When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After virtually a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Gravity Forms.
And that’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I assumed that also initially. Yet after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve 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 developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might actually aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You don’t in fact own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights only activate if the location makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform charges (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a brand-new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom-made domain? A few minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Gravity Forms
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to personalize welcome sequences based on how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s really written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message could get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on process, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings possibility, simple and basic Beehiiv Gravity Forms.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium subscription? I know precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to succeed. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well standard.
Email size surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand faster, make a lot more, and stress much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that respect your work and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.