When it came time to choose a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something built for growth, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for just a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Webflow.
Which’s how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a device that could really assist grow my listing and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I began contrasting alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The largest one? You don’t actually have your fans.
That “adhere to” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re primarily renting an audience you can never totally get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to let the crowd see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d believe they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
Initially, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and zero platform costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are very easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like robots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system generally feels like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom domain name? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I really appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support web content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and stated, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Webflow
Currently right here’s where things got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based upon just how someone subscribed.
I wound up going full detective mode– dabbling with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was designed by somebody who’s actually created a newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message may obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a rabbit opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated process, yet it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in earnings capacity, plain and easy Beehiiv Vs Webflow.
And when I prepare to introduce a premium registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors into supporters without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that wants you to prosper. Not one that just desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an odd bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re offering physical products or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a listing, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your audience
You’re looking to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that feels built by developers, for developers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow quicker, earn extra, and stress and anxiety much less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.