HTML button in php file

I have a wordpress website and I created a child theme so that I can make changes. Here's the issue:

There's a template page and it's a PHP page. Inside that template I wanted to add an extra button with a link and a css class so that I can customize it.

The button shows up just fine on the page, but it can't be clicked. Clicking on it does nothing. I've tried using echo, print, and a host of other approaches.

This is the html code I'm using to create the button:

<a href="https://www.beat-tweaks.com/academy" class="membership-button">ACADEMY MEMBERHIP: $19.99/MONTH</a>

Here's some of the code from the file itself:

<div class="course5-pricing" id="course-pricing">
<?php bp_course_credits(); ?>
<?php the_course_button(); ?>
<a href="https://www.beat-tweaks.com/academy" class="membership-button">ACADEMY MEMBERHIP: $19.99/MONTH</a>
<?php
add_filter('wplms_course_details_widget',function($args) 
{unset($args['price']); return $args;})?>
</div>

        <div class="course-pricing">
            <?php the_course_details(); ?>
        </div>
    </div>
</div>
</div>
<?php
do_action( 'bp_after_course_header' );
?>

What's even more confusing is that I have a wordpress site setup locally on my MAC, and this all works perfectly fine. But when i try it on my live site, it doesn't work anywmore.