When it came time to pick a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv iFrame.
And that’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I thought that too at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might in fact aid expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures begin revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “adhere to” switch 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 straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just activate if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
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 nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth devices, and absolutely no platform costs (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Linking my customized domain name? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Additionally, their assistance content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv iFrame
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each form can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based on just how someone subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective setting– dabbling with segments, using separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– after that went down a bunny opening of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far 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 advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that does not feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv iFrame.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire 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 generating income from, growing a checklist, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn much more, and stress much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.