When it came time to choose a new email platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Does Beehiiv Have a Free Plan.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to claim– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that can actually aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You do not in fact own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just activate if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform costs (apart from the normal Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system generally feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing types? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain? A couple of minor hiccups, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like a person sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Have a Free Plan
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually written a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction considering that changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development 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 customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and easy Does Beehiiv Have a Free Plan.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers right into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow fast without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by developers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me expand faster, earn more, and anxiety less about the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.