When it came time to select a brand-new email system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a proper companion Is Beehiiv Better Than Ghost.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that too at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the victories and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really assist grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your followers.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just activate if the location decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and absolutely no platform costs (besides the normal Stripe cut). However assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their assistance web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Is Beehiiv Better Than Ghost
Now below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by someone who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, however it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a rather niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network attaches developers with brand names in a way that does not really feel sickening or forced. It’s integrated income possibility, simple and straightforward Is Beehiiv Better Than Ghost.
And when I prepare to launch a premium registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re looking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by makers, for designers
Will it address every issue? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that appreciate your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.