When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Substack Vs Beehiiv Vs ConvertKit.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I assumed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually aid expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Substack Vs Beehiiv Vs ConvertKit
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based upon how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– dabbling with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or required. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and simple Substack Vs Beehiiv Vs ConvertKit.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a strange bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension tracking needs better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for designers
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact range your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.