The Challenge
At The Bench required a complete revamp of its membership website serving 20,000+ active users, with three non-negotiable goals:
- Secure Video Streaming: Protect premium tutorial content from unauthorized access.
- Seamless Membership Migration: Transfer 20,000+ PayPal/Stripe subscriptions without disrupting active users.
- Community-Centric Tools: Foster creativity through project sharing and feedback rather than rigid courses.
Our Approach
01. Infrastructure Built for Performance
- WordPress Core: Chosen for stability, SEO, and ease of use.
- Optimized Stack
- Amazon S3 Video Hosting: Global delivery with encrypted MP4 streams.
- Expiring Links: Dynamic URL expiration to prevent content sharing.
- Custom HTML5 Player: Frame-by-frame playback for jewellery techniques.
02. Membership Architecture
- Automated Tiers:
- Free vs. paid access managed via Stripe/PayPal.
- Zero-downtime migration of recurring subscriptions.
- Project Workspace:
- Members tag tutorials to personal projects,
- Private galleries for works-in-progress.
03. Community-Driven Design
- Feedback System:
- Members attach photos/videos to request help.
- Email + dashboard notifications keep conversations flowing.
- Public Galleries: Showcase finished pieces to inspire peers.
