When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail system, I didn’t desire “good enough.” I needed something better– something built for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience on the whole. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was hunting for an appropriate partner Best Beehiiv Websites.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I assumed that too in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to state– both the wins and the odd peculiarities. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You will get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that can actually help expand my checklist and make some money while I went to it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its perks, however I was checking out this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can’t email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Doesn’t feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
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?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system fees (other than the typical Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like bots or brand name 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 platform usually seems like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No meltdowns. Connecting my customized domain name? A couple of minor missteps, but nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain name to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Likewise, their support material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody took a seat and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Best Beehiiv Websites
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however do not anticipate it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can only be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome series based on how someone signed up.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with segments, making use of different landing pages, reviewing rare Reddit strings– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this might feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, layout, preview– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s really written an e-newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your magnificently crafted message could obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to enhance HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My go-to technique?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, however it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv concerning adding much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Development
In just 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a pretty particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your approach a lot easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash since for the majority of creators, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches developers with brand names in such a way that does not feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and basic Best Beehiiv Websites.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I understand exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve obtained personalized referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your visitors right into advocates without hanging unpleasant boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to prosper. Not one that simply wants an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck an unusual insect or require deep assistance.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email dimension tracking requires far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best bet.
Final Thought
If you’re a designer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a strong option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels built by developers, for developers
Will it fix every issue? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me grow quicker, make a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit resolving and really scale your e-newsletter with genuine tools that value your work and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.