Creating a web application has never been easier, thanks to no-code platforms like Bubble. Bubble empowers individuals, entrepreneurs, and enterprises to build custom applications without traditional coding. Whether you’re building a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a complex internal tool, or a full-featured web app, Bubble is a powerful choice that can save time and money.
In this guide, we’ll dive into the three main ways you can build a Bubble app. Each method has its pros and cons, and we’ll help you determine which is best suited to your goals, budget, and timeline. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear roadmap to get started with Bubble.
Why Choose Bubble for Your Web App?
Bubble has gained popularity for good reason. It’s an intuitive platform that enables users to build responsive, powerful, and scalable applications quickly. With Bubble, you don’t need coding experience—its drag-and-drop functionality and visual programming interface make it accessible for beginners and experts alike.
Plus, Bubble is highly versatile. Whether you’re building a customer relationship management (CRM) tool, an e-commerce platform, or an inventory management system like Ranch Management Analytics, a profitability tool for ranch managers built on Bubble, you can customize features to meet your exact needs.
Now, let’s explore the three main ways to build your Bubble app and how to choose the one that aligns best with your objectives.
1. Building a Bubble App Yourself
If you have a tight budget and are excited to learn, building a Bubble app yourself can be a rewarding experience. By taking this hands-on approach, you’ll have full control over every aspect of your app and will acquire valuable skills along the way.
Pros of Building Your Own Bubble App
- Cost Savings: Doing it yourself is the most affordable option, making it ideal if you’re on a budget or in the early stages of your startup.
- Learning Opportunity: Learning Bubble gives you control and the ability to make changes and improvements as needed. It’s also a valuable skill to have in today’s tech-driven world.
- Full Creative Control: You can implement your vision without any third-party interference.
Cons of Building Your Own Bubble App
- Time-Consuming: Learning Bubble from scratch takes time, especially if you’re building a complex app.
- Potential Skill Gaps: While Bubble is user-friendly, more advanced features might require expertise in logic and UX/UI design.
- Limited Support: You won’t have the dedicated support you’d get from a professional, which could lead to roadblocks.
Getting Started with Bubble
The first step is to sign up for a free Bubble account and begin with Bubble’s tutorials. There are also online courses and Bubble Bootcamps that can help accelerate your learning.
If you decide to build the app on your own, keep in mind that Bubble has an active community forum where you can ask questions and learn from others who have gone through the process. You can also check out the Bubble Academy for training materials and other resources.
> Tip: Start with a simple MVP. Building a feature-packed app immediately might be tempting, but focusing on your core idea will make it easier to launch and improve over time.
2. Hiring a Freelancer to Build Your Bubble App
If you want an app built with more speed and polish than you could achieve on your own but don’t have the budget for a full agency, a Bubble freelancer might be the perfect middle ground.
Freelancers can bring both speed and technical expertise, offering more advanced customization and functionality than DIY, but at a lower cost than an agency.
Pros of Hiring a Freelancer for Your Bubble App
- Professional Expertise: Freelancers have experience with Bubble and can often implement more advanced features.
- Faster Timeline: Compared to DIY, a freelancer can bring your project to life in less time.
- Flexibility: Freelancers often work on an hourly or per-project basis, making it easier to scale services based on your needs.
Cons of Hiring a Freelancer for Your Bubble App
- Less Control Over the Process: You’ll need to communicate your vision clearly, as freelancers work independently.
- Variable Quality and Availability: Finding a reliable, high-quality freelancer can be a challenge, and you may have to wait for availability.
- Limited Support: After the project ends, ongoing support may cost extra.
Finding the Right Freelancer
To find a Bubble freelancer, consider platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or the Bubble Partner Network. When selecting a freelancer, make sure to:
- Review their portfolio for similar projects.
- Check ratings and reviews from previous clients.
- Ask about their process, including how they handle feedback and revisions.
> Tip: Clearly define your project’s scope, budget, and timeline before hiring. This will prevent misunderstandings and help ensure you’re on the same page.
3. Hiring an Agency to Build Your Bubble App
If you’re looking to build a complex app with high performance, scalability, and premium design, hiring a Bubble agency is the best option. Agencies offer a team of specialists, which often includes Bubble developers, UX/UI designers, and project managers, providing a comprehensive approach to app development.
For instance, Big House is a Bubble agency that builds custom software for enterprises and MVPs for entrepreneurs. Working with an agency like Big House ensures that you have a dedicated team for your project and access to ongoing support and enhancements.
Pros of Hiring a Bubble Agency
- Full-Service Development: Agencies handle all aspects of the project, from design to launch, ensuring cohesive development.
- Reliability and Quality: With a team approach, agencies provide higher quality work and accountability compared to individual freelancers.
- Ongoing Support: Agencies usually offer maintenance and support packages, ensuring that your app remains updated and functional.
Cons of Hiring a Bubble Agency
- Higher Cost: Agencies are the most expensive option, which might not suit smaller budgets.
- Less Hands-On Control: You’ll be less involved in the day-to-day building process, which could be a downside if you want to oversee every detail.
- Longer Onboarding: Agencies often need more time upfront for planning, but this time investment pays off with smoother development.
How to Choose the Right Bubble Agency
When selecting a Bubble agency, research their previous work and request case studies. Ask them to explain their process, including milestones and how they communicate progress. Checking reviews and speaking to previous clients can also give you insight into their reliability and quality of service.
4. Using a Bubble Template
Using a Bubble template is one of the quickest and most cost-effective ways to start building your app. Bubble’s template library provides pre-built, customizable solutions, allowing you to hit the ground running without starting from scratch.
Pros of Using a Bubble Template
- Cost-effective: Templates are significantly cheaper than custom development, which makes them perfect for startups and small businesses on a budget.
- Time-saving: With much of the work already done, templates allow you to get a prototype or even a full app up and running quickly.
- Customizable: Most templates are flexible, so you can tweak and adjust elements to fit your brand and functionality needs.
Cons of Using a Bubble Template
- Limited customization: Although customizable, templates have limits, which can make it challenging to create unique features or complex workflows.
- Not fully tailored: Templates are designed for a broad audience, so they may not precisely match your vision or industry-specific needs.
When to Use a Template
Templates are ideal if you’re a non-technical founder who needs a quick, affordable solution or if you’re testing an MVP and don’t need highly customized features. Many successful startups began with templates and later transitioned to more tailored solutions.
5. Hire a Bubble Coach or Mentor
A Bubble coach or mentor is a great option for those who want to learn Bubble while building their app. A coach can guide you through the process, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that your app is built with best practices in mind.
Pros of Hiring a Bubble Coach
- Hands-on learning: Coaches teach you how to build on Bubble, giving you skills that you can use to manage and update the app yourself.
- Expert guidance: Coaches are Bubble experts who know the platform’s ins and outs and can help you avoid common mistakes.
- Customized assistance: Coaches can work with you to ensure your app has the specific features and workflows you need.
Cons of Hiring a Bubble Coach
- Time investment: Learning Bubble takes time, even with guidance, which may not be ideal if you need a faster launch.
- Cost: Hiring a coach may be more expensive than using a template, especially if you need extensive support.
When to Hire a Bubble Coach
If you’re committed to learning Bubble, have time to invest in the process, and want to gain long-term skills, hiring a Bubble coach is an excellent choice. A coach is also a great resource if you want to build a unique app but don’t have the technical skills to do it alone.
Which Approach is Right for You?
Choosing the right approach depends on your budget, timeline, and desired level of customization.
For example, if you need a quick, affordable solution, a template is a fantastic starting point. If you’re looking to learn Bubble and want hands-on guidance, a coach can help you build skills while developing your app.
Finally, if you want to create a unique, long-term app solution and share the development workload, partnering with a Bubble agency can provide the support you need.
To see what’s possible with a tailored approach, check out Big House, a Bubble agency that builds custom software for enterprises and MVPs for entrepreneurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to build a Bubble app using a template?
A: Depending on the template and the level of customization, you can have a prototype ready within a week. With more customization, it may take longer, but templates generally offer the fastest route to launch.
Q: What is the cost difference between hiring a Bubble agency and hiring a Bubble coach?
A: hiring a coach can range from $100 to $300 per session. While agencies can be more expensive upfront, an agency provides personalized guidance throughout the process and thinks about your project beyond the individual hour sessions that you hire, which may be more beneficial for complex apps.
Q: Can I combine these approaches?
A: Absolutely! Many users start with a template, then work with a coach to customize it, or partner with a Bubble agency for ongoing development. Combining methods can provide the best of all worlds.
Making the Right Choice for Your Bubble App
Deciding how to build your Bubble app comes down to these factors:
- Budget: DIY is the cheapest, while agencies offer the most comprehensive service at a higher cost
- Timeline: If you need a faster launch, a freelancer or agency is usually quicker than doing it yourself.
- Complexity: Complex apps with specific design or functionality needs are best suited for an agency.
For example, if you’re a small business creating an MVP, a freelancer might fit your needs well. If you’re a growing enterprise looking to streamline internal tools or create scalable software, partnering with a trusted agency like Big House ensures quality and professional support.
Conclusion: Start Building Your Bubble App Today
Building a Bubble app is a flexible and accessible process, whether you’re learning as you go, partnering with a freelancer, or engaging an agency. Bubble’s platform makes it possible for anyone—from solopreneurs to large enterprises—to bring powerful, custom apps to life faster and more affordably than traditional development.
Are you ready to take the first step? No matter your approach, remember that Bubble’s community, resources, and professional network are available to help you build a successful application tailored to your needs.
With the right method and the right partners, you can turn your ideas into fully-functional applications that engage users and achieve your goals. Start building your Bubble app today and join the growing community of creators revolutionizing app development.
Stephen Norman is a skilled and accomplished writer known for his versatility across numerous niches. He consistently delivers insightful and engaging content in various fields. Stephen’s extensive experience and profound expertise make him a highly sought-after author in the digital writing sphere.
