When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a tool– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs GetResponse.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I believed that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a lot to say– both the victories and the unusual quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, resolve in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can actually help grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start showing. The greatest one? You do not really own your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting out a target market you can never totally reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the place decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not feel great.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). Yet guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system usually seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Linking my custom-made domain? A few small hiccups, but absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Additionally, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs GetResponse
Now below’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, but don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome series based on just how someone registered.
I wound up going full investigator setting– tinkering with sectors, making use of different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s in fact composed a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not mindful. I discovered this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to enhance HTML dimension and avoid that feared clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, but it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for many designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links developers with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and straightforward Beehiiv Vs GetResponse.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your visitors into supporters without dangling awkward boodle or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system 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 system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still feel too basic.
Email dimension monitoring needs better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re wanting to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that feels constructed by designers, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s aided me expand much faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with genuine devices that appreciate your work and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.