When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Design Lab.
And that’s how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to claim– both the success and the unusual peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could actually help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The greatest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a stage where the lights only switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
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 ‘d assume they were running a bar, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Also Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the common Stripe cut). However assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand 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 new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing forms? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support web content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really really felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Design Lab
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon just how someone registered.
I ended up going complete investigator mode– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of testing devices to enhance HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, yet it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that doesn’t really feel sickening or compelled. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Design Lab.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to be successful. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd bug or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. But in three months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain extra, and tension much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.