Trenchless United
Work Completed at Benjamin Media Inc.
The Project:
A WordPress-based professional forum and membership community designed specifically for the trenchless technology industry. Using a linkedIn sytle Networking, The platform connects contractors, vendors, engineers, and industry professionals through tiered membership access, exclusive content, and industry-focused discussions.
Core Platform Features
- Industry-Specific Social Network – LinkedIn-style networking platform tailored for the trenchless technology industry
- WordPress-Based Architecture – Built on WordPress for flexibility and scalability
- User Profiles – Professional profiles for industry members to showcase expertise and connect
- Connection System – Ability for members to connect and build professional networks within the trenchless sector
Membership & Monetization
- Tiered Membership System – Multiple subscription levels with varying access privileges
- Paid Subscription Management – Integrated payment processing for membership fees
- Member-Only Content Access – Restricted content areas based on membership tier
- Subscription Upgrade/Downgrade Flows – Easy tier management for members
Content Features
- Exclusive Content Library – Premium resources available only to paid members
- Forum Functionality – Discussion boards for industry topics and knowledge sharing
- Content Gating – Strategic content restriction based on membership level
Community & Engagement
- Industry-Focused Discussions – Specialized forums for trenchless technology topics
- Professional Networking Tools – Features to facilitate B2B connections
- Knowledge Sharing Platform – Space for members to exchange expertise and best practices
Goal
Create a Home for a Niche Industry
- Create a sustainable revenue stream through tiered paid memberships
- Establish Trenchless United as the go-to platform for trenchless industry professionals
- Build a engaged community of contractors, vendors, and engineers
- Monetize expertise through premium content and restricted access forums
- Generate recurring revenue via subscription model with multiple pricing tiers
Trenchless-United.com isn’t just a forum — it’s a fully custom-built digital community platform designed specifically for the trenchless industry. Built on a foundation of MemberPress and wpForo, the site integrates advanced membership logic with real-time community interaction.
Custom-coded loop functions dynamically pull recent posts, updates, and discussions across the platform — complete with image and video support for rich media engagement. A unique “Post a Reply” field sits right on the homepage, allowing users to participate instantly without navigating deep into the forum.
Behind the scenes, membership syncing ensures seamless access between free and paid tiers, while the Safety Button feature empowers members to flag misinformation or off-topic content for review. Every function is designed for performance, accessibility, and trust — from optimized caching and responsive layouts to streamlined content workflows.
trenchless united
I developed Trenchless United (trenchless-united.com), a niche professional community platform for the trenchless technology industry. The project involved architecting a complete membership ecosystem on WordPress, implementing wpForo for multi-format discussions, and configuring MemberPress to manage five subscription tiers with conditional content access. Key deliverables included custom user role configuration, Authorize.net payment integration, automated onboarding sequences via SMTP, spam prevention and moderation systems, SEO optimization for organic growth, and a branded user experience with custom badges and verification systems. The platform successfully bridges the gap between professional networking and industry-specific knowledge sharing, creating a sustainable revenue model through premium memberships while fostering community engagement among trenchless professionals.
Joe Shepker.
Designer Trained for Web and Print mediums
joeshepker@gmail.com