When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Framer.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might actually help expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the location makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Framer
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Framer.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension surveillance needs much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s aided me grow faster, make much more, and stress less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop resolving and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.