When it came time to select a new email system, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a decade helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Does Beehiiv Integrate with Squarespace.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I recognize what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack alternative?” I thought that as well at first. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to state– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, work out 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 developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a tool that could actually help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was considering this via the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally leasing an audience you can never fully reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no system charges (besides the usual Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my customized domain name? A few small hiccups, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Integrate with Squarespace
Currently here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going full investigative setting– playing with segments, using separate landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding 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 difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects designers with brand names in such a way that does not really feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, simple and easy Does Beehiiv Integrate with Squarespace.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you hit an unusual insect or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email dimension monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a listing, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for developers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, gain much more, and anxiety much less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.