When it came time to pick a new email system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a decade assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Custom HTML.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I thought that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could really aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And afterwards 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 As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and no system charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Custom HTML
Now here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on just how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective mode– dabbling with sections, using separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit strings– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by a person who’s really composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brands in a manner that does not feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and basic Beehiiv Custom HTML.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an odd insect or require deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, make a lot more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.