Issue 49, August 15, 2001
Theme: Members-Only Subscription Systems

Dear friends,

Many businesses that have been offering advertising-supported free newsletters are rethinking that proposition. Since ad revenue is way down, many are looking to a subscription model, the only real alternative to closing down or opening their list to stand-alone e-mail advertising. But how do you set up a subscription model? In this issue:

• Managing a Members-Only Website
• Members-Only Subscription Management Programs
• Protecting a Members-Only Website from Credit Card Fraud
• Review: Account Manager Pro
• Review: Verotel Billing Solutions

I'd appreciate it if you could give me feedback in any of these areas:

• Do you regularly review business books for a periodical? I'm looking for reviewers for my forthcoming book Planning Your Internet Marketing Strategy (Wiley, release date October 10, 2001).
• Coming up I'll be writing on Renting Opt-in E-Mail Lists. Please share your good and bad experiences with me at http://www.wilsonweb.com/survey/optin.cfm Thank you.

God bless you,
Dr. Ralph F. Wilson, Editor

Managing a Members-Only Website

What do you need to sell subscriptions to a newsletter or information on your website? Here are the basics of running a members-only website. Read the Article

Members-Only Subscription Management Programs

A brief list of programs that handle password and access management, as well as selling a subscription to the site. See the List

Protecting a Members-Only Website from Credit Card Fraud

Online content sites are especially vulnerable to credit card fraud. Here's what you can do to protect yourself. Read the article.

Review: Account Manager Pro

This $199 program provides the basics to set up and charge for a member's only area. In spite of some rough edges, this program packs a lot of power. Read the Review

Review: Verotel Billing Solutions

An ASP application that manages subscriptions and access to a members-only content site. While there's no set-up or monthly fee, the rate is fairly steep. Read the Review.

New Ecommerce and Web Marketing Articles

Each month our team of link editors scours dozens of online periodicals and resources to find key information on e-commerce and Web marketing. With so much new literature available to you, how do you find what you need quickly and painlessly? Here's a selective and searchable database of article and resource links to help your research and keep you up-to-date in the field. (Links gathered in a given month are usually available during the second week of the following month.)