When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something better– something built for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After almost a years helping others with email marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was hunting for a correct companion Does Beehiiv Have An App.
Which’s just how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that too initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to state– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, settle in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be sincere– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I required a tool that could actually assist grow my checklist and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t cutting it anymore.
So I began comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Till You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not actually own your followers.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It’s like performing on a stage where the lights just turn on if the location decides to allow the group see you. Does not feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (other than the typical Stripe cut). But pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t sound like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly painless.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No meltdowns. Attaching my customized domain name? A couple of small missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Likewise, their assistance content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– actually really felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Have An App
Now here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is decent, however do not expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be attached to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how somebody registered.
I wound up going complete investigative mode– dabbling with sections, using different landing pages, checking out odd Reddit threads– just to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might feel like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, drop, style, sneak peek– it seems like it was created by somebody who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that went down a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that dreaded clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email customer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Bit of a manual procedure, yet it functions. I also reached out to Beehiiv regarding adding better dimension warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That Actually Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing in the past– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where clients are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash since for most developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
Yet there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network attaches designers with brands in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or forced. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and straightforward Does Beehiiv Have An App.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium membership? I know specifically what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What really establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got customizable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers into supporters without dangling uncomfortable swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that just wants a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be slow-moving when you struck an odd pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or just tired of outdated platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your target market
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax
You desire something that feels developed by designers, for makers
Will it fix every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s helped me grow much faster, earn extra, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop clearing up and in fact range your e-newsletter with actual devices that respect your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.