When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv HTML Template.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate 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 straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really assist grow my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was looking at this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location decides to let the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and no platform charges (other than the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv HTML Template
Now right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome series based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading rare Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny opening of screening devices to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brand names in a manner that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv HTML Template.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth 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 sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a weird pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying system tax
You want something that feels built by creators, for developers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and in fact scale your newsletter with actual tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.