When it came time to select a new email platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Next.js.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to state– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might really aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location decides to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no system charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, however nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Next.js
Currently right here’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit threads– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, but it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brands in a manner that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Next.js.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I understand precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
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. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, 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 out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it address every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn extra, and tension much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.