When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a device– I was hunting for a proper partner Does Beehiiv Integrate with Shopify.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I assumed that as well in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a whole lot to say– both the success and the strange traits. If you’re attempting to decide whether Beehiiv is the best system for you, resolve in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email service providers (ESPs) are developed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a tool that can really assist expand my list and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, but I was considering this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Excellent Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first stop. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The most significant one? You don’t in fact have your followers.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them straight. Can not export them. You’re generally leasing a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights just turn on if the venue makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a club, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and zero system fees (aside from the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the evaluations 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 tell you– migrating to a brand-new system usually seems like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No disasters. Connecting my custom domain name? A couple of small hiccups, however absolutely nothing that needed swearing at the screen.
Something I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Does Beehiiv Integrate with Shopify
Currently right here’s where points got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each type can just be linked to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome sequences based upon just how somebody joined.
I ended up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sectors, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– simply to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. But if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Fantastic, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was made by someone who’s actually written a newsletter or two.
Yet default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your magnificently crafted message may obtain chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny opening of screening tools to maximize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My best technique?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a manual process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding far better size cautions. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Really Relocations the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction given that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I included over 160 new customers to a pretty particular niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid advertisements.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for a lot of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
However there’s even more: their advertisement network is intuitive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, ordinary and simple Does Beehiiv Integrate with Shopify.
And when I’m ready to introduce a premium registration? I know exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What really sets 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 right into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to be successful. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you struck an unusual pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also fundamental.
Email size monitoring requires better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, growing a checklist, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete ownership of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels built by developers, for creators
Will it solve every problem? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me expand much faster, make a lot more, and stress and anxiety much less about the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop clearing up and really scale your e-newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.