When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Tailwind CSS Beehiiv.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the success and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually help expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their support material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Tailwind CSS Beehiiv
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based on just how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s in fact created a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links designers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated income potential, ordinary and straightforward Tailwind CSS Beehiiv.
And when I prepare to release a premium membership? I recognize specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
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 really feels constructed by developers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain much more, and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.