When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Redirect Domain.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack option?” I thought that as well initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the success and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can really help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no system fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Redirect Domain
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to customize welcome series based upon exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sectors, using separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about including better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction because switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches makers with brands in a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Redirect Domain.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a strange bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels built by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, make a lot more, and tension much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.