When it came time to choose a new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own newsletter), I had not been seeking just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Beehiiv HTML Snippet.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a lot to say– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact help expand my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel fantastic.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development devices, and zero system costs (apart from the usual Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots 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 system normally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Connecting my personalized domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv HTML Snippet
Now below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based on exactly how a person subscribed.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sections, making use of separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact composed an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a rabbit hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brand names in a way that doesn’t really feel icky or forced. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv HTML Snippet.
And when I prepare to release a costs membership? I understand 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 got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size surveillance requires much better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full possession of your audience
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels constructed by developers, for developers
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, gain much more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and actually range your e-newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.