When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs Keap.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the victories and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might really help grow my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You don’t in fact possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and zero system fees (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand 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 brand-new system usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain? A few small hiccups, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Keap
Currently below’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person joined.
I wound up going complete investigator mode– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by a person who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or two.
However 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 large.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new customers to a quite particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated income potential, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Vs Keap.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit a weird insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension tracking requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it fix every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.