When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “sufficient.” I required something much better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a decade assisting others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was hunting for a proper partner Beehiiv Vs Sendgrid.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I thought that also in the beginning. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the right platform for you, clear up in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email company (ESPs) are developed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can in fact aid expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, however I was looking at this via the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start showing. The largest one? You don’t actually possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It resembles carrying out on a phase where the lights only switch on if the venue makes a decision to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list development devices, and no platform costs (other than the typical Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new system normally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain name? A few small hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
Something I actually appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and said, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Sendgrid
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it challenging to personalize welcome sequences based upon exactly how a person registered.
I ended up going complete investigative setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s in fact written a newsletter or two.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit opening of screening devices to maximize HTML dimension and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual process, however it works. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better dimension cautions. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference given that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a lot much easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
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 such a way that does not really feel icky or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, ordinary and simple Beehiiv Vs Sendgrid.
And when I’m ready to release a costs subscription? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be sluggish when you struck an odd pest or require deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email size tracking requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or just tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by creators, for designers
Will it resolve every trouble? No. However in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, make more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit settling and actually scale your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.