When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking just a tool– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv Dark Mode.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that as well in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a lot to state– both the success and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact help expand my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its benefits, 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 content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights only turn on if the location determines to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel great.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and no platform costs (aside from the common Stripe cut). However guarantees are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Dark Mode
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome series based upon how someone signed up.
I wound up going full investigative setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it feels like it was designed by someone who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then decreased a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email customer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links creators with brand names in a manner that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in income potential, simple and easy Beehiiv Dark Mode.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by designers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make much more, and stress less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just might fall in love like I did.