When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “sufficient.” I required something better– something built for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a tool– I was searching for an appropriate partner Beehiiv Vs Wix.
And that’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack alternative?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to state– both the success and the unusual traits. If you’re attempting to determine whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email company (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I needed a device that can in fact help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, but I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s preferred.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The most significant one? You don’t really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mostly 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 essentially leasing a target market you can never totally get to.
It’s like carrying out on a phase where the lights only activate if the place chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly think they were running a club, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth tools, and absolutely no platform charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials 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.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– moving to a new platform generally seems like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Connecting my custom-made domain name? A few small missteps, but nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their support web content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody took a seat and stated, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Wix
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome series based on exactly how a person joined.
I ended up going full investigator setting– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, reading obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Absolutely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, format, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by a person who’s actually created an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I discovered this by hand– then decreased a bunny opening of testing tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been even running paid ads.
The majority of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a lot simpler.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash since for a lot of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that does not feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, plain and easy Beehiiv Vs Wix.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Tools
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird pest or require deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email dimension tracking needs much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow fast without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by developers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. But in three months, it’s aided me grow quicker, gain more, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.