Hey there, fellow online hustlers! Been there, done that with the free plan struggle, and guess what? We’re all in this together. If you’ve been cruising along with Groove.cm like me, you might have seen that email with the subject line that puts a knot in your stomach: “Important Changes Coming to Groove.cm.” Let’s face it, free marketing tools are like finding a unicorn – rare and magical. But just like that mythical creature, it seems the free Groove.cm plan is galloping off into the sunset.
Now, before you hit the panic button and start frantically searching for your credit card, let’s unpack this whole situation and see what it means for you and your online business.
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Two Years In, and Groove.cm Wants to Talk Money
I’ve been using Groove.cm for over two years now, primarily on their free plan. It’s been a fantastic way to experiment with website building, email marketing, and even hosting online courses (thanks, GrooveVideo!). But like all good things, the free lunch is coming to an end. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming changes hitting Groove.cm on May 1st, 2024:
- The Free Plan Fades Away: As of May 1st, the free tier is getting the axe. Instead, you’ll have a 30-day trial to get a feel for the platform before committing to a paid plan.
- Free Websites in Limbo: Any websites, blogs, or online courses you’ve built with the free plan will still be out there in the digital world, but you won’t be able to edit or update them unless you upgrade to a paid subscription. Think of them like digital monuments to your free-plan hustle, frozen in time.
- Locked Features for Freeloaders: The free plan is basically becoming an affiliate marketing zone. You’ll still be able to promote other people’s products and earn commissions, but most of the cool features like building pages, sending emails, and managing sales funnels will be locked behind a paywall. There are three paid plans available: Starter ($99/month), Professional ($199/month), and Enterprise ($299/month).
The “Lifetime Access” Lifeline: Is It Worth It?
Groove.cm is throwing us a lifeline with a one-time Lifetime Access deal for $1,000. This gets you access to most of their tools (excluding GrooveWebinar, GrooveBlog, and GrooveKart) for, well, life. It’s a significant discount compared to their usual pricing, but is it the right move for you?
Here are some questions to ponder before diving into the Lifetime Access pool:
- Are you 110% committed to building an online business? A thousand bucks is a hefty investment, especially if you’re just starting out and testing the waters of online marketing.
- Do you need ALL the bells and whistles? Carefully review what’s included in the Lifetime plan and make sure it aligns with your needs. Do you really need all the features they offer, or can you get by with a more basic plan (or even a free alternative)?
- Are you comfortable with a one-time, upfront cost? While cheaper than the monthly subscriptions, it’s still a significant chunk of change to drop at once.
Don’t Despair, Free Marketing Tools Still Exist!
So, what are your options as a free-plan refugee facing locked features and limited access? Here’s the good news: you’re not stuck! There are still fantastic free marketing platforms out there to help you launch and grow your online business.
Introducing Systeme.io and Leadsleap: Your New Free Marketing Besties
While Groove.cm might be changing its tune, there are other platforms out there that still offer free plans with valuable features. Two platforms I’ve been using and loving are Systeme.io and Leadsleap:
- Systeme.io: This all-in-one platform offers website building, email marketing, sales funnels, and even online courses – all for free! It’s a great option for beginners who want to experiment with different marketing tools without breaking the bank. You can create landing pages, capture leads with opt-in forms, and send unlimited emails to up to 2,000 subscribers on the free plan.
- Leadsleap: This one focuses on lead generation and email marketing. Their free plan lets you capture leads with landing pages and pop-ups, send unlimited emails and advertising. Perfect for building your email list and nurturing leads with automated email sequences.
Here’s a quick comparison table to help you see the key differences:
| Feature | Groove.cm (Free – May 1st, 2024) | Systeme.io (Free) | Leadsleap (Free) |
| Sales Funnel | No | Yes (3 sales funnels) | No (Available to Pro Members) |
| Email Marketing | No | Up to 2,000 subscribers | Unlimited subscribers, Limit: 10 lists, Limit: 10 broadcasts/month |
| Landing Pages | No | Yes | Yes (Limit: 10 pages) |
| Online Courses | No | Yes (Limit: 1) | No |
| Affiliate Marketing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Blogs | No | Yes | No |
| Advertising | No | No | Yes |
Systeme.io Website Builder: While Systeme.io offers website building, it’s limited to creating landing pages and sales funnels (3 funnels on the free plan). For more complex website needs, you might need to consider a paid plan.
Leadsleap Email Marketing: Leadsleap’s free plan allows for unlimited subscribers, but with limitations on the number of lists (10) and broadcasts per month (10). This might be sufficient for small email lists, but for larger audiences, a paid plan might be necessary.
Leadsleap Advertising: Leadsleap is unique in this comparison as it offers advertising features on the free plan. However, it’s important to investigate the details and limitations of this feature before relying on it as your primary marketing strategy.
Keeping Your Online Business Rolling: A Decision Tree
Now that we’ve explored the changes at Groove.cm and some free alternatives, it’s time to decide what’s the best move for you. Here’s a little decision tree to help you navigate the options:
Are you SERIOUS about building an online business?
- Yes: Consider the Groove.cm Lifetime Access deal or a paid plan if the features align with your needs. Explore the Starter or Professional plans to see if they fit your budget and requirements.
- No: Explore free alternatives like Systeme.io and Leadsleap to get started with building your online presence. These platforms offer valuable features for email marketing, lead generation, and basic website creation.
Do you NEED all the features Groove.cm offered (website builder, sales funnels, etc.)?
- Yes: Consider the Groove.cm Lifetime Access deal or a paid plan if it’s within your budget.
- No: Focus on free alternatives like Systeme.io which offers website building, email marketing, and even online courses (limited features) for free.
Are you comfortable with a one-time, upfront cost (Lifetime Access)?
- Yes: If you’re confident about your online business journey and the features offered by the Lifetime Access plan fit your needs, it could be a cost-effective option in the long run.
- No: Explore the paid monthly plans offered by Groove.cm or stick with free alternatives like Systeme.io and Leadsleap for a more flexible approach.
The Final Takeaway: Keep Calm and Market On!
The changes at Groove.cm might be a bit of a bump in the road, but it doesn’t have to derail your online business dreams. There are still plenty of free and affordable options available.
Do your research, consider your needs, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different platforms. Who knows, you might just find your new marketing soulmate (and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune).
Now, let’s chat in the comments below! What are your thoughts on the Groove.cm changes? Have you tried Systeme.io or Leadsleap? Share your experiences and help out your fellow online hustlers!
