Restrict Content Pro: Quick Setup Guide
Restrict Content Pro (RCP) is one of the most reliable and lightweight membership plugins for WordPress. It allows you to create protected content, sell membership levels, manage subscribers, and integrate with payment gateways — all with a clean, easy-to-use interface.
This quick setup guide walks you through installation, membership configuration, content restriction, payments, and essential settings.
What Restrict Content Pro Does
RCP lets you control who can access content based on membership level or subscriber status. Key features include:
- ✔ Unlimited membership levels
- ✔ Paywall for posts, pages, or custom content
- ✔ Stripe, PayPal, and offline payments
- ✔ Discount codes
- ✔ Member dashboards
- ✔ Reports and earnings tracking
- ✔ Built-in emails and expiration notices
Step 1: Install Restrict Content Pro
- Go to Plugins → Add New.
- Upload the RCP plugin ZIP file (since it’s a premium plugin).
- Click Install Now → Activate.
After activation, a new Restrict menu appears in the WordPress dashboard.
Step 2: Add Membership Levels
Membership levels determine what content users can access.
Create a Membership Level
- Go to Restrict → Membership Levels
- Click Add New Level
- Enter:
- Name (e.g., Basic, Pro, Premium)
- Description
- Access level (higher = more access)
- Price (one-time or recurring)
- Duration (days, months, or lifetime)
- Publish
You can create unlimited membership tiers.
Step 3: Configure Payment Gateways
Restrict Content Pro supports Stripe and PayPal out of the box.
Enable a Payment Gateway
- Go to Restrict → Settings → Payments
- Enable:
- Stripe (recommended)
- PayPal Standard / PayPal Express
- Enter your API keys
- Save Changes
You can also set default currency, tax, and invoice options here.
Step 4: Restrict Content
You can restrict content on a per-post basis or globally.
Method A: Restrict Individual Posts or Pages
Inside the WordPress editor:
- Open a post
- Find the Restrict Content meta box
- Select:
- Members only
- Specific membership levels
- Save
Visitors who lack permission see a customizable message.
Method B: Restrict Entire Categories
This automates restriction for all posts under a category.
- Go to Restrict → Settings → General
- Select categories to restrict
- Choose required membership levels
Step 5: Set Up Registration & Login Pages
RCP provides built-in shortcodes for user registration, login, and account management.
Essential Pages
- Registration:
[register_form] - Login:
[login_form] - Member Dashboard:
[rcp_profile_editor] - Payment History:
[rcp_payment_history]
Create new pages and insert the appropriate shortcode into each. Then assign them under:
Restrict → Settings → General
Step 6: Configure Emails
Restrict Content Pro can send automatic emails for:
- Welcome messages
- Payment receipts
- Renewal reminders
- Expiration notices
Edit email templates at:
Restrict → Settings → Emails
Step 7: Manage Members
Use the Members screen to view active, expired, or pending members.
- Track member history
- Upgrade/downgrade accounts
- Cancel subscriptions
Admins can also manually add new members.
Step 8: Reports & Revenue Tracking
RCP includes a simple reporting dashboard.
- See monthly revenue
- View active members per level
- Check renewal vs. churn patterns
Useful for growing your membership site strategically.
Optional Add-Ons
Restrict Content Pro offers extra functionality via add-ons:
- Mailchimp Integration
- WooCommerce Membership Synchronization
- Group Accounts
- AffiliateWP integration
- Custom Redirects
- Advanced Emails
These can enhance marketing, teams, and automation.
Recommended Setup Workflow
For a smooth membership site launch:
- 1️⃣ Install RCP
- 2️⃣ Create membership levels
- 3️⃣ Enable Stripe / PayPal
- 4️⃣ Build registration & login pages
- 5️⃣ Restrict content (posts or categories)
- 6️⃣ Configure emails
- 7️⃣ Test full membership purchase flow
Conclusion
Restrict Content Pro is one of the best membership plugins for WordPress thanks to its simplicity, performance, and flexibility. With its clean interface, reliable payment integrations, and powerful restriction tools, you can launch a professional membership site quickly.
Summary: Install → Add membership levels → Enable payments → Create registration pages → Restrict content → Manage members.
Follow this guide and you’ll have a fully functioning membership system up and running in under an hour.
🔌 Looking for more? Check out our WordPress Plugins Hub to discover recommended tools and how to use them.
