So, what is Beehiiv, really? Beehiiv is a modern-day newsletter marketing platform that helps you build responsive newsletters and no-code websites. Beehiiv quickly rose in popularity due to its background (being a creation of the famous MorningBrew team) and its intuitive newsletter and blogging platform.
But the real question you should ask is “Can Beehiiv help me build and curate a top-notch newsletter to build a community?”.
As a senior marketer, I’ve made it my mission to help creators like you save hours of research by trying out and reviewing popular tools while you focus on growing your business. Today, we’re exploring Beehiiv, so you can make an informed decision before trying out the platform.
P.S.: This Beehiiv article promises a deep dive into the nitty-gritty of the newsletter platform, so make sure to review this and the free resources on the website before committing to this tool.
What is Beehiiv?
In the company’s own words, Beehiiv was “built to be any writer’s best friend”, and frankly, not many email marketing platforms out there can truly state the same (and mean it). Here’s why:
A) Email marketing platforms today are largely focused on feature-rich interfaces, instead of a user-friendly interface. Simply put, Beehiiv is..both.
B) This brand was built by early Morning Brew creators (yes, the globally renowned newsletter)
C) It doubles as a no-code website builder that comes with a custom domain, web hosting, survey features, and more.
D) All of the above, and more. We’ll delve into the must-know features below.
Beehiiv is THE modern newsletter platform combining email marketing, website building, blogging, and monetizing features. Among all newsletter platforms, this one focuses on bridging the technical gap for creatives in writing.
Beehiiv Features
Beehiiv knows that driving a strong reputation comes from delivering massive value to its audience. For a newsletter platform, that translates to:
Simplicity of use
Unique and useful features
Effectiveness in helping you build, scale, and monetize your newsletter and subscriber count
In this Beehiiv review, you’ll notice that the tool ticks all these boxes, even though the platform comes with some minor hiccups. With a 30-day free trial and fair pricing, it’s truly worth exploring. But first, let’s delve into its key features.
Hey there–keen on trying out Beehiiv already? Get your 30-day free trial now and let me know your honest take on this tool!
Newsletter creation and customization
Beehiiv offers one of the most intuitive and powerful email editors out there. Designed for both beginners and advanced users, the customization options help you create newsletters that resonate with you and your audience. How exactly?
The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the design process for those without design experience.
For advanced users, Beehiiv supports custom HTML, meaning you get full control over the design and functionality of your newsletters.
Choose from a range of pre-designed templates that you can tweak to match your brand aesthetic.
Subscriber management
Managing your subscribers is pretty easy with Beehiiv. Well, it can still be a struggle for those like me, who prefer creativity over technicalities. Here’s how Beehiiv helps you manage your audience:
You can create segments based on user behavior, demographics, or engagement levels. This allows you to tailor your content to different audience segments.
You can use tags to organize subscribers and target specific groups with relevant campaigns (limited functionalities here, though).
What’s more–you can use the Beehiiv website builder to create your own website and then embed Beehiiv forms to turn visitors into subscribers with customizable pop-ups.
Analytics and reporting
This creator-friendly newsletter platform comes with analytics tools as well:
3D analytics (used to understand your reader’s journey, preferences, and behaviors)
Real-time data (to track open rates, click-through rates, conversion rates, and more)
A/B testing (optimize your campaigns by testing multiple subject lines and content variations)
Segmentation reports (generate reports on different audience segments)
Beehiiv integrations
Beehiiv offers the following integrations:
CRM systems
Social media
API access (for custom needs, Beehiiv provides API access, so you can connect with other tools and automate workflows)
It integrates with Zapier, meaning you can work your way around Beehiiv + other tools in your stack.
What Sets Beehiiv Apart?
Apart from making a mission out of simplifying newsletter markets, Beehiiv’s creators made sure to include features that simplify tasks while driving growth and monetization. Here’s what makes Beehiiv stand out from other platforms:
The no-code website builder–alongside newsletters, Beehiiv allows you to build websites without any coding knowledge. This includes web hosting and custom domains.
Built-in ad network–monetize your email subscribers with Beehiiv’s internal ad network, which connects you with premium sponsors.
Referral program–grow your subscriber base organically by incentivizing your current readers to refer friends and family.
‘Beehiv boosts’, cross-promotions, and the integrated network of newsletters for collaboration help you grow your audience faster.
AI assistance–Beehiiv’s built-in AI provides writing assistance and customizations.
Beehiiv offers tailored resources for different creator categories to simplify your journey even more.
How Does Beehiiv Work?
Beehiiv is designed to simplify the process of building and growing your newsletter. This all-in-one platform offers intuitive design tools, subscriber management, powerful analytics, and monetization options.
The best part is that you can start from scratch or migrate from another service when choosing Beehiiv. While many creators find it challenging to migrate their subscriber lists and content from one platform to another, Beehiiv makes this process easy to manage.
“We were able to migrate thousands of subscribers and all of our previous content in a few seconds with a few clicks.” – Tina Survilla Lindell, HUG
Beehiiv has an extensive set of design tools that help you build visually appealing newsletters With pre-designed templates and a drag-and-drop editor, building branded layouts is easy.
Then, there’s the advanced analytics and A/B testing capabilities and full customization of newsletters with options for custom HTML and CSS and the no-code website builder to help you attract visitors and convert them.
Beehiiv includes built-in tools for referral programs and monetization features such as premium subscriptions and integrated ad networks, which help you generate revenue directly from their newsletters.
These are just a few examples of what Beehiiv does as a newsletter platform. Depending on your specific needs, you can integrate new workflows or leverage the platform’s features to fit your business needs.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using Beehiiv
Beehiiv is easy to use, so you’ll probably need less than 5 minutes to get accustomed to the platform (or so they say). Still, to simplify the process even further, follow these simple 5-step approach to set up your Beehiiv account and send your first newsletter:
1. Sign up for Beehiiv
Head to Beehiiv, then choose your preferred tier, from the Beehiiv free plan to a paid plan of your choice.
Sign up using your email or an integrated service like Google and check your email for a confirmation link to verify your account.
Complete additional steps for verification (e.g., payment gateway setup with your Stripe account).
Get accustomed to the Beehiiv dashboard through the free resources provided by the support team.
Connect with other creators for insights via Slack (available for paid plans) within Beehiiv’s community.
Set up two-factor authentication for added security.
Start your 30-day free trial. Explore all features to get a 360-degree understanding of the basic features and different tools provided within the dashboard during this time.
2. Create and design your first newsletter
Start by selecting from a variety of pre-designed templates. Use the drag-and-drop editor to customize your newsletter.
Write your content using the text editor and the AI assistant. Add images, links, and personalized fields to make your newsletter engaging.
Adjust the layout and design elements to match your brand’s aesthetic. For advanced customization, use custom HTML and CSS.
3. Manage subscribers and lists
Migrate subscribers from other platforms like ConvertKit, Mailchimp, or HubSpot using Beehiiv’s migration guides. You can import subscribers via CSV files and map custom fields or tags.
Create detailed segments based on user demographics, behavior, or engagement levels, then use tagging to organize subscribers and target specific groups.
4. Set up the referral program
Encourage your existing subscribers to refer others by setting up a referral program with incentives.
5. Send or schedule your newsletters
Use the design tools to finalize your newsletter content. Embed referral links, ads, and recommendations as needed.
Decide on the best time to send your newsletter and schedule it in advance. Use the scheduling tool to automate your sends without manual intervention.
Optimize open rates and engagement by running A/B tests on subject lines and content variations.
Check open rates and address any deliverability issues, like images not loading or emails being marked as spam.
Promote your newsletter on your freshly built or existing website through subscribe forms, a blog post, social media, and more.
Who Can Use Beehiv?
The Beehiiv platform is versatile. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, blogger, NGO leader, podcaster, influencer, or part of niche categories such as Web 3 & Crypto or Health & Fitness, Beehiiv can help you build and promote your newsletter.
To guarantee a tailored experience, Beehiiv has established dedicated groups for various content creators, with specific tools and features for niche categories such as:
Business
Content Creators
Web 3 & Crypto
Health & Fitness
Food
Pop Culture
Podcasters
Sports
How to Make Money With Beehiiv
Beehiiv comes with five ways to make money with their SaaS. Whether you want to earn through ads, referrals, or premium subscriptions, they make the process easy and lucrative. Here’s how you can make money with Beehiiv:
1. Consider the Beehiiv ad network
The Beehiiv network connects your newsletter with big-name brands, letting you feature their ads. The system matches you with ads that fit your audience to provide a better reader experience and higher engagement.
How it works:
Choose Ad Placements: You decide which ads to run, making sure they fit your content.
Get Paid: After the campaign, you get paid. Beehiiv handles all tracking and invoicing.
Regular Payouts: Payments come a few weeks after the sponsored send.
2. Try Beehiiv Boosts for added income
Beehiiv Boosts helps you grow your newsletter by promoting it in other popular newsletters. Magic links are a unique feature that simplifies this part. Essentially, Magic links can be shared by others, and when someone clicks on one, they are instantly subscribed to your newsletter. You can also earn money by recommending other newsletters to your readers.
How Beehiiv Boosts work:
Set Your Price: Decide how much you want to pay for each new subscriber and deposit money in the digital wallet within Beehiiv (minimum $50). The average cost per subscriber is $1.63, while the average monthly growth when using Boosts is 137%.
Pay for Engaged Subscribers: Publications apply, and then they go through an approval process, which you manage. Essentially, you’ll know who’s spreading the word about your newsletter. The best part? You only pay for engaged and active subscribers.
3. Earn by recommending
Apply to Boost Others: Sign up to recommend other newsletters.
Get Paid: Earn money as new subscribers opt into your boosted recommendations. Earnings are added to your Beehiiv wallet.
4. Leverage paid subscriptions
Beehiiv lets you convert your readers into paying subscribers with paid subscription options. You can offer monthly and annual plans to create a reliable income stream from your subscription revenue.
How It Works:
Offer subscription plans: Provide different subscription tiers and pricing options.
Incentivize upgrades: Create offers, discounts, and free trials to encourage readers to subscribe.
Manage the process: Beehiiv handles user authentication, paywalls, and billing, so you can focus on your content.
5. Try the Beehiiv Partner Program
Promote Beehiiv with its affiliate program and earn a 50% commission for the entire year of your referred client. All you have to do is sign up for a Beehiiv account, access the partner dashboard, and receive a customized link to share with your audience.
Beehiiv Pricing Plans and Options
Beehiiv has four flexible pricing plans to aid in maintaining, scaling, or even downgrading payments based on your business needs:
Launch Plan (Free for up to 2,500 subscribers)
Includes: Custom Website, Custom Newsletters, Campaign Analytics, Unlimited Email Sends, Up to 3 Publications, Recommendation Network, Optimized Deliverability, Subscriber Tagging, Audience Segmentation, Custom Domains, and API Access.
Scale Plan ($39/month for up to 1,000 subscribers)
Includes everything in Launch, plus: Ad Network, Boost Network, Premium Subscriptions, New Website Templates, Email Automations, Referral Program, 3D Analytics, Beehiiv AI, Survey Forms & Polls, Unlimited Teammates, and Community Access.
30-day free trial available.
Max Plan ($99/month for up to 1,000 subscribers)
This includes everything in Scale, plus Removal of Beehiiv Branding, NewsletterXP Course, up to 10 Publications, and Priority Support.
Enterprise Plan (Custom, for 100,000+ subscribers)
Includes everything in Max, plus: Concierge Onboarding, Designated Account Manager, Dedicated IP Addresses, and Infinite Subscribers.
Beehiiv Pros and Cons
Beehiiv is a popular newsletter platform, but like any newsletter builder, it comes with its strengths and weaknesses. So, to get to the bottom of ‘good vs. bad’ on this Beehiiv review, I had to dig deep, AKA head to Reddit and other review websites, on top of trying it out myself.
Here’s my honest take on the pros and cons of Beehiiv:
Pros of Beehiiv
It’s a user-friendly and feature-rich platform, focused on newsletter creators needing growth tools. Beehiiv offers extensive editing options, meaning you can create and customize newsletters and websites without technical knowledge. All pricing tiers offer unlimited email sends. Plus, you can segment your audience to send targeted campaigns, although subscriber-level tagging could be improved.
Monetizing newsletters is definitely a strength of Beehiiv, as is the API access, which is available even in the free Launch plan.
The tool also allows you to build your website, landing page, or blogging platform. Moreover, you can integrate it smartly with your newsletter, meaning you can add a subscription form to your website.
Cons of Beehiiv
It offers limited automation. Yes, it offers email automation, but it lacks advanced features such as creating custom workflows based on specific triggers. Many have expressed the need for better integrations to reduce reliance on Zapier.
Current forms lack advanced features to aid in segmentation. Bulk editing/removing subscribers or tagging multiple posts simultaneously is another drawback of Beehiiv. They need to work on that, as tagging is recognized on a basic level but lacks the depth of other solutions.
Regarding Beehiiv SEO and content management, the tool has plenty of room for growth. While you can customize slugs, H tags, meta titles, and descriptions, Beehiiv doesn’t support canonical URLs.
Some users complain about the need for more flexible customization options for the website or landing pages, like diverse color choices and headline control.
Beehiiv Alternatives
So, how do Beehiiv alternatives compare with the tool we’re reviewing? Let’s see:
Substack
Substack is great if you’re a writer looking to monetize your newsletter. It’s super simple to use and combines your website and email list into one.
While Beehiiv charges no fees for premium subscriptions and affordable monthly plans, Substack is virtually free and only charges a 10% fee for premium subscriptions.
Mailchimp
It’s a powerful tool for businesses. It offers advanced features like detailed analytics and CRM capabilities. Though it has a learning curve, it’s ideal if you need extensive automation and customization, even if it’s a bit more expensive.
ConvertKit
A fantastic tool for creators like bloggers and YouTubers. It has advanced automation and tagging options, so it’s a good option if you’re looking to manage your audience better and build complex email sequences.
ConvertKit costs $140 for up to 10,000 subscribers and $733 for up to 100,000 subscribers. Beehiiv’s advantage lies again in its economical pricing ($99 and $299) and a generous free plan.
MailerLite
MailerLite balances simplicity and powerful features, making it affordable and user-friendly. Best for small businesses and creators who need essential tools without breaking the bank, as its paid plans start at $9/ month.
FluentCRM
FluentCRM is for WordPress users who want to keep things in-house. It offers full control over your data with strong CRM features. Plans start at $90/ year, but they don’t offer a free plan.
Beehiiv Review: My Personal Experience
So, is Beehiiv worth it? Yes. Beehiiv combines ease of use with great features. It promises an all-in-one solution for newsletter creation, website building, and monetization–and it delivers on its promise.
After trying it out, I can state that Beehiiv offers an intuitive interface that can accommodate any content creator. Features like the referral program and ad network help you scale and monetize content fast, while the relatively low price of the platform helps keep costs in check.
The analytics features help you understand your audience and refine your strategies, even though segmentation and tagging could be improved. Still, Beehiiv is one of the top newsletter platforms on the market today.
Should You Go for Beehiiv or Choose Another Provider? My Verdict
Choosing the right newsletter platform really comes down to your specific needs and goals. After exploring a few popular options, here’s my take:
Beehiiv is fantastic if you’re serious about building a newsletter and growing it. Designed by email marketing specialists, it delivers a tailored experience with solid tools for creating, managing, and monetizing your content. The interface is clean, intuitive, and built for newsletter creators.
Want to try Beehiiv for free? Get the 30-day free trial today and let me know your honest feedback at the end of the month, so that I can update this Beehiiv review with your input!
Disclaimer: As a marketer with years of experience in digital content and email campaigns, my insights stem from hands-on use and in-depth knowledge. I aim to provide objective, honest advice to help you make an informed decision. So, whether you choose Beehiiv or another platform, you’re getting recommendations grounded in real-world experience.
FAQ
What is Beehiiv Used For?
Beehiiv is used to create, manage, and monetize newsletters. It offers features for content creation, audience growth, and revenue generation through ads and subscriptions, making it a favorite among content creators and businesses.
How to integrate Beehiiv with WordPress?
To integrate Beehiiv with WordPress, use the Beehiiv to WordPress plugin. It allows automatic import of your Beehiiv content into WordPress, keeping your site updated with the latest posts.
How to Get the Most Out of Beehiiv?
To get the most out of Beehiiv, try out as many features as you can during the free trial. Initially, A/B test all your emails to optimize them. Remember to promote your newsletter on social media and use integrations to automate workflows and enhance functionalities. Leverage referral programs and Beehiiv Boosts, then monetize through advertisements and premium subscriptions.
Who Should Use Beehiiv And Who Shouldn’t?
Beehiiv is a great choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-use newsletter platform with strong building, promotion, and monetization features. If you need highly advanced automation or a broader suite of tools for a wider variety of marketing efforts, consider platforms like ConvertKit or MailChimp.
Is Beehiiv Worth It or Not?
Yes, Beehiiv is worth it for creators who need a user-friendly platform to manage and monetize newsletters. It offers a suite of features for engagement and growth, as well as popular integrations. If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution for your digital marketing needs, Beehiiv might not suit your needs.
Beehiiv vs Substack
Beehiiv offers simplicity in newsletter design, some SEO tools and integrations, segmentation features, and diverse monetization options. Substack is great for writers and journalists, focusing on subscription-based monetization within communities of like-minded individuals.
Beehiiv vs MailChimp
Beehiiv caters to straightforward newsletter management and monetization, while MailChimp provides a full suite of marketing tools including CRM, email campaigns, and automation. Choose Beehiiv if you aim to focus on newsletter growth and monetization, and MailChimp for a comprehensive 360-degree, yet more expensive solution.
Beehiiv vs Mailerlite
Both platforms are user-friendly, but Beehiiv is optimized for newsletter creation and monetization with blogging tools. MailerLite offers some email marketing and automation features, is less expensive, and is suited for those with diverse marketing needs.
