When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail system, I really did not desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I wasn’t searching for simply a device– I was hunting for a correct partner How Do I Create a Beehiiv Website.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv got in the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack alternative?” I thought that also initially. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to claim– both the success and the weird traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be honest– most email service providers (ESPs) are built like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that can actually help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its benefits, yet I was taking a look at this with the lens of someone who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s brightened. It’s basic. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start showing. The most significant one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “comply with” switch you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting an audience you can never totally get to.
It’s like performing on a phase where the lights only activate if the venue chooses to allow the group see you. Does not really feel fantastic.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a club, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
At first, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist growth tools, and absolutely no system charges (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a brand-new platform usually seems like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing kinds? No crises. Attaching my custom domain? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that called for swearing at the screen.
One thing I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support web content– video clips, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: How Do I Create a Beehiiv Website
Currently below’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based upon how a person subscribed.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, making use of separate landing pages, checking out unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Definitely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, style, sneak peek– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually written an e-newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your wonderfully crafted message might obtain chopped in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing devices to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreaded clipping.
My go-to approach?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding adding far better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter into the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just 3 months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s working and where customers are originating from. Makes tweaking your method a whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network links makers with brand names in a way that doesn’t feel sickening or forced. It’s built-in earnings potential, simple and basic How Do I Create a Beehiiv Website.
And when I prepare to launch a costs registration? I understand precisely what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained customizable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your viewers right into advocates without hanging awkward swag or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that just wants an item of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained its quirks.
Assistance can be sluggish when you hit an unusual bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel too standard.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical items or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a maker who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a listing, or just tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your target market
You’re wanting to expand quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by designers, for makers
Will it resolve every problem? No. Yet in three months, it’s assisted me expand quicker, earn more, and stress less about the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I think it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.