When it came time to pick a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate companion Why Is Beehiiv Better Than Substack.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really 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 began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never ever fully reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no system costs (besides the common Stripe cut). But promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my personalized domain? A couple of minor hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance material– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Why Is Beehiiv Better Than Substack
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on how someone signed up.
I wound up going full investigative setting– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was created by someone who’s actually composed a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hands-on process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of designers, 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).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in such a way that does not really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and simple Why Is Beehiiv Better Than Substack.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it address every issue? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, gain a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.