When it came time to select a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Squarespace Integration.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack alternative?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to say– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that might really help grow my checklist and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I started contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its benefits, but I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and cracks begin revealing. The biggest one? You don’t actually own your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re essentially renting an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights just activate if the place decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing development devices, and zero platform costs (aside from the common Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No disasters. Linking my personalized domain? A few small hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Squarespace Integration
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– playing with sections, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– simply to build a couple of customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this may feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was created by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That means your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including far better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction because changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot much easier.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brands in a manner that does not feel nasty or required. It’s built-in income possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Squarespace Integration.
And when I’m ready to launch a costs registration? I know precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What really sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your readers into advocates without dangling unpleasant boodle or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an odd pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking needs better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a list, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re wanting to grow fast without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by designers, for creators
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make more, and stress and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really range your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.