When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Vs ClickFunnels.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I believed that as well at first. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually aid expand my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the location chooses to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And afterwards 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 assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and no system fees (besides the normal Stripe cut). However promises are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs ClickFunnels
Currently here’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon just how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
But 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 implies your perfectly crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this by hand– then went down a bunny hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money since for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links designers with brands in a manner that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and easy Beehiiv Vs ClickFunnels.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs membership? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension tracking requires much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels built by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me grow much faster, earn a lot more, and stress much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really scale your newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.