When it came time to select a new email system, I really did not want “sufficient.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been searching for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs SendFox.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, clear up in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could in fact assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it any longer.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little much deeper, and cracks start showing. The most significant one? You do not really possess your fans.
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 site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re essentially leasing an audience you can never totally reach.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just switch on if the place makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Does not feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
In the beginning, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no system charges (in addition to the normal Stripe cut). Yet promises are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system generally feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No meltdowns. Attaching my custom-made domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One point I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and said, “Let’s not irritate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs SendFox
Now here’s where things got a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based upon how somebody registered.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by a person who’s really composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– after that dropped a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail customer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hands-on procedure, however it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for a lot of makers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches makers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated earnings capacity, simple and basic Beehiiv Vs SendFox.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to do well. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow when you struck a strange insect or require deep aid.
Some automations still feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels built by developers, for designers
Will it resolve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand quicker, gain much more, and tension less concerning the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really scale your newsletter with real devices that respect your work and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.