When it came time to select a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I needed something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Landing Page Builder.
And that’s just how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack alternative?” I believed that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to say– both the victories and the weird quirks. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually help grow my listing and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was checking out this through the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little deeper, and splits begin revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never ever completely reach.
It resembles doing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel excellent.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a nightclub, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform fees (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform generally seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up forms? No crises. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Landing Page Builder
Now here’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon exactly how somebody subscribed.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit strings– simply to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it achievable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little 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 somebody who’s in fact created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That implies your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit opening of testing devices to maximize HTML dimension and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, however it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a way that does not really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated income capacity, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Landing Page Builder.
And when I’m ready to introduce a costs subscription? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging awkward boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its traits.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an odd insect or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it solve every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, earn a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop working out and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.