When it came time to pick a new e-mail system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a proper companion Beehiiv Custom Domains.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack option?” I believed that as well at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact aid expand my list and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was considering this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and cracks begin showing. The biggest one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And then 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 ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit threads really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Connecting my custom-made domain? A couple of small missteps, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I actually valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like a person took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our individuals today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Custom Domains
Currently right here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– dabbling with sectors, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Excellent, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was created by a person who’s actually created an e-newsletter or more.
However 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 perfectly crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot less complicated.
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 registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Custom Domains.
And when I prepare to launch a premium membership? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or single tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit a weird pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that feels constructed by creators, for creators
Will it resolve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, make a lot more, and stress less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and really scale your newsletter with real tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.