How to sell access to the document library
If you want to charge users for access to your document library, you can combine Document Library Pro with a membership plugin. This lets you keep your documents protected behind a paywall while still displaying them in a clean, searchable library layout.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to do this using Paid Memberships Pro.
Overview
The idea is simple:
- Use Paid Memberships Pro to create paid membership levels
- Restrict a page so only members can access it
- Add your document library to that protected page using Document Library Pro
In this setup, Paid Memberships Pro handles all access control, while Document Library Pro is used purely to display your documents.
Step 1: Set up Paid Memberships Pro
Start by installing the Paid Memberships Pro plugin. You can get it here.
Once installed, create one or more membership levels. These can be free or paid, depending on your needs. Paid Memberships Pro allows you to charge recurring fees, offer trials, and manage subscriptions.
Next, create a page that will contain your document library. In the Paid Memberships Pro settings, restrict this page so that only users with the correct membership level can access it.
Step 2: Add your document library
Now that your protected page is ready, you can add your document library to it.
Follow our guide on creating document libraries to set up and display your documents.
Once your library is added to the protected page, only logged-in users with the required membership will be able to view it.
Important: Do not use Document Library Pro access restrictions
Document Library Pro - Advanced includes its own access restriction features. However, when using Paid Memberships Pro, you shouldn’t enable these.
Let Paid Memberships Pro handle all access control. This avoids conflicts and keeps your setup simple. Document Library Pro should only be used to display and organize your documents.
Result
With this setup, visitors can sign up for a membership and pay for access. Once logged in, they’ll be able to view the document library on the protected page.
This gives you a flexible and scalable way to sell access to your documents while maintaining a professional user experience.