When it came time to select a new email platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something much better– something constructed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Vs Constant Contact.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack choice?” I believed that as well initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that could in fact assist expand my listing and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and fractures start showing. The biggest one? You don’t really have your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights only switch on if the place decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and no system charges (aside from the normal Stripe cut). However promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not 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 tell you– migrating to a new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their assistance web content– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Constant Contact
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on how a person joined.
I ended up going complete detective setting– tinkering with segments, using separate landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s really composed an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your beautifully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this the hard way– then went down a rabbit hole of testing tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a hands-on process, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money due to the fact that for many makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Vs Constant Contact.
And when I prepare to launch a premium subscription? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be sluggish when you hit an odd bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size tracking needs better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just 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 expand fast without paying platform tax
You desire something that really feels built by designers, for developers
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, gain a lot more, and tension much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and in fact scale your e-newsletter with real tools that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.