When it came time to select a brand-new email platform, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After nearly a decade aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs MailPoet.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just another Substack option?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to state– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can really help grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was taking a look at this via the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact possess your followers.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like doing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash 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 bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system fees (apart from the normal Stripe cut). But assurances are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain name. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs MailPoet
Currently right here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it difficult to customize welcome series based on exactly how a person signed up.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written an e-newsletter or 2.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– then dropped a bunny hole of testing tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on procedure, but it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding much better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply three months, I included over 160 brand-new clients to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for most designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
Yet there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in a way that does not feel disgusting or compelled. It’s integrated revenue potential, plain and simple Beehiiv Vs MailPoet.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I recognize precisely what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without hanging uncomfortable swag or single gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual bug or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to grow quickly without paying platform tax
You want something that feels developed by creators, for designers
Will it address every trouble? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow quicker, earn a lot more, and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop working out and actually scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.