Personalized learning paths → Like Netflix profiles, each member can have a unique journey that reduces overwhelm.
Community option → Keep engagement in one place with built-in spaces for members to connect.
Gamification & achievements → Boost retention and encourage progress.
Analytics → See what members actually use and double down on what works.
These features aren’t bells and whistles — they’re the tools that help keep members happy, engaged, and paying.
Amy Porterfield’s The Momentum Membership Experience on Membership.io
How to Build a Course or Membership (Step by Step)
Start with a template → Launch quickly without overthinking design.
Clarify your member journey → Map the path you want members to take.
Add branding & polish → Make it feel like your business, not just a template.
Set up retention features → Add personalized learning paths, search, and captions.
Streamline onboarding → Create a simple, welcoming start for new members.
Use analytics → Track what’s working and adjust to keep members engaged.
This process balances speed with strategy so you can launch fast and grow strong.
Templates Are a Starting Point, Not the Finish Line
Membership.io offers gorgeous templates, and they’re a great way to get your feet wet. If you’re brand new, templates help you get up and running quickly.
But if you really want to think about user experience, retention, and ease, you’ll want to move beyond templates.
Templates give you a framework, but they don’t solve for the deeper pieces that matter most:
A membership site that feels like an extension of your brand
A hub that keeps people coming back instead of quietly churning out
A smooth experience that makes content binge-worthy, not overwhelming
That’s where a done-for-you build makes all the difference.
Amy Porterfield on Membership.io
Can I Customize My Membership, Course, or Mastermind Site?
Absolutely. Amy’s sites use advanced features, many of which were custom-built. You don’t need those extras to succeed, but it’s good to know the platform can handle them if and when you’re ready.
The good news? You can create a similar look and feel without spending a fortune. My VIP Intensive gives you a solid foundation that’s branded, professional, and built right so you can scale later without redoing everything from scratch.
Advanced Customization That Sets You Apart
Once your foundation is solid, Membership.io also supports advanced features that can make your site feel seamless and truly professional:
Streamlined onboarding → Custom welcome flows that make new members feel at home from day one.
Embedded calendars, forms, and documents → Integrate tools your members already use so they never have to leave your hub.
Custom domains and SSL → Keep everything on-brand and secure under your own URL.
Audience segmentation → Show members only the content that’s meant for them, creating a personalized, distraction-free experience.
These are the kinds of touches that make people say “wow” and help reduce churn by keeping the experience clear and relevant.
Why Work With Me on Your Course Site?
I don’t just talk about Membership.io. I’ve been part of its journey since the beginning. Over the last five years, I’ve built hundreds of membership sites on the platform and partnered directly with the Membership.io team on special projects.
In fact, Membership.io regularly refers entrepreneurs my way when they need a professional build. That means when you book a VIP Intensive, you’re working with someone trusted by the very team behind the platform and with the experience to know what actually works (and what to avoid).
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All of Amy’s current programs run on Membership.io — The Online Business Starter Suite, List Builder Society, Systems that Scale, The 1 Hour Offer, Digital Course Academy, The Milly Club, Made to Scale, and Momentum.
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Yes! Membership.io is designed to make pro-level memberships accessible. With a done-for-you build, you skip the guesswork.
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Membership.io sites are flexible. Start simple, then layer in advanced tools like events, automations, or community spaces.
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Not at all. Membership.io is built for non-techies with drag-and-drop templates and smart automations. But if you are techy, you’ll love how flexible and customizable it is.
And my VIP Intensive makes it easy if you’re looking to upgrade with custom features.
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The platform itself has straightforward pricing, and with a VIP Intensive you can launch without the trial-and-error that costs so many entrepreneurs time and money.
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You can connect it directly to Stripe or use external carts like ThriveCart for more advanced sales tools.
I help clients choose the best option based on their goals.
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I’ve been building on Membership.io since its earliest days and am a trusted partner of the Membership.io team, who often refer creators to me. I’ve helped many hundreds of clients launch professional, user-focused, branded Hubs quickly.
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With my VIP Intensive, we can launch in a single day, sometimes even an hour or two.
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After your VIP Intensive, you can join my Shell, Yes! Membership. It’s a super supportive, close-knit community of growing entrepreneurs.
You’ll get ongoing strategy, updates, and tech support, plus direct access to me for questions and guidance.
It’s like having an expert in your back pocket and a group of peers who truly get what it’s like to grow a business with heart.
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Yes, she used to have her courses and membership on Kajabi.
She has fully migrated to Membership.io recently.
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Yes, with a structured process. I’ve migrated countless memberships from Kajabi, WordPress, Thinkific and Teachable into Membership.io, and it’s one of the fastest ways to improve retention. (And yes, this is part of my VIP Intensive service.)
Ready to Build Your Course or Membership Site?
Amy Porterfield’s membership site isn’t just an inspiration. It’s a roadmap.
With Membership.io plus my VIP Intensive done-for-you build, you can have a membership site that looks professional, runs smoothly, and is ready to grow.
Work With a Proven Membership.io Expert
Two ways to work with me:
DIY Program Hub Up! — 5-minute lessons, actionable tasks, expert tips, templates, and a clear path to launch for just $27 (or bundle with Check My Hub for $74.50)
Done-for-You VIP Intensive — Your Membership.io Hub built in a day so you can launch with confidence
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*Some of these links are affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you purchase. However, none of the fees of these resources have been increased to compensate me. When possible, if special discounts are provided to me, I extend them to you!
Thinking about moving your courses or memberships to a new platform? Membership.io (formerly Searchie Hubs) is built for creators who want a smarter, smoother way to deliver content. Unlike all-in-one tools that try to do everything, Membership.io focuses on what matters most: an easy, engaging, searchable experience your members will love. With drag-and-drop setup, AI-powered search, personalized learning paths, and seamless integrations, it helps you scale without the tech headaches. If you’re ready to cut churn, boost retention, and finally make your platform work as hard as you do—this might be your “shell, yes!” moment.