When it came time to choose a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “sufficient.” I needed something better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Comparison.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that also initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the strange traits. If you’re trying to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact help expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have 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 straight. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue determines to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 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 Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero platform costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I really appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Comparison
Currently here’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sections, utilizing different landing pages, checking out rare Reddit strings– just to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s actually written an e-newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a bunny hole of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been even running paid ads.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can actually track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches creators with brand names in a manner that does not feel sickening or required. It’s integrated revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Beehiiv Comparison.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I understand precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual pest or need deep assistance.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re aiming to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for developers
Will it address every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and really range your e-newsletter with real devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.