When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was searching for an appropriate companion Does Beehiiv Have a Free Version.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I believed that also in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a great deal to say– both the success and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might in fact aid grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You do not really own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
And after that 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 assume they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform fees (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain name? A few small missteps, however nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Have a Free Version
Now right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based on how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to build a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, However Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your wonderfully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of testing devices to enhance HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and straightforward Does Beehiiv Have a Free Version.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still feel too fundamental.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels developed by designers, for designers
Will it fix every issue? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, and tension less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.