When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a decade assisting others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Website Templates.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that too at first. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could actually assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little deeper, and fractures begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t actually own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never totally get to.
It resembles executing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and no system costs (in addition to the usual Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system normally seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Website Templates
Currently right here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– playing with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then decreased a bunny hole of testing devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new clients to a quite niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet 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 companion network connects makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or required. It’s integrated earnings possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Website Templates.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging unpleasant swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension monitoring needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by developers, for designers
Will it fix every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn much more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.