Create a Members-Only Forum

Creating a members-only fan forum adds an extra layer of exclusivity and engagement to your membership program. With Shopify and Single's membership features, you can easily create such a space where your members can share photos, videos, and engage in conversations based on their membership tiers. 

Before you start

• Customer tags in Shopify are labels that categorize customers into different groups. When someone joins your membership, a specific tag corresponding to their membership tier is automatically attached to their Shopify profile. These tags are essential for restricting access to the fan forum.
• For this setup guide, download the Shopicial app on Shopify as the following steps are based on using this app.

Steps

1. Go to Settings > General Settings  in the Shopicial app.
2. Scroll to the general and fill out the following:
   1. Forum Name
   2. Description
3. Scroll to the forum path, and read the instructions outlining how to update your URL path in 2 places: in Shopify and in Shopicial.
   • In Shopify, go to Settings > Apps and Sales Channels, click on the Shopicial app, and then customize URL
   • In Shopicial, click Click "OK, I understand!" then edit the URL path
4. Scroll to security mode and set the following settings:
   • Choose mode: Access restriction
   • Who can access: Logged in
   • Custom tag: Add the membership tag applied to customers in Shopify
   • Certain members text -- this message will display to non-members who attempt to access the forum. For example, you can use a message like "Login or gain access here." which non-members will see. We recommend something along the lines of : login in or gain access here.
5. Go to Settings > Display
6. Add the following to add branding elements:
   
   • Logo
   • Favicon
   • Top banner
   • Background and styling color
7. Click save.