When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for just a tool– I was hunting for a correct partner Beehiiv Vs Ghost.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that might actually help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, however I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue chooses to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development tools, and no platform costs (aside from the usual Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Ghost
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on just how somebody joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– playing with segments, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that went down a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches designers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Vs Ghost.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance needs better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, make more, and stress and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and actually range your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.