When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Hosting.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could in fact aid grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but 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 Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The largest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally reach.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the location makes a decision to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email 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 typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand 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 brand-new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom domain name? A couple of small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Hosting
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon just how a person joined.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by someone who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps 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 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash because for the majority of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Hosting.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs subscription? I understand specifically what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to prosper. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension monitoring requires much better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, gain more, and anxiety less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and in fact range your e-newsletter with real devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.