When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I required something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Website Builder.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack option?” I assumed that also at first. Yet after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the victories and the weird peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the ideal system for you, resolve 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 stuck in 2013. I required a tool that can in fact assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, however I was looking at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Issue: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s prominent.
However dig a little deeper, and splits start revealing. The biggest one? You do not in fact possess your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re primarily leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It’s like carrying out on a stage where the lights just turn on if the venue decides to allow the crowd see you. Does not really feel wonderful.
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 income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It As well Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter list growth devices, and no system charges (besides the normal Stripe cut). However guarantees are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform usually feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder nightmares.
Additionally, their assistance content– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our individuals today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Website Builder
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon how somebody signed up.
I ended up going full detective setting– playing with sections, utilizing different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Wonderful, But Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, preview– it seems like it was designed by somebody who’s really created a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That implies your beautifully crafted message may get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that dropped a bunny hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to strategy?
- Downloading and install test emails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little bit of a manual procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a tangible distinction considering that switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a quite niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
The majority of that growth 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 customers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk money because for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t really feel icky or required. It’s integrated revenue potential, ordinary and basic Beehiiv Website Builder.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I recognize precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that development 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 viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also basic.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a creator who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quickly without paying system tax
You desire something that really feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it resolve every problem? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow much faster, make much more, and stress much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.